Just lookin' for a kiss

Henri Faberge and The Adorables wowed a small crowd last time they played Zaphod's. That time they had lots of crazy stuff on sale at their merch table. This time they were short on crazy stuff but did have a new CD full of excitable, ramshackle pop music and attracted a somewhat larger crowd. They must be Toronto's horniest band, if the lyrics are anything to go by.

Monsieur Henri and Laura Barrett singalong.



Janderton Beauregard looks civil.



If the stage seems a little emptier, it's because a couple of the touring Adorables couldn't make it, alas.



Of course, like all H-Fab shows there's lots of tackling action and shenanigans.





Laura got a little carried away.



There must be an easier way to shake a tambourine.



Laura and Brendan attempt a two-person recreation of their album cover.



A few Bicycles folks ended up on stage - here's Drew Smith, sans B.



Flying clap!



Incidentally, I feel like a bit of a dolt for not realizing that I've seen some of these folks in action prior to their first Zaphod's show ... recognize anyone?

The low country

Henri Faberge and The Adorables put on a killer show of music and mayhem at their last Zaphod's appearance, so I was super-keen to see them again. Once again, Relief Maps was the opening act. I left home early to catch their set, but all for naught. Bicycles and Adorables drummer and kit provider Dana Snell was held up in traffic with the rest of her band, so it was actually 9 p.m. before everything was set up and underway.

The Maps sort-of have a new bass player. They are trying out (and vice-versa) Nick Comeau of The Bridegroom.



Time for some pre-show larking on Luke's Hagstrom.



The drum set arrived, so down to business!





Dusty shouts.



Kevin dresses for the weather (and any possible Barrymore's shows).



The first of much clapping that evening.



Maps action!





They sounded pretty raucous this show.

Ride theory

Let's face it, you put Henri Faberge and the Adorables, The Bicycles and Relief Maps together at the same time and you've got a great triple bill. Normally I'd be forced to skip out on such an event, but since I am in training from 9 to 5 - my first-ever brush with regular hours, unless you count my short stint in the ice cream retail business - I actually got to go to this show. Yay!

Relief Maps got on stage at 9 p.m., a little later than expected because of an unfortunate delay in The Bicycles' arrival. You may have missed the great Mocking Music bass controversy - but now it seems they actually do have a bass player (and when I post further pictures, he won't be obscured by a microphone).



I was wondering if they'd put the Bicycles on first to give drummer Dana Snell a break. Nope. Here's a few Bicyclists.



Henri and Co. rocked the joint, even at half (some might say third) strength.



Of course there was chaos on the dancefloor. It was all too, too swell.

• Show reminder: The Visitors play Mavericks with Die Mannequin and Toxicator.

A good egg

Henry Faberge and His Adorables were one of the more pleasant surprises I've had this year, close behind Spiral Beach (and Born Ruffians, with whom they shared the bill at this Zaphod's show last Thursday). Henry had six Adorables in tow - at full strength the outfit apparently boasts 14 members. They're like The Silver Hearts of raunchy Beach Boys-influenced pop. There was also a cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Maps.

Janderton Beauregard mans the keys. Henri Faberge rocks the guitar.



Laura Barrett on clarinet and vocal, Maylee Todd on harmonica, accordion, guitar, vocals and wrasslin'.




More singalong action with Todd's wrestling partner Brendan Howlett on bass.



Drummer Dana Snell. Her nametag reads "drunk."



Luke from the Born Ruffians adds some trombone and vocals.



Just in case you were wondering what was perching on Laura Barrett's head.



Adorable action!



Maylee flogs the merch with improbable tales.



The Adorables operate on many levels.



Brass action!



Now that's what I call audience participation!



Dana prepares to hit.



Rambunctious, that's what this group is. Note that these two pictures were actually taken during different parts of the set.





Henry works the feedback.



They didn't have a CD for sale (though they were giving away a CD-R, a most excellent split with The Bicycles, which also features drummer Dana). I bought a small clay boot from them instead.



"We were going to fill it with candy, but we forgot ... so we owe you some candy!" said Henri. Guess I'll have to go see them next time they come to town, then!

Flight of the navigator

I expected to fully enjoy My Dad vs Yours, Born Ruffians, Henri Faberge and The Adorables and Relief Maps at Zaphod Beeblebrox, and brother was I ever not disappointed. I knew I'd like My Dad Vs. Yours since I've seen them on a few occasions, and I've had a hankering to hear Relief Maps ever since I saw them at the End Hits CHUO basement benefit. That both Henry Faberge and Co. and Born Ruffians put on such dynamite sets was like having another full meal on top of the gravy.

I only caught one full song from Relief Maps, but as before I like what I heard; unfortunately I left guitarist Luke Duross out of this snap, but he'll show up later.



Henri Faberge (the chap in the striped shirt) and several of his half-dozen Adorables. Maylee Todd is handling the vocals in this shot. You can expect many photos of rambunctious behaviour on stage and off - this lot is half band, have wrestling match. I'm not sure if I'd recommend them to fans of Anathallo or Saturday Looks Good to Me first.



Luke shifts into frontman mode after his stint as a trombone-toting Adorable with The Born Ruffians. I could say Jonathan Richman, Wire, Talking Heads and run off another dozen post-punk and post-rock outfits, but these guys definitely have their own thing going on.



Yes, the lighting is wrong, the shutter speed is wrong, you can't see anyone's face, there's a microphone stand right in the middle and there's a guitarist missing in this picture of My Dad Vs. Yours. On the plus side, I like the colours.



In a word: Superb.