That's crazy talk

Antigonish, Nova Scotia's Mad Chatter - who filled Zaphod's stage after Tim Gilbertson's departure - like to say they're influenced by East Coast music, such as Garrett Mason and Maritimes jam scene stalwarts like The Jimmy Swift Band (minus the electronica, at least for this gig), Slowcoaster and Grand Theft Bus.

Front man Alex Gerrior rocks the stripes.



Josh Dunbar mans the drums.



Juliam Cameron plays bass (not scene, because he wasn't about, keyboardist Matthew English).



Singing and hitting action!



Bending action!



The whole lot!



Bonus Josh!



More guitar!



And, er, that's it ... full credit to the band for keeping their game face on even though the audience was a bit on the spartan side.

• Show reminder: I, Colossus, The Isosceles Project and Collider rock Cafe Dekcuf; Society's Ills, The BCASA, Deadline Arson and Brainhunter are also slated to play Cafe Dekcuf, so I'm assuming there will either be terrible confusion, a battle to the death, or someone getting moved downstairs to Mavericks; Red Light Saints, The Stogies and Micarza Camaro play Zaphod's annual Towel Day; Dean Lickyer and The Led Hot Zili Peppers perform at The Rainbow; the Elmdale hosts Don Amero and Marc Robert Nelson; The Hornettes and Houndstooth are at the Avant-Garde Bar.

Monday night out

I popped over to Zaphod's last night to see a couple of newish acts: Edmonton's Tim Gilbertson and Antigonish, Nova Scotia's Mad Chatter. I don't think either band has what you'd call a dedicated following outside their home towns yet (though I see Gilbertson has picked up several positive reviews in places like Exclaim), and the show was quite sparsely attended.

Gilbertson and company play a pop-rock with plenty of crunchy guitars and strait-ahead vocals that make me think of the conversational style of David Gedge of The Wedding Present. He's apparently also an admirer of Modest Mouse, which I can hear. Tim's the one in the hat. They also covered Neil Young (I'm beginning to think everyone does). This particular version of Heart of Gold was distinguished by a very tasty bit of guitar soloing.


Tim Gilbertson at Zaphod Beeblebrox, May 9, 2011

Faceoff action with guitarist Drew Malcolm and bassist Cam Grier (drummer Graeme Mellway rounds out the quartet).


Tim Gilbertson at Zaphod Beeblebrox, May 9, 2011

Mad Chatter flavour their music with a bit of those upbeat dance beats favoured by ska and reggae acts, though not in sufficient doses that you would confuse them with a ska band. You can hear what I mean if you pop round the Elmdale Tavern tonight since they also have a show there. Alex Gerrior hands the singing and guitar, Julian Cameron plays bass and Josh Dunbar keeps the beat (they also apparently have a keyboardist but he wasn't around).


Mad Chatter at Zaphod Beeblebrox, May 9, 2011

More bass!


Mad Chatter at Zaphod Beeblebrox, May 9, 2011

It was all okay, but mostly not the kind of music I listen to with any regularity.

• Show reminder: Something more up my alley, Loviatar and Shane Whitbread , are playing a free show at Zaphod's tonight, but I'm working ... it was ever thus! Die Atlantic, Belie My Burial, I Now Walk Into The Wild, Accursed Creation, In Sepia and Denounced play Club SAW; as mentioned previously, Mad Chatter will be at the Elmdale, the Soul Shakers will be opening.