My showgoing opportunities are pretty sparse in this pre-Bluesfest week, but at least Winnipeg's The Details had the good timing to drive their tour van through town on one of my days off. Even better, a couple of fine local acts were recruited to open things up at Zaphod Beeblebrox.
First up, Black Dogs, self-described as "some folks playing folk." Well, you can't argue with that. I'll just add that they're a very pleasant sounding duo - William Armstrong and Gavin Dyke - with good vocal harmonies that stray close enough to ragged on occasion in a many that is most endearing.
Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
Most of my photos, like this one of Armstrong, were sans flash, and kind of indifferent.
Black Dogs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
Up next, Right by Midnight, which as Black Dogs singer-guitarist Gavin noted are "louder than us." I haven't seen them before, but have caught frontman Kris Ward doing some singer-songwriter stuff on a couple of occasion. His Right by Midnight output is quite a bit different; apart from the volume difference, there's also another singer in fellow guitarist Charlie Downey (who I saw playing with Kris for the first time back in 2006) and there's a lot more powerpop and Britrock in the mix. This was their first show as a quartet, as they've been joined by former Wise, Young and King bassist Chris Terkuc.
Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
Charlie's grown his hair since 2006.
Right by Midnight at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
Finally The Details played a very energetic set, lots of moving around on stage from this bunch who clearlu no how to work a room (even when it's rather sparsely populated). I detect a slight roots twist to their pop music, and I'll confess what sticks most in my mind is their versatile percussionist, who has a very nice touch on the traps.
The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
Meanwhile, over on the left ...
The Details at Zaphod Beeblebrox, June 28, 2011
A pity more folks couldn't make it - it was a very solid triple bill.
