What's the word

Liturgy finished the night off with some freaked out black metal. The band has gained attention both for the quality of their music, which has received plenty of critical plaudits and the annoyance they inspire among regulation "black metallers."

What, no corpsepaint?!? The band began as the solo project of guitarist Hunter Hunt-Hendrix.



Tyler Dusenbury rocks the low end.



Hunter works the high frets.



The whole lot, including drummer Greg Fox (who has since left the band to pursue his own projects).



The low-light version.



Extra Tyler!



Okay, so I missed the face, but at least I got the beard and some of the tattoos!



Liturgical action!



Even metal maniacs must tie their shoes.



Extra Greg!



They've got a few upcoming festival dates and are no doubt plotting further outings in 2012.

• Show reminder: Catalina performs at The Rainbow; the Elmdale hosts Three Chords and The Truth and The Tessa Kautzman Band.

Out in worship

PC Worship, as one might expect of a distortion loving band that features a saxophone player and some homemade electronics are a bit tricky to define. They call themselves a "mutant soul band". Justin Frye, draws on a baker's dozen of collaborators to make the ensuing racket.

People get ready!



Home-made noise and strange hair!



Guitar action!



Drumming action!



Understring slide action!



And some actual singing.



In come the violins.



Light it up!



Extra guitar!



Big hit!



Some really cool sounds. A new album is expected this year.

• Show reminder: Eluveitie, Endemise and Signs of Chaos play Mavericks; Apolitik and Erika Wood are at the Rainbow; The Chocolate Hot Pockets perform at the Avant-Garde.

Sign of the hoof

Back to Zaphod's, this time for some atypical metal. When I think mwetal in Ottawa, I'm usually headed to Mavericks, Cafe DeKcuf or the House of Targ. Since Liturgy is one of modern metal's most offbeat bands - not necessarily in sound, but in creative ethos - I guess it wasn't so peculiar. Also, who cares? Klovenhoofs opened things up.

Davey and Scott!



Shawn Jam Hill unleashes the hair.



The whole variously hirsute lot!



Adam hits!



Rhythm section action!



Scott sings smokily!



Singalong action!



Bonus Davey!



More Shawn!



Feedback action!



Shawn frets!



The next time I saw them they were down to a trio, but Friday night Davey said something about a new bass player ...

• Show reminder: Speaking of metal at Cafe DeKcuf, The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan and Shahman destroy it tonight.

Double time

Back to the Clocktower's basement for the last act of the night, veteran power trio The Double Pumpers.

Damian! Yogi! Dave!



Rhythm section action!



Yogi hits!



Feedback action!



Cymbal-replacing action!



Damian sings!



Overhead action!



They're a jolly lot!



Extra Dave!



Fisheye action!



And so on!



I dunno what they're up to ... should have asked Yogi or Dave when I saw them at the House of Targ on Friday ...

• Show reminder: Column of Heaven, Vile Intent, The Donner Party, Spilt Guts and Rough House rock the Montgomery Legion Hall on Kent St. The Winter Doldrums festival comes to a close at The Rainbow with sets from SicksSicksSicks, Trees, David Little G, Marxist Cowboy, The Hand That Feeds and Pop & The Standards.

Rock party tonight!

It's the last Friday of the month, and that means it's once again time to shiver the timbers at the House of Targ - a.k.a. Yogi's Meatlocker. There was a four band bill slated, but the inclement weather prevented Skip Jensen and Co. from making the trip from Montreal. Fortunately Brain Size 61, Ottawa-Montreal hybrid Dagger Eyes and local weirdos Party Knives were on hand to rock the house.

First up, Montreal's Brain Size 61. Some heavy duty riff rock from these guys, who put me in mind of The New Christs and various other Stooges-loving Oz combos.


Brain Size 61 at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

I like guitarist Mike Hutchins' minimalist axe. You can't quite tell from this photo but it's a one pickup, no volume or tone controls deal.


Brain Size 61 at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

Between sets DJ Davey Quesnelle mans the boards and plays air guitar.


DJ Davey at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

Dagger Eyes played just a few weeks ago opening for the mighty JEFF The Brotherhood. And here they are again, sounding great despite Ian's complaints about a blown-out voice and no monitors. There was much turning up before this photo, which may explain why guitarist Ilona helpfully canvassed folks pre-set to insure they had earplugs with them.


Dagger Eyes at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

Dave hits!


Dagger Eyes at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

I haven't seen Party Knives before, but am familiar with all the players, as are you if you've followed this blog long enough. Pat Johnson (Army of St. Joan, The Acorn, et al) and Dave Secretary (Big Dick and others) man the twin drums, former Million Dollar Marxists Lee and Johnny O. play bass and guitar, while the inimitable Owen (of Grizzlar, and like Johnny, also once of Token) is his usual crazed on stage self.


Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

Johnny's front, Dave's back.


Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

And some second-last-song Owening by Owen.


Party Knives at Yogi's Meatlocker, February 24, 2012

A fine night's entertainment!

• Show reminder: Immersed, Deamon, Insurrection, Accursed Spawn, ...From the Deep and Denounced provide some high volume at Mavericks; Love'N'Body Parts, One More Me and Emmas Ringer play Zaphod Beeblebrox; frequent gig partners Celery Troff and The Cowards rock the Lunenburg Pub; Lefty McRighty and a cast of several celebrate Johnny Cash's birthday at The Elmdale. The Doldrums winter festival moves to Cafe DeKcuf for performances by Ornaments, Amalgamation, Heavy Bedroom and Yes Please & Thank You; Johnny Mac and Heather record live again at Irene's; Timotheos is at the Avant-Garde.