Even more metal

Since the last time Metalian performed at House of Targ in March was a roaring success, you didn't have to exercise to many brain cells to figure they'd be back, and soon. A few months and they made their return with not one but two sets. First, a big helping of originals, then some popular favourite covers. Opening things up was Metal Party, featuring Targ proprietor Yogi and his son Felix.



Also on hand, Targ doorman Blake (also of Manpower), Leigh from Street Meat and World War 4 (seen just last post) and Eric Larock, veteran of of Tricky Woo, Public Animal, The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol and many others.



They had more than three songs this time.



Yogi frets!



Blake frets!



Leigh hits!



Felix works the ground!



And so on!



And some final jumpy Blake action!



On to Metalian. They promised two sets, but if you were there in March you know they play about two sets worth of material anyway - expect to leave whatever venue they're at around last call.



Ian sings - oonce again, I marvel at the quality of his vocals, as do many others.



Pointy guitar action!



Blurry blue percussive action!



More guitar!



Extra Tony!



Hairy action with Andre!



Ian sings some more!



Metallic action!



A killer night.

Heat and street

Back when winter had its icy grip on the Nation's Capital, the folks ate Megaphono held a mini-festival around town to promote the local music industry. I caught a bunch of fine sets at such diverse locales as St. Alban's, the Record Centre and the Dominion Tavern. One of the acts at the Dom was Michael Rault, a popster on the way to releasing a new album on the well-respected Burger Records label (also Peach Kelli Pop's American outlet). Lo, summer has arrived, and so has Living Daylight. Last Thursday he dropped by Babylon to wow the select few (seriously, where was everyone?) with his suitable summery stylings. But first, Street Meat, a band I can't really imagine performing until the pavement has soaked up a certain amount of heat.



My photos of their set were not the best I've ever taken ...



Streetwise action!



Leigh sings!



Dual vocal action!



And so on!



Beaty action!



On to Michael Rault, whose gentle manner and moustache both remind me of George Harrison.



And here's the other half of his eponymous band, whom he introduced and whose names I promptly forgot.



Jolly percussive action!



Singalong action!



More Michael!



The whole lot!



Danelectro action!



I do believe that's a Longhorn Baritone.



More guitar!



And so on!



Jaguar action!



More percussion!



Feedback finale!



A pretty good time.

Temporal fixations

Festival season has begun, and that means bands from all over are criss-crossing the nation. That means Ottawa gets to be on the receiving end of the occasional oddity, such as French prog-rockers Jack Dupon. They played the avant-garde Victoriaville festival on Saturday, and Sunday they made their way to Pressed. Coming from the opposite direction, on the tail end of their own tour was post-punkers Notta Comet. Stuck in the middle and going nowhere (geographically, that is) was Ottawa's The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol. Notta Comet kicked things off with their "science punk," which apparently means they have songs called Somebody Oughta Burn Down Ray Kurzweil's House. Here's Crawford Smith on bass and Alex Williams on guitar.



Crawford sings!



Percussive action with Eli Kaufman.



Alex sings!



Singalong action!



Rhythm section action!



And of course the traditional shot through the entryway window.



Tapping action!



The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol tore through their set.



Bill frets, John hits!



Bonus Bill!



Extra Nathaniel!



More guitar!



John hits!



Miche is under there somewhere.



Jason manipulates some electronics.



The whole blurry lot!



More Jason!



Sliding action!



Guitar-hanging action!



Jack Dupon are keeping the traditions of French prog alive, with themed albums and polyrhythms. They've been compared with King Crimson, Frank Zappa and Gong, all of which I defiitely hear as well.



Arnaud M'Doihoma sings!



Thomas Larsen hits!



Philip Prebet frets!



Gregory Pozzoli rounds out the group on guitar.



Extra Gregory!



Progressive action!



Philip sings!



Rhythm section action!