First in the fight

I rounded off last week's show-going with one of my frequent trips to Targ, for a show headlined by Swedish megafuzz combo Truckfighters. They're on tour with New York doom lords Kings Destroy, who were the main draw for me. Hogtown power trio Old James opened things up, and young local outfit The Aphelion provided a proggy twist to the proceedings. Here's Old James, and some bass action with frontman Brian (who along with brother Chris was in Ottawa metal combo Aggressor)!



Guitar action with Andy!



Rhythm section action with Brian and Chris!



Brian sings!



Extra Andy!



Elderly action!



Hair-tossing action!



Faceoff action!



More Chris!



The shouty bit!



Hirsute action!



And so on!



Shirtless action!



Even more Chris!



Gripping action!



The Aphelion made quite an impression. They're a young band (most had thou-shalt-not-drink exes on their hands), with a fondness for Strapping Young Lad style sonics. Here's some pointing action from singer Evan!



Keyboard action with James!



Bass action with Christian (this was his last show with the band).



More guitar with Tyler!



Evan sings!



Distant action!



Faceoff action!



Percussive action with Nate!



More James!



Even more Tyler!



They're an active lot.



Tyler sings!



Brooklynites Kings Destroy ripped it up next with some heavy sounds that reminded me a bit of Wool and Goatsnake. Here's some gripping action with singer Steve and guitarist Carl!



 On the left, bassist Aaron and guitarist Chris!



Rhythm section with Aaron and Rob!



Guitar-lifting action!



Rob hits!



More Chris and Aaron!



Even more Rob!



The shouty bit!



And so on!



More Carl!



Destructive action!



Truckfighters steamrollered the rest of the night with their desert-rock style buzz; I find their tunes a bit on the samey side, but the crowd was definitely super-hyped for their bouncy performance. Here's Ozo!



Extra Ozo!



Bass action with Dango!



Aaron hits!



Ozo bends!



Dango sings!



Rhythm section action!



Running it about action!



Take that, cymbal!



A really good night for fans of the heavy.

Return to the roots

Last week I paid my annual visit to Irene's for a trio of roots-rocking acts. It was the debut performance for Hundred Pacer and the sophomore show from Chris Landry & The Seasick Mommas, but I dare say they aren't too many unfamiliar faces on stage. The usual suspects start with Chris, usually seen playing with The Glorious Moonrockets. For this more acoustic offering, he was joined by Stuart, his only Momma (for this set, anyway).



Momma action! Stu has also played with The Dusty Drifters and Train Jumpers.



Closeup action!



Extra steel!



More guitar!



Saint Clare was on stage next with some loud'n'rowdy Memphis-styled rock'n'roll. Here's some closeup action with frontman Matthew!



Bass'n'keyboard action with Ryan and Casey!



Some jumping about on the left from Morgan, Nick and Jeffrey!



More horns!



More Matthew!



Clapping action!



Daniel is stuck back there.



More guitar!



Extra Casey!



Ryan might be enjoying himself a bit too much.



Richard sings one!



Headliners Hundred Pacer are fronted by Rey, of John Henrys fame, and feature a couple of Pop Shove-Its in the lineup as well (and some Handsome Devils as well). Here's Sebastian on guitar, Rey singing and Kosta on drums.



Close-up action!



Singalong action!



Pop Shove-It, Handsome Devil and Chops & The Holicster Rob rounds out the quartet.


Extra Sebastian!



Kosta hits!



Guitar-lifting action!



Well-paced action!



Sebastian sings!



Extra Rob!



Faceoff action! Rey: "The photographers like it when we do that. We'll have to do it more often."



A super night out.