Out of control

Toronto band controller.controller were one of two opening acts for DFA 1979; the other was Uncut, who came and left before I arrived. Actually, it was only a hit-and-run dinner that allowed me to get to Babylon in time for the last few hectic tunes.

The stage was swathed in red; unfortunately there wasn't enough light for a no-flash picture, so you don't get a true impression of what things looked like.



A closer shot after I'd moved around ... yes that's Scotty Karate - a.k.a. Scot Kaija - of Space Elevator at left, Nirmala Basnayake on the mike and Colwyn Lewellyn-Thomas on second guitar. Jeff Scheven, drummer, is barely visible in the picture above. You can also make out a bit of their backing singer under Kaija's chin ...



Bassist Ronnie Morris moves in.



Nirmala goes over the crowd's head.



Several of the people on stage are not, in fact, in the band ...



As you can see from that picture, they went over very well; a funky Velvet Underground meets The Avengers, maybe?

• Ska reminder: The Slackers and The Rude Dudes will be two-toning it at Maverick's tonight.