Saturday, October 31, 2015

Flying the fuzz flag

It's Halloween today, but these pictures actually hail from the tail end of last week, and the release of The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol's latest album, Masters of the Molehill. It's the first release they haven't put out themselves; well-respected U.K. head-expanders Cardinal Fuzz did the honours this time around. Raw Sugar was comfortably full for the gig. And now, here's the Pumpkin Whose Carving Is A Symbol.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Ghostly action with Dave, Bill and Flecton!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Shadowy action (Raw Sugar: Not really an ISO 400 venue).

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Bendy action!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Flecton slides!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Jason Vaughan was cleverly concealed behind a post and several other band members.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

John keeps an eye on those guitars and whatnot.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

And then steps out to shake it.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Extra Bill!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Bill takes over on drums for a bit.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

Nate handles the low end.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Raw Sugar

A fine set as always.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Drugs, drag and destruction

Jumping forward to the middle of last week, it was time for some serious outrock as Arizona's Destruction Unit blew through town alongside In The Red scrappers Ukiah Drag. This show was also the first outing of Soft Drugs, formed from the ashes of Weed Mom. They were up first with some appropriately soft sounds. They made me think a bit of Vini Reilly and Durutti Column, which upon reflection is not a terribly apt comparison, but something about their low-key approach struck me as similar. Here's former Mom Sacha and his crew.

Soft Drugs at Dominion Tavern

Percussive action!

Soft Drugs at Dominion Tavern

Singalong action!

Soft Drugs at Dominion Tavern

Guitar action!

Soft Drugs at Dominion Tavern

Closeup action!

Soft Drugs at Dominion Tavern

Ukiah Drag was up next. The band features several members of Latishia's Skull Drawing (the group originally slated to perform), and make quite a racket.

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

Bass action!

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

Vocal action!

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

Rhythm section action!

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

More percussion!

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

Tapping action!

The Ukiah Drag at Dominion Tavern

Destruction Unit really blew the roof off with their Funhouse-style rock. The band also features some Marshstepper folks, including guitarist Nick Nappa; at right is bassist Rusty Rousseau.

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Rusty's brother Ryan sings a bit!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Percussive action with Andrew Flores!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Flowery action with Jes Aurelius (another Marshstepper man)!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Even more guitar!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Extra Andrew!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

More Nick and Rusty!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Bonus Rusty!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

The end!

Destruction Unit at Dominion Tavern

Mighty fine sounds all around.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Brothers gonna work it out

Do KEN mode ever stop touring?  The Juno-winning experimental metaltallurgists have a new album out, Success, and it seemed the right thing to catch them live after a hard day of voting. They've been on the road with Life In Vacuum and funnyman Garrett Jamieson, and were joined for their House of Targ show by local trio Hamn. Yes, Leigh Newton also plays in Street Meat and World War 4, but I guess he wante to pick up the guitar again.

Hamn at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Hamn at House of Targ

Bass action!

Hamn at House of Targ

Bendy action!

Hamn at House of Targ

The shouty bit!

Hamn at House of Targ

More bass!

Hamn at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Hamn at House of Targ

On to Life in Vaccum, who are ready to start now thank you! Like KEN mode, these guys seem to spend their lives on tour. Here's guitarist Sasha Chornyy.

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with Dylan Bravener and Ross Chornyy!

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

And so on!

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

More Ross!

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

More Dylan!
Life In Vacuum at House of Targ

Then it was time for a musical break, with Garrett Jamieson doing a brief bit of standup.

Garrett Jamieson at House of Targ

Finally, the crushing sounds of KEN mode steam-rollered the audience. Here's guitarist and singer Jesse!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

His brother Shane hits!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

Bassist Skot fills out the trio.

KEN Mode at House of Targ
More Jesse!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

Grimacing action!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

Extra Shane!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

The whole lot!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

The shouty bit!

KEN Mode at House of Targ

A great start to the week.