Marble Index and the Dunes light it up at Glow (photos)

"You people are the luckiest people in the world right now," said Trevor Harding, bass player for the Revue.

He was right.

We really were.

"We were in Temiskaming last night and this is way better."

He was joking.

They really weren't.

When Harding said we were lucky, it could have been because we were not in Temisksaming.

But more than likely he was referring to our opportunity to see the Dunes and the Marble Index at Glow on Thursday night.

In a venue that was once the infamous Centennial Lanes, hosting bands like the Forgotten Rebels, Deja Voodoo and the Grapes of Wrath, a sense of hope washed over many in the audience that the location would once again become the Sault's hub of underground, new music.

Following a rousing set from locals, the Revue, both the Dunes and the Marble Index took the enthusiastic, albeit thin crowd by surprise.

Most had never heard of either band but were completely engaged from the moment they started.

There were definite signs of recognition by a few audience members during the Marble Index's Same Schools and We Can Make It, and the Dunes' Do It All the Time, all of which have appeared on Much Music.

The Dunes' solid indie rock sound fronted by Kevin Pullen's soulful, almost haunting Ian Thornley-like voice proved a winning combination.

And although dancers were scarce aside from one extremely energetic fella, there was an abundance of involuntary head-bobbing and toe-tapping.

With it being a school night, the crowd unfortunately thinned more still as the Marble Index finished the night off with a superbly powerful, kick-in-the-butt set.

Climbing, crawling, jumping and dancing his way on and off stage, front man Brad Germain's absorbing performance punctuated the intense, anthemic song writing.

He was also intregued by what he called the Michael Jackson Billie Jean floor.

With out missing a single beat, the members of the Marble Index closed with a seamlessly executed mid-song switch-a-roo as all three members traded instruments.

Worthy of world-wide recognition, I would not be surprised to see both of these bands at least nominated for Juno Awards in 2008.

Yes, we were lucky indeed.