These boots were made for rockin'

I made haste to Raw Sugar March 30 because it's a small venue, and on previous occasions the place has been packed to the rafters, with folks peering in through the side door. Okay, Slow down, molasses, Jeans Boots and The Ethics don't have quite the drawing power of the Kelp Weekend, but there was still a pleasantly sized crowd there. I wiled away a few minutes reading one of the books from Raw Sugar's mini-library (The Hobbit) before Jeans Boots hit the stage and proceeded to rock out. Now, Jeanette Stewart, who is the group's main brain, does have an acoustic side, but this show was unadulterated electricity in the vein of Sonic Youth and Julie Doiron's louder moments.

Jeanette and drummer Ryan Drabble.



Tyson Brooks - who also fronts Slow down, molasses - goes check, check, check.



Hair-flinging action!



The whole lot!



Bendy action!



Better-lit action! The hair-bear didn't last to the end of the set.



Drabble hits! One of the many touring musicians in the house (Rolf Klausener? My memory is as fuzzy ... ) was heard to declare "Oh my God! That's Ryan Drabble!" I guess he does sound for all the bands that go through Saskatoon.



Booted action!



More Tyson!



More Drabble!



The view from the floor.



That was one hot set. I hope she'll come back through town soon!

• Show reminder: It's Record Store Day, and I know of at least two live shows, namely The Visitors at Vertigo at 6 p.m. and The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at (of course) Birdman Sound at 3 p.m. BOATS!, The Girlfriends, Wooka Tribe, The Annoyers, Get A Life Losers and The Midnyte Revival rock out at the Elmdale; Dry River Caravan and Andre Bluteau play Irene's; TxDxP, Shot Nerves, Gusto Fiasco and The Valveenus play a mystery house show in Orleans (I hear Ska Jeff can hook you up); The Pixies are at The Civic Centre; Claudia, Bad Doctor and Pia Ashley entertain at Zaphod's.