TORONTO - For some fans of the Foo Fighters, having the band embark upon an acoustic tour is like ripping the light-sabre out of Luke Skywalker's hands.

So a couple of songs into the band's show at the cosy Hummingbird Centre last night, front-man Dave Grohl tried to set up what was in store, just in case the hooting patrons hadn't seen the words "acoustic tour" on their tickets.

"I don't know how many of you people come to our rock shows, but this is a whole different trip, mother------," Grohl said good-naturedly.

Yes, it certainly was a different trip for anyone who saw the Foo Fighters rip apart the Molson Amphitheatre last summer. But the band managed to make the transition last night because of Grohl's stage presence and charm.

It really picked up when he stood up, though.

For the entire main set, Grohl -- who was joined on stage by the other three fighters of foo and four support musicians -- had his butt glued to a chair as he forcefully strummed his acoustic guitar.

But given the way Grohl's head bobbed and his right foot stomped in time with the music, it was as if Grohl needed every ounce of willpower not to bounce up, plug in and start rocking out.

During the three-song encore, Grohl still was acoustically armed. But he was standing this time, and it really did make a noticeable difference to the energy level in the room as he performed Friend Of A Friend and Best Of Me alone, and then was joined by the entire ensemble for Everlong.

One thing about seeing the Foo Fighters in such an intimate setting is you get to hear everything coming out of the mouth of the personable and funny Grohl, who obviously didn't say too much back when he was the drummer in Nirvana.

He sure made up for it last night.

"Who's got the f------ cologne in the front row?" Grohl asked early on. "That s--- is pungent!"

When introducing support musician and former full-time Foo Fighter Pat Smear, Grohl said, "The first thing he did when we got here was get some Swiss Chalet. That s--- is delicious. Don't let anybody tell you different."

Later on Grohl expressed annoyance at his own banter as he opined, "It was a good show till now ... when did this turn into an interview on NPR (National Public Radio)?"

Grohl said he usually dedicated a particular song to his newborn baby girl, but on this occasion he was dedicating it to a customs agent named Jackie who had helped the band's bass-technician get across the border into Canada. The song? Miracle.

Grohl didn't steal all the fun, though.

Drummer Taylor Hawkins had a good laugh when someone in the crowd yelled out that he looked like Kenny Loggins.

"Who said that? Who's the smart-ass?" Hawkins asked.

When the fan identified himself, Hawkins shot back, "You look like my gym teacher ... or the King Of Queens."

For the record, Grohl stated that the person Hawkins most resembles is Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP.

And the band's travelling percussionist provided some alarmingly visual comic relief when he launched into an impassioned cowbell solo. It reminded one of Will Ferrell's comic turn as a cowbell-obsessed member of Blue Oyster Cult while the band supposedly was recording Don't Fear The Reaper in an old Saturday Night Live skit.

"Leave it to the percussion guy to steal the show ... again," said Grohl, shaking his head.

If it seems as if the most memorable parts of the concert were the spoken bits and the sideshows, well, that probably is true.

The main set was a little draggy in places. But as stated earlier, the encore was stellar.

The Foo Fighters' most recent CD was 2005's In Your Honor, which had one disc of traditional rock material and a second, largely acoustic disc.

Grohl ended the show last night by saying, "I'd like to do this (acoustic sets) for the rest of my life ... but I also like making rock records."

Last night was a nice change of pace, Dave. But the next time you're in town, if you want to break out that electric axe of yours and smash open our heads with it, that would be just fine, too.

Just Foo for thought.

Frank Black, former front man of the Pixies, showcased his strong voice and unique songwriting in his unaccustomed role as the opening act. Black will be back in Toronto to headline his own show at the Opera House on Oct. 26.