Solo scene

A couple of weeks ago I headed over to Targ to get the solo debut of Danny Van Sceney - aka Matt Spag from Hellbros, Big Jeezus Truck and Knives For Kids (and no doubt other bands I haven't seen). On hand to help out with rocking sounds were The Haig and openers Sweet Rocket. Here's Rocket guitarist Ryan and bassist Ross doing some singalong action!



Mike hits!



Ryan jumps about!



Rhythm section action!



More Ryan!



Extra Mike!



More Ross!



And so on!



Even more Mike!



On to The Haig, as inimitable as ever! Here's Dean. Last time I saw The Haig, he had collar-length hair, so I'm guessing it's been a while ...



Keyboard action with Treawna!



Aaron hits!



Bass action with Richard!



Guitar action!



More Aaron!



Guitar and vocal action with Treawna!



Dean sings!



Rhythm section action!



More guitar!



The whole lot!



More Treawna!



Haigly action!



And finally a bit more Aaron!



On to the bass-and-drum stomp rock of Danny Van Sceney. Matt brought his own light show for the occasion! He's also playing August 25 at The Dom.



Matt sings!



And so on!



Even more Matt!



Percussive action with Astar!



Colourful action!



The whole lot!



Scenic action!



And, er, that's it!

Brothers and bronies

Saturday night I headed back over to Mavericks for another helping of heavy metal - all local acts this time. The headliner was Loviatar, who have a new EP out, Druid's Curse. They were supported by Hellbros and Rainbow Pony Power, whose intruigingly un-metal name has been popping up on show posters for some time now.

They've got some runaway train music hooked up to some filthy lyrics.


Rainbow Pony Power at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

Also, I suspect they like Pantera.


Rainbow Pony Power at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

On to Hellbros, who rocked as usual, including a cover of Ace of Spades.


Hellbros at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

Bassist Stabatron has apparently decamped to Average Times full-time, and been replaced by Big Jeezus Truck's Matt Spag.


Hellbros at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

Loviatar then finished things off. All the sets were a little on the short side (there was an earlier show at Mavericks, and things only got underway at 11), but really sharp.


Loviatar at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

Also they like their lighting blue, which as a photographer is a decision I wholly support.


Loviatar at Mavericks, April 20, 2013

You can get Druid's Curse at their bandcamp.

Bluesfest: Big Jeezus Truck

For man who runs a blog called National Capital Rock, I probably don't see Big Jeezus Truck  as often as I should, given that they are one of the capital's longest-serving rock bands. Maybe a little Truck goes a long way. Here they are getting grilled by the Sun on the Subway Stage. At least a couple of them have cowboys hats to shield them from the terrible glare ...

Tom E. Hawk frets!



Slim sings!



Capt. Kildrums can play the gong with his hair!



Guitar raising action!



More Slim!



Fretting and hitting action!



Even more Slim!



Tom leaves no monitor unstood on!



Mat Spag! Most recently seen in these parts fronting his other band, Knives For Kids.



extra drum killing!



Just missed the kick ...



Hard to get a good pic of Spag at this distance with all his running about.



The whole lot!



They're off to Europe at the end of September for shows in The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.

• Show reminder: Solomon Dean performs at The Rainbow; old-timey groovers Oh My Darling plays a rare Wednesday show at Irene's; the O-Town Hoedown invades the Elmdale with sets by The Train Jumpers, London's The Woody Allens and Hank’s Hangover. Gin & Juice play The Avant-Garde Bar.