Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Hot and hairy

Saturday I once again headed off to the House of Targ - I may have to change the blog name to Weekly Targ Update - to check out Ian Blurton's latest project. In fact, his Happy Endings date back to the solo album of the same name he worked up back in 2009 to kick out some psychedelic jams. He's apparently decided to resurrect that material alongside the men of Huron for a handful of shows - thus the Targ showing.

First up, In Heat, which have undergone a lineup change since I saw them in 2012 at Cafe DeKcuf. Tim Anderson now sits behind the drums, and Lexxi SplitLip rocks the microphone. They sound a bit more 1970s New York hard rock than they did before as a result.

In Heat at the House of Targ

Brent strums.

In Heat at the House of Targ

Tim hits!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Angel handles the low end.

In Heat at the House of Targ

More guitar with Tony!

In Heat at the House of Targ

The shouty bit!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Extra Tim!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Extra Lexxi!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Bonus Brent!

In Heat at the House of Targ

Heated action!

In Heat at the House of Targ

And so on!

In Heat at the House of Targ

On to Huron. These chaps are pals with the You've Changed crowd (Shotgun Jimmy, etc.) and you might recognize Aaron Goldstein from previous blog appearances playing pedal steel with Daniel Romano. They play in the cosmic country vein.

Huron at the House of Targ

Cam Malcolm sings!

Huron at the House of Targ

Adam Melnick handles the low end.

Huron at the House of Targ

Extra Cam!

Huron at the House of Targ

Pete Hall mans the traps.

Huron at the House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Huron at the House of Targ

More Cam!

Huron at the House of Targ

Aaron works the steel!

Huron at the House of Targ

After a quick break, Huron returned to the stage with Ian for some psychedelic rocking out, including a cover of Grand Funk's Sin's A Good Man's Brother. Pete doffs his shirt ...

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

Ian consults his notes.

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

Ian frets, Camm feeds back.

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

Triple-SG action!

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

More feedback!

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

Singalong action!

Ian Blurton's Happy Endings at the House of Targ

A hairy and heavy evening.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Party on!

Every year Slo' Tom and his cohorts in Manpower host a Season's Beatings party so they can further abuse their long-suffering audience. The 2014 edition stretched over two days, but I missed the first, more country-flavoured outing, instead checking out the Sunday lineup of heavy metal and bad comedy.

First up, equal opportunity offender The Unknown Wrestler served up so low-brow humour.

The Unknown Wrestler at House of 
Targ

Ding!

The Unknown Wrestler at House of Targ

Next up was the debut performance of Metal Party, featuring a local supergroup lineup, fronted by Felix, son of Yogi.

Metal Party at House of Targ

Guitar action with Blake and Yogi!

Metal Party at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with Eric and Leigh!

Metal Party at House of Targ

Invisible orange action!

Metal Party at House of Targ

Leigh hits!

Metal Party at House of Targ

Yogi doesn't get much of a break, because it was time for some BlackBread. Ian handles the bass duities.

BlackBread at House of Targ

Adam hits!

BlackBread at House of Targ

Megan was sounding particularly good.

BlackBread at House of Targ

More Yogi!

BlackBread at House of Targ

Extra Ian!

BlackBread at House of Targ

More Megan!

BlackBread at House of Targ

Mother's Children also played a tight set.

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Michael frets!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Rhythm section action with Seiji and Tim!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

More Tim!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Extra Seiji!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Childish action!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Michael sings!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Then it was time for the annual "terrible film" - that is, an SBTV broadcast with Anderson and Anderson (or Blake and Remi).

SBTV at House of Targ

Manpower wrapped the evening up with some rocking tunes, plus a cover of Ratt's Round And Round.

Manpower at House of Targ

Video action!

Manpower at House of Targ

Brainy action!

Manpower at House of Targ

Dave hits!

Manpower at House of Targ

Guitar-lifting action!

Manpower at House of Targ

Tom works the floor!

Manpower at House of Targ

Extra Dave!

Manpower at House of Targ

Blake sings!

Manpower at House of Targ

Merry Christmas, all!