Release the z'Howndz

Toronto's z'Howndz is composed of members of Tetrezene, a Do Make Say Thinker and someone from Tangiers (the band, not the city ... but why not both?). From the chatter I gather the band is supposed to be a busman's holiday from art rock ... a chance to get down'n'sleazy. Really, they make me think of early 1970s Cleveland band The Mirrors (live, anyway; their disc left me a little chilled).

Ryder Graham, the man with the sparkly Gretsch guitar (and in Tetrezene lap steel).



Benjamin Boles, the man with the less sparkly guitar, until he broke a string and borrowed Ryder's.



The band was joined by Brian Cram (of GUH, Gesundheit, Bug Night, Do Make Say Think, Mike Hopkin's Formula, Justin Small's Someone Is Flying, David Clark's Woodchoppers Association, and probably a zillion other things) on trumpet. He had a lot of fun stalking around the stage with his radio remote unit.



James Payment (Do Make Say Think) keeps the beat.



Shelten Deverell of Tangiers boogies mightily on the keys. No photo can accurately capture his shaking and bobbing.



"Hello, my name is Brian and I'll be your trumpeter for tonight." Richard, two Karens (I believe the lady at back was with the band), Mark - a.k.a. Jake Heartbreak of The Weapons of Mass Seduction - with his recently cropped top, and, reflected in the mirror, my own be-denimed self.



And the semi-obligatory band shot.



A small audience, but everyone agreed it was something a bit different, and good.

• Show reminder: Jesus Mullet, Agriculture Club, The Mighty Eagle Band and Layiterslayit play at Zaphod's tonight - and it's free. Hurray!