As we were saying, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots and their staff are quickly establishing themselves as the best late-night-TV musical option. Whether it’s J-Fal admirably imitating Neil Young or honoring Springsteen with a week’s worth of tributes, or Fallon and The Roots (OK, Carly too) killing on their cover of Call Me Maybe, this gang is proving they are kool and have their finger on the pulse of musical entertainment (don’t get us wrong, we still have unlimited respect for Letterman, Paul Shaffer and band).

The Fallon Show’s musical acumen was proven yet again Friday night when Vancouver’s Japandroids were invited to play and proceeded to tear the roof off of Fallon’s studio.  This is a duo that clearly knows how to bring the energy and passion.  We are suckers for drummers and other band-members who are so enamored with a band’s songs that they can’t help but lip-sync throughout with the lead singer.  Just watch the performances below in which drummer David Prowse can’t resist mouthing every word behind guitarist Brian King.  The band’s irrepressible energy is best seen in the first song below, Fire’s Highway.  Prowse’s (intentionally?) off-key backup vocals on the song initially jar, but the duo’s energy and passion are so infectious that by song’s end you wouldn’t have Prowse’s vocals any other way.  In the second song, The Roots’ guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas joins Japandroids for an incendiary version of The House That Heaven Built.   Japandroids’ new album is Celebration Rock, which is getting rockin’ raves across the realm.

Fire’s Highway:

The House That Heaven Built: