Dead reckoning

The DeadZone. kicked things off at Zaphod's a couple of weeks ago. The bill included local heavy rockers Jesus Mullet and The Mercy Now from Toronto. The DeadZone includes a pair of Radiodazed veterans - Nials Everett and Mark McHale - and guitarist Jay Champagne. They like that Rancid, Green Day, post hardcore Cali punk sound.

I started things off with a few colour shots ... here's Jay Champagne.



Riser action with Nials and Mark!



Shoutalong action!



More shouting, including a few naughty words from me when I realized I had forgotten my spare flash batteries at home.



Sow we'll now switch over to some no-flash, black-and-white shouting action.





I did try some colour shots but the number of red stagelights tend to wash everything else out.





Dual shouting action!



And one last photo of Mark.



What they're up to now I have no idea ...

• Show reminder: Contrabandit, The Valveenus, Fleeba and Catch of the Day punk it up at Cafe Dekcuf; Hated, Fatal Flaw, It's Asshole Time! and Whiskey Shits punk it up even more at 62 Bell St. N; Lucie Idlout and Tara Holloway perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox. There's a whole lot of Cajun activity at the Elmdale's Mardi Gras shindig with Swamperella, plus some cooking and dance lessons.
  

Merciful Jesus

It was a night of familiar faces at Zaphod's last night, starting with openers The DeadZone. That's Nials Everett from Radiodazed on bass. He's obscuring your view of Mark McHale, also of Radiodazed on drums. They sound quite a bit like the Radiodazed I remember seeing and hearing back in July 2005. Jay Champagne handles guitar duties in the punky trio.


The Dead Zone, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

Jesus Mullet put on an awesomely heavy show. I thought they sounded a lot more thrashy - like High on Fire, say - than on previous occasions when they were closer to Kyuss territory. Judging from the ebb and flow of the audience turnout most of the folks there were one hand to see them. They were so darn fine I had to buy their year-old album Waiting For The Wagon.


Jesus Mullet, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

As anyone fortunate to have seen Shikasta live knows, they were one of the most powerful bands on the rock scene. The Mercy Now, Shikasta mainman Russell Fernandes' new band, is cut from similar cloth. Their pretty ferocious and remind me a lot of Starvin' Hungry. Once again I was inspired to buy their new CD.


The Mercy Now, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

Unfortunately, they had to make way for the dancers after only a half-hour or so, leaving more than a few folks unhappy. "I now hate the human race" said Allrights drummer Jon. Oh well, they should be back up here someday ...

• Show reminder: Big Jeezus Truck are having a big 'ol CD release at The Rainbow. Toronto's The Donefors are having a CD release show at Irene's with Ember Swift cohort Lyndell Montgomery. The Hi Lo Trons and The White Wires play Babylon; Push Inc. plays the Elmdale with Sleepy Magic.