Stranger than friction

I was pleasantly surprised to make it out of work last Thursday in time to see not only Howe Gelb but also see a good chunk of opener Flecton Big Sky's set. There was an early set time (I assume this was to accommodate Howe Gelb's crowd, some of who are more used to performing Sunday morning than into the wee small hours. Flecton's stream-of-consciousness rock had an extra rootsy edge thanks to the addition of Fiftyman Jake Bryce on banjo. No face paint this time around, but Flecton's sense of style is unimpaired by the early hour ...



Tom Werbowetski drums zealously.



Jake Bryce also had a few percussive duties, but here he fills in on banjo (or banjo-ukelele, perhaps).



Thumb piano action from Scott Terry.



Do the Flecton!



The whole dreamy bunch. (The big picture.)



Hats off to a particularly fine show ... I've seen Flecton play with Royal Trux as well, and he suited the bill just as well on that night as this one with Gelb. There's just something uncannily versatile about his material. Hmm - I just noticed Babylon has repainted its stage area.

• Show reminder: Good2Go play the Aloha Room - they promise new songs. Local punk rockers Layiterslayit celebrate the release of their new CD in the company of West Coasters Mongoose and locals Jesus Mullet at Zaphod's.