Sunday, February 25, 2018

Whole new twang

I went to House of Targ on Thursday for some folk-country-Americana styled action. Graven - a.k.a. Matt McKecknie - was headlining a bill that included The Sonic Defense, Christine Jackel and Rory Taillon. Christine was just beginning as I walked in the door. By the time I grabbed a bite to eat and actually started taking photos she had switched from guitar to piano.

Christine Jakel at House of Targ

Keyboard action!

Christine Jakel at House of Targ

And so on!

Christine Jakel at House of Targ

Next up: Rory Taillon.

Rory Taillon at House of Targ

More Rory!

Rory Taillon at House of Targ


Even more Rory!

Rory Taillon at House of Targ

Whole lotta Rory!

Rory Taillon at House of Targ

The Sonic Defense played in a more punk-pop  or indie rock style. Here's mainman Ron Boudreau.

The Sound Defence at House of Targ

Guitar action with Hugo!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Dominic hits!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Bass action with Dan!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Guitar action!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Singalong action!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

More Dominic!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Bonus Hugo!

The Sonic Defense at House of Targ

Graven and his New Band (or The New Band), finished the night off. Here's Matt!

Graven at House of Targ

Guitar action with Gideon!

Graven at House of Targ

Bass action with Landon!

Graven at House of Targ

A shouty bit!

Graven at House of Targ

Jamie (of Paramedics and many others) hits!

Graven at House of Targ

Newish action!

Graven at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Graven at House of Targ

And so on!

Graven at House of Targ

An entertaining evening.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Pop til you drop

Ninieties Boston punks Doc Hopper are back, and back on the road, and decided to head up to Ottawa to play their first show here in a couple of decades. This was a five-act night, starting with solo troubador Matt Charette.

Matt Charette at House of Targ!

More Matt!

Matt Charette at House of Targ!

And so on!

Matt Charette at House of Targ!

Montreals' Laureate got the pop-punk started. Here's bassist and vocalist Erin!

Laureate at House of Targ

Singalong action with Matt!

Laureate at House of Targ

Giancarlo sings!

Laureate at House of Targ

Mike hits!

Laureate at House of Targ

More Matt!

Laureate at House of Targ

Extra Giancarlo!

Laureate at House of Targ

Extra Giancarlo and Erin!

Laureate at House of Targ

Even more Matt!

Laureate at House of Targ

Even more singalong action!

Laureate at House of Targ

More guitar!

Laureate at House of Targ

Extra Erin!

Laureate at House of Targ

I last saw Audio Visceral perform at the For Pivots Sake fundraiser at Targ back in August 2017; once again, heres Steve in his Pac-Man duds!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Bass action with Kevin!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

More Steve!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Steve sings!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

The whole lot, including drummer Gary!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Close-up Kevin action!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Gary hits!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Steve works the dancefloor!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Close-up Steve!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Extra Gary!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Tongue action!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Visceral action!

Audio-Visceral at House of Targ

Just like the last time I caught them, The Steve Adamyk Band followed Audio Visceral, and they're still a trio. Here's Johnnie O. on bass!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Steve strums!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Pat hits!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

More Pat'n'Steve!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

And so on!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

Double-Dave guest vocal action!

Steve Adamyk Band at House of Targ

I didn't see Doc Hopper the last time they played Ottawa (some time around 1995?), but I have seen Mikey Erg just recently, at the Ottawa Explosion.

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

Chris sings!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

Buttoned-down action!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

Greg hits!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

There was much more jumping that I failed to capture ....

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

More Mikey and Chris!

Doc Hopper at House of Targ

And that's it!