Nil by mouth

The first time I saw The Dirty Nil was back in 2009. They performed as a duo because bassist Dave was busy with Grade 12. In the intervening years they've finished their secondary schooling, blended some angular punk sounds into there solid base of grunge and Weezer fandom and generally turned into a killer live band.

And here they are! Singer Luke, bassist Dave and drummer Kyle.



Gripping action!



Kyle hits!



The view from the other side.



Singalong action!



Closeup action!



Faceoff action!



Shirtless action!



A shouty bit!



They're well worth checking out, and the opportunity will present itself very soon: They're playing this month's House of Targ show, August 30.

In the woods

For a blog allegedly dedicated to the Ottawa music scene, I've done a terrible job of covering Rolf Klausener's Arboretum Art Festival. I didn't get out to anything last year and barely managed a few hours this time around. Oh well, better than nothing! There were a ton of things to do this year if my schedule had been a bit more cooperative (and not just in the realm of music). As it is, I caught excellent sets from Roberta Bondar, Owen Pallett and Holy Fuck.

Roberta Bondar seemed a bit less Sonic Youth-like to my ears this time around - I could really hear the bass and drums.


Roberta Bondar at Arboretum, August 17, 2013

Scarlet action!


Roberta Bondar at Arboretum, August 17, 2013

It's been a long time since I've seen Owen Pallett on stage. I caught him twice at Bluesfest under the Final Fantasy name, playing solo. He had a band with him this time, and everything sounded great. But first, introduction action with Rolf!


Rolf Klausener at Arboretum, August 17, 2013

Owen sings!


Owen Pallett at Arboretum, August 17, 2103

I admire the bassist's hat.


Owen Pallett at Arboretum, August 17, 2103
 
Holy Fuck are another band I've seen at Bluesfest a couple of times (also once at Barrymore's). I keep forgetting how much I like seeing them perform. Here's Brian Borcherdt, who I last saw performing under his Dusted pseudonym at Pressed in April.


Holy Fuck at Arboretum, August 17, 2013

It was all very motorik.


Holy Fuck at Arboretum, August 17, 2013
 
Life under the not-so-big top.


Holy Fuck at Arboretum, August 17, 2013
 
For the last song Pallett came out to add some violin (as did a saxophonist I didn't recognize).


Holy Fuck at Arboretum, August 17, 2013

I'm going to try to see more in 2014.

Final Troff

Celery Troff snagged the middle spot at Cafe DeKcuf, and played a fine rocking set. They also dressed up a bit.

The whole lot!



Pearly action!



Buttoned action!



Andrew hits!



Extra Aaron!



Plaid pajamas action!



Bonus Andrew!



Rhythm section action!



Jumping action!



Unfortunately, they called it a day last month.

The eyes have it

It's mighty convenient taking ceramics at the Ottawa School of Art; I can throw some pots then toddle over to the Dominion Tavern (stopping only for a very large slice of Oh So Good's cheesecake) and check out some scuzzy Detroit space rock courtesy of Tommy Lampinen's Human Eye. Locals Eat Crow and Swollen eyes rounded out the bill.

Eat Crow were sounding very Can-like on this occasion.


Eat Crow at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013

There was also a lineup change from their Pressed show with The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol, with keyboardist Jan Myre on hand instead of guitarist Mark (who couldn't make it this go-round).


Eat Crow at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013

I saw Swollen Eyes just a week ago at Mugshots; this show was quite similar ....


Swollen Eyes at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013

There was the usual disrobing from Buddy (audience-assisted and otherwise), but less bassist nudity,.


Swollen Eyes at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013

The last and first time I saw Human Eye was at the Rock'n'Roll Pizza Party during its Atomic Rooster stint - it's been a while! Not much has changed though: Biker rock meets 13th Floor Elevators with some Acid Mothers Temple freakout added on. They have a new album out on Goner.


Human Eye at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013

Some really thumping drums at this gig.


Human Eye at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013
 
Masked action!


Human Eye at the Dominion Tavern, August 15, 2013
  
They're off to New York City for a Saturday gig.

By Zeus

January's done, so now we set the time machine for the depths of February, and a show with a band I hadn't seen, a band I had seen, and another band I had seen but forgot about because it was four years in the past and my aging brain is turning into a sieve. Andrew Grosvenor of Those Gulls invited me to this particular gig, since he is half of opener Decathlete. The other half is Peter Zachar, also of Those Gulls.

Honorary member Zeus watches over the proceedings.



Andrew hdnles the bass, Peter drums.



More bass!



The whole lot!



More Peter!



Athletic action!



And so on!



Bendy action!



No new on the Decathlete front, but Those Gulls will be playing tomorrow's benefit for Operation Go Home at Mavericks.

All the angles

I saw Monobrow just a couple of weeks ago, rocking the House of Targ, but we're going back a bit further in time to January and the release of their new LP, Bennington Triangle Blues, in January. Even with a new album just out, they were still on the musical move and played some even newer songs, along with a big chunk of the new record.

Triangular action!



Brian hits!



Fuzzy action!



Sam handles the low end.



Rhythm section action!



More Paul!



Extra Sam!



And now for some without the flash, in traditional Dominion orange.



And slightly less orange Sam.



Extra orange Brian.



The end!



They're heading into the studio at Yogi's for some recording in November and December.