Close to home

Considering how close it is to my house, it's odd that I've been to Live! On Elgin a grand total of twice. I visited it once when it was relatively new, back in July 2015, and again a week ago for a killer show featuring locals Shadowhand, Whoop-Szo and East Coast pop sensation Walrus. Shadowhand kicked things off. Here's Jamieson (also of How Far To Mexico)!



Sean hits!



Guitar action with Matthew (also of Acres)!



Faceoff action with Brandon!



Guitar and bass action!



More Jamieson!



Extra Brandon!



Singalong action!



Keyboard action!



I've been lucky enough to catch Whoop-Szo twice - probably not enough for such a fantastic band given the opportunities. Last time was in 2015 when I stuck around for a song or two of their Ottawa Explosion set before bouncing off to see some Creeps. They were down to a quartet again. Here's Andrew!



Bass action with Joe!



Closeup action with Adam!



Eric (of I Smell Blood) hits!



Rock action!



More Adam!



Joe sings!



Gesticulating action!



Walrus is another band that's blown me away, the single time I've seen them, at Mugshots three years ago on a bill with The Auras. This time singer and guitarist Justin was giving his axe a rest after injuring his thumb. Here's Justin and his lawnchair-afflicted thumb!



Guitar action with Keith!



Jordan hits!



Gripping action!



Guitar action with Justin, and Keith's back!



Whammy-bar action!



More Keith!



More Justin and Keith!



More Justin and Keith!



More Justin!



More Jordan!



A dynamite night!

All together now

Amalgamation were the next outfit on stage at Doldrums. They had added a couple of new players for this outing.

Guitarist Andrew Sutherland was among the new duo.



Brandon sings!



Percussive action from Bradley!



More Brandon, and the shadowy figure of new bassist Alex Dulong.



Amalgamated action!



Extra Andrew!



And slightly less shadowy Alex.



Since then they've released their new album, Permutations.

Outside Amalgamation

I once heard someone say that punk rock was folk music; this might explain why so many punk rockers take to old-style country and Johnny Cash. Or perhaps The Mekons are to blame for paving the way. It matters not, but it does seem like there's a fair number of musicians more than happy to straddle the two divides. Attack In Black's Daniel Romano has been seen sporting a Stetson and Nudie shirt, and can lay claim to a trio of stellar country albums, so I was more than happy to check him out at Mavericks at the end of November. Opening was Brandon Allan, another musician whose other outfit, Amalgamation, follows another route. But there he was banjo player in tow ...

The man himself!



Percussive action!



More Brandon.



Shadowy bass action!



More banjo!



Trumpet action!



Faceoff action!



What's happening now, I know not. (Flash update: He's performing at The Manx on June 9 as part of their Manx Music series.)

Going country

There was a lot of good stuff to go and see on Friday night, but one can't be everywhere at once, so I traipsed through the biting cold to Mavericks to see Daniel Romano. I've enjoyed his work with Attack In Black, but have really been knocked out be his recent country albums; his Working For The Music Man was one of my favourites of 2010.

Opening was Brandon Allan, (aka Brandon Walsh) last seen on the blog playing guitar with Amalgamation.


Brandon Allan at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

He had three other folks with him, including a banjo player.


Brandon Allan at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

It's been a while since I've seen Rey Sabatin Jr. on stage Once upon a time I saw The John Henrys on a regular basis. Then Rey split for T.O. and I didn't see them again until a CD release show at Mavericks in April 2010. Now here he is again, trying his hand at the solo thing, and sounding pretty good.


Rey Sabatin Jr. at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

He was accompanied by musician-about-town Matt Ouimet on guitar and lap steel, but not drums (apparently he forgot his snare, if you trust the stage banter).


Rey Sabatin Jr. at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

Finally, Daniel Romano played a knockout set, accompanied by a trio named The Trilliums, including his brother Ian on drums. He's dressing fancy these days and sporting a bigger hat.


Daniel Romano at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

There was some fine steel accompaniment courtesy of Aaron Goldstein, who's also in Lee Harvey Osmond.


Daniel Romano at Mavericks, November 30, 2012

Good stuff from all hands.