No, it's just begun!

And now, on to the music event of the year ... no, not Bluesfest, Jazzfest, Westfest (already did that), Feverfest (forgot to mention it .... sorry about that, Feverfesters!). No, I speak of course of the squalling scion of Gaga Weekend, Ottawa Explosion! Ian Manhire curated the wonderful Gaga Weekend for three years, and now the torch is being held aloft by Emmanuel Sayer and assorted other helping hands, notably Luke Nuclear. For day No. 1 the folks at Bruised Tongue contributed a showcase and awesome mixtape of their band of fuzzy freaks (stiill downloadable from their site), starting off with Knifemare. Knifemare took a few people off-guard with their chaotic Gaga Weekend set last year (or so I hear); for the Explosion they were back with an expanded band and more denim!

Ryan and Patric (a.k.a. Carruthers!), the OG KM!



I can never recognize Matt Oxley when he isn't wearing his baseball hat.



Patric sings!



Ryan frets!



A rare photo of Dave Aardvark not making a funny face.



Knifemarish action!



Teenage kicks! Okay, twentyish kicks.



Life imitates shirt!



The shouty bit!



More Oxley!



More Ryan!



The end!



I gather future shenanigans are planned. This was also a release show for their new split tape with Mannequin, the band up next which coincidentally also featured Matt Oxley.

• Show reminder: Tim Chaisson and Morning Fold perform at the Preston St. Heart and Crown; The Details and Right By Midnight perform at Zaphod's; Tara Holloway and Jerry Stamp play the Raw Sugar Cafe. Free Whiskey String Band, Huntley Slim and the Suburban Cowboys and The Blackwood Two roll into the Elmdale.