Friday, June 02, 2017

Rat patrol

To the ever-lengthening list of Ottawa festivals you can add Bleak Life. It celebrated its fourth edition in mid-May. I missed almost all of it, but did catch some of Saturday's show on an appropriately bleak afternoon. Ataxia kicked things off.

Ataxia at Club SAW

Frank sings!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Rhythm section action!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Scott hits!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Uncontrolled action!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Bass action!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Guitar action!

Ataxia at Club SAW

And so on!

Ataxia at Club SAW

A shouty bit!

Ataxia at Club SAW

Next up, hardcore youngsters Toxic Thoughts.

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

Percussive action!

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

Felix runs about!

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

Bass thoughts with Shayla!

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

More running about!

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

Gear adjusting actioN!

Toxic Thoughts at Club SAW

Montreal's Moblish announced they were going to play fast because they were asked to; I suspect they may play fast anyway. And away they go!

Moblish at Club SAW

Even without his giant white belt you'll recognize Ultrathin's Mark on the microphone.

Moblish at Club SAW

Dog in the pit action!

Moblish at Club SAW

Mark works the crowd!

Moblish at Club SAW

Percussive action!

Moblish at Club SAW

The shouty bit!

Moblish at Club SAW

Bass action!

Moblish at Club SAW

More guitar!

Moblish at Club SAW

More drumming!

Moblish at Club SAW

Crowd surfing action!

Moblish at Club SAW

And so on!

Moblish at Club SAW

Montreal's Nino Ratas played a hard-hitting set - but then again I am a sucker for punk rock with Spanish vocals.

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Percussive action!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Rodent-like action!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Guitar action!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Bass action!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Vocal action!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

And so on!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

More loaned guitar!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

And so on!

Ninos Rata at Club SAW

Ultrarat were the last band I caught before I went home feeling terrible (due to a stomach bug, not the music). Their set also went over really well with the crowd. Here's some percussive action!

Ultrarat at Club SAW

They're fronted by Moblish's drummer.

Ultrarat at Club SAW

Yet more bass action!

Ultrarat at Club SAW

And so on!

Ultrarat at Club SAW

Ultraratty action!

Ultrarat at Club SAW

And finally a bit more bass.

Ultrarat at Club SAW

All cool stuff.

Friday, May 26, 2017

In the running

Early in May I went to the House of Targ for some album releasing action from local power trio Onionface; they were joined on the bill alt rockers The Tackies and The Jailbirds, a Mississauga combo that also traffic in 1970s style blues-based hard rock. The Tackies were already playing when I walked down the stairs, with singer Hans enjoying a birthday ribbon.

The Tackies at House of Targ

Keyboard action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Jamie hits!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Headbanging action with Hans and Galen!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

More Hans!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Shirtless action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

The whole lot!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Guitar action with Mathieu!

The Tackies at House of Targ

Feedback action!

The Tackies at House of Targ

I had a brief listen to the Jailbirds before heading out and was much intrigued; live they put on a first rate show of classic power trio rock - the vocal work was particularly good. Here's Mike!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with bassist Liam and drummer Eric!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Blocked action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Exploratory action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Eric hits!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Extra Liam!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Eric sings!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

More Liam!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Closeup action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

More guitar!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Imprisoned action!

Jailbirds at House of Targ

Onionface have a new album, Roll Over Dog ... And Run!, which is slated for release at the end of May. They're heading out on tour shortly, starting with a show at Rockingwood Cottage in Aylmer (some sort of house show, I gather), and also will be performing at Live! On Elgin On June 23. Here's some greenish action with Stefan!

Onionface at House of Targ

Bass action with Calvin!

Onionface at House of Targ

Calvin sings!

Onionface at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Onionface at House of Targ

More Jon!

Onionface at House of Targ

Feedback action!

Onionface at House of Targ

Foggy action!

Onionface at House of Targ

Long-haired action!

Onionface at House of Targ

More Stefan!

Onionface at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Onionface at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Onionface at House of Targ

The end!

Onionface at House of Targ

A great show.