This is your President

Elliott Brood have been to town a few times since I first caught them at a Zaphod's gig in pre-blog days (they were the subject of an early post which touted an Irene's performance that I missed). The turnout at that show was good; nowadays they seem to be on the cusp of bigger things. Zaphod's was downright crowded, with people right up at the front, and a far more varied crowd than I recall from that August 2004 show. Pretty remarkable turnout when you consider the date was changed.

On guitar, banjo and ukelele, Mark Sasso.





Casey Laforet is an engine-drivin'-man-hat-wearing'-man.





Steve Pitkin; you may recall him from his Violet Archers stint just a few weeks ago.



The lighting of the lamp ... with a borrowed lighter.



It made its way around the crowd before heading back to the stage ...



"Oh, that is not a good idea." Mark was unenthusiastic about the candle-lamp ending up on his guitar stand. ("Let me know if it starts to burn ..." he added later.)



Steve keeps his eye on the banjo.



"I see you, Howie Tsui!"



The Acorn guitarist was invited on stage to help drum.



There were a lot of candles on stage that night, including on the birthday cake of a lady named Amanda.



And here's a few more photos to round things out:





There was quite a feeling of bonhomie at this show, what with the birthday wishes to Amanda (and Acorn supremo Rolf Klausener). They quickly filled a request to play President (35) (from their new album Ambassadors), and played covers of Ring of Fire and Powderfinger. Bigger things seem to be in store: They played Junofest, A European tour looms, and they had a full page colour ad in a recent issue of Magnet (accompanied by a quote from my Sun review of their CD). Can world domination be far away?!? EB will be back in Ottawa for Westfest June 10.