With band

I've got all three albums by singer-songwriter (and proud Nutley, N.J. native) Sharon Van Etten. Her introspective, minimalist folk is right up my alley (granted, I have several alleys). I was glad to hear she was coming through town, and happier still to see that even on a Monday night a lot of Ottawans share my high opinion of her songcraft. For this gig, Edmonton-to-Ottawa performer Landon A.R. Coleman filled the opening slot - a most appropriate choice he is too.

I didn't notice he was all that unshaven at his Raw Sugar show, opening for Nat Baldwin, but apparently he was extra-special spruced up for this gig, which led him to a charming/gruesome bit of banter about how he bled on his now-fiancee on their first date. He also covered Buffalo Springfield.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

He had a backing band for this gig, including Jon from Poorfolk and Winchester Warm. Here's a drummer, direct from Montreal.


Landon A.R. Coleman at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

Van Etten was a very engaging performer, both during and between songs, such as joking about her discovery of pedals, and how her first album is a quarter-tone off due to the guitar only being in tune with itself, and how one of the song's obscure object of desire was in fact New Jersey hoagies. Like Coleman she had a backing trio with her, so some of those minimalist tunes got quite amped up.

Sharon in electric mode.


Sharon Van Etten at Mavericks, July 30, 2012

And acoustic. She later doffed her top to reveal a band T-shirt. "This is where I reveal I'm a secret Low fan." "Shock!" chimed in an audience member.



In sum, a good time was had by all.

• Show reminder: It's a busy Tuesday, with Calculator, Prawn and Shahman performing at 337 Lemoine St.; Calvin Johnson and Katie & The Lichen playing Pressed; Strung Out, Such Gold, Handguns and Sidelines rocking Ritual; and Imaginary Cities, The Murder Plans and Hinterlandband rolling into Mavericks.

The descendents

It was off to a night of veteran punk-rockitude at Cafe DeKcuf last night. Dan Vapid of Methadones, Screeching Weasel and Riverdales fame was in town with his new band mates The Cheats, and put on a show of Ramones loving punks from The Riptides - who I haven't seen in a while - and In Heat, which features members of The Bella Bombs, among other combos.

First up, In Heat; Tanya, Angel and drummer Pat are the Bombs holdovers. They're joined by guitarists Brent and Tony. The band made its debut last October and play some amped up rock. Here's Tanya (a.k.a. Honey Bomb and Brent).


In Heat at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

Tony, Angel and a largely obscured Pat.


In Heat at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

They were followed by out-and-out Ramones worshippers The Riptides, who I've seen a couple of times (all without a camera in hand, as far as I can tell) and never really warmed to them. They had a bunch of fans in attendance game to a bit of singong along, though, as well as family. I gather they've been keeping a low profile (for them, at least) despite putting out a couple of splits with The Dwarves and The Queers (one with The Apers impends). "Doug Vermin came back from the dead for this show!" declared singer Andy Vandal. "It hurt a bit," noted Vermin.


The Riptides at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

Woah-oh action!


The Riptides at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

Finally Dan Vapid & The Cheats. If you know his other bands, you know the sound, as well as some of the songs. He also covered The Pointed Sticks' Out Of Luck.

Dan sings!


Dan Vapid & The Cheats at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

Cheating action!


Dan Vapid & The Cheats at Cafe DeKcuf, July 29, 2012

Not a bad crowd for a Sunday either, though I've definitely seen livelier.

• Show reminder: Frustrations, Spilt Guts and Eat Crow play 443 Kent St.; Sharon Van Etten and Landon A.R. Coleman perform at Mavericks. Saprophyte, Fumigation and Carneia bring the metal to the Rainbow.

With the spirits

For the final set of the night, Shahman knocked out a killer set of quiet-loud fuzz. Identical twins Rob and Peter Johnson have been getting raves around town for their lives ests and 7-inches, and it's easy to hear why.

Large amps, small basement.



Drumming action!



Then I decides to start messing with the shutter speed.



Feedback action!



Fisheye action!



And so on!



The whole lot!



The shouty bit!



Bending action!



Overhead action!



They play again at 337 Lemoine in Vanier with Prawn and Calculator.

Band of gingers

It's back to the basement for Round 2 of an evening of post-hardcore (or something like that ... they also call themselves "2/3 ginger") with Bandera following The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch. The two bands fit well together, and have released a split record. Tim, Jordan and Darryl make up the band, but I confess to not knowing who is who ...

It's all about the cloth caps.



Last seen swinging from a beam in the TDOAFS snaps, the drummer!



Low-end action!



Singing action!




I guess if you're going to get ink of a Pac-Man ghost, Inky is the one to get.



Fisheye action!



Extra bass!



Shirtless action!



Pole-hugging action!



The end!



In addition to that split, they're hitting the U.S. Midwest in early August.

• Show reminder: Dan Vapid and The Cheats, The Riptides and In Heat rock Cafe Dekcuf; Teddy Geiger and Laurent Bourque perform at Mavericks; The powergoats play the Rainbow; the Elmdale hosts Fiona Noakes, The Other Guys wand PartiZen.

Let's hang out

For a little while now I've been noting the presence of shows at Mugshots, a bar named for its criminal past. Yes, the outdoor venue's high walls were built to prevent any escapes by the venue's previous residents, some of who left feet-first. You can walk just a few feet from the stage and look up to see the trapdoor where men dropped from the gallows. A while before the show began a collection of tourists, including a gaggle of pre-teens, came through on a sight-seeing - good family fun, folks!


Gallows trapdoor at Mugshot, July 26, 2012

The reason for my first-time visit was to see Boyhood and Fet. Nat. Up first, Boyhood, down to a duo for this occasion because regular skinsman Callum has other band duties in Belleville. Caylie's already shown she can drum, subbing for Allie of The White Wires during Bluesfest, so the band went guitarless and sounded just fine doing it.

Caylie hits!


Boyhood at Mugshots, July 26, 2012

Luke, and that courtyard tree!


Boyhood at Mugshots, July 26, 2012

Fet. Nat also played a great set with audience singalongs, weirdo guitar, stop-start rhythms and some stick-splintering percussion. Here they go!


Fet. Nat. at Mugshots, July 26, 2012

Something's gonna break!


Fet. Nat. at Mugshots, July 26, 2012

It's a fine place to see a show - assuming it doesn't rain, of course.

• Show reminder: Bruce Boris, World War 4 and KREMLIN rock the House of Targ; The Funk Hunters go hunting for funk at Raw Sugar; Los Gringos perform at Irene's; The Neil Young’uns and Brock Fownes & The Keltic Cowboys play the Elmdale. Iman Wain and 1980HD are at the Avant-Garde.

Back then, right now

It's seems like there's been a lot of soul in my diet, but ever since The Dap-Tone folks came along, it seems like combos have been springing up right, left and centre, along with the occasional soul legend willing to take another kick at the can. That brings us to local folks The Hornettes, and Victoria's Chantrelles, who were passing through town in the wake of the release of their debut EP. Both acts like the sound of vintage soul, and did a good job of resurrecting the vibe on the Zapho's stage.

Not to mention, they dress  the part (The Chantrelles admitted to being a bit abashed at the sight of The Hornettes finery).


The Hornettes at Zaphod Beeblebrox, July 25, 2012

That brass! Along with a couple of originals, they served up covers of Martha & The Vandellas' Heat Wave, Ike & Tina Turner's River Deep & Mountain High and Prince's When Doves Cry.


The Hornettes at Zaphod Beeblebrox, July 25, 2012

On to The Chantrelles they made no secret of their love for Sharon Jones and Co., and covered her How Long, along with some Etta James, Billy Preston (Right Now) and Eddie Floyd's signature Knock On Wood. Singer Chance Lovett has a good stage style.


The Chantrelles at Zaphod Beeblebrox, July 25, 2012

There's also some solid backing harmonies.


The Chantrelles at Zaphod Beeblebrox, July 25, 2012

A good night, and a very enthusiastic audience.

• Show reminder: Recent Bliuesfest sighting Fet.Nat and Boyhood perform at Mugshots (in the hostel on Nicholas). Plumes Ensemble, Family Owl and Yellow Jacket Avenger play the Daily Grind; Cardboard Crowns, The Musettes and Deadzone are at Zaphod's; Stoney & The Outriders bring some blues to Raw Sugar.

Picture this

The day after watching Reverend Horton Heat and Co. (who don't get a post of their own because no SLR allowed, and I only snapped a couple of photos with my iPhone) it was down to the basement of 443 Kent St. for some postpunk action courtesy of The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch.

The guy on the microphone isn't in the band, he's just joining in ... F.A. plays the guitar, Mx is on bass.



The shouty bit with Julien.



Upside down action!



Singalong action!



Fisheye action!



Extra Julien!



Sketchy action!



Julien hits!



They recently played at the Pelecanus Festival with Ottawa's own Alaskan .. what else they're up to now, I know not.

• Show reminder: The Chantrelles and The Hornettes play Zaphod's.

Skulls and Bone

Hmm, Scottish punkers and rockabillies? Seems like a bit of an odd lineup, but sandwiching The Real McKenzies between The Brains and The Reverend Horton Heat didn't seem to cause any great mental dissonance in the crowd, so what the wha-hey.

The Bone!



A cappela action (on Barrett's Privateers, that is).



Singalong action!



Clapping action!



Pointing action!



Bagpiping action!



Acoustic action!



Drinking drumming action!



The shouty bit!



Paul horns in.



Thank you and good night!



They're currently storming Europe ... the Grammatikoff in Duisburg tonight.

• Show reminder: Currents, Slates and Hamilton perform at Raw Sugar.