Thursday, April 30, 2015

Bears and Bills

Last Saturday I headed over to the House of Targ - as I often do - to catch a couple acts I haven't seen in a while. Yes it's time for some bluesy and rockabilly type noise with Bearshark and Blood shot Bill. Last time I checked out Bearshark it was 2012, and even earlier for Bloodshot, who seemed to be coming through town on a regular basis back then. No one's slowed down in the interim, and the packed house definitely enjoyed themselves.

Bearshark has had a haircut since I saw them at the Dom opening for White Mystery.

Bearshark at House of Targ

The whole lot! (Incidentally, they'll be back at Targ on May 21.)

Bearshark at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Bearshark at House of Targ

Sliding action!

Bearshark at House of Targ

Gripping action!

Bearshark at House of Targ

Running about!

Bearshark at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Bearshark at House of Targ

Keturah Johnson of the Heavy Medicine Band also showed up to sing a bit.

Bearshark at House of Targ

On to Bloodshot Bill, who was last spotted opening for himself and pal King Khan under their Tandoori Knights banner at Zaphod's in late 2011. It was a fine display of one-man rockabilly babble - the last show of his latest tour, although I'm not sure he ever really stops .... he's headed off to the Nashville Boogie shortly.

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

Bloodshot sings!

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

And so on!

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

Barefoot action!

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

The shouty bit!

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

Well, you get the idea!

Bloodshot Bill at House of Targ

That was wild and gone.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Show me the money

Seasons come and go, but community radio fundraising never really stops - or maybe it just seems that way to me, since I go to a lot of shows in support of Ottawa's two excellent stations, CHUO and CKCU (not to neglect CKDJ, but I can't recall seeing any fundraisers for them). Friday night at Pressed it was CHUO's turn (co-presented by the Debaser crew), with sets from Grime Kings and Brazilian Money for a pretty packed house. Here's Jimmy and Callum.

Grime Kings at Pressed

Alex takes a turn on the keys.

Grime Kings at Pressed

Callum sings!

Grime Kings at Pressed

Chandler hits!

Grime Kings at Pressed

More Jimmy!

Grime Kings at Pressed

Guitar action!

Grime Kings at Pressed

Crowd reaction action!

Grime Kings at Pressed

Brazilian Money formed in Edmonton, and like many a band has since moved on to Montreal. Grime Kings was an ideal opening act for them, since they feature a similar amount of guitar tangle, with the Money men accentuating their sound with a pair of percussionists rocking the traditional kit as well as a standup set.

Brazilian Money at Pressed

A bit of preset noodling.

Brazilian Money at Pressed

Frontman Garrett Johnson has a revolving cast of musicians to help him out.

Brazilian Money at Pressed

Percussive action!

Brazilian Money at Pressed

And so on!

Brazilian Money at Pressed

Guitar action!

Brazilian Money at Pressed

Nonsensical shutter speed action!

Brazilian Money at Pressed

More bass!

Brazilian Money at Pressed

All very entertaining.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Bubblegum brickbats

Last Friday I headed over to Gabba Hey for the return of Ottawa's own Peach Kelli Pop. Also on hand, Sammy J of the New Swears taking a solo turn in a 1970s druggy singer-songwriter mode and Gaycation.

As Allie noted, Sammy was part of PKP's first touring band (along with fellow Girlfriend Nigel).

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Keyboard action with Shitty Mike!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Fretful action!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Percussive action!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Singalong action!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

And so on!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Guitar solo!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Cymbalic action with Shawn!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Mike sings!

Sammy J. at Gabba Hey

Up next were Gaycation, a shouty post-punk crew with an interest in LGBT issues - they're a band of many pronouns. Also they have their own pennant banner.

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Faelan sings! You may recall him DJing at the recent New Fries show. Alanna frets!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Britt strums, LP hits!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

The whole lot!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

More LP!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Alanna sings!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

More Faelan!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Bonus Britt!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

LP does a pronoun roundup!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Vacation action!

Gaycation at Gabba Hey

Allie's out in California now, but she's been taking Peach Kelli Pop all over, and has just released her third album. She had a pretty capable bunch of musicians on hand to back her up this time as well; Jessica Owen plays guitar, Jessica Feeney plays bass, Mindee Jorgensen drums and Vanessa Gonzalez plays keyboards and tambourines a bit. The crowd was certainly excited - maybe a bit too excited, since some of the slam-dancers caromed of the back of the people standing in front of the stage with enough force to push them into the microphone stands and right into Owen's face- ouch!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

Vanessa shakes and sings!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

Mindee hits!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

Audience reaction action!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

Jessicas action!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

More singalong action!

Peach Kelli Pop at Gabba Hey

They're now in the Lone Star State stretch of their tour, and plan to make it to Japan later this year.