Musical Mecca

On Monday evening I decided to head over to Zaphod's to check out a bunch of acts at the venue's free showcase. Although I got home at 9:30 I managed to make it there in time to catch a good portion of Mile Over Mecca's set (I missed the opening act, Montreal's A Broken Trigger). They play folk rock, but they've absorbed some alt rock as well. Judging from their website, they also like hanging out on staircases. Oh, and they had some rowdy fans with them.

Ashley Brier does most of the singing, plays acoustic guitar, takes the odd swig of beer.



Actually, MoM is one of those bands with a lot of vocal talent - like guitarist Mike Rifkin.



And bassist Zach Fouchard, come to that.



Drummer JD Rifkin, in one lonely red light.



Folk rock action!



Three-quarters of the band action!



They finished with a highly appropriate song about how damn cold it was in Ottawa.

• Show reminder: Howe Gelb plays Babylon with Flecton Bigsky. Be warned this is an early show - Flecton will allegedly take the stage at the unheard of time of 7:30 - egad!