Eleventh Hour, Part II

Next up for Kelp Records' splendiferous 11th anniversary celebrations were The Flaps. Ottawa's premier instrumental band (no offence to fine outfits like The Empiricals et al. ...) once again put on a super show.

In honour of the occasion, drummer Jamie Gullikson was replaced by a hideous ape-beast!



Martin Newman on bass; this picture came out a little dark; I'm not sure if I didn't use enough flash or it's just his outfit ...



Pat Lawlor concentrates on his footwork.



I don't think I've seen the multitalented John F. Higney Jr. so animated.



Pat and Martin.



Higney and Gullikson.



After their most excellent set, Jon Bartlett came out to help things out. In a dress.



Here's Bartlett at his Bartlettiest.



And playing with Barrymore's big guitar. You can't see it due to the flash, but the strings light up. Cool!



Then it was time for Camp Radio, a new project from Chris Page, Dave Draves of Little Bullhorn fame and the indefatigable Scott Terry.

Chris shakes it all about.



Dave does not shake it all about.



Scott Terry, looking much like he did in the last post.



Some on-stage shenanigans.



And some rock-jumping, mostly to entertain Scott, I think.



There was also lots of pogoing and general athletic activity from Chris. After that power-popping it was time for The Acorn, a band I've managed to avoid seeing through Titanic mischance on my part - every time they played, it seems there was something else demanding my attention. Not on this night, so I got to experience their arty rock for the first time. The clips on the Kelp website don't really do them justice, since Rolf has formed a full band.

Speaking or Rolf Klausener, here he is, this time with his own hair (well, what there is of it).



Howie Tsui missed the Chippendales audition by that much.



Jeff Debutte, of Soft Disaster fame.



T. Jeffrey Malecki on drums. Now we know where that wig went.



Higney chips in some pedal steel.



The Acorn in the spotlight.



Bartlett described them as Ottawa's gayest-looking band, but then again he was wearing a dress, so there may be some projection going on here ...

• Show reminder: Junior Pantherz and four-stroke play Zaphod's tonight.
  
• Rejoicing: The Sunburned Hand of The Man show is a go, thanks to some quick arranging by a few of the folks on the punkottawa.com message board and the good graces of Alexei at the Avant-Garde at 1351/2 Besserer St. It'll be an all ages show this Friday (June 10), with Akisikala (inspired by Cecil Taylor, I presume) and Saint Bernard of Love opening the festivities. So if the No-Neck Blues Band, The Liars, Atman, the local Castor/VEO-related bands and weirdo-forest-drone-psych-folk are your bag, be there!