Sunday, June 29, 2014

Lung power

White Lung are always a popular draw here in O-town. I saw them a few times at Babylon back in 2011 and 2012, and it actually seems a bit weird that it's been over two years since their last trip to town. They have a new record out, Deep Fantasy, and are running around North America with the folks from Pop. 1280. Also on hand were Pregnancy Scares and Bonnie Doon, who also have new releases to share.

Bonnie Doon went nautical for this gig with sailor's stripes, beards and tattoos. Also, a stuffed shark. Here's Sara and a coffee-bearded Madison.

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

More Sara!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Leslie rocks the Flipper tattoo.

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Sara's arm-whale!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Madison sings!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Keltie hits !

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Tambourine action!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Leslie sings!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

On to Pregnancy Scares, frequent openers for White Lung. Pierre works the crowd! Not working - the microphone.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

That's better!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

As you can see, Davey is in his official show shirt.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Extra Craig!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Jumping about!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Hair-shaking action!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

David hits!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Gripping action!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Extra Davey!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

There's just not enough to swing from at the House of Targ.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Pop. 1280 followed with a set of synthetic pulse and Cop Shoot Cop-styled holler. I picked up their first album largely because they were on Sacred Bones (along with Zola Jesus, Amen Dunes and others) and was mightily impressed. The Jim Thompson reference didn't hurt either. Instead of bass guitar, Allegra Sauvage applies some low-end throb; Andy Chugg mans the traps.

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Shirtless action with Chris Bug!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Ivan Lip is just behind him.

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Populous action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Andy hits!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Ivan frets!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Bonus Bug!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

More Lip!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

And so on!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ
Gripping action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Feedback action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Savage Sauvage action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

On to White Lung, who ripped through another killer set for an increasingly sweaty crowd. Since their last show here they've lost bassist Grady; Hether Fortune of Wax Idols now handles the low end.

White Lung at House of Targ

Mish sings!

White Lung at House of Targ

The whole lot!

White Lung at House of Targ

Ann-Marie hits!

White Lung at House of Targ

Singalong action!

White Lung at House of Targ

Kenneth frets!

White Lung at House of Targ

Mish works the crowd!

White Lung at House of Targ

And so on!

White Lung at House of Targ

Sweaty action!

White Lung at House of Targ

The end!

White Lung at House of Targ

Unfortunately I was too slow to grab a Bonnie Doon tape.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Nuclear age

The real challenge Friday night was figuring out which show to go to. The city's Texas quotient was certainly upped, with Radioactivity plus Bad Sports at Gabba Hey. Then there was final shows from 90 Punds of Ugly, Anciients and more at Mavericks, Patrick Shanks' new night at the Celtic Cross on Somerset. In the end I headed off to Gabba Hey. Marked Men is one of my favourite bands (I'm still kicking myself for missing them at Ottawa Explosion - c'est la vie), and Radioactivity is fronted by Jeff Burke, so I had to check that out.

The Steve Adamyk Band is just back from touring Japan in May (and of course hitting up the Explosion), and have a new record out on Canada Day. And here they are, down to a trio of David, Steve and Davey.

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Steve sings!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

David hits!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Shouty Steve!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Shouty Davey!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Well-fanned action!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Extra shouting!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

Bendy Davey!

Steve Adamyk Band at Gabba Hey

On to Bad Sports; I caught them twice at the Ottawa Explosion in 2011 and found them quite mod-punkish. Drummer Greg and bassist Daniel were also doing double duty in Radioactivity.

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

Singalong action!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

Orville sings!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

More TV Daniel!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

Extra Greg!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

Extra Orville!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

The crowd goes wild!

Bad Sports at Gabba Hey

On to Radioactivity; they've got alot of that Marked Men sound, particularly abetted by Jeff Burke's distinctive vocals.

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

Greg likes Motorhead.

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

Jeff sings, fellow Marked Man Mark looks on!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

The sporty half of Radioactivity!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

Danelectro action!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

More Mark!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

Radioactive action!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

Steve Adamyk gets carried away.

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

The end!

Radioactivity at Gabba Hey

A super-fine evening.