Planet of the apes

Having been fed and watered at Liquor Pig Fest it was simplicity itself to cycle down Bank St. to Irene's to see 40-watt Monkey. Unfortunately I missed openers Royal Ottawa, but the Monkey-men played a good long set which made up for it. You've seen a couple of these guys on National Capital Rock before: Rob Porter with Garaga (he's also done time in Jimmy George and Polaris) and Jeff Tanguay with the Town Cryers and backing John Allaire (he can also be seen a round town in The Cutmen); guitarist Rich Haller is a veteran of Ken Workman & the Union while singer J. Todd hails from The Whirleygigs. Since this gig they've picked up a fifth member, local folk gal Lisa Poushinsky.

Rhythm section action!



J. Todd sings!



Guitar action!



Rob hits!



Singalong action!



Downstroking action!



How many Bison guitars do you see these days? Not many. How many Steers? Well, this is a first.



Leg-lifting action!



The whole lot!



Of my flash-less photos we shall speak little - this one of Rich turned out okay, though.



If you want to hear them sort-of-live, turn into CKCU 93.1 FM at 11 p.m. Sept. 3.

• Show reminder: Graydon James unleashes his new CD at the Avant Garde; Time, Silver Creek and Befriending A Bear play Zaphod's; Descendant, Superstitions and Loon Choir perform at the Rainbow; Victoria's The Gruff and Andrea Simms-Karp play Irene's. Artist Life, Ceremonial Snipes and PG 13's rock Cafe DeCkuf.