Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Captains of industry

Here's a back-dated post from two-thirds of the way through July. It's from House of Targ, one of their regular Switched On Synths nights. It was billed as the "Industrial Edition," and the lineup featured Odonis Odonis, New York's Compactor and a standoff between locals Transmit and Intangerines. The latter kicked things off; they've recorded in the "versus" format and seem to regularly play live together. Here they are!

Transmit vs Intangerines at House of Targ

The other side of Transmit vs. Intangerines!

Transmit vs Intangerines at House of Targ

Glitchy action!

Transmit vs Intangerines at House of Targ

Compactor modeled the industrial look for his set.

Compactor at House of Targ

Grainy action!

Compactor at House of Targ

Odonis Odonis played at House of Targ last year, and I remarked then they seemed to be on a musical journey from The Jesus & Mary Chain toward Nine Inch Nails. They're still enroute. Here's Denholm, embracing the age of synthesis.

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Dean sings!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Jarod hits!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Illuminated action!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Even more Jarod!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Grippping action!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Jarod sings a bit!

Odonis Odonis at House of Targ

Solid stuff.

Off the top

On Saturday I went over the bridge to Ottawa South for a stop at Black Squirrel Books. London's Foam was in town, with Montreal's Doffing in tow, with locals Dark Plains on hand to fill out the bill. It was even darker than usual in the cozy bookstore, so my photos are all a bit grainy, but here's Carly and Andrew!

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

And so on!

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

More Carly!

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

Spencer sings!

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

Fortunately drummer Jono stepped out from behind the kit so I could get another grainy photo.

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

Dark Plains were somewhat better illuminated; here's drummy Andy.

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Bass action with Matt!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Chuck sings!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

And so on!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Rhythm section action!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Extra Andy!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

More Matt!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Bonus Chuck!

Dark Plains at Black Squirrel Books

Foam's sludge punk sounded great; I definitely look forward to catching them again. Here's Nathan!

Foam at Black Squirrel Books

Bass action with Patrick!

Foam at Black Squirrel Books

Davita hits!

Foam at Black Squirrel Books

Rhythm section action!

Foam at Black Squirrel Books

Mighty good.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Roll call

On Friday House of Targ played host to a fundraiser in aid of For Pivots Sake, which refurbishes skateboards for the needy and generally gets the youngsters rolling. It was also something of a lead-up to the "Black Forest" event Sept. 22-23, which will feature a lineup of punk combos at Beau's Oktoberfest (as previously noted - it is in September, not October). Entertainment was provided by Neck, Audio Visceral, Needles//Pins and The Steve Adamyk Band. First off, here's Jeff from Neck!

Neck at House of Targ

Bass action with Johnny!

Neck at House of Targ

Jeff sings!

Neck at House of Targ

Neck-and-neck action!

Neck at House of Targ

Smokey vocal action!

Neck at House of Targ

Cymbal-grabbing action!

Neck at House of Targ

More Jeff!

Neck at House of Targ

And a bit more Johnny!

Neck at House of Targ

Next, up some raffling action!

Raffle at House of Targ

Audio Visceral ripped it up next, here's drummer Gary!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

Dig those Pac-Man threads on Steve!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

Kevin sings!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

More Steve!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

Visceral action!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

And so on!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

Even more Steve and Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

More Gary!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

Vocal rhythm section action!

Audio Visceral at House of Targ

It's been a while since I - or anyone - has seen the Steve Adamyk Band play live, but here he is, back with a new bassist (since the usual Sonic Avenues crowd is engaged elsewhere) and celebrating his birthday to boot.

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Johnny O. - Steve's former bandmate in Million Dollar Marxists, and member of a slew of other bands - on bass!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Pat hits!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Steve sings!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

More Pat!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Even more Steve!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

You just can't keep Needles//Pins away from Ottawa - first they played Ottawa Explosion, and now here they are back again! Here's Tony!

Needles and Pins

Guitar action with Adam!

Needles and Pins

Adam sings!

Needles and Pins

More Tony!

Needles and Pins

Macey hits!

Needles and Pins

Extra Adam!

Needles and Pins

More rhythm section action!

Doffing at Black Squirrel Books

A fine show for a good cause.