Literary progress

Back in January I paid a visit to Black Squirrel Books to check out some punk and off-beat sounds. Unfortunately, the expected headliner couldn't make it. Well, a few weeks later and Stefan Christoff - a well-known community activist and musician noted for collaborating with Sam Shalabi, among others - was on hand to play some solo guitar pieces, with local shouty punks Ogresse and H. de Heutz, who were also on the bill earlier in the year.

First up Ogresse, who share a bassplayer with Aube.



And, of Critical Convictions and others, checks those pedal settings.



Percussive action!



Hugh handles the low end.



The shouty bit!



The whole lot!



On to H. de Heutz whose name - as Christoff noted - references Quiet Revolution author Hubert Aquin's Prochain Episode. Here's Nathan singing a bit.



Experimental action!



Olivier hits!



Bookish action!



Olivier sings!



Adjusting action!



Stefan spoke briefly about Quebec's student demonstration and the importance of activism operating outside the sphere of government. He also complimented the event's poster.



Explanatory action!



And on to the music ... Christoff's usual instrument is the piano, so this was a bit outside his comfort zone.



Guitar action!



Nathan also contributed in the key of A-minor.



Intriguing presentations all around.

The Ramones of the day

I'm surprised that The Ramones hadn't received the treatment at Punk Rock Covers ... perhaps some were reluctant to tackle arguably the first punk rock band. Fortunately the folks from Asile felt no such fear and gave a pretty solid rendition of the old wun-two-three-faw.

Wiggy action!



More wiggy action!



Gripping action!



Leather-jacketed action!



Rhythm section action!



As the show went along the band kept getting pushed back by the raging crowd.



The whole lot!



Singalong and audience-participation action!



The end!



A swell set.

• Show reminder: There's more dragonboating at Mooney's Bay, plus performances by David Usher, Said the Whale, PS I Love You, Craig Cardiff, The Claytones and Alexander Fairchild; Feverfest also continues, with shows at Irene's (Brock Zeman, Jack Spinks) and the Clocktower (Peptides, Steve Adamyk Band, Murder Plans, Fevers among others). The Elmdale hosts The Divorcees and 90 Pounds of Ugly; Soul In Stone and Static Revolt perform at Zaphod's; The Hammerheads are at the Rainbow; Julie Corrigan and Pia Ashley play the Avant-Garde.

Stuff to do February 18

Well, not only do I not have any new photos, I don't have anyway of uploading old ones (*@$#! drive!). So this morning's show preview features the lovely and talented Critical Convictions, performing at last year's Gaga Weekend.


Critical Convictions at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

They're playing a house show at 443 Kent St. alongside BoneBlack, Ensorcelor and Nightmare Reality. Also treading the boards tonight are Rich Aucoin, Ennuie, Life In 2D and Pete Samples at Cafe Dekcuf, Watter Brothers, Ornaments and Those Gulls at the Elmdale Tavern. Hamilton, shown below performing at Caafe DeKcuf earlier this year, also have a show.


Hamilton at Cafe DeKcuf, January 15, 2011

They'll be at Zaphod Beeblebrox with Third Place and Remember The Fire. Big Jeezus Truck and The HoBo Outlaws will be performing at The Rainbow. Here's them Truckers at Zaphod's:


Big Jeezus Truck at Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 1, 2010

Finally, we bring you a message from Al The Yeti Bones (of Gypsy Rock Goliath), who also operates The Yeti Agency with Mia Tyler (daughter of Aerosmith singer/American Idol judge Steven):  

"One of Canada's most energetic rock bands and biggest kept secrets, known as The Polymorphines have traveled to Austin Texas this past week to record their upcoming album with famed producer Tim Kerr (of Poison 13, Big Boys and Monkeywrench, among others - A.C.) and engineer Mike Vasquez of Sweatbox Studios (The Damnations TX, and 70's garage rockers The Fleshtones). The Polymorphines couldn't have picked a better place to record this new album. Once the tracking is complete, they will be embarking on a 12 date U.S tour, seeing them through cities like Austin TX, New Orleans LA, Florence AL, Baltimore MD, Washington D.C, New York NY, and all the way back to Toronto for Canadian Music Week. You can also follow The Polymorphines tour blog at www.yetiagency.com."

Is this an excuse for me to post another Polymorphines photo?


The Polymorphines at The Rainbow, December 13, 2009

Yes ... yes it is. Their Canadian Music Week show is March 9, should anyone be down Toronto way.

Quick hit

After Big Dick's killer set, it was back to the main area to see Crusades - already posted out a few days ago. Then a few folks piled back into the small room - which was really turning into a sauna, you could feel the heat billowing out the door - for Critical Convictions. I only shot a few photos because things got rambunctious pretty quick and with a flash in one hand, camera in the other and nowhere to run dealing with crowdsurfers became a bit of a chore.

And they're off!



And rocks the six strings.



Maxx shouts! I think Jo from Germ Attak likes this song.



Richard hits!



The overhead view!



Marc handles the low end!



Jo surfs!



The crowd goes wild!



After that I made my escape.

• Show reminder: There's a coastal invasion, with Dog Day and Apollo Ghosts at Raw Sugar and Daniel Romano, of Attack In Black at Cube Gallery on Wellington St. with The Mountains & The Trees. Ashes Past, Mary & The Black Lamb and Daedalean Complex are at Zaphod's; Daydream for Dollars perform at the Elmdale House.

Lockdown - Part II

Next up, Ian Manhire's own band, The White Wires, performing a particularly rambunctious set. The question is, why didn't they drive a truck into the garage, and play the show in the truck? They're also playing Westfest tonight, presuming Ian can be found and/or awoken.


White Wires at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

Award for noisiest band of the afternoon goes to Big Dick. The due of Dave Secretary and Johnny O. whose bass and drum pummel was so loud I could feel my eardrums quivering, earplugs or not.


Big Dick at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

Crusades is a band that features half Last Communion (or half Sedatives, if you prefer) and half Creeps. Anton LaVey-lovin' punk-metal sounds from four guys in matching T-shirts. This was their first show.


Crusades at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

I didn't stay for much of Critical Convictions set in the little room, since it's hard to handle a camera, a flash, and Jo from Germ Attak crowd-surfing over your head in that space. They sounded as furious as I recall from tehir sets at the Bytown Tavern and opening for The Kids at the Bayou.


Critical Convictions at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010  

The ever-popular Year Zero knocked out a fine set of their melodic punk next.


Year Zero at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

Things took a turn for the heavier with Loviatar, who I last saw in a Bronson Ave. basement. Guitarist and singer Justin finally got a break from doing the sound for all the bands, and J.P. got a break from barbecue.


Loviatar at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010 

Tokyo Sex Whale played another heavy set, including a reconfigured version of White Wires' Ha Ha Holiday, Black Black Holiday "Since our pact with Satan says we can't be happy," explained Julia - and it really worked well! Almost forgot to mention, they play Westfest tonight.


Tokyo Sex Whale at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

Unfortunately the bylaw people had been called.


Ian and noise enforcement at Gaga Weekend, June 12, 2010

Garaga knocked out a tight set, despite a busted string forcing Jeff to switch to "a girl's guitar." They've switched drummers since I saw them last, with Tim Matthews now manning the skins. The audience was getting a bit sparse by now, in part because they'd decided to close the door and let people in and out between songs.


Garaga at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

I was beginning to feel the day as things came to a close with a set from The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol, who assembled not only their usual membership but a trio of extras to kick out a super psychedelic set, with extra headbutting from Ian.


The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 12, 2010

They sounded really excellent, but I had to split if I wanted time to have dinner (at the time I was under the impression stuff at Babylon was starting around 9 p.m.) As for today, there's a post Gaga buronout afternoon at Random House, with shows from such noiseniks as Adam Saikeley, Special Noise, Mincemeat Or Tenspeed, Nero's Day At Disneyland, Self Surgery and Long, Long, Long.

Condition critical

It's just a couple of days before Christmas, not a creature was sirring 'cept some punks. Critical Convictions and Fucking Machines rocked the Bytown Tavern with some political and non-political hardcore. First up, them Convictions.

The whole lot! Bassist Jeff, Richard on drums, singer Maxx and guitarist And.



Jeff was dressed awfully snugly.



Critical action!



Richard prepares to hit, and also answers the boxers vs. briefs question.



It really wasn't that cold in the Bytown.



And sings!



Maxx sings upright!



Maxx sings upside down!



Convicted action!



Big finish!



Ignore those kidders who say they play slow. Their next show is at Mavericks January 16 with The Suppositories and Fucked Up.

• Show reminder: AIDS Wolf and Holy Cobras play Babylon; Crush Buildings and The Soft Disaster perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox. Brock Zeman brings a bit of country to Irene's. The Elmdale House hosts an evening of one-man bands with Mississippi Grover and Bradleyboy.