Thursday, April 28, 2016

Sweet, creamy and tough

Tough Age always put on a great show, so it was a no-brainer to head to Pressed for their sold-out show on Friday, as well as sets from BB Cream (adding yet another evening to their growing run of Pressed gigs), Century Palm and a new outfit Sweet Potato Fridays. Their set was yet another reminder that all the music I listened to back in the mid-1980s as a teen is now resurfacing in new forms; it made me think of The Police (an influence I noticed only later they've admitted). Here's guitarist Tom Chan and drummer Jona Thomas.

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

Guitarist Dmitri Georgaras rounds out the trio.

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

More Jona!

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

Extra Tom!

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

More guitar!

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

A shouty bit!

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

Even more Jona!

Sweet Potato Fridays at Pressed

Up next, Toronto's Century Palm. They've been to town a couple of times and boast Zebrassieres and Ketamines alumni in the ranks. Here's keyboardist Penny Clark, who also plays in Tough Age.

Century Palm at Pressed

Paul sings!

Century Palm at Pressed

Guitar action with Alex and Andrew!

Century Palm at Pressed

Extra Alex!

Century Palm at Pressed

Jesse hits!

Century Palm at Pressed

Singalong action!

Century Palm at Pressed

BB Cream also played an energetic show - they released their new tape - with even more instrument switching than usual. Here's Alanna!

BB Cream at Pressed

Concealed Kurt action!

BB Cream at Pressed

Bass action with Jon!

BB Cream at Pressed

Alanna takes over on drums!

BB Cream at Pressed

Kurt sings!

BB Cream at Pressed

Extra Jon!

BB Cream at Pressed

Time for another switch, with Alanna on bass.

BB Cream at Pressed

... and Jon on drums.

BB Cream at Pressed

Kurt sings some more (they covered Radiohead's Creep)!

BB Cream at Pressed

Happy Alanna action!

BB Cream at Pressed

Then back again!

BB Cream at Pressed

Airborne Alanna action!

BB Cream at Pressed

Last time I saw Tough Age was at Ottawa Explosion; they're be back in action at this year's OXW as well. Here's bassist Lauren Smith, between jumps.

Tough Age at Pressed

Mainman Jarrett sings!

Tough Age at Pressed

More Penny (who played guitar instead of keys for Tough Age's set) and Lauren!

Tough Age at Pressed

Tough Age never seems to have the same lineup, but I know this isn't Chris Martell ...

Tough Age at Pressed

Extra Jarrett!

Tough Age at Pressed

Fisheye action!

Tough Age at Pressed

More Lauren!

Tough Age at Pressed

Penny sings!

Tough Age at Pressed

Singalong action!

Tough Age at Pressed

More hair-shaking actioN!

Tough Age at Pressed


Saturday, April 23, 2016

Spiralling outward

I was a big fan of Toronto's Spiral Beach back in the day, and I've been just as impressed by the various offshoots (Doldrums and Moon King). Last time I saw Moon King was at Ritual, opening for Holy Fuck. I was quite interested to see how things would go in the somewhat smaller stage at Pressed. Locals Baberaham Lincoln kicked things off. Here's Jenna, Hillary and Cory.

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Jenna sings!

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

I left my camera plugged in the night before and drained the battery, so I resorted to my iPhone for a few shots.

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Extra Hillary!

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Extra Jenna!

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Even more Hillary!

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Slow-motion action (at least if you click through to Flickr)!

Baberaham Lincoln at Pressed

Moon King busted out their own floor-lights for this gig. Much appreciated! Here's Daniel!

Moon King at Pressed

Head-shaking action with Maddy!

Moon King at Pressed

Percussive action!

Moon King at Pressed

Extra Maddy!

Moon King at Pressed

Shouty action!

Moon King at Pressed

Extra percussion!

Moon King at Pressed

Singalong action!

Moon King at Pressed

Even more Maddy!

Moon King at Pressed

Crowded action!

Moon King at Pressed