Thursday, May 31, 2012

The aquatic blues

Off to the Mercury Lounge for a rare show their (not that shows there are rare, just I don't see a lot of them). In this case, Nathan Larochette's ambient folk-doom project Musk Ox is headlining a show that includes  Claude Munson and Paper Beats Scissors.

Thumbs up for the paparazzi!

Thumbs up at The Mercury Lounge

And here's Claude, playing what Nathan described as "Deep Sea Folk."

Claude Munson at The Mercury Lounge

Here are Claude's shoes. Don't ask why.

Claude Munson at The Mercury Lounge

Claude sings!

Claude Munson at The Mercury Lounge

Fisheye action!

Claude Munson at The Mercury Lounge

Claude in lights!

Claude Munson at The Mercury Lounge

Good stuff.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pound for pound

Lefty McRighty seems to be birthing bands left and right - Lefty McRighty & The Sinister Six is the latest - but here's one where he isn't up front, 90 Pounds of Ugly.  No worries, since Patsy Clash is a Grade-A frontwoman.

Standup steve, standing up, Clash and the legendary Ernie Legend.

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Here's a well-illuminated Lefty.

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Closeup action!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Standup action!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

The whole lot!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Singalong with Steve!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Shadowy action!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Extra Clash!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Bolo tie action!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Extra Steve!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

Lefty sings!

90 Pounds of Ugly At Cafe DeKcuf

I don't know about 90 Pounds of Ugly, but Lefyt will be at Irene's with The Sinister Six (including Ernie and Steve) on June 2.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Borthers and sisters

I've seen some of The Bank Robbers Union, the middle act back on March 2 at Cafe DeKcuf, performing with other bands, notably the Beer Barons. Like that band they're offering a roughhewn, not to say inebriated take on roots music.

Here we have Two-Guns, Kalamity Kay and Brother Cletus.

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Brother Cletus sings!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Violin action!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Two-Guns sings!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

There was also some Standup Steve action! Plus lasers, apparently.

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

The whole lot, plus beer!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Unionized action!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

More Kalamity!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Accordion action!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Kalamity sings!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Singalong action!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

More guns!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

Guitar action!

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

They might want to avoid shows in Montreal in the immediate future ...

Bank Robbers Union at Cafe DeKcuf

They'll be opening for The F-Holes at Irene's June 16.

Monday, May 28, 2012

In the pines, in the pines

I was so darn impressed with my first sighting of 90 Pounds of Ugly I just had to go and see them the next chance I had, which turned out to be March 2  at Cafe DeKcuf. The opening act was Jack pine, who I'd met at the odd show and whose name I'd seen on sundry bills. As it turns out he's an excellent performer of roots music, usually with The Fire, but also solo on this occasion.

The man himself (also know as Gareth Auden-Hole)!

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

Close-up action!

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

Acoustic action!

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

Not so close-up action!

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

And now for a little mandolin ...

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

The shouty bit!

Jack Pine at Cafe DeKcuf

A fine live show, and I also highly recommend his album. Jack Pine & The Fire will be sharing a stage at the Elmdale with The Murder Plans June 8.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Let's knife

Just a couple of days ago I mentioned how The Soupcans would be great on a bill with Ottawa's own Party Knives. And now here we are with a recap of that very same cutlery-loving combo, featuring members of such swell outfits as The Million Dollar Marxists, Grizzlar, Big Dick, Token, Uranium Comeback, and so on!

Owen and Lee!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

A couple of Big Dicks ... actually, all of Big Dick, Johnny O and Dave Secretary.

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

More Owen!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

More Johnny!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Pat Johnson fills the second drum stool.

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Keyboard action!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Microphone swinging action!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Gripping action!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Singalong action!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Pat is an island of normalcy.

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

The whole fisheyed lot!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Bendy action!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Owen's not-last stand!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

And so on!

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Dave is a man of great aplomb.

Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker

Mighty swell! They'll be killing off whoever survives Ottawa Explosion this year at the Sunday, June 17, show at Mugshots.