Slo' and silent

Around the middle of January I popped over to the House of Targ for some countrified action with Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils and Still Winter Hills. I was glad to finally be able to catch the Hills gang live, since they've been been around for quite a while and I've heard good things. Finally, our schedules coincided. Here's Marc and Shawn (who have appeared before on the blog in a similarly Americana-styled act, The Woodrunners) and drummer Peter (of Starling, also seen backing Trevor Alguire and others).



More Marc and a somewhat blurry Tom Thompson (also Chime of Wrens et al.).



More Tom!



Ben of Orienteers and a slew of other combos also plays guitar in the band.



Percussive action!



More Shawn!



Guest harmonica action with Bérangère!



Extra Marc!



Steely action!



Shawn sings!



More Ben!



Rhythm section action!



More extra Marc!



On to Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils, entertaining as always!



Tom sings!



Guitar action with John!



Bass action with Rob!



Jon sings!



Rhythm section action!



Devilish action!



Singalong action!



More Jon!



Lap steel action!



Hydrating action!



Booze-bow action!



Slo' Tom and The Handsome Devils, innovators in the onstage alcohol-delivery system field.



Rob sings!



Tom sings some more!



A fun night out.

Back to Hell

Fresh Hell returned from hibernation/maternity leave early in January for a show at Black Squirrel Books, on a bill stacked with gravelly voices and emotive singing. First up were Laniard - here's Steve and Kieran!



Guitar action with Jon Creeden!



A shouty bit!



Steve hits!



Bass and beard action with Kieran!



Extra Steve!



More other Steve!



They were followed by Philadelphia's Sold, doing some organ-inflected post punk. Here's frontman Ted!



Keyboard and bass action with Stefan and Scott!



Stefan sings!



Rhythm section action with Scott and Jon!



More Jon!



Sold were doing a brief Canadian tour with Montreal's Laureate, who hit the stage next. I saw them about a year ago, opening for Doc Hopper at Targ. Here's Giancarlo!



Percussive action with Mike!



Bass action with Erin!



More Giancarlo!



Tapping action with Mike!



Extra Erin!



Fresh Hell wrapped things up with an energetic set. Here's Steve and Devin!



Occasional Flying Hellfish Corey sings!



Contemplative action with Vance!



More Steve!



More Devin!



A fine return to form.