Sunday, December 29, 2013

Totally gnar

Saturday night I walked over to Luneta Cafe to check out some surf-punk-garage rock for a good cause. The Ottawa Skateboard Community Association has got a line on a skatepark for the corner of Bronson and Gladstone, and is raising some dollars so they can make full use of the space. Montreal's Brabazons came to town to aid the cause, and locals Swollen Eyes and Chero Chavo also pitched in.

I know little of Chero Chavo; they have a surf-a-delic sound and did a swell job starting things up.

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Ray-banned action!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

I believe this is Travis Kinnear handling the bass.

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Bowlered action!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

The ever-fashionable Phil Bones rocks the Silvertone.

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Singalong action!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Rhythm section action!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Phil sings!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Travis sings!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Shoot-em-up action!

Chero Chavo at Cafe Luneta

Then it was on to Swollen Eyes ...

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Holidazed

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas; now it's time to gear up for the New year's Eve shows, and where better to get a little practice than at the House of Targ? Criminally under-recorded Torontonians First Base finally headed into the studio (with Targ supremo Yogi) to lay down the tracks for their debut long-player earlier this year. It was released in October on Hozac, and they returned to the Meatlocker for some album-release action with some locals and local exiles.

First up, a mystery band ... who turned out to be Average Times! They're also playing at Babylon's Dark & Stormy night a week from now.

Average Times at the House of Targ

Curtis frets!

Average Times at the House of Targ

Seiji sings!

Average Times at the House of Targ

The bands' performance space stretched out into the back, so drummer photos will be few and distant this post ...

Average Times at the House of Targ

Singalong action!

Average Times at the House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Average Times at the House of Targ

The whole lo!

Average Times at the House of Targ

The shouty bit!

Average Times at the House of Targ

Nervous System, Voicemail and First Base after the jump ...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Seasonal fare

Christmas is nearly upon us, and that means some folks that have split for warmer climes - such as White Wires drummer Allie Hanlon - are back in town. That means The Wires can hop on stage for a crowded Monday show at Babylon with Mother's Children.

Ken sings!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Davey is well-lit!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Tim hits!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Michael frets!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Singalong action!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Extra Michael!

Mother's Children at Babylon

The whole lot!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Davey sings!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Singalong action!

Mother's Children at Babylon

Back-to-back action!

Mother's Children at Babylon

The end!

Mother's Children at Babylon

After the jump, the return of the Wires!

Monday, December 23, 2013

A storm in the east

I think I can officially confirm that the Sunday before Christmas, during a freezing rain storm, is not the best time to attract an audience. Fortunately a few folks trudged through the snow to check out an incursion from the Maritimes at Pressed, courtesy of Kappa Chow and Construction & Destruction. Remi Royale was also on hand to liven things up in the middle slot.

Kappa Chos is a bit of an oddity, since apparently there is both a Montreal version (featuring members of Astral Gunk and Devil Eyes) and a Sackville version. Joe Chamandy of Astral Gunk bonds the two version together.

Kappa Chow at Pressed

The whole lot! Although I gather the Sackville lineup sometimes boasts five people - we got the touring version, I guess.

Kappa Chow at Pressed

Bass action!

Kappa Chow at Pressed

The shouty bit!

Kappa Chow at Pressed

Singing drummer action!

Kappa Chow at Pressed

Striptease action after the jump ....

Sunday, December 22, 2013

War on XXXmas

Yes, it's Christmas Show time, with the Season's Beating crowd living it up at Irene's, Kalle Mattson and co. performing at Zaphod's and various members of the Fun Boy Club House crowd (that is, members of New Swears, Tropical Dripps, Glorious Moonrockets and Shitty Mike) slipping into their red woolens for a stage-crowding performance as XXXmas, the band that turns Santa into Satan.

Look everyone, gifts!

XXXmas at Pressed

Kurt from Yips/Tropical Dripps gets a bass from Santa Scrubar.

XXXmas at Pressed

Kieran sports a bag-beard.

XXXmas at Pressed

And they're off!

XXXmas at Pressed

B.J. and Sammy sing!

XXXmas at Pressed

Shawn shakes it!

XXXmas at Pressed

Kieran hits!

XXXmas at Pressed

Fisheye action!

XXXmas at Pressed

Singalong action!

XXXmas at Pressed

Hugs!

XXXmas at Pressed

More B.J.!

XXXmas at Pressed

Crowd-surfing action!

XXXmas at Pressed

Metallic action!

XXXmas at Pressed

Shitty Mike and Sammy ride the crowd!

XXXmas at Pressed

Singalong action with Nick!

XXXmas at Pressed

"Let's take things down."

XXXmas at Pressed

Taking a bow.

XXXmas at Pressed

Extra Coupe!

XXXmas at Pressed

A great show for a packed house.