Leaving here

Saturday I took a trip to the House of Targ for some punk rocking action, and to catch the last hurrah of a few bands, at least in their current form. Erstwhile headliners Slumlord have a new cassette out, and are also wishing farewell to drummer Tasha, who is heading west with Tim, the bassist from Alcohol Fueled. Also on hand: New post punk outfit Life AD (also saying goodbye to Tasha), British spike'n'studs combo Rotten (UK) and Chloroform, playing a rare show. Here's Life AD. This was the first time I've seen them perform (it might well have been their debut), and they were really excellent. They have a suitably intense frontman in Andy.



Guitar action with Rick (also of Chloroform, Aube and Omerta).



Bass action with Jesse!



Tasha hits!



More Andy and Tasha!



Extra Jesse!



Gripping action!



Extra Tasha!



Bonus Andy!



Slumlord were up next for a ripping set. Here's T.J.!



More T.J. and Tasha!



Bass action with Sev!



Sev sings!



Closeup action!



Tasha hits!



And so on!



More T.J. and Sev!



Alcohol Fueled also played a kicking set - they're always fun to watch. Here's Cody fuelling up for the show!



Aaron sings!



Tim sings!



More Cody!



Will hits!



Singalong action!



Extra Aaron!



Alcoholic action!



Extra Will!



Fuelled action!



A bit more Will!



Rotten (UK) played a short set. The Rochester-based quartet had a bit of misfortune at the border and were down a singer, so guitarist Matt Sex handled the vocals.



Percussive action with Joel Division!



Bass action with Jake!



More Matt and Joel!



Extra Jake!



More Joel!



More Matt!



Rhythm section action!



The whole lot!



Finally, Chloroform brought things to a close with their patented blizzard of punk noise. Here's Rick and Scott!



More Rick!



Brendan jumps about!



More Rick!



Extra Brendan!



Scott hits!



Close-up action!



Hair-shaking action!



Audience singalong action!



A super send-off!

Rock and a hard place

If you've been following the blog for any length of time, you'll know that I went over to the Daily Grind every once in a while to see shows in the intimate space, often of the loud and metallic variety. Last time, things got a little too loud and the plug was pulled. I left wondering if I'd ever see another live show there. Well, due to entirely unforeseen and unhappy events, it turns out I won't. However, the real tragedy is that the fire which claimed the Daily Grind, Shiraz Market and Middle East Bakery also left a bunch of folks from the local scene homeless. Friends swung into action and soon a charity show at the House of Targ was organized to help them get back on their feet. On the bill: Aube, Blue Angel, Entrenched and Alcohol Fueled. Aube were just starting up as I headed in the door. First, some rhythm section action with Scot and Hugh.



Gripping action with Joel!



Percussive action with Scot!



Fretful action with Rick!



Extra Joel!



Bonus Scot!



After some raffling with Ska Jeff and Remi Royale, Blue Angel played a quick set. Here's Sam!



Caylie sings!



Shouty Sam action!



Lidija rocks the Telecaster.



And sings a bit!



What do you get when you add two parts Big Dick to one part Yips? Warp Lines, that's what. And the fruit did not fall from the true, which is a good thing all round. Here's Dave.



Kurt was on hand to play bass.



More Dave!



Guitar action with Johnny!



Johnny sings some.



Kurt joins in!



Dave sings, too!



The whole lot!



Singalong action!



Time for more raffling action with Jeff and Remi!



On to Entrenched; if I understand correctly their guitarist was one of the fire victims. This was the band's first show and they did a fine job (they're back at Targ in January to open for resuscitated Quebec thrash-punks DBC).



Percussive action!



The shouty bit!



The whole lot!



More percussion!



Alcohol Fuelled brought things to a close with a fun set.



Wil hits!



Tim sings!



Crowd singalong action with Aaron!



More Wil!



Rhythm section action!



Extra Aaron!



Singalong action!



Alcohol fuelling action!



And so on!



A good time for a good cause.