Head games

Year Zero and a super-secret band were slated to perform at The Atomic Rooster for the Sept. 24 edition of the Rock'n'Roll Pizza Party. I worked that night so I missed Year Zero, but I did manage to catch the set by the surprise guests.

They're a band shrouded in mystery!



Okay, it was actually Off With Their Heads. The shouty punks were on tour with Bouncing Souls and Youth Brigade, but apparently one set in Ottawa wasn't enough for the Minneapolis quartet (sometimes quintet), so they knocked out a growly set for the punks on Bank St. as well. They apparently switch membership quite often, so all IDs barring main man Ryan Young are provisional.

Zack Gontard downstrokes.



Ryan shouts some.



Ryan Francis mans the skins.



More Ryan!



Even more Ryan, plus bassist Nate Gangelhoff.



Zach keeps his neck sinews well-exercised.



More Nate!



The whole lot!



Rocking action!



The end!



They're still busy touring, and will be back in Ottawa for a show at Mavericks with The Queers February 22.

• Show reminder: The Rainbow gets a jump on New Years with The Maria Hawkins Band ... most other folks appear to be resting up for Thursday.

Make the cut

And the secret band was ... Off With Their Heads! The Minneapolis quartet was in town thanks to their tour with Bouncing Souls and Youth Brigade and decided to round out their evening with a second set at the Rock'N'Roll Pizza Party. Year Zero also played, but I missed them due to work demands, curse it. OWTH play a gravelly oicore with a bit of a pop-punk injection lurking under the gruff surface.


Off With Their Heads, Atomic Rooster, September 24

The crowd was really into the show, and essentially packed the place. There wasn't a huge crowd outside like during the Gaga Weekend kickoff, but a few folks did have to cool their heels outside the sweatbox that was The Atomic Rooster.

• Show reminder: There's vast punkitude at Bellhouse (at 62 Bell St.) with Hated, Thrashards, Obscene Bastards, Boozounds, Whiskey Shits, Second Generation Bastards and Destroyer Scene (also barbecue); Harvey Cartel, The Ornaments and FutureSnake play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Little Girls, Giant Hand and Centretown Cripplers are at Cafe Dekcuf while downstairs at Mavericks you can catch Golden Dogs and Acres. Blue Venus and My Tiny Circus perform at Irene's. Due to a brain malfunction I said The Polytones, The John Punch Band and The Village Bicycles played the Elmdale House Tavern last night. No! In fact it is tonight.