Black Tuesday

Or at least overcast Tuesday - July 8 to be precise, where I went over to LeBreton Flats, snapped a few dark and grainy shots of a trio of bands then ran off to The Dominion to see Lover! Mother's Children and Savage Crimes. I've already posted the photographs from that set, so here's the Bluesfest leftovers.

First I went back the Roots stage where Jason Collett was performing. As is often the case when confronted with Collett, I didn't feel a huge urge to stick around. He's touring Canada later this month - no Ottawa dates announced though.



Instead I went over to The Black Sheep Stage to watch Born Ruffians, who I've always enjoyed. I seem to recall that the last time they came through town and I saw them was at a church. As always they were a lively bunch. They're on a bug North American tour right now. They play Calgary tonight on their way west, will go down through the U.S. and land back in Toronto at the start of November.

Luke LaLonde gets a good grip.



Mitch DeRosier and Steve Hamelin try some of that backing vocal stuff.



The whole lot!



Two microphones are better than one.



Then I went back to my bike, took a few parting shots at Most Serene Republic, and bicycled off into the sunset.

Them Republicans!







Strangely enough, they are not about to embark on a huge continent-spanning tour.

• Show reminder: Leah Morise and Stephen Hedley perform at The Rainbow.

Lovers, Venetians and thieves

Tuesday was a day for quick hits. When yesterday's prophesied thunderstorm turned into a brief shower I pedalled down to Bluesfest to see Born Ruffians, and incidentally catch a few songs from Most Serene Republic and Jason Collett. As was observed in a conversation later in the day, it was almost Zaphod's day at the festival. I know I saw two of the outfits first at Zaphod Beeblebrox and Collett played there in April. All of them attracted considerable crowds.

I like Collett's music, but on occasions I think I detect flashes of smugness that impede my enjoyment of his live show.


Jason Collett, Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2008

From the River Stage I went to the Black Sheep Stage to catch Born Ruffians. They're sounding less ruffian by the moment. As I've said before: Jonathan Richman, Wire, Talking Heads ... but more Richman this time around.


Born Ruffians, Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2008

Then I headed home, stopping at the River Stage again to listen briefly to Most Serene Republic. I'm not sure why bands who know they'll be playing an outdoor festival think it's a good idea for everyone to wear black. Good thing for them it was cloudy.


Most Serene Republic, Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2008

In a couple of hours I was better fed and at the Dominion Tavern to see Memphis rockers Lover! and local combos Savage Crimes and Mother's Children.

Savage Crimes are born out of the part of the Sweet Janes that didn't go on to the Holy Cobras, plus Matt Cosgrove, who has also served as a timekeeper for local folkie Gianna Lauren. They're more on the punk rock side of the garage.


Savage Crimes, The Dominion Tavern, July 8, 2008

Next up were Mother's Children, a half-and-half split between former Sick Fits and former Million Dollar Marxists. This was their second show.


Mother's Children, The Dominion Tavern, July 8, 2008

Lover! finished the evening off with some chunky Memphis rock. Main man Rich Crook has performed with well known groups like The Lost Sounds and Reatards, and also done time in the Knaughty Knights with former Oblivian Jack Yarber. His band has some Black and Whites in it I hear. They whipped it out hard and fast and sounded great.


Lover! The Dominion Tavern, July 8, 2008

This show also had an excellent turnout for a sticky Tuesday evening.

• Show reminder: Monotonix, Brutal Knights, Team Robespierre and The Sedatives perform at Mavericks with art from Space 1026 and Chicago comedian Hannibal.

Have a nice time without me

I was looking forward to seeing a lot of great music in June, but alas my work schedule has taken a sudden turn for the busy so I'm going to miss a big chunk of it. Well, no reason to stop anyone else plotting out their showgoing next month, starting with the Capital Idea Festival.


Fiery Furnaces, Ottawa Bluesfest, July 14, 2006

Sure, I'm going to get to see The Besnard Lakes and Jade McNelis June 20; Sunset Rubdown, Montag and Miracle Fortress June 21; Xiu Xiu, Chris Garneau and the mighty Fucked Corpse June 25; not to mention The Fiery Furnaces, Chinese Stars and the always wonderful Hot Springs June 26.


Born Ruffians, First Baptist Church, October 6, 2006

Alas, I shall miss a heap of other good stuff, most importantly The Walkmen (appearing with super duper locals Relief Maps and Acres) on June 22 and The Wrens with Poorfolk and Darling Arms June 22, but also Frog Eyes at Zaphod's June 24 and Born Ruffians with The Field Register and Henri Faberge and The Adorables June 29. You may also fancy the opportunity to see The Russian Futurists and Parts and Labour June 28; there's also Destroyer and Rock Central Plaza at Barrymore's June 27 and Girl Talk with Crystal Castles June 29; finally, if you didn't see Damo Suzuki on his previous jaunts to town you should seize the opportunity June 30.


Fifty Men, Babylon, August 1, 2006

Off course, Capital Idea isn't the only festival in town; Westboro has a hoedown of their own, and while I'm going to miss a chunk of it too, that's no reason for anyone to pass up performances by Big Stone Drummers and Alden Pompana, The Old Youth,Graveyard Dogs, Hunter Valentine, Andy Swan, NUKARIIK, Golden Dogs (once again, I miss a Golden Dogs show ... grrr!), Angela Desveaux, Jason Collett, Lily Frost, Lindsay Ferguson and Kathleen Edwards on the Saturday. Me, I'll be catching at least part of the Sunday lineup: Ana Muira, Marie-Josee Houle, Jupiter Ray Project, Slo' Tom, The John Henry’s, Mckenzie McBride, Eric Vieweg, Crowded Skies, Camp Radio, Juliana Pulford and Fifty Men. (ADDENDUM: Since I've just learned that Zoobombs will be at Babylon June 10, you can probably guess how I'll spend the rest of the evening).


Pride Tiger, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Feb. 3, 2007

Tell the truth, though, if I were free that Saturday (July 9) I'd probably either be in the basement of End Hits watching Mouthus, Cousins of Reggae, B'Italian and Smoke Judo at End Hits or over at Zaphod's catching Pride Tiger, Die Mannequin and The Mighty Eagle Band. What else am I missing - oh, too much to mention, so I'll just pass the word on another two shows you should show up for: Sunburned Hand Of The Man, The Michael Flower Band, MV & EE and The Bummer Road will be freaking out at Zaphod Beeblebrox June 3; and Mocking Music brings The Clientele, Beach House and My Dad Vs Yours to Babylon June 5. If the Walkmen aren't your thing, you might want to check out i(heart)music's Nymphets gig at Zaphod's or The Shovels CD release show at Irene's with Crowded Skies and Golden Famile man Darrell Angus's new project Rickity Ship. Second to last, but certainly not least, Canadian living legends Simply Saucer perform at Babylon with Four'n'Giv'r June 15. Yes, I'll be missing that one too. One last plug: If you like the rock but aren't up for Damo June 30, you might want to spy out Montreal space-stoners The Mongrels (featuring Tricky Woo man Andrew Dickson) and Boom Creek at Irene's.

Born to be wild

Born Ruffians were the first band up on Friday. Whereas the last band I had seen at First Baptist Church, Bell Orchestre, had seem right at home in the venue, the Ruffians seemed a little out of place. They apparently had a long drive up from Toronto (Thanksgiving weekend traffic and all that). Perhaps that's why their performance didn't seem as sharp as their Zaphod's performance in July. That's a small caveat, though. Their wiry new wave rock would have been right at home in NYC circa 1979 and they still kicked it out with some energy.

Guitarist Luke Lalonde on bass and rose.



Bassist Mitch DesRosier on tambourine.



Drummer Steve Hamelin actually on drums.



Singalong action!





A flash-less photo of the inside of First Baptist (and the back of Rolf Klausener's head).



There was some serious hand-clapping going on all through the night.



Their debut EP is out soon on Warp; technically it's out Oct. 19, but I believe they did have a few for sale at the show.

• Show reminder: Suicide Girls Burlesque performs at Barrymore's, along with Pink Mochi; there's also a benefit for the Canadian Mental Health Association at Babylon - City of a Hundred Spires, Danger Danger Mammoth Hunter, Place, Smoke Judo and Glenn Nuotio perform.

Colour and light

Once again the First Baptist Church played host to an evening of secular entertainment. This time it was New York's Akron/Family, playing a sensational set, and Toronto's Born Ruffians. Both bands had a long drive from Toronto (Thanksgiving weekend meant a lot of traffic).





As you can see I've overcome my reluctance to take photos in church, so you'll be viewing more in the days to come.

• Show reminder: Heaps of stuff to see, with Museum Pieces, Sadie Hell and Acres at Irene's Pub; Cadence Weapon and Tokyo Police Club at Zaphod's; the Songbird Music crowd take over Babylon with sets from The Golden Seals, The Flaps, Matt Ouimet and Manpower; The Hylozoists and The John Henrys play Barrymore's; Rare Women for Wild Birds - i.e. Casey Comeau, Amanda Rheaume, MacKenzie MacBridge and Ana Muira - play a benefit for the Wild Bird Care Centre at Cafe Dekcuf.

Rough boys

Herky jerky punk new-wave is The Born Ruffians' thing. I was very impressed by both their songs and their performance. I'd definitely get an album from these guys - while there are tons of bands working the same territory (particularly these days), they still manage to make you look back without thinking they're aping any particular act. Also they're a lot of fun.

First they gathered around the microphone for a quick singalong.



Ruffian action!



Guitarist and singer Luke Lalonde's voice makes me think of Richard Hell ... not quite sure why.



Bassist and occasional tambourine player Mitch DeRosier.



Drummer Steve Hamelin prepares to deliver a double whammy.



More Ruffian action (and sopme bassplayer feeling by the Adorables' MayLee).









The day after this show, Luke smacked his head open in Montreal, forcing a few show cancellations. No doubt he'll be well enough for when the band hits Britain for a few days in August.

Flight of the navigator

I expected to fully enjoy My Dad vs Yours, Born Ruffians, Henri Faberge and The Adorables and Relief Maps at Zaphod Beeblebrox, and brother was I ever not disappointed. I knew I'd like My Dad Vs. Yours since I've seen them on a few occasions, and I've had a hankering to hear Relief Maps ever since I saw them at the End Hits CHUO basement benefit. That both Henry Faberge and Co. and Born Ruffians put on such dynamite sets was like having another full meal on top of the gravy.

I only caught one full song from Relief Maps, but as before I like what I heard; unfortunately I left guitarist Luke Duross out of this snap, but he'll show up later.



Henri Faberge (the chap in the striped shirt) and several of his half-dozen Adorables. Maylee Todd is handling the vocals in this shot. You can expect many photos of rambunctious behaviour on stage and off - this lot is half band, have wrestling match. I'm not sure if I'd recommend them to fans of Anathallo or Saturday Looks Good to Me first.



Luke shifts into frontman mode after his stint as a trombone-toting Adorable with The Born Ruffians. I could say Jonathan Richman, Wire, Talking Heads and run off another dozen post-punk and post-rock outfits, but these guys definitely have their own thing going on.



Yes, the lighting is wrong, the shutter speed is wrong, you can't see anyone's face, there's a microphone stand right in the middle and there's a guitarist missing in this picture of My Dad Vs. Yours. On the plus side, I like the colours.



In a word: Superb.