Thursday, June 30, 2011

He wears it well

Knifemare recently released a split cassette with Mannequin, so it was only logical that Matt Oxley's combo follow them on stage at Babylon. I'd say it was his newest act (following Nervous System, Crazy Ocean and others) but I'm not even sure that's true, since he performed later at Birdman Sound with New Human. Also sharing the stage are Jesse Winchester, also of Nervous System, on bass and drummer Andrea Poulin.

Matt rocks the SG!

Mannequin at Babylon

Rhythm section action with Andrea and Jesse!

Mannequin at Babylon

More Andrea.

Mannequin at Babylon

Bonus Jesse.

Mannequin at Babylon

Matt sings!

Mannequin at Babylon

The whole lot!

Mannequin at Babylon

Andrea hits!

Mannequin at Babylon

Staring action!

Mannequin at Babylon

Feedback action!

Mannequin at Babylon

Even more Jesse!

Mannequin at Babylon

The end!

Mannequin at Babylon

All more of that patented fuzzed-out Oxley goodness.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

After the storm

My showgoing opportunities are pretty sparse in this pre-Bluesfest week, but at least Winnipeg's The Details had the good timing to drive their tour van through town on one of my days off. Even better, a couple of fine local acts were recruited to open things up at Zaphod Beeblebrox.

First up, Black Dogs, self-described as "some folks playing folk." Well, you can't argue with that. I'll just add that they're a very pleasant sounding duo - William Armstrong and Gavin Dyke - with good vocal harmonies that stray close enough to ragged on occasion in a many that is most endearing.

Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

Most of my photos, like this one of Armstrong, were sans flash, and kind of indifferent.

Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

Up next, Right by Midnight, which as Black Dogs singer-guitarist Gavin noted are "louder than us." I haven't seen them before, but have caught frontman Kris Ward doing some singer-songwriter stuff on a couple of occasion. His Right by Midnight output is quite a bit different; apart from the volume difference, there's also another singer in fellow guitarist Charlie Downey (who I saw playing with Kris for the first time back in 2006) and there's a lot more powerpop and Britrock in the mix. This was their first show as a quartet, as they've been joined by former Wise, Young and King bassist Chris Terkuc.

Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

Charlie's grown his hair since 2006.

Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

Finally The Details played a very energetic set, lots of moving around on stage from this bunch who clearlu no how to work a room (even when it's rather sparsely populated). I detect a slight roots twist to their pop music, and I'll confess what sticks most in my mind is their versatile percussionist, who has a very nice touch on the traps.

The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox
The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

Meanwhile, over on the left ...

The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox
The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011

A pity more folks couldn't make it - it was a very solid triple bill.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

No, it's just begun!

And now, on to the music event of the year ... no, not Bluesfest, Jazzfest, Westfest (already did that), Feverfest (forgot to mention it .... sorry about that, Feverfesters!). No, I speak of course of the squalling scion of Gaga Weekend, Ottawa Explosion! Ian Manhire curated the wonderful Gaga Weekend for three years, and now the torch is being held aloft by Emmanuel Sayer and assorted other helping hands, notably Luke Nuclear. For day No. 1 the folks at Bruised Tongue contributed a showcase and awesome mixtape of their band of fuzzy freaks (stiill downloadable from their site), starting off with Knifemare. Knifemare took a few people off-guard with their chaotic Gaga Weekend set last year (or so I hear); for the Explosion they were back with an expanded band and more denim!

Ryan and Patric (a.k.a. Carruthers!), the OG KM!

Knifemare at Babylon

I can never recognize Matt Oxley when he isn't wearing his baseball hat.

Knifemare at Babylon

Patric sings!

Knifemare at Babylon

Ryan frets!

Knifemare at Babylon

A rare photo of Dave Aardvark not making a funny face.

Knifemare at Babylon

Knifemarish action!

Knifemare at Babylon

Teenage kicks! Okay, twentyish kicks.

Knifemare at Babylon

Life imitates shirt!

Knifemare at Babylon

The shouty bit!

Knifemare at Babylon

More Oxley!

Knifemare at Babylon

More Ryan!

Knifemare at Babylon

The end!

Knifemare at Babylon

I gather future shenanigans are planned. This was also a release show for their new split tape with Mannequin, the band up next which coincidentally also featured Matt Oxley.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Every cloud has a silver lining

Last time I saw Silver Creek they were knocking 'em dead from the Bluesfest stage. A lineup change and here they are doing it again from the Westfest stage. I suppose someday I'll catch them in cozier environs.

Testing, testing, with keyboardist and singer Jeff Rogers.

Silver Creek at Westfest

And they're off, with guitarist Blair Hogan and frontman Shawn Tavenier.

Silver Creek at Westfest

Shawn sings!

Silver Creek at Westfest

Mark Laforest on bass! It's only a matter of time before Silver Creek brand aviator glasses hit the market.

Silver Creek at Westfest

Blair sings!

Silver Creek at Westfest

Singalong action!

Silver Creek at Westfest

Side-by-side action!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More Mark!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More Shawn!

Silver Creek at Westfest

Faceoff action with mostly obscured drummer Shane Mcewan.

Silver Creek at Westfest

As you can see Shane is modelling a sporty Westfest tattoo.

Silver Creek at Westfest

Jeff sings!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More faceoff action!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More Jeff!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More guitar!

Silver Creek at Westfest

More Shane!

Silver Creek at Westfest

Am I allowed to repeat that aviator glasses crack?

Silver Creek at Westfest

The end!

Silver Creek at Westfest

They're still looking for some album financing, by the way ...
  • Show reminder: You know it's going to be a good time at Babylon with Nobunny, Rat Tales and Wooka Tribe in the house. The enigma that is Mr. E and Friends performs at The Rainbow.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Flat festivities

I feel like I should apologize to the horrible Westfest weather after Friday's deluge, but nah - it still stunk. Sunday at Westfest wasn't so bad, but there's something about overcast the weather that damps my concert-going fervour. That doesn't seem to affect the concert-performing fervour of the two bands I caught way back on June 12, though. The Flats put on a set with plenty of oomph.

But first, DJ CPI fills in the between-band moments.

DJ CPI at Westfest

Then it's time for band-introducing action with CBC host Alan Neal.

Alan Neal at Westfest

On to The Flats, starting with drummer Matthew Young.

The Flats at Westfest

Michael Peterson strums.

The Flats at Westfest

Hollowbody action with Greg Brayford!

The Flats at Westfest

Rob Commins shakes it.

The Flats at Westfest

Greg sings!

The Flats at Westfest

Always keep one on the guitar, that's my motto.

The Flats at Westfest

Steve Jurgitis handles percussion, and occasionally trades places with Matthew.

The Flats at Westfest

Michael shakes his stuff.

The Flats at Westfest

Also on hand, Jack Pelletier of Battle of Ontario fame.

The Flats at Westfest

Hollering action!

The Flats at Westfest

Rob rocks the mandolin!

The Flats at Westfest

Steve takes the djembe out for a stroll.

The Flats at Westfest

The whole lot!

The Flats at Westfest

Steve takes a turn behind the kit.

The Flats at Westfest

More Jack'n'Greg.

The Flats at Westfest

Rob rocks the semi-hollowbody.

The Flats at Westfest

Take that, cymbal!

The Flats at Westfest

Harmonica time!

The Flats at Westfest

Singalong action!

The Flats at Westfest

And that's that for now.