Saturday, June 24, 2017

Eardrum surgery

Back near the tail end of May (yes, almost a month ago, regular posting has been put on a backburner due to matters beyond my control) I bussed over to the House of Targ to check out some psychedelic sounds from Slow Dawn and Toronto's Peeling. The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol were a late addition to the roster, and used the opportunity to help raise a few dollars for violin vet Jan Lys, whose Gatineau home went up in flames earlier that month. Here's guitarist Bill!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Symbolic action with Nate and Jason!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Band action with Dave and John!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Trumpet action with Scott!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

John hits!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Nate likes the classics.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

More Bill!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Jason adjusts!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Feedback action with Dave!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

More Scott!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Extra symbolism!

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at House of Targ

Slow Dawn cranked up the feedback and the volume for an eardrum-ripping set. Here's some gripping action with Dan!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Illuminated action with Chris!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Flashy action with Sean!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

More Chris!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Extra Sean!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Dawning action with Dan and Jesse!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

It's a hit!

Slow Dawn at House of Targ

Peeling have a bit more song structure than their opening acts, but still more than enough fuzz and scuzz to satisfy the heads. They're a "supergroup" of sorts on the Big Smoke's underground, with members of Dilly Dally and Odonis Odonis, among others (Alejandro of Humanities and various Ottawa combos was or is also a member, but he wasn't around for this set). This was the first stop on a tour that's also taken them down through the U.S. and out west - they should be en route to Saskatoon about now. Here's guitarist Alana!

Peeling at House of Targ

Annabelle sings!

Peeling at House of Targ

Bass action with Jimmy!

Peeling at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Peeling at House of Targ

Annabelle sings!

Peeling at House of Targ

More guitar!

Peeling at House of Targ

Even more Annabelle!

Peeling at House of Targ

All very cool stuff.

Friday, June 09, 2017

The fish and the fury

What's good after punk? Even more punk! With the closure of Zaphod's some shows were hunting for venues, which is why I took an early evening stroll over to Babylon to see Iron Chic. Last time I saw the Long Island band was at a couple of Ottawa Explosion shows in 2012. Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish were cranking things up as I walked in. Here's Jon!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

Guitar and bass action with Steve and Kieran!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

More guitar!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

Rhythm section action!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

Percussive action with Anthony!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

More singing!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

Backup vocal action!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

More singalong action!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

The group also paid tribute to baseball teammate and all-around Ottawa scene MVP Jean-Sebastien Belleau with their ode to his famed handlebar mustache.

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

More Jon!

Jon Creeden & The Flying Hellfish at Babylon

There was a surprise special guest at the show - perhaps I should put "surprise" in quotes since Daggermouth's co-touring with Iron Chic was hardly a secret. Here's some guitar action with Stuart!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Percussive action with Dan!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Stu sings!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Surprising action with Kenny!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Bass action!

Daggermouth at Babylon

More Stu!

Daggermouth at Babylon

More Kenny!

Daggermouth at Babylon

More singing!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Mouthy action!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Dan hits!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Audience singalong action!

Daggermouth at Babylon

Iron Chic finished things off with a hot set. I'm not sure who is in the band these days (apart from bassist Dumps and singer Jay), so it's on to the pictures!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Guitar and basss action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Percussive action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Jay sings!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Singing guitarist action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

More guitar!

Iron Chic at Babylon

More Dumps!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Singalong action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Audience action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Feedback action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

Even more percussive action!

Iron Chic at Babylon

More singing!

Iron Chic at Babylon

A great end to the night.