National Capital Rock: 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Totally gnar

Saturday night I walked over to Luneta Cafe to check out some surf-punk-garage rock for a good cause. The Ottawa Skateboard Community Association has got a line on a skatepark for the corner of Bronson and Gladstone, and is raising some dollars so they can make full use of the space. Montreal's Brabazons came to town to aid the cause, and locals Swollen Eyes and Chero Chavo also pitched in.

I know little of Chero Chavo; they have a surf-a-delic sound and did a swell job starting things up.

Ray-banned action!

I believe this is Travis Kinnear handling the bass.

Bowlered action!

The ever-fashionable Phil Bones rocks the Silvertone.

Singalong action!

Rhythm section action!

Phil sings!

Travis sings!

Shoot-em-up action!

Then it was on to Swollen Eyes ...

Holidazed

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas; now it's time to gear up for the New year's Eve shows, and where better to get a little practice than at the House of Targ? Criminally under-recorded Torontonians First Base finally headed into the studio (with Targ supremo Yogi) to lay down the tracks for their debut long-player earlier this year. It was released in October on Hozac, and they returned to the Meatlocker for some album-release action with some locals and local exiles.

First up, a mystery band ... who turned out to be Average Times! They're also playing at Babylon's Dark & Stormy night a week from now.

Curtis frets!

Seiji sings!

The bands' performance space stretched out into the back, so drummer photos will be few and distant this post ...

Singalong action!

Rhythm section action!

The whole lo!

The shouty bit!

Nervous System, Voicemail and First Base after the jump ...

Seasonal fare

Christmas is nearly upon us, and that means some folks that have split for warmer climes - such as White Wires drummer Allie Hanlon - are back in town. That means The Wires can hop on stage for a crowded Monday show at Babylon with Mother's Children.

Ken sings!

Davey is well-lit!

Tim hits!

Michael frets!

Singalong action!

Extra Michael!

The whole lot!

Davey sings!

Singalong action!

Back-to-back action!

The end!

After the jump, the return of the Wires!

A storm in the east

I think I can officially confirm that the Sunday before Christmas, during a freezing rain storm, is not the best time to attract an audience. Fortunately a few folks trudged through the snow to check out an incursion from the Maritimes at Pressed, courtesy of Kappa Chow and Construction & Destruction. Remi Royale was also on hand to liven things up in the middle slot.

Kappa Chos is a bit of an oddity, since apparently there is both a Montreal version (featuring members of Astral Gunk and Devil Eyes) and a Sackville version. Joe Chamandy of Astral Gunk bonds the two version together.

The whole lot! Although I gather the Sackville lineup sometimes boasts five people - we got the touring version, I guess.

Bass action!

The shouty bit!

Singing drummer action!

Striptease action after the jump ....

War on XXXmas

Yes, it's Christmas Show time, with the Season's Beating crowd living it up at Irene's, Kalle Mattson and co. performing at Zaphod's and various members of the Fun Boy Club House crowd (that is, members of New Swears, Tropical Dripps, Glorious Moonrockets and Shitty Mike) slipping into their red woolens for a stage-crowding performance as XXXmas, the band that turns Santa into Satan.

Look everyone, gifts!