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Masters of the Spadina Bus make their way to Summer Kicks

The Shuffle Demons are closing out the Summer Kicks series on Thursday August 16.
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The Shuffle Demons are playing at Summer Kicks.

When you cross three amazing saxophonists dressed in wacky clothes, a crazy dancing drummer and a killer upright bass player, and then have them sing songs about buses, roaches and hockey− you get the Shuffle Demons.

The Shuffle Demons got their start as street performers in downtown Toronto, so it’s a perfect fit to have the jazz band close out the Summer Kicks outdoor concert series in Spirit Square on Thursday August 16.

Formed back in 1984, the Demons would draw hordes of hipsters to their street gigs with their wild playing and exotic wardrobe, often stopping traffic with their antics and amazing no holds barred playing.

Band members Richard Underhill, Perry White, Stich Wynston, George Koller, and Kelly Jefferson, along with several past band members, have moved on to other projects and accomplished other goals.

But there’s something about the Shuffle Demons that keeps bringing them back.

Their first hit, “Spadina Bus,” in 1986 lit MuchMusic on fire, and sparked multi-decade career that included countless tours, several award nominations and wins, seven videos, eight albums, thousands of conga lines, and even a Guinness World Record.

In 2004, the band co-ordinated 900 saxophone players in the streets of Toronto, all playing the Hockey Night in Canada theme song. It broke the record for the largest number of people playing saxophone simultaneously.

In 2004 they released a Greatest Hits album, but 2012 marks their first original album release since 1995. “Clusterfunk” just hit the stores on July 3.

With their well-known stage antics, phenomenal playing and frequent guest appearances from their famous friends (including the Barenaked Ladies), The Shuffle Demons are not to be missed.

Also performing on Aug. 16 for the final Summer Kicks show will be Jane Fearing, Suzy Raudaschl and Duane Amundrud