Going, going, gone

Thursday marked a sad day in Ottawa musical history: The Holy Cobras are pulling up stakes and moving to Montreal. Well, it could be worse: They could move to Victoria like opener Mark Alexander McIntyre and only come through town once in a blue moon. Then there's Nu Sensae, who aren't from here so whatever. That might be a good thing: If they played regularly in town, we'd probably all be completely deaf in a year.

First up Mark, who you might recognize from a whole bunch of bands. The latest local one was The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol, but there were also stints in The Solid Senders and Weapons Of Mas Seduction, among others. His solo stuff is more in the mold of downer-outsider folk artists like Bob Desper.


Mark Alexander McIntyre at Babylon, August 16, 2012

And here's Mark's other side.


Mark Alexander McIntyre at Babylon, August 16, 2012

On to Holy Cobras. They started as The Germs, and are slowly fulfilling their eventual transformation into the bastard children of Hawkwind and krautrock ... or something like that. And now they are (mostly) off to Montreal. Jesse Winchester is sticking around town and hopefully continuing his fine work with various Matt Oxley-related combos. Here's some hair-swinging action from Kristal.


Holy Cobras at Babylon, August 16, 2012

Danny works the crowd.


Holy Cobras at Babylon, August 16, 2012

Finally Nu Sensae engaged in some total noise destruction, encouraging enough rambunctious slam-dancing that I fled to the side of the stage.


Nu Sensae at Babylon, August 16, 2012

More feedback!


Nu Sensae at Babylon, August 16, 2012

Super stuff all around.

• Show reminder: Brighter Brightest, The Red Threat, Mosely and Port Manteau perform at Cafe Dekcuf;the Kent St. Legion hosts the first day of Finished What You Started Fest with sets from I Refused, Critical Convictions, Life on Trial, Les Séquences and Raw Style; Glorious Moonrockets, News Swears and Average Times will be rocking the Atomic Rooster. Papermaps and Wendy Versus are at Zaphod's; Natalia & Montuno and Dynamite Hotel roll into Irene's.