The Joy of Ted

Ted Leo is boss. I started listening to his stuff about the time of Chisel's Set You Free (1997 ... yikes, that seems like a long time ago) and was disgruntled when that band broke up shortly after. Well, Leo then embarked on a solo career that brought him to Ottawa for two awesome shows, both at the much-missed Bumpers ("It's sad to see Bumpers turned into burgers" said Leo himself at last Sunday's Babylon show - it's now part of The Works chain). His first solo album was hit-and-miss, but he's been firing on all cylinders since The Tyranny of Distance.
Leo's reverb-laden guitar, distinctive vocal yelp and the heart, speed and brain of his music is always a fine thing to see and hear..
The band raced through material from Leo's critically acclaimed Shake the Sheets, Hearts of Oak and Tyranny as well as material older and newer. They also spared the audience the timeworn "encore" ritual, playing through to the show curfew of 11:15.

Leo up against the wall.



Dave Lerner's dazed expression belies his nimble bass-playing.



Drummer Chris Wilson is a happy guy.



Ted shouts!



And another Wilson pic. Couldn't decide whether to post this one or the one above, so I posted both ...



The band finished up with a run-through of Stiff Little Fingers' Suspect Device - as timely as ever - and a solo turn from Leo.

• Show reminder: Tough decisions to be made as two Music for Cats artists play separate venues. The Weapons of Mass Seduction play with Fake Blood and Thee Fine Lines at the Avant-Garde Bar, while Reverend Glasseye celebrates the release of their fine new CD Our Lady of the Broken Spine with Charlie Brooks' Carlangas at Irene's Pub.