Friday, May 26, 2017

In the running

Early in May I went to the House of Targ for some album releasing action from local power trio Onionface; they were joined on the bill alt rockers The Tackies and The Jailbirds, a Mississauga combo that also traffic in 1970s style blues-based hard rock. The Tackies were already playing when I walked down the stairs, with singer Hans enjoying a birthday ribbon.

The Tackies at House of Targ

Keyboard action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Jamie hits!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Headbanging action with Hans and Galen!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

More Hans!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Shirtless action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

The whole lot!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Guitar action with Mathieu!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Feedback action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

I had a brief listen to the Jailbirds before heading out and was much intrigued; live they put on a first rate show of classic power trio rock - the vocal work was particularly good. Here's Mike!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with bassist Liam and drummer Eric!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Blocked action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Exploratory action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Eric hits!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Extra Liam!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Eric sings!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

More Liam!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Closeup action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

More guitar!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Imprisoned action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Onionface have a new album, Roll Over Dog ... And Run!, which is slated for release at the end of May. They're heading out on tour shortly, starting with a show at Rockingwood Cottage in Aylmer (some sort of house show, I gather), and also will be performing at Live! On Elgin On June 23. Here's some greenish action with Stefan!

Onionface at House of Targ

Bass action with Calvin!

Onionface at House of Targ

Calvin sings!

Onionface at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Onionface at House of Targ

More Jon!

Onionface at House of Targ

Feedback action!

Onionface at House of Targ

Foggy action!

Onionface at House of Targ

Long-haired action!

Onionface at House of Targ

More Stefan!

Onionface at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Onionface at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Onionface at House of Targ

The end!

Onionface at House of Targ

A great show.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Shadows and fog

A while back Portland's Jeff Beam dropped me a line to let me know he was coming through town; I liked what I heard on his website - and that of local outfit Shadowhand and Montreal's Future States - so in early May I popped around to Pressed for some spectral sounds (a la Calexico, some might say), glittery pop and shoegaze-styled noise. First up, Shadowhand, which features How Far To Mexico's Jamieson and Brandon, along with Matt from Acres and Sean from Lost To The River and Miss Polygamy. Here's Brandon!

Shadowhand at Pressed

Jamieson sings, Matt strums!

Shadowhand at Pressed

More Matt!

Shadowhand at Pressed

More Jamieson and Brandon - and you can just make out Sean off to the left there ...

Shadowhand at Pressed

The whole lot!

Shadowhand at Pressed

Extra Jamieson!

Shadowhand at Pressed

I tried to take some pictures of Sean via the entryway window. It did not work well.

Shadowhand at Pressed

It was pretty smokey, as shows go.

Shadowhand at Pressed

Here's Jeff, practitioner of shoegazey psychedelica and the like - if you like Grizzly Bear I suspect you'll dig his stuff.

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Keyboard action with Kate!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Guitar lifting action!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

More Kate!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Smokey Ric action!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Jeff sings!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Percussive action with Kate!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

The end!

Jeff Beam at Pressed

Future States finished the evening off with some beeping and burbling pop. They'll be playing again at Bar Robo on June 9. Here's some guitar action with Chuck!

Future States at Pressed

Adjusting action with Nicolas!

Future States at Pressed

Percussive action with Daniel!

Future States at Pressed

Extra Nicolas!

Future States at Pressed

Singalong action with Chuck and David!

Future States at Pressed

Extra David!

Future States at Pressed

Lovely stuff all around.