Sunday, January 19, 2014

Cold War kids

As some folks may know, I was born in 1970, which puts my formative music-appreciation years in the early-and-mid 1980s. Those were good (or bad, depending on your taste) years for synth music. Like many a young Ottawan I had Eight Second's Where's Bula drilled into my brain, along with possibly toxic levels of exposure to groups like a-ha, OMD and ABC. Although it didn't last (the influence of friends pulled me more in the direction of AC/DC, Joan Jett and Motorhead), I still have a fondness for those synthetic sounds - my most listened-to release of 2013 is undoubtedly the Cosmic Machine comp of French synth acts. Synth music seems to be enjoying a renaissance these days. On to the reason for this post, Montreal's Rational Youth. The Montreal combo were part of synth rock's first wave, and got a bit of chart time with songs like No More and No Less and Bang On. Keyboardist and Brand New Waver Kevin Komoda apparently found a heap of old tapes from his old outfit and talked Tracy Howe into hitting the road one more time, along with his Plunt-mate Brian Arsenault, Tracy's wife Gaenor and the oh-so solid rhythm section of Paul Grainville and Scott Cameron (of Normals fame). Apparently they're big in Scandinavia, so they hit a few dates there before returning to Canada for their first show in Montreal in 27 years earlier this month. Saturday night, they were at Zaphod's, performing for a few young 'uns and a bunch of folks in their 50s.

First up, Riishi Von Rex. The last (and only) time I saw Riishi was also at Zaphod's back in November 2009. Four and a half years later, she still reminds me of P.J. Harvey. This time around she also had a drummer, Michel, on hand. She's hosting a rock'n'rolll night the first Sunday of the month at the Rainbow, too.

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Michel hits!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

The whole lot!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Riishi sings!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Singing drummer action!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Tapping action!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

The end!

Riishi Von Rex at Zaphod Beeblebrox

On to Rational Youth ... well, they aren't quite youth nowadays, but they sounded very solid and were definitely into it. They started things off "unplugged." With just the keyboardists Brian, Tracy and Kevin. Here's Kevin!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

The Youth of today! Brian, Gaenor, Paul, Tracy, Scott and Kevin.

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Brutish action with Brian.

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Darn it, forgot to take any decent photos of Scott Cameron!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Tracy claps.

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Gaenor provided some extra percussion and backing vocals.

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Kevin sings!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Gripping action!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

More Paul!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

The end!

Rational Youth at Zaphod Beeblebrox

Great night, and a treat to hear City At Night, the prescient Dancing On The Berlin Wall and Saturday in Silesia again (also Holiday in Thailand, Man In Grey, and others).

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