Lights out!

If a band comes all the way from Australia, I figure I owe it to them to head to the club and check them out. In the case of Wagons, it was definitely worth the trip, since they played a great set of roots rock interspersed with some of the best stage banter I've heard in a while, plus an unexpected hip-hop tune. As an extra bonus, Old Crowns played a very fine opening set.

It's been a while since Stephen St. Pierre and company have graced Ottawa with their presence. The last time I saw themselves myself was at Mavericks in January 2010.


Old Crowns at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 7, 2011

Sam Seguin strums!


Old Crowns at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 7, 2011

What's an Australian country-rock band doing touring Canada? Well this lot have been picked up by Six Shooter Records - whose roster they blend in quite well with - and are consequently touring North America. Henry Wagons is a very jovial frontman whose amusing commentary between songs was also first rate. The play some country rock, a boogie song and a cover of Elvis Presley's Never Been To Spain. The show was also spiced up a bit by the club being suddenly plunged into darkness just before they hit the stag. It soon emerged that the stretch of York St. Zaphod's is on was also in darkness. Fortunately things started up again ...


Wagons at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 7, 2011

Singalong action!


Wagons at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 7, 2011

I could have toddled off home, but as it happens there was also a rock show going on at The Rainbow. The opener was The Armortones, but they had apparently been and gone by the time I left Zaphod's. As I approached the Rainbow I could the raucous noise of The Allrights from a block away.


The Allrights at The Rainbow, September 7, 2011

Faceoff action!


The Allrights at The Rainbow, September 7, 2011

This was also the second outing by And What Army?, who played a feedback heavy psychedelic pummel, plus a cover of The Doughboys' Fix Me. The trio features Johnny Nash of The Long Timers and Fucking Machines on bass.


And What Army? at The Rainbow, September 7, 2011

Guitarist Ryan Hillier and drummer Kevin Earle round out the trio.


And What Army? at The Rainbow, September 7, 2011

They'll also be playing the Glebe Streets festival Sept. 10.

• Show reminder: Brian Simms, The Fays and The Dishslayers perform for the Out of Ottawa CD release show at The Elmdale Tavern; Not Even Death, Be The Saviour, The Gillingham Fire Demonstration, D.F.O.S., Eyes Of New and Torn Apart By Wolves make some noise at Mavericks; Guilty About Girls and Remember The Fire play Zaphod's.