Breeding ground

My Ottawa Sun colleague Denis Armstrong recommended former Inbred Mike O'Neill's third solo album Wild Lines to me, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. He's taking it on tour right now, and stopped at Raw Sugar last night to wow a sizeable crowd with his folk-inflected powerpop. Also on hand were The Golden Seals.

It's been a dog's age since I saw Dave Merritt and company.


The Golden Seals at Raw Sugar, March 10, 2012

His all-star band was filled out by Matt Ouimet on bass, John Higney on guitar and Phil Bova Jr. on drums.


The Golden Seals at Raw Sugar, March 10, 2012

It was a great opening set, ideally suited for O'Neill, who praised it voluminously, before commencing his own set. He has a hot band, consisting in part of The Pinecones (Brent Randall plays bass) and did a fine job on their second show.


Mike O'Neill at Raw Sugar, March 10, 2012

The shadowy men of The Pinecones! (Actually, I believe that's Paul Linklater on guitar, also of Doctor Ew.)


Mike O'Neill at Raw Sugar, March 10, 2012 

A great night out.

• Show reminder: Titan, Loviatar, Teethmarks and Dark Circles make loud noise at Cafe Dekcuf; CZ performs at The Rainbow. I have no idea who that is. Rebekah O’Brien, Marc Audet & Curtis MacPhee, Jill Zmud, No Fly List and Dave Combden and Kris Millett raise the roof and some cash for the Distress Centre at an Elmdale fundraiser.