Showing posts with label Harsh Reality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harsh Reality. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Eyes and offenders

Last week I wandered over to Black Squirrel Books for some post-punkery and what-nottery. On the bill were locals Young Offenders and Montreal's Five Eyes. Young Offenders - or, at least, three-quarters of the bands, since guitarist Jacob couldn't make it - took the floor first with some tangled sounds. Here's singer-guitarist Kurt and bassist Simon.

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

More Simon!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

Josh Duffenais hits!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

More Kurt!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

The whole lot!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

There was also some enthusiastic dancing in the crowd.

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

Even more Simon!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

Late-set trumpet action!

Young Offenders at Black Squirrel Books

Five Eyes also played a very well-received set, they have a scrappy desperate sound, and feature Ottawa expat Joni from Caymans and Harsh Reality on drums. Here's guitarist Amy and Joni!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

And here's guitarist and singer Graham!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

More Joni!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

Brow-furrowing action!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

Extra Amy!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

Translucent action!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

Illuminated action!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

And even more Amy!

Five Eyes at Black Squirrel Books

A fine evening's entertainment.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Swoop and hover

Friday night I headed over to Pressed on Gladstone to hear some My Bloody Valentine-styled noise and high-volume shoegaze from Halifax's Kestrels and one of several bands named Harsh Reality (this was the Montreal one).

The Mnemonics opened; the Twin/Tone-loving folks from the Centretown Recording Alliance are on a slightly different tip then the other acts of the bill, being fonder of The Replacement than, say, Medicine. Here's singing Colin and bending Dave.

Mnemonics at Pressed

Singalong action with Chris!

Mnemonics at Pressed

Jon hits!

Mnemonics at Pressed

More Chris!

Mnemonics at Pressed

Dave frets!

Mnemonics at Pressed

In the most Canadian act of charity possible, Larry gave Jon his beer after some accidental spillage.

Mnemonics at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Mnemonics at Pressed

The whole lot!

Mnemonics at Pressed

On to the mighty fuzz of Harsh Reality, which features Joni Sadler (also of Caymans and Lungbutter), Kaity Zozula (also of Lungbutter) Eamon Quinn of Alcrete et al., and Sebastien, of whom I know nothing.

Harsh Reality at Pressed

Guitar action with Eamon!

Harsh Reality at Pressed

Joni hits!

Harsh Reality at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Harsh Reality at Pressed

Kestrels finished things off with a brisk set (they had about a half-hour to fill) of songs from their new EP and future record (expected in February). Maybe it's the East Coast connection, but they had me thinking of Eric's Trip.

Kestrels at Pressed

Percussive action with Paul Brown!

Kestrels at Pressed

Devin Peck handles the low end.

Kestrels at Pressed

Chad Peck sings!

Kestrels at Pressed

The whole lot!

Kestrels at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Kestrels at Pressed

Bendy action!

Kestrels at Pressed

The end!

Kestrels at Pressed

Fine sets from everyone.