Friday, June 12, 2009

Something for the weekend

Last year I missed the Gaga Weekend more or less completely. Boo! Hiss! This year I made no such mistake and arranged to have time off for all three days. The first show was both the kickoff to the Gaga Weekend and a 7-inch release show for headliners The Visitors. I also made sure to get to the Atomic Rooster reasonably early. I arrived at a few minutes before 10, and things were already filling up fast.

The Sedatives kicked things off with a bagpipe solo courtesy of Sedatives keyboardist and vocalist Ian Manhire's uncle Jack.


The Sedatives and Uncle Jack, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

There were folks standing outside waiting to get in for most of the evening, and folks in the bar were told "If you don't know what Gag means, please leave so someone who does can come in!"


The Sedatives, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

Anyway, The Sedatives - Emmanuel Sayer, Ian, Dave Williams and Davey Quesnelle - played a hot and heavy set.


The Sedatives, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

Next up were Mother's Children, who played an awesome set - they sounded a bit heavier than on previous occasions and were really sharp in all departments.


Mother's Children, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

Ian - also emperor of all things Gaga - got a little carried away during The Mother's Children set.


Ian Manhire, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

Davey Quesnelle, at right, told me prior to the set he's also been recruited to play drums for The Holy Cobras at tonight's show at Cozzie's - he may be having his first band practice as you read ...


Mother's Children, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

The Visitors finished things off with a rambunctious set that had the audience swaying and pushing with enthusiasm. Antarctic-Cat da Gama took a moment to praise Leslie, maker of the dress she wore for the occasion.


The Visitors, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

During the set microphone stands got twisted around and glasses were lost, resulting in a brief between-songs search.


The Visitors, The Atomic Rooster, June 11, 2009

The PA blew out somewhere near the end of the show - at least the one near me stopped functioning - but everyone still had a swell time yelling into microphones and sweating profusely. The Gaga Weekend continues tonight with a basement show at Cozzie's featuring Tim from Mother's Children fronting Uranium Comeback, Dave from The Sedatives playing drums in The Holy Cobras, Nervous System, Savage Crimes and Beach Blankets (which also contain Michael and K.J. from Mother's Children) ... so basically all the folks all over again, but different, plus more. And of course, fingers crossed that Ian's package of records shows up so folks can lay their hands on the Gaga compilation LP.

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