Through thick and thin

I've been away from town for a few days, vacationing in lovely Nelson, B.C. (where I actually caught Sun Parlour Players and Kalle Mattson performing at the Royal), but now I'm back, just in time to catch the departure of Sylvain Lajoie's Bacon Fat nights at Mugshots. Sylvain is headed to Montreal, but he wrapped things up nicely, inviting H. de Heutz, a new duo of Hull post rockers, scene veterans J'envoie and Montreal combo Ultrathin to bring down the curtain.

First up, H. de Heutz. Olivier Fairfield of J'envoie plays drums and some keys, accompanied by a bassist. I had bundled up since I was under the impression that they might still be performing in the courtyard. There was nothing there but a tour group when I walked in, so I just followed the sound of the soundcheck to the bar proper.


H. de Heutz at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

Olivier multitasks!


H. de Heutz at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

On to J'envoie. It's been quite a while since I saw them live - the end of March 2006, to be precise. In that time they've released the fab La Vitesse de Chats Sauvage, and were handing out free copies at the show. Here's the 75% of the band who are not Olivier.


J'envoie at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

More multitasking ...


J'envoie at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

Finally Ultrathin rocked it out with some psychedelic hardcore sounds. Unfortunately they didn't have any of their record for sale ... well. at least I managed to get some Psychic Handshake stuff from them. Bassist Mark likes standing on stuff.


Ultrathin at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

Drummer Brett and  guitarist Shaun round out the trio.


Ultrathin at Mugshots, October 25, 2012

Super sounds all around.

• Show reminder: Last weekend of October means the Halloween bashes are kicking off. Diemonds is in town with Black Stone Hearts, Doll, Descendant and Hellbros at the Black Monkey; Ghetto Blaster, Cerebral Scrub?, MGD, Lost Youth, Mudplots and CHE play the Legion for Halloween Horroshow 2012. Carvello, International Maniac Institute and Four-Stroke perform at Cafe DeKcuf. Asile is releasing their new record at the House of Targ, along with Shackles, Police Burial and Occult Funeral. Departures and Cannon Bros. arrive at Raw Sugar; Detroit punks the Hand Me Downs and Allan Chaarouai (of Lazzy Lung fame) perform at Zaphod's. Rydell, Live the Story, Neighbours and Worn, The Grey are at Club SAW; Nobody's Fool and Redneck Limousine roll into the Rainbow; The Brothers Chaffey play Irene's; the Elmdale hosts The Sweet Mack with openers The Long Distance Runners and The Seasick Mommas.