Fogging over

Zaphod's held a series of Bluesfest Showcases with a bunch of up-and-coming Ottawa bands, the majority of which I'd never seen or heard (The Setbacks, Roll Gypsy Roll, Trevor Alguire and The Mercury Pickup Band and The Bella Bombs were the exceptions). Zaphod's brought four of the bands back to play the show where they announced the three bands who would play the showcase (for the record, The Architects, As The Poets Affirm and Lindsay Ferguson got the nod) and hand over the takings for the Blues In The School program. Decent sets from all four bands there - The Kingston Fog, Buckshot, Stone Melodies and Quarter Life - but all far less rock'n'rolling than my usual musical diet.

Kingston Fog were up first. You may have seen their Morrisey-decorated posters about time. They also handed out free demos, which is always nice (worth it for the list "of bands we sound exactly like" alone). I'd compare them to a less rustic Golden Famile.

Lead vocalist Rick Devereaux and guitarist Chris Laporte.



Brian Zimmerman on bass; he was playing with a banged up left arm, which is why he's wearing a sling around his neck. What a trooper.



Drummer Jason Colson - who also has an excellent singing voice.



Violinist Renee Leduc.



Keyboardist Jon Joynt - this band definitely likes fedoras ....



And all together!



Since he didn't make the group shot, here's a photo of him being pointed out by helpful Rick.



A full length album is planned for a September release.