Long before Ted Leo was a standard-bearer of smartypants punk-pop, he was the guitar player in one of New York's best noise/hardcore bands, Hell No, who frankly got a lot better once he left the band.

It was better for all involved. Ted Leo went on to form Chisel (one of the only convincing mod-revival bands ever) and then Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, who for my money is the most consistently compelling act touring in a van today.

Equal parts Irish pop a la Dexy's Midnight Runners/Thin Lizzy and Billy Bragg-esque protest punk, Leo sometimes shines brightest on his own, as he does here performing "The High Party".

C+L reader Max (a different one) submitted this clip of Canadian singer/songwriter Jacob Moon playing an acrobatic rendition of "Subdivisions" by Canada's finest trio, Rush, while on the roof. Incidentally, when I saw Rush last year they had prop rotisserie chicken ovens on either side of the stage for reasons still unclear to me.

I couldn't post this without another Rush cover clip from the almighty Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, shot on a budget from the crowd. C'mon Ted, record this one!