Monday, October 28, 2019

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.

Chris Landry at House of Targ

Steel guitar action!

Chris Landry at House of Targ

More Chris!

Chris Landry at House of Targ

And so on!

Chris Landry at House of Targ

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!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Mandolin action with Derek!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Extra Eamon!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

More steel guitar!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Bass action with Tavo!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Extra Eamon!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Percussive action with Chris!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Tavo sings!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Gutsy action!

Eamon McGrath at House of Targ

Great-sounding stuff from everyone!

Thursday, October 24, 2019

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!

The Frame Perfects at House of Targ

And so on!

The Frame Perfects at House of Targ

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

Parallels at House of Targ

More Holly!

Parallels at House of Targ

Keyboard action with Radiowolf!

Parallels at House of Targ

Holly looks on!

Parallels at House of Targ

Zing!

Parallels at House of Targ

Keyboard action!

Parallels at House of Targ

Gesticulating action!

Parallels at House of Targ

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)!

Nina at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Nina at House of Targ

Nina reaches out!

Nina at House of Targ

Laura hits!

Nina at House of Targ

Gripping action!

Nina at House of Targ

More Laura!

Nina at House of Targ

Keyboard action!

Nina at House of Targ

More singalong action!

Nina at House of Targ

Fun stuff all around.


Friday, October 18, 2019

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!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Bass action with Richard!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Guitar action with Devin!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Gripping action!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Brett hits!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Extra Devin!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Bonus Brett!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

Chronic action!

Chron Goblin at House of Targ

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

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

Clay sings!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

Allan hits!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

Bobby sings!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

More Clay!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

Allan sings!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Black Mastiff at House of Targ

A heavy night out.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Josh takes a break from dishing out perogies!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Bass action with Mark!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Guitar action with Dave!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Happy Josh action!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Headbanging Dave action!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

More Mark!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Extra Jimmy!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Black Galaxy at House of Targ

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

Mokomokai at House of Targ

Spikey and leathery action with John!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

Flying V action with Bobby!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

John sings!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

Jeremy sings!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

And so on!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

Bonus Bobby!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

More John!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

More J.J.!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

Metal action!

Mokomokai at House of Targ

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

Crosss Dog at House of Targ

Closeup action!

Crosss Dog at House of Targ

Mikey hits!

Crosss Dog at House of Targ

Mark sings!

Crosss Dog at House of Targ

Dogged action!

Crosss Dog at House of Targ

Hairy action!

Cross Dog at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Cross Dog at House of Targ

Roof-raising action!

Cross Dog at House of Targ

Very cool stuff.