Sunday, January 24, 2010

The sweet spot

There were plenty of options last night, but I elected to pop over to hep coffee-treats-and drinks joint Raw Sugar to see the return of The Banditas and Hot Damn!

Banditas poster at Raw Sugar
Show poster at Raw Sugar, January 22, 2010

Raw Sugar is a nice place with its own lending library. It seems like a good place to see a folky act (which is just what's on offer tonight). And I've certainly been in worse places to see a rock band - but then I saw nice things about any venue with a low, white ceiling suitable for bouncing flash. By the way, can you tell I have a new fisheye lens?

The Raw Sugar library
Library and CiV's drums at Raw Sugar, January 22, 2010

Now, Hot Damn! (or is that Hot Dam?) should not be confused with Hot Damn, the Ottawa duo formerly known as At Last before some Cali kids forced them to change it (and who by coincidence played The Rainbow last night). As for Hot Damn!, they've got a jumpy rock sound, lots of nimble changes and acting out. You may recognize Matt Gagnon from Clark and on occasion The Flaps. Bryan Larosse is the other guitarist while Scott Rubino and drummer Grant McNeil fill out the rhythm section. They play once a year, but sound much sharper.

Hot Damn! at Raw Sugar
Hot Damn! at Raw Sugar, January 22, 2010

On to the Banditas. It's been going on three years since The Banditas trod the boards - the last time I caught them was July 2007, and that might have been the last time Liz, CiV and Scott played. They've been busy with other things, but finally managed to get it together for a dozen or so songs.

The Banditas at Raw Sugar
Banditas at Raw Sugar, January 22, 2010

Things finished off with some fret-burning action!

The Banditas at Raw Sugar
Banditas at Raw Sugar, January 22, 2010

They have another show booked for May with Garaga at The Dominion.

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