Saturday, March 11, 2017

Happy, homely and sick

A week ago I headed over to Bar Robo to check out the quieter side of some of Ottawa's finest loud-makers: Chris Landry usually fronts The Glorious Moonrockets, The Dumb and Homely Band duo are often two-thirds of Slumlord and last time I saw Buddy Smiles he was fronting Swollen Eyes. First, some washboard action from D&H's Sev!

Dumb & Homely at Bar Robo

T.J. sings!

Dumb & Homely at Bar Robo

Singalong action!

Dumb & Homely at Bar Robo

Washboard-rockin' action!

Dumb & Homely at Bar Robo

Extra T.J.!

Dumb & Homely at Bar Robo

On to Buddy Smiles, who was joined by Ommie Jane from Coccinella on keys.

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Ommie works the keys!

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Smiley action!

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Buddy action!

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Extra Buddy!

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Singalong action!

Buddy Smiles at Bar Robo

Chris Landry finished the night with some heartsick tuneage; his Seasick Momma for the occasion was Jim from The Ven Dreddies (and elsewhere).

Chris Landry & The Seasick Mommas

Jim sings!

Chris Landry & The Seasick Mommas

Chris sings!

Chris Landry & The Seasick Mommas

Singalong action!

Chris Landry & The Seasick Mommas

A fun night out.

Sunday, March 05, 2017

Control issues

There was a bunch of worthy shows to attend on Saturday night, but I decided to skip out on Simply Saucer at the Dom (no doubt a great show) for a couple of hours with some other space-travellers at Pressed. Pachyderm and Room Control came over from Montreal, while locals Clavius Control started things off with some fine Mono and Kinski-styled post-rock.Here's guitarist Neil and bassist Zachary!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Adjusting action with Patrick!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Mike hits!

Clavius Control at Pressed

More guitar!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Extra Pat!

Clavius Control at Pressed

More Neil!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Bonus Mike!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Bass action with Zachary!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Even more Mike!

Clavius Control at Pressed

The whole lot!

Clavius Control at Pressed

Room Control played a fine set of cinematic kraut rock. Here's some mallet action with Dan!

Room Control at Pressed

Bass action with Robert!

Room Control at Pressed

Keyboard action with Byron!

Room Control at Pressed

More Dan!

Room Control at Pressed

Rhythm section action!

Room Control at Pressed

Extra Byron and Dan!

Room Control at Pressed

Even more Dan!

Room Control at Pressed

Big hit!

Room Control at Pressed

The whole lot!

Room Control at Pressed

Last time I saw Pachyderm was in July 2016, when they played a set at Birdman Sound to celebrate the store's 25th anniversary. Like Room control, they've got a lot of kosmik rock in their DNA. Here's drummer Nico!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Twelve-string action with Tom!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Tom sings!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Elephantine action!

Pachyderm at Pressed

And so on!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Guest action with Robert!

Pachyderm at Pressed

More Nico!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Bonus Tom!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Trio action!

Pachyderm at Pressed

Some out-there sounds.

Wednesday, March 01, 2017

Of Miss and men

On Friday I popped over to Pressed for a bit of roots rock. On the bill, Kingston one-man band Mississippi Grover (aka Grog of The Desecrators, Fiends and Orange Alabaster Mushroom) and local combo Life-Size Men. Here's a man whose tonic is sonic.

Mississippi Grover at Pressed

Harmonica action!

Mississippi Grover at Pressed

Greg sings!

Mississippi Grover at Pressed

And so on!

Mississippi Grover at Pressed

Percussive action!

Mississippi Grover at Pressed

Life-Size Men also played a lively set. Here's some rhythm section action with Kevin and Jeb!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Sparkly action with Jeff!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Extra Kevin!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Jeb hits!

Life Size Men at Pressed

R.W. sings!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Frontline action!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Extra Jeb!

Life Size Men at Pressed

More R.W. and Kevin!

Life Size Men at Pressed

And so on!

Life Size Men at Pressed

Plenty of fun.