Rough and ready

Back on Sept. 19 I moseyed over to the House of Targ for some roots-rocking action. Eamon McGrath has a new album out, and since I've been taking pictures of him for more than a decade (most recently as one of Julie Doiron's Wrong Guys), I figured there was no reason to stop now. Chris Landry and The Seasick Mommas (well, Momma, singular, in this case) started things off. Here's Chris and steel man Pascal doing a little pre-set soundcheck.



Steel guitar action!



More Chris!



And so on!



On to Eamon, who was sounding as rough (in a good way) as ever. His new album is called Guts. This set landed a few days after the death of noted songsmith Daniel Johnston, in whose band he's served, and he covered his True Love Will Find You In The End. Here's Eamon!



Mandolin action with Derek!



Extra Eamon!



More steel guitar!



Bass action with Tavo!



Extra Eamon!



Percussive action with Chris!



Tavo sings!



Gutsy action!



Great-sounding stuff from everyone!

Around the world

In mid-September I walked over to the House of Targ for some Switched On Synths action, headlined by Berlin's Nina, aided and abetted by Toronto's Parallels, with an opening set from local synthwave newcomer Frame Perfects. Here's FP!



And so on!



Parallels (a.k.a. Holly Dodson) performed next, with her usual fine mid-1980s synth-pop style.



More Holly!



Keyboard action with Radiowolf!



Holly looks on!



Zing!



Keyboard action!



Gesticulating action!



Nina performed next, she was accompanied by fellow electronic artist Laura Fares (drummer and Aztec Records head), for some Trans-Atlantic action (Nina's from Berlin, Laura's from Buenos Aires, they're based in London)!



Singalong action!



Nina reaches out!



Laura hits!



Gripping action!



More Laura!



Keyboard action!



More singalong action!



Fun stuff all around.

Heavy weather

Wednesday I sloshed over to the House of Targ for some stoner rock action (full disclosure, I was invited by the nice folks at Asher Media, but I would have gone anyway). Albertans Chron Goblin and Black Mastiff both have new albums out, and have been crossing the nation bringing riffs to the people. Up first, Calgary crew Chron Goblin. Here's singer (and album cover artist) Josh!



Bass action with Richard!



Guitar action with Devin!



Gripping action!



Brett hits!



Extra Devin!



Bonus Brett!



Rhythm section action!



Chronic action!



On to Black Mastiff, killer as always. Here's Bobby!



Clay sings!



Allan hits!



Bobby sings!



More Clay!



Allan sings!



Singalong action!



A heavy night out.

Heads and hounds

In the middle of September I hobbled over to the House of Targ for some Peterborough rock action. Punk trio Cross Dog have a new album out (on Ottawa's Uncle D records, of course), and were touring with fellow Peterboroughlians Mokomokai. First up, though, was local doom combo Black Galaxy (who will also be at Targ this Saturday, opening for The Well). Here's Jimmy on vocals!



Josh takes a break from dishing out perogies!



Bass action with Mark!



Guitar action with Dave!



Happy Josh action!



Headbanging Dave action!



More Mark!



Extra Jimmy!



Rhythm section action!



Next up, some classic metal sounds from Mokomokai. Here's J.J.!



Spikey and leathery action with John!



Flying V action with Bobby!



John sings!



Jeremy sings!



And so on!



Bonus Bobby!



More John!



More J.J.!



Metal action!



Cross Dog's latest is Hollow, and as usual the band played a ripping set. Here's Tracy!



Closeup action!



Mikey hits!



Mark sings!



Dogged action!



Hairy action!



The whole lot!



Roof-raising action!



Very cool stuff.