Back in a flash

Yet another upcoming show, this one worth the attention of boogie-rock fans: Flash Lightnin, last seen passing through town on the coattails of Priestess November 11, will return to Mavericks February 4.



Local "Southern rocker" Sal Piamonte will be opening.

• Show reminder: Speaking of Mavericks, GOB and The Johnstones perform there tonight, along with The Prefect and To The Rescue. Sedatives and The Creeps will rock the basement at 52 Park Ave tonight - it's all connected to Standard Issue whether they like it or not; Trevor James and The Perfect Gentlemen and The Birthday Boys play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Sam Roberts Band and The Stills play the second of two sold out Bronson Centre shows. The Flaps play Irene's. Blues dude Terry Gillespie performs at the Elmdale.

Look busy

I've seen Matt Ouimet a few times playing drums for Sarah Hallman and once for Eric Vieweg, he's also got a resume boasting a dozen other names that should be familiar to anyone who follows the local music scene; he also plays bass and guitar and his dance card for the near future includes gigs with Jehan Khoorshed, Jack Pelletier, Inglewood Jack and of course Hallman. All that and he still finds time to do his own singer-songwriter thing.

First Steve Durand played a short but lovely set of acoustic folk-pop that put me in mind of Slowdive mainman Neil Halstead's solo work. The stage was a bit dark so this photo of him is extra-grainy.



I feel like I've seen Meredith Luce's name in show listings several times, although the first time she's shown up in my show listings was back in April 4, 2007 ... on a bill with hockey rockers The Zambonis, oddly enough. Her set reminded me a lot of Ron Sexsmith - something in her phrasing or her voice, I guess. She had Eric Vieweg on board playing some twangy guitar and fraternal rhythm section Dean and Tim Watson. There seem to be plenty of songs about snow and one parting shot at "OC Transpoo" ... "That may be the first time I've said 'poo' on stage," she noted.



Finally Matt did his thing. He was in a pretty good mood and there was obviously a lot of friendly faces in the crowd - he interrupted one song to say hi to one arrival. Sarah Hallman also plays bass in his band, while Phil Bova plays drums and noted local guitar teacher Wayne Eagles handles the six strings.



He started things off with a cover of The Beatles I Need You that he joked (well perhaps not) was the sound check. I'd classify his performance as rough but ready, cheerful and pretty entertaining.

• Show reminder: Politique, Relief Maps and Ennuie play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Sam Roberts and The Stills play the first of two sold-out shows at the Bronson Centre Theatre. Paul Fenton and Rattle Snakin' Daddy rattle the Rainbow. Luther Wright and The Wrongs and The Chislers play the Elmdale

The unstationary Arkells

If you're quite recovered from Hollerado's February 13 show at Cafe DeKcuf, you might want to head over to Zaphod's on the following Sunday - I'll give you the Saturday for free - and check out Hamilton rockers The Arkells. They put on a fun show at Barrymore's last year opening for Matt Mays and can only be better in the smaller venue. The Waking Eyes are also on board.


The Arkells, Barrymore's, November 5, 2008

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to sulk because Neko Case's tour for her new album isn't passing through Ottawa (unless you count the drive from Toronto to Montreal).

• Show reminder: Matt Ouimet releases his new CD at Zaphod's. Streetlight Manifesto, A Wilhelm Scream, The Swellers and The Stitch Up play Babylon (already sold out, I see); M. Mucci's and Jozef van Wissem play the Avant-Garde Bar. East of Gatineau perform at the Elmdale. They have a song called Honky Tonk a Baudelaire, which should be reccomendation enough.
  

Winter cycling

I just got the word that the other act on the bill with Black Boot Trio this Valentine's Day at The Rainbow is going to be Shanker and Romps. This means you can get pancakes with your murder ballad, or something like that. Either that, or the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse will be the Four Bicyclists of the Apocalypse.


Shanker and Romps, Irene's, November 7, 2008

But wait? That's not all! They're also performing at Irene's - just like in the photo above, with Mississippi Grover and The Von Drats on April 4. In other cheery news, Cannibal Corpse is going to be at Babylon with Neuraxis, The Faceless and Obscura April 22. That all clear?

Blanket coverage

No sooner do I post my highly abridged list of shows of interest then a new one comes down the pipe courtesy of Mark Mcintyre of Cold Coffee and Salty Boots. The artist occasionally known as Jake Heartbreak and his cohorts will be joined by The Fays and The Beach Blankets at the Clocktower Pub February 21.


The Beach Blankets, The Rocker Room, November 22, 2008.

I predict fun times. And even better I'm not working that night - unfortunately it's the same night as The Polymorphines, The Felines and Dany Laj and The Implosion at Babylon - isn't it always the way? As for this evening, Unearth, Emmure, Born of Osiris and Impending Doom bring a great weight to Babylon - unfortunately if you don't have a ticket your chances of getting in are between slim and none. Kevin Bartman is performing at The Rainbow. By The Seat is playing the Elmdale.

The shape of things to come

The January doldrums seem to be fading away, and there's a host of stuff emerging on the horizon. So here's a rundown of interesting shows, which conveniently doubles as an excuse to drag previously unseen photos out of archives. We can just start things off with Male Nurse, a.k.a. Davey Quesnelle of Mother's Children and sundry other combos, who's playing a free show tonight at The Manx. This snap comes from his first show at Mavericks ... it's actually my first shot of his first show.


Male Nurse, Mavericks, June 4, 2006

In more free Male Nurse news, Davey has also just released his new EP, My Friends Are All Assholes, to the world for download.
I've already talked up M. Mucci's guitar-handling skills. He's returning to the Avant Garde for a show with lutist Jozef van Wissem this Thursday, allowing you to get your baroque and Takoma listening experiences in one fell swoop.
On Friday Andrew Vincent returns with his new album, Rotten Pear (being officially released tomorrow on Kelp Records). Grizzlar - another Quesnelle combo! - and Baby Eagle round out the bill at The Gluepot Pub. You can also check out Politique, Relief Maps and Ennuie at Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.


Relief Maps, Bluesfest, July 9, 2007.

It seems like it's been a while since The Flaps played out; I caught 'em in August 2008; they're playing Irene's this Saturday. You can also check out Honeylanes, which looks to be the succesor of 59 Argle. Sedatives, The Creeps will be rocking their basement at 52 Park.


The Sedatives, Mavericks, July 9, 2008.

For some reason, Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Allesandro Cortini has set out on a tour of the world on his lonesome. His Ottawa stop will find him performing at the Avant Garde as Blindoldfreak on February 2 alongside Deadly Apples, Kakihara079 and Filter 27.
You no doubt recall my words of praise for Hollerado. They're back in town in February, not just once, but four times at Cafe DeKcuf. I'm betting that seeing them jump around up close on four separate Friday nights will be even more than their show at Bluesfest.
Downstairs at Mavericks on February 7 you can see Winter Gloves, who I found quite tantalizing earlier in 2008 when they visited town with Bonjour Brumaire. This time they're sharing a stage with The Weathermakers and Ruby Coast. If your tastes run more to fucked up rock, Savage Crimes and Fucked Corpse will be performing at The Rocker Room on the same night - mostly to themselves since the place has a capacity of 50 and Fucked Corpse has 47 members.


Winter Gloves, Mavericks, June 19, 2008.

On Valentine's Day you can hear how love can be a massacre, courtesy of veteran Bytown cowpunks The Black Boot Trio.
It's been so darn long since I saw Jay Clark and The Jones at the Dominion (photos of that April 17, 2004 show can be seen at the Birdman Sound website), I'm almost surprised to hear they're still active. But active they are, with a show at Irene's February 20 with the Pamela Brennan Experience. Modernboys Moderngirls, The Centretown Cripplers, and hotly tipped (by me) local outfit New Teeth play Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.
The next night, Babylon will rock to the sounds of The Polymorphines - who have a new CD on the go - The Felines and Dany Laj and The Implosion. Incidentally, Felines bassist and vocalist Morgan A. Cook (that's her below at right) has an exhibit coming up at Irene's featuring portraits of Ottawa's rocking women. It runs from May 11 to June 11; the vernissage is May 12.


The Felines, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008.

February 26 there will be too much entertainment at Babylon with performances by fuzzy-wuzzy lo-fi king Nobunny, Windy City rock devolvers The Smith Westerns, local party animals The Beach Blankets and devilish Montrealers Demon's Claws.
Malajube, Young Galaxy will be bringing art-rock and space-rock to Babylon March 13. Both bands have played swell sets when I've seen them live.


Young Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 4, 2007.

I'm guessing tickets to see Bloc Party at the Bronson Centre Theatre March 17 will sell out well in advance, even at $35 per.
When I saw Bell Orchestre and more at First Baptist Church back in September 2006, things were a bit sticky. Great show though, so it's good to see they'll be back at the church March 18 (and for only half of what Bloc Party is charging).
You might want to mark March 21 on your calendar as well, since Evil Farm Children and Boom Creek will be rocking the heck out of Irene's.
The Fiftymen have booked two nights at The Elmdale Tavern, April 17 and April 18; no doubt both nights will be jammed.
Finally, Swedish pop trio Peter, Bjorn and John will be making an Ottawa whistle-stop on their CD release tour, at the Capital Music Hall April 26.

There is an end

Back to the banker's boxes! Cincinnati rockers The Greenhornes seemed primed for the big time a few years back - maybe not White Stripes big time, but at least Van Bondies big time. In a way that's happened for some of the band, since the rhythm section of Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence were borrowed by Jack White to play in the Do-Whaters for Loretta Lynn's comeback album Van Lear Rose. He then appropriated them for The Raconteurs. By comparison lead singer and guitarist Craig Fox has retreated from the spotlight. He was supposed to be gigging around Cincinnati, but I can't quite get a fix on him. These photos were taken in July 2004 on the Birdman Stage at Bluesfest.

Craig Fox puckers up to the microphone.



Patrick Keeler offers mustache rides, but no mustache.



Jack Lawrence.



Rhythm section and future Raconteurs action!



Green action!



Fox shots!



Mo' rhythm!



And a last-minute feedback workout from a previously enjoyed and somewhat slanted photo.



Tune in for some more recent crate-digging and a preview of what's ahead on Monday.

• Show reminder: The Boxcar Cadavers release their new CD with Machine Gun Dolly and The Hellhounds at the Bayou. Hemi-Loco, After the Funeral and The Mistress play Zaphod Beeblebrox. The Jimmy Swift Band plays Mavericks along with Acres.
  

Onward Christian soldiers

Magic Christian has an impressive resume. Singer Paul Kopf has been shaking his mop in various under-the-radar combos and being a "dedicated scenemaker," according to one interview. Cyril Jordan has of course amassed vast fame with The Flamin' Groovies. Even those who prefer the Loney-era Groovies, myself included, can grant that his curatorship of the band produced some gems, most notably Shake Some Action. Eddie Munoz is best known for playing the guitar with The Plimsouls; he does a fine job on bass for MC. Like many drummers, Clem Burke has a diverse c.v. - apart from Blondie, he's backed Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, The Romantics, The Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend, Dramarama, ... heck, he even produced and drummed on Sky Saxon's recent garage covers album. That's all a roundabout way of saying as a collective they're more than qualified to kick out some 1960s style garage pop.



Cyril and his iconic Ampeg.



Paul looms ... and is it just me or there something appropriate about a guy named Kopf singing Teenage Head?



Magic action!



Clem drums - you can't make it out from this shot but he's wearing a CBGB T-shirt, with more entitlement than most.



Paul gets a grip.



Rhythm section action!





The whole lot!





"It's time for Ottawa to shake some action!"



Big finish!



Eddie Munoz tried to coax the band back for a second encore, but they weren't having it.

• Show reminder: Christian D. and the Hangovers and Ninety Pounds Of Ugly play the Elmdale; The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hooded Fang and The Urban Aesthetics perform at Cafe Dekcuf; Hathorseth, Breaking Sundown, The Victims, Saucy Jack and Educate Joanne rock the New Bayou; it's a free Friday at Zaphod Beeblebrox with Fire Heats Water, City Of A Hundred Spires and Dinosaurus Rex. J.W. Jones gets bluesy at The Rainbow.
  

Your mother should know

Here we are with Mother's Children - I've seen them three times in the past eight months, which seems like a lot with my current schedule. They've dished out Grade A power pop each time so no point in avoiding them.

K.J. rocks the mandatory striped shirt.



Michael looms.



Tim mans the skins.



It's shouty bassist night at Babylon!



More Ken and Mike!



Singalong action!



Headbutting action!



Ken's been singing a lot lately.



They're off to Toronto and Sudbury in February along with The White Wires. If you don't mind seeing the members in bits and pieces, you can check out Davey's Male Nurse gig at The Manx January 26.

• Show reminder: As for K.J. and Mike, they'll be performing as part of Beach Blankets tonight at the Elmdale House Tavern along with Raygun Cowboys with The Boxcar Cadavers.The Provincial Parks, That's The Spirit and Flotilla perform at The Rainbow.
  

Sonic rendezvous

Iposted on the Magic Christian show just a couple of days ago, so there's not much to add about openers The Sonic Avenues ... I'm guessing they still boast a punchy Buzzcockian attack.

Sonic attack! From highly mobile lead guitarist Sebastien Godin and vocalist Maxime Desharnais.



J.C. Niquet on the skins.



Jamie Desjardin and some enthusiastic backing vocals!



The whole lot!



Seb goes down!



Singalong action!



More Max!



More Max and more yelling Jamie!



And so on!



Max gets a grip.



The whole lot from the other side.



Seb tips over.



Seb is ready for his closeup.



Unfortunately they had to trim their set so I don't know how their set listed cover of River Deep Mountain sounds let alone what I presume was an intended cover of The Kids' This Is Rock'n'Roll - bext time I guess.

• Show reminder: Lefty McRighty gets twangy at the Elmdale House for his regular Wednesday gig.