Red White and the blues

A few years back, I became enamoured of a band called The Clone Defects. Tim Lampinen - a.k.a. Timmy Vulgar - has since bequeathed a fine catalogue of fried psych punk upon the world as Human Eye, but when the band went its separate ways a couple of its members ended up backing Chicago's  Miss Alex White as her Red Orchestra. I bought a few of her albums and enjoyed their spunky chunk-rock quite a bit. Her current project is White Mystery, a duo with her brother Francis, and it's more of the same goodness. They're on a nine-week tour, which took them to the Dom last night.

Local trio Haywired was rocking the place as I walked in the door. I hear a bit of UK82 punk, some LA hard rock. At least some of the band has done time in The Nummies. They have a mohawk-sporting drummer who looks like he should be in a crusty band and a guitarist with a Nashville Pussy shirt. In fact, they covered Nashville Pussy's Dead Men Can't Get Drunk. It was a really ferocious set and I'm eager to hear more.


Haywired at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

Faceoff action!


Haywired at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

The two men of Bearshark I've seen before. Guitarist Jeff Coghill was of course in The Coggs and has brought their bluesy sound to his new unit. Last time I saw Hamish Robertson he was jumping about with a Flying V on the Bluesfest main stage backing Trevor James - this time he manning the traps. He's under there somewhere ...


Bearshark at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

Jeff frets!


Bearshark at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

Finally, White Mystery brought the house down with their curly haired mop waving and three-chord rock. Miss Alex White rocks the Ric! Complimented on her guitar tone after the show, she explained she just turned everything up all the way.


White Mystery at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

Francis hits!


White Mystery at The Dominion Tavern, April 24, 2012

They're in Hamilton tonight, Toronto tomorrow.

• Show reminder: The Dudes, Poor Young Things and Ashleys perform at Cafe DeKcuf.