Thursday, January 31, 2019

Slo' and silent

Around the middle of January I popped over to the House of Targ for some countrified action with Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils and Still Winter Hills. I was glad to finally be able to catch the Hills gang live, since they've been been around for quite a while and I've heard good things. Finally, our schedules coincided. Here's Marc and Shawn (who have appeared before on the blog in a similarly Americana-styled act, The Woodrunners) and drummer Peter (of Starling, also seen backing Trevor Alguire and others).

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

More Marc and a somewhat blurry Tom Thompson (also Chime of Wrens et al.).

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

More Tom!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Ben of Orienteers and a slew of other combos also plays guitar in the band.

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

More Shawn!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Guest harmonica action with Bérangère!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Extra Marc!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Steely action!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Shawn sings!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

More Ben!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

More extra Marc!

Still Winter Hills at House of Targ

On to Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils, entertaining as always!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Tom sings!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Guitar action with John!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Bass action with Rob!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Jon sings!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Devilish action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

More Jon!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Lap steel action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Hydrating action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Booze-bow action!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils, innovators in the onstage alcohol-delivery system field.

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Rob sings!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

Tom sings some more!

Slo' Tom & The Handsome Devils at House of Targ

A fun night out.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Back to Hell

Fresh Hell returned from hibernation/maternity leave early in January for a show at Black Squirrel Books, on a bill stacked with gravelly voices and emotive singing. First up were Laniard - here's Steve and Kieran!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

Guitar action with Jon Creeden!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

A shouty bit!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

Steve hits!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

Bass and beard action with Kieran!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

Extra Steve!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

More other Steve!

Laniard at Black Squirrel Books

They were followed by Philadelphia's Sold, doing some organ-inflected post punk. Here's frontman Ted!

Sold at Black Squirrel Books

Keyboard and bass action with Stefan and Scott!

Sold at Black Squirrel Books

Stefan sings!

Sold at Black Squirrel Books

Rhythm section action with Scott and Jon!

Sold at Black Squirrel Books

More Jon!

Sold at Black Squirrel Books

Sold were doing a brief Canadian tour with Montreal's Laureate, who hit the stage next. I saw them about a year ago, opening for Doc Hopper at Targ. Here's Giancarlo!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

Percussive action with Mike!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

Bass action with Erin!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

More Giancarlo!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

Tapping action with Mike!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

Extra Erin!

Laureate at Black Squirrel Books

Fresh Hell wrapped things up with an energetic set. Here's Steve and Devin!

Fresh Hell at Black Squirrel Books

Occasional Flying Hellfish Corey sings!

Fresh Hell at Black Squirrel Books

Contemplative action with Vance!

Fresh Hell at Black Squirrel Books

More Steve!

Fresh Hell at Black Squirrel Books

More Devin!

Fresh Hell at Black Squirrel Books

A fine return to form.