Bluesfest: The Dirtbombs

If I was pressed to choose my favourite still-performing band, I suspect the first name out of my mouth would be "The Dirtbombs." I've been keen on everything Mick Collins has done and have witnessed several knockout shows on several occasions from his ever-mutating combo. This Bluesfest gig got off to a slowish start, with some tunes from the most recent Party Store album - as I've said already I think the techno hits covers concept works better through headphones, but picked up the pace near the end.

Mick and the eclectic Hard Rock Stage daily lineup.



Newly minted bassist Chris Sutton.



Mick frets, Ben Blackwell hits.



Pat Pantano hits!



Ko Melina rocks the baritone.



Dirty action!



More Mick!



Rhythm section action!



Black-and-white action!



More Chris!



Mick sings!



Ko sings!



Jumping about!



Extra Ben!



More hitting!



The whole lot!



Chris sings!



More jumping!



Behind-the-head action!



Bendy action!



Things ended, as usual, with some drum-tossing by Ben.

• Show reminder: Project Mars, The Jay Coyle Band and Pia Ashley perform at Zaphod's; White Cowbell Oklahoma, Big Jeezus Truck, The Sin Sisters and Van Meters rock Mavericks. Rate Tales and Danny Laj and The Polymorphines play the Avant-Garde Bar; The Enriques, !Attention! and Lanslide are at 446 Lisgar St. The Devillaires roll into Raw Sugar; The Doug Watson R&B Review Band is at The Rainbow; The Drew Nelson Band returns to Irene's; the Elmdale hosts Claude and The Storm Outside, High Waters and Of Two Minds.