Tuesday, July 13, 2010

That empty feeling

With Bluesfest taking a day off (the Byward Market shows aside), I headed off to Babylon to see highly touted Chicago quintet Hollows and a couple of locals, one of them familiar - Peach Kelli Pop - and the other half-familiar - The Shakey Aches.

The Shakey Aches play a screwed up blues rock in line with the dirty Memphis sound expounded by such folks as The Oblivians. Singer Mean Mad Matthew has a good, ragged voice. Usually it's abetted by loads of reverb, but apparently he experienced technical difficulties during the first couple of songs (before I arrived) and had to make do without. The band also reminded of locals The Middens and The Desecrators ... not surprising since ex-Desecrators Tim Matthews and Darell Angus are half the band. Bassist Brian rounds out the outfit.

Shakey Aches at Babylon
The Shakey Aches at Babylon, July 12, 2010

Peach Kelli Pop held down the middle slot ... despite claims that they "had partied really hard last night in Montreal!" I thought they sounded pretty good.

Peach Kelli Pop at Babylon
Peach Kelli Pop at Babylon, July 12, 2010

Hollows finished things off with some hot semi-spooky organ-pop. I sense a certain amount of Question Mark and The Mysterians in their makeup.  They also cite The Wipers, which I didn't twig to but can hear in retrospect, and girl groups like The Shangri-Las - they also covered Diane "Navy Blue" Renay's Watch Out, Sally!

The Hollows at Babylon
Hollows at Babylon, July 12, 2010

A pretty good turnout for a wet Monday, as well.

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