Friday, May 29, 2015

Even more metal

Since the last time Metalian performed at House of Targ in March was a roaring success, you didn't have to exercise to many brain cells to figure they'd be back, and soon. A few months and they made their return with not one but two sets. First, a big helping of originals, then some popular favourite covers. Opening things up was Metal Party, featuring Targ proprietor Yogi and his son Felix.

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

Also on hand, Targ doorman Blake (also of Manpower), Leigh from Street Meat and World War 4 (seen just last post) and Eric Larock, veteran of of Tricky Woo, Public Animal, The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol and many others.

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

They had more than three songs this time.

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

Yogi frets!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

Blake frets!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

Leigh hits!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

Felix works the ground!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

And so on!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

And some final jumpy Blake action!

Metal Patrol at House of Targ

On to Metalian. They promised two sets, but if you were there in March you know they play about two sets worth of material anyway - expect to leave whatever venue they're at around last call.

Metalian at House of Targ

Ian sings - oonce again, I marvel at the quality of his vocals, as do many others.

Metalian at House of Targ

Pointy guitar action!

Metalian at House of Targ

Blurry blue percussive action!

Metalian at House of Targ

More guitar!

Metalian at House of Targ

Extra Tony!

Metalian at House of Targ

Hairy action with Andre!

Metalian at House of Targ

Ian sings some more!

Metalian at House of Targ

Metallic action!

Metalian at House of Targ

A killer night.

Heat and street

Back when winter had its icy grip on the Nation's Capital, the folks ate Megaphono held a mini-festival around town to promote the local music industry. I caught a bunch of fine sets at such diverse locales as St. Alban's, the Record Centre and the Dominion Tavern. One of the acts at the Dom was Michael Rault, a popster on the way to releasing a new album on the well-respected Burger Records label (also Peach Kelli Pop's American outlet). Lo, summer has arrived, and so has Living Daylight. Last Thursday he dropped by Babylon to wow the select few (seriously, where was everyone?) with his suitable summery stylings. But first, Street Meat, a band I can't really imagine performing until the pavement has soaked up a certain amount of heat.

Street Meat at Babylon

My photos of their set were not the best I've ever taken ...

Street Meat at Babylon

Streetwise action!

Street Meat at Babylon

Leigh sings!

Street Meat at Babylon

Dual vocal action!

Street Meat at Babylon

And so on!

Street Meat at Babylon

Beaty action!

Street Meat at Babylon

On to Michael Rault, whose gentle manner and moustache both remind me of George Harrison.

Michael Rault at Babylon

And here's the other half of his eponymous band, whom he introduced and whose names I promptly forgot.

Michael Rault at Babylon

Jolly percussive action!

Michael Rault at Babylon

Singalong action!

Michael Rault at Babylon

More Michael!

Michael Rault at Babylon

The whole lot!

Michael Rault at Babylon

Danelectro action!

Michael Rault at Babylon

I do believe that's a Longhorn Baritone.

Michael Rault at Babylon

More guitar!

Michael Rault at Babylon

And so on!

Michael Rault at Babylon

Jaguar action!

Michael Rault at Babylon

More percussion!

Michael Rault at Babylon

Feedback finale!

Michael Rault at Babylon

A pretty good time.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Temporal fixations

Festival season has begun, and that means bands from all over are criss-crossing the nation. That means Ottawa gets to be on the receiving end of the occasional oddity, such as French prog-rockers Jack Dupon. They played the avant-garde Victoriaville festival on Saturday, and Sunday they made their way to Pressed. Coming from the opposite direction, on the tail end of their own tour was post-punkers Notta Comet. Stuck in the middle and going nowhere (geographically, that is) was Ottawa's The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol. Notta Comet kicked things off with their "science punk," which apparently means they have songs called Somebody Oughta Burn Down Ray Kurzweil's House. Here's Crawford Smith on bass and Alex Williams on guitar.

Notta Comet at Pressed

Crawford sings!

Notta Comet at Pressed

Percussive action with Eli Kaufman.

Notta Comet at Pressed

Alex sings!

Notta Comet at Pressed

Singalong action!

Notta Comet at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Notta Comet at Pressed

And of course the traditional shot through the entryway window.

Notta Comet at Pressed

Tapping action!

Notta Comet at Pressed

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol tore through their set.

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Bill frets, John hits!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Bonus Bill!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Extra Nathaniel!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

More guitar!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

John hits!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Miche is under there somewhere.

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Jason manipulates some electronics.

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

The whole blurry lot!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

More Jason!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Sliding action!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Guitar-hanging action!

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol at Pressed

Jack Dupon are keeping the traditions of French prog alive, with themed albums and polyrhythms. They've been compared with King Crimson, Frank Zappa and Gong, all of which I defiitely hear as well.

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Arnaud M'Doihoma sings!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Thomas Larsen hits!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Philip Prebet frets!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Gregory Pozzoli rounds out the group on guitar.

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Extra Gregory!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Progressive action!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Philip sings!

Jack Dupon at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Jack Dupon at Pressed