Saturday, December 24, 2011

Almost there!

I have a brief stretch off from work this Christmas, so once again it's off for some Christmas party action, this time at Babylon, with Uranium Comeback, The Male Nurse Band and electronic dance combo Silkken Laumann - there's a lineup you don't see every day.

First up, Male Nurse Band being their usual excellent self. They also showed off a couple of swell-sounding new tunes.

Male Nurse Band at Babylon
Male Nurse Band at Babylon, December 23, 2011

Davey sings!

Male Nurse Band at Babylon
Male Nurse Band at Babylon, December 23, 2011

Uranium Comeback were also great. Even better, I think I heard talk of an upcoming album!

Uranium Comeback at Babylon
Uranium Comeback at Babylon, December 23, 2011

They had Ian Manhire from The White Wires on hand to play bass and sing a cover of Protex's A Place In Your Heart.

Uranium Comeback at Babylon
Uranium Comeback at Babylon, December 23, 2011

I hadn't seen Silkken Laumann before, I was just aware that it was yet another musical outlet from the fertile musical mind of Raolf Klausener, Adam Saikaley and Pat Johnson. It's not too dissimilar from other stuff I've seen Adam do, but The Acorn it isn't. It's an electronic dance deal.

Silkken Laumann at Babylon
Silkken Laumann at Babylon, December 23, 2011

They also had Lidija from Roberta Bondar on stage to sing on one tune.

Silkken Laumann at Babylon
Silkken Laumann at Babylon, December 23, 2011

Things started around 11:30, and two hours later I was ready to call it a night, but Silkken Laumann were still playing. "We're just making this up as we go along!" said Rolf.
  • Show reminder: Communicating Circus, Mapitones, Stimulus, Static Revolt perform at The Rainbow.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Bluesfest: Amos The Transparent

I am apparently fated to only see Amos The Transparent whenever they play Bluesfest. This is fortunate for two reasons: They seem to play it with some frequency, and they frequently need the stage space to accommodate their revolving membership.

Dan bows, Jonathan blurs!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Jonathan sings!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Dan gets his Jimmy Page on.

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Tambourine action!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Violin action from one of the many supporting characters brought in to help out. Their lineup doubled to 10 for this gig.

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Here's some more of the regular staff: Drummer Chris Wilson, guitarist Mark Hyne and bassist James Nicol.

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

The shouty bit!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Bass action!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Barefoot action!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Katie Sargent looks smashing.

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Transparent action!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Mark frets!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Chris hits!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Lots of folks!

Amos the Transparent at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

You can check my Flickr account for photos of out-of-focus cellists and the like if that's your fancy. In a fit of brilliant timing, their next show is tonight at Greenfields. They're also playing February 18 at Ritual for their album release show.
  • Show reminder: It's Christmas party time at Babylon with Silken Laumann, Uranium Comeback and The Male Nurse Band; XXXmas, Jon Creeden and Wooka Tribe rock 558 Gladstone Ave. At the Rainbow you'll find Wise, Young & King, Ellie May, The Glorious Moonrockets and Fantastic Flow; The Brothers Chaffey are doing a little fundraiser for the Ottawa food Bank at Irene's; Poorfolk and Kevin Hersak play the Downstairs Club at the Clocktower Pub.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Death may be your Santa Claus

Was there once a time when there was basically zip going on around Christmas? My fuzzy memory seems to suggest the answer yes, but that doesn't seem to be the case nowadays. I even had to pick and choose last night, between Christmas shows at Zaphod's and Raw Sugar. I strapped on my cleats and headed for the former since it's been a while since I've seen either The Big Muffs or Hell Bros and Pretty Little Death Machine always rock the house.

Speaking of whom ...

Pretty Little Death Machine at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Pretty Little Death Machine at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

Faceoff action!

Pretty Little Death Machine at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Pretty Little Death Machine at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

The Big Muffs bring their own brand of heavy, particularly during the last part of the set.

Big Muffs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Big Muffs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

Also, they now have their own line of booty shorts ...

Big Muffs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Big Muffs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

As for Hell Bros, I think they're always great. I often wonder why their shows aren't packed, though last night the horrid weather provided an excuse ... the turnout wasn't too shabby, all things considered.

Hell Bros at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Hell Bros at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

Stabatronic action!

Hell Bros at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Hell Bros at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 21, 2011

And in the spirit of Christmas I also scored some free swag from PLDM and Hell Bros. Thanks, eh!
  • Show reminder: Bombed Out are reuniting for food bank benefit at the Legion on Kent St., along with Asile, Motivator, Pregnancy Scares, Shot Nerves and the debut of Rough House. The Elmdale hosts Irene from the Lowlands. The enigmatic Mr "E" performs at the Avant-Garde Bar.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bluesfest: Ganga Giri

Ever since Xavier Rudd blew the crowd away oh so many years ago, I think the powers-that-be at Bluesfest have keeping an eye open for another didjeridoo act. They've found a good one in Ganga Giri, who like Xavier hails from Australia. He blends in more world music and a electronic sounds and it all works quite well.

Toasting action with MC Jornick Joe Lick!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

The man himself!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Violin action!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Percussive action with Yeshe Reiners!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Bonus tosting!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Ganga twists!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

The whole lot!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Yeshe breaks out the mbira.

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011
Dan Pearson - Acoustic & Electronic Drums

Singalong action!
Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

Extra didjeridoo!

Ganga Giri at Ottawa Buesfest 2011

They got a pretty good response from the crowd.
  • Show reminder: Pretty Little Death Machine, Hell Bros and The Big Muffs perform at Zaphod's; there's a Very Kelpy Christmas at Raw Sugar with Andrew Vincent, Andy Swan and Eddie P & Reggie C.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Bluesfest: Braids

Braids released their album Native Speaker in January and have been buried beneath a gigantic pile of buzz ever since. The album is a quite engaging concoction (nominated for the 2011 Polaris, among other things) and their live show was pretty good too.

Main brain Raphaelle Standell-Preston sings and plays guitar.

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Taylor Smith frets.

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Katie Lee handles the keys.

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Austin Tufts prepares to hit.

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Braided action!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Taylor turns the dial.

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

More Lee!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Raphaelle sings!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

More Austin!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Katie sings!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

The whole lot!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Austin sings!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Taylor hits!

Braids at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

I'm not sure what they're up to now, apart from posting photos on their Tumblr.
  • Show reminder: Josef Mieto and Katherine Amanda Giles perform at The Avant-Garde.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Bluesfest: Honey Island Swamp Band

The Honey Island Swamp Ban formed in the wake of Hurrican Katrina. To be precise, the four members were New orleans residents who got together while in weather-induced exile in San Francisco. They returned to their hometown in 2007 with some California living under the belts and continue to purvey assorted varieties of bayou funk to the masses. Chris Mulé: guitar, vocals
Mandoli man Aaron Wilkinson says hello.

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Chris Mulé frets.

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Sometimes bassist Sam Price just needs that extra eye-wear.

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011.

Mandolin action!

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Singalong action!

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

The whole lot! That's Trevor Brooks on Hammond B-3 and Garland Paul on drums.

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Keyboard action!

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Garland brushes up.

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Swampy action!

Honey Island Swamp Band at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

They got some upcoming shows in Florida and thereabouts starting Dec. 28.
  • Show reminder: Videotape, Self Surgery and F Hood perform at Raw Sugar.