Saturday, November 30, 2013

The ruff and the ready

My plan last night was to go to either the House of Targ or Gabba Hey, but my Friday schooling ended up stretching past the 14-hour mark. By the time I was home, fed and watered it was too late to head out. Back to the backlog we go, with a show then in progress - that is, Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf, following on the heels of No SInner.

Here's guitar-man Bobby Yiannkoulias and drummer Allan Harding.

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

On the other side of the stage, frizzy-froed bassist Clay Shea.

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Shadowy Allan action!

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Bobby sings!

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Bonus Clay!

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Extra Allan.

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Fisheye action!

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

Closeup action!

Black Mastiff at Cafe DeKcuf

A bevy of local heavies, Collider, finished the show off. Here's Cody showing the Coliseum love.

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Active action with Nick St. Jean!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Rhythm section action with bassist Pat and drummer Ethan.

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

The whole lot!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Pat sings!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Ethan hits!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

More Cody!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Rhythm section action!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Riser standing action!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

The final bellow!

Collider at Cafe DeKcuf

Great sets from both bands.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Over the moon

Luneta is a Bronson Ave. cafe and bistro that has taken to hosting punk, metal and rock shows. I hadn't had a chance to check it out before Saturday night, so yesterday I wandered over to take a look and a hear.

First band of the evening was Neck, who I saw just a couple of weeks ago doing some fundraising for CKCU at the Clocktower. That wasn't too many posts ago, just let's just jump in. "It's so embarrassing - we all wore the same shirt."

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

Kevin hits!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

More Johnny!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

Jeff frets!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

Rhythm section action!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

Closeup action!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

Johnny sings!

Neck at the Luneta Cafe

On to Guelph's Nasties and Toronto's School Damage after the jump ...

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Rough draft

Things are getting chilly outside, but it was all muggy inside Mugshots as Bruised Tongue and Kichesippi took over the hostel bar in order to sell tapes and beer. There were also three bands in town: Ottawa's own Yips, Montrealers Ultrathin and Toronto squallers Soupcans.

The Yips brought their smoke machine. I was stuck up against the wall by one of the speakers so my photos turned out kinda samey ...

The Yips at Mugshots

Guitar action with Jon and Zach!

The Yips at Mugshots

More Jon! (And also another Jon!)

The Yips at Mugshots

Fisheye action!

The Yips at Mugshots

Crazy lights action!

The Yips at Mugshots

The only shot of Kurt - the band was squeezed in pretty tight.

The Yips at Mugshots

Kerri swings some axe.

The Yips at Mugshots

The end!

The Yips at Mugshots

More noise with Ultrathin and Soupcans after the jump ...

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Just dropping in

I had expected to see a trio of previously unknown-to-me-acts at Pressed Saturday night, but things took a turn for the Norwegian with a surprise appearance by heralded (well, actually, unheralded in this case) Oslo shoegaze combo Dråpe. Apparently their appearance was a surprise to everyone; they showed up at Pressed saying they'd been booked to play.

Dråpe played first; they're in the country to perform at the M For Montreal festival this Friday. From left to right we have Ketil Myhre, a mostly obscured Even Hafnor, Hanne Solem, Lars Boquist and Eirik Kirkmyre.

Dråpe at Pressed

More Ketil!

Dråpe at Pressed

Extra Hanne!

Dråpe at Pressed

I had to scoot around to the entryway to snap Eirik.

Dråpe at Pressed

Hanne shakes it.

Dråpe at Pressed

More guitar!

Dråpe at Pressed

More Lars!

Dråpe at Pressed

That was a pleasant surprise. More of the evening's acts after the jump ...

Saturday, November 16, 2013

One toque over the line

Last night I headed over to Pressed to check out Raleigh. They're from Calgary and have a sound that's a bit prog, a bit post-rock, a bit chamber-pop ... they remind me of Young & Sexy, plus cello, The Luyas and Saturday Looks Good To Me. They have a new album out, Sun Grenades & Grenadine Skies, and are criss-crossing the nation to get the word out.

Here's drummer Matt Doherty and guitarist Brock Geiger I didn't use any flash, so all the photos turned out somewhat shadowy). Brock and Matt also play in The Dudes.

Raleigh at Pressed

Silhoetted action with Clea Anais.

Raleigh at Pressed

More Matt!

Raleigh at Pressed

Singalong action!

Raleigh at Pressed

Bonus Brock.

Raleigh at Pressed

Matt hits!

Raleigh at Pressed

Clea rocks the cello.

Raleigh at Pressed

Some very sweet sounds; locals Ashleys headlined the gig - after razzing Pizza Shark, source of their evening eats. This was their last show of 2013; they're currently recording a followup to 2012's Land of Fear and Shame (which you can snag at their Bandcamp, BTW). And now here's a shadowy shot of guitarist Michael and bassist Stu in all their toque-wearing glory..

Ashleys at Pressed

To hell with it, I'm putting the flash on.

Ashleys at Pressed

Michael sings!

Ashleys at Pressed

Derrick takes a break.

Ashleys at Pressed

Guitar action with Jack and Michael!

Ashleys at Pressed

More Stu!

Ashleys at Pressed

Bendy action!

Ashleys at Pressed

More guitar!

Ashleys at Pressed

And a bit more Jack.

Ashleys at Pressed

A very solid evening's entertainment.