Monday, February 29, 2016

Hot and cold

There was an eclectic bill at the House of Targ last week: Funk-meets-metal combo Criticull, sleaze rockers In Heat and art-rockers The Haig shared the stage for a varied musical experience. First up, The Haig, and some wide-angle action with Treawna, Dean and Richard!

The Haig at House of Targ

Richard was experiencing a missed connection.

The Haig at House of Targ

Chris hits!

The Haig at House of Targ

Microphone-sharing action!

The Haig at House of Targ

Treawna sings!

The Haig at House of Targ

More Dean!

The Haig at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

The Haig at House of Targ

On to critucull, who always put on a lively show. Here's some guest guitarist roof-raising.

Criticull at House of Targ

Saxophonic action!

Criticull at House of Targ

More guitar!

Criticull at House of Targ

Cutter sings!

Criticull at House of Targ

Hair-tossing action!

Criticull at House of Targ

More hair-tossing action!

Criticull at House of Targ

Masked action!

Criticull at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Criticull at House of Targ

Stripey action!

Criticull at House of Targ

The crowd goes wild!

Criticull at House of Targ

In Heat's set began with some birthday cake delivery for guitarist Tony.

In Heat at House of Targ

Gripping action!

In Heat at House of Targ

Classic rock appreciation action; they played a heavy covers set, alternating between their own tunes and such acts as Cheap Trick, Teenage Head, David Bowie, The Dead Kennedys and the like.

In Heat at House of Targ

More guitar!

In Heat at House of Targ

Track-suited action!

In Heat at House of Targ

Singalong action!

In Heat at House of Targ

It was an energetic evening!

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Off on the right foot

I took a trip over to Pressed last week to check out their newly reconfigured space (patrons have gained a nook and bar space where there used to be counter); it was also a chance to check out Shoe Blog, a new-ish Ottawa band, and Long Branch, a combo made up of veteran Toronto musicians. Boonie Doon was also revealing some new tunes from their next album. Shoe Blog had already started when I arrived, and the place was pretty full, new nook or not. Local music fans will recognize indefatigable broadcaster and promoter Rachel from Debaser on cello.

Shoe Blog at Pressed

Adam frets!

Shoe Blog at Pressed

Percussive action!

Shoe Blog at Pressed

More percussive action!

Shoe Blog at Pressed

Long Branch have a sort of Neil Young style vibe, and features folks from such outfits as Adaptor 45, Chicken Milk, Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet and The Good Family. Let's start things off with Don Pyle, who's been on the scene since the gestation of punk rock in Toronto.

Long Branch at Pressed

Laura sings and plays guitar.

Long Branch at Pressed

Lisa , her bandmate from Adaptor 45, does the same.

Long Branch at Pressed

Singalong action with bassist Sally!

Long Branch at Pressed

D'arcy Good also plays the fiddle.

Long Branch at Pressed

More singalong action!

Long Branch at Pressed

Bonus Don!

Long Branch at Pressed

More guitar!

Long Branch at Pressed

Sally sings!

Long Branch at Pressed

Boonie Doon brought the house down; they were rocking a denim theme this time around. Here's Madison!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Keltie hits!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Lesley sings!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

More bass with Sara!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Rhythmic action!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Singalong action!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Fisheyed action!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

Tambourine action!

Bonnie Doon at Pressed

They've also released one of their new recordings since this show.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Blanket coverage

Winter delivered a one-two punch a week ago - first, with a blast of Arctic air, and then a record-breaking snowfall. East Coasters New Love Underground managed to enjoy both highs, first in Quebec City on Valentine's, then in Ottawa a couple of days later for a show at Black Squirrel Books with locals Spell and Pith & The Parenchymas, who were one first. Here's Chris Love!

Pith & The Parenchymas at Black Squirrel Books

Andi frets!

Pith & The Parenchymas at Black Squirrel Books

Dual microphone action!

Pith & The Parenchymas at Black Squirrel Books

Andi multitasks!

Pith & The Parenchymas at Black Squirrel Books

Dial-twisting action!

Pith & The Parenchymas at Black Squirrel Books

New Love Underground is usually two people: Mike Fong and Eliza Niemi. For this gig they doubled their staff, recruiting Erin on keyboards and vocals and John Lake on drums. Here's Erin and Eliza!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

And here's Mike and John!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

Erin frets!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

Erin works the keys!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

John hits!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

The whole lot!

New Love Underground at Black Squirrel Books

Spell finished things off with their slacker krautrock.

Spell at Black Squirrel Books

Shelved action!

Spell at Black Squirrel Books

Rhythm section action!

Spell at Black Squirrel Books

Guitar action!

Spell at Black Squirrel Books

Tyrin hits!

Spell at Black Squirrel Books

Then it was time to fire up the sled dogs and head home.