Ask Gerald Eaton about the Pan Am Games, and the lead singer of the Philosopher Kings admits his knowledge of the international sporting event starts and ends with Donovan Bailey.

Unlike Canada's temperamental sprinter, however, Eaton had no qualms about performing at Pan Am this summer.

"I didn't really know much about the Pan Am Games. Since I found out we were going to play it, I hear about it all the time. I didn't realize it was such a big deal," says Eaton, whose Philosopher Kings headline tonight's free show, which also stars popular Latino singer Wilfrido Vargas and local rock band Spur Of The Moment.

"I heard Donovan Bailey's record got broken by some American guy, and that's about all I know about track and field," adds Eaton, with a wry laugh. "It's kind of cool to be at the event but at the end of the day, we're just doing a show.

Eaton may sound cavalier in his attitude towards the Games, but those familiar with the band know that when it comes to playing live, The Philosopher Kings are Canadian rock 'n' soul royalty.

The Kings' most recent album, Famous, Rich And Beautiful, spawned four singles, including Hurts To Love You and Cry, and is quickly approaching the double-platinum mark in Canada. While the group has released only two albums, band members are putting the final touches on an untitled live album recorded during a recent nationwide tour. The album, which will include a couple of new singles, is due out in October.

Eaton admits that under traditional circumstances it would too early for a six-year-old group to be putting out a live disc. But we're talking about The Philosopher Kings, after all -- and the live arena is where the Kings, uh... reign supreme (pardon the pun).

"Our live show is such a big part of defining us," Eaton says. "So many fans say 'I like your album, but live there's nothing like you guys.' We really just wanted to capture what we do live, even though in a typical band's career it might be a little premature. We definitely enjoy playing live ... (it's) really the thing we love the most about our business."

What Eaton and his five bandmates aren't so fond of is pop's preoccupation with the hit single.

"There was a day when audiences became fans of a band based on their live act. To be honest, I'm sort of hoping those days will come back, because that's definitely where we, The Philosopher Kings, fall in. We're a live band primarily ... when most people today are making albums and then trying to figure out how to play them live.

"It's just about songs. It's about songs that are going to get played on pop radio."

As a result, Famous, Rich And Beautiful remains in a vault somewhere inside the American division of Sony Music. Sure, the album's hot property in Canada. Sure, the band's sound is so unique, its songs keep popping up on American soundtracks and television shows, including Baywatch, despite the lack of southern exposure. Sure, there's plans to release it in the states. But ...

"It's politics," Eaton says, shrugging. "We're not really holding our breath, we're just moving on. The U.S. branch is a very, very big label and right now, they're dealing primarily in things like Backstreet Boys and Savage Garden and that sort of stuff, so they don't really have a slot for a band like us.

"It's just a big country. It takes a long time."

And patience.

"We still have room to grow in Canada. It's not like we've reached a point where we've outgrown this country. Till we get to that point, we don't have to be frustrated with what's happening across the border."