The writing's on the wall

I like The Fiery Furnaces' defiantly offbeat recorded work, but was left feeling a bit underwhelmed by their live show at last year's Bluesfest. It was just a bit too ... normal. By comparison, their show at the Capital Idea festival was a breath of fresh air. They've switched a few things around, added a percussionist and had some strong new material for the appreciative crowd.

There were a few bugs to work out with the sound system. Here's Eleanor going "Check, check" in a fab fringed jacket.



Eleanor was in good vocal form this evening.



Brother Matthew has switched over entirely to keyboards.



Jake Lowenstein plays all the guitar now. His old post on bass goes unfilled - instead he uses an octave pedal to provide the necessary low end.



A very grainy Don D'Amico and that wall.



Michael Goodman is the band's new secret weapon. His Latin percussion really kicks things up a notch.



Let's get this show on the road!







Fiery action!



And one more Eleanor picture - what can I say, she had the best lighting.



Definitely up a notch from their Bluesfest set; a new album entitled Widow City waits in the wings.

• Show reminder: Trigger Effect, Elephantoms, DangerDangerMammothHunter and We Can Transport play 59 Argyle Ave.

Burning up the stage

I've seen Hot Springs about four or five times now, and they always put on a killer show. Things were no different this time. I'd say this was a particularly ferocious show - maybe the best I've seen by them.

Giselle Webber in blue (and red).





Anne Gauthier and the written word.



Remy looks up.



Fred bends on bass.



Giselle strikes a pose.



The whole lot, plus spooky lighting.



Springy action!



Giselle gets on down!



As does Remy.



Fred reaches the tipping point.



They've recorded their first full-length with Jace of Besnard Lakes at his Breakglass Studio. I can hardly wait!

Generally electric

Thundrah! opened things up for the Fiery Furnaces-headlined show. They were called in to round out the bill after Chinese Stars had to cancel their tour. As I walked in they were just warming up with some noise manipulation before embarking on a regimen of serious distorto-dancepunk frenzy. They put on a really great show.

The evening began with some serious knob-twisting - here's an overexposed Mackenzie, face-to-face with the electronics.



Tape manipulation courtesy of Lisa Gamble, aka Gambletron.



Szofi on drums. Fiery Furnaces brough a really nice backdrop with them, too. Very wordy.



Bassist Stephen.



Lisa rocks the mic.



Aha, more dials to turn!





Thunderous action!





Gambletron goes heavy metal.



The whole lot, with Mackenzie on drums. Literally.



The end.



I bought their 12-inch on the strength of the show, and it's a great listen too. They'll be back in town August 25 for a show with Mika Miko, venue TBA.

Xiu's next

Finally it was time for those happy-go-lucky characters in Xiu Xiu. I had not heard much about them. Their music is rhythmically complex and emotionally tortured. They played a Joy Division cover (Ceremony) that I didn't recognize at the time - their style is quite distinct (or maybe my brain was just on one of its temporary vacations).



Ringleader Jamie Stewart.



Caralee McElroy and the ever-popular harmonium.



Ches Smith - them drumsticks is good eatin'.



Drumstick bouncing action!



Jamie gets down.



Ches does battle with cymbals.



Feedback action!



The whole lot!



An undeniably swell show, with lots of excited chatter from the crowd afterward.

• Show reminder: Amos The Transparent, Five Blank Pages and Dukes of the Archipelago play the Gallery at Ecclesiax; Million Dollar Marxists, fresh off their tour, perform at Babylon with Society's Parasites and The Suicide Pilots; Evil Farm Children and The Bible All-Stars play a post-Bluesfest show at the Navy Club; No Other Way, Ceremonial Snips, The Fucking Machines and Vanier Skank play Zaphod's; The Noble Son, Capital Grass and the No Men and Apples perform at the Avant-Garde Bar.

Plus Fort

Day 2 of the Capital Idea Festival and it was off to Babylon to see three bands I had never seen together. True, I've seen Spencer Krug - mainman of headliner Sunset Rubdown - perform in both Frog Eyes and Wolf Parade. All I knew of the other two acts was that the opener, Miracle Fortress, was the work of Graham Van Pelt, who is also in Think About Life. Not much help there; although TAL has played in town a few times (they seem to be regulars at the 59 Argyle St. basement) I hadn't seen them either. However, as it emerged after the show I'd seen at least half of Miracle Fortress' live band. I saw guitarist and bassist Jessie Stein play Mavericks in March 2005 with her band SS Cardiacs. I was sure I'd seen Van Pelt's other guitarist and keyboardist before as well, but only placed him after he asked if I'd taken pictures of Telefauna's gig at the Rainbow April 9, 2006; it was Adam Waito. Anyway, onto Miracle Fortress, who I wouldn't rush to compare with any of the aforementioned bands (man, that was a lot of leadup for nothing, wasn't it?). I'd say MF incorporates both the Beach Boys’ dreamiest moments with some of My Bloody Valentine’s noisiest and crossbreeds Cornelius with Saturday looks Good To Me.



Popsmith in chief Van Pelt.



Drummer Jordan Robson-Cramer also features in Sunset Rubdown. Good thing too, since it means I'll have another picture of him less dull than this one.



Jessie rocks out!



Adam takes his turn on the Ibanez.



Fortified action!







They'll be back in town (or close to it) on July 12 when they play the Black Sheep Inn on their return from from a western tour.

• Show reminder: Speaking of 59 Argyle, Screaming Females and F!ghtF!ghtF!ght are playing a gig there this evening.