A week and a weekend ago, Gabba Hey put on a great show of bands familiar and unfamiliar. There was local indie duo Piith (formerly known as Pith & The Parenchymas), Calgary's Crystal Eyes (en route to Pop Montreal), Wakefield's Rebelle and much-talked-about headliners Ice Cream. Piith were up first; their new album
Sweet Sweet Morning was also making its first appearance courtesy of local promo crew Casual Hex. Here's Andy!
Chris sings!
Laptop action!
Guitar action!
The whole lot!
Adjusting action!
More Andy!
More microphones!
Crystal Eyes passed through Ottawa for a stop at Ottawa Explosion this summer, performing as a trio. They were up to quartet strength for this stop for extra shoegazing jangly goodness.
Faceoff action with Criss on bass and a guitarist whose name I don't know!
Mathieu hits!
Extra Chris!
More guitar!
More Mathieu!
Extra Erin!
Eyeful action!
Shadowy action!
The end!
Wakefield's Rebelle have been around for several years - going back to their days as The Strain. I was really impressed by their performance; they'll be on stage again Oct. 12 opening for Paper Lions at Zaphod's. Here's the sister-and-brother at the hart of the band, Rylee and David!
Bassist Ryan is udner there somewhere.
Rylee works the keys!
David sings!
Rebellious action with drummer Joey!
Extra Joey!
Guitar action!
More Ryan!
Joey hits!
Ryan sings, plays some guitar!
The whole lot!
Ice Cream is a minimalist synth-pop duo, formed by Huckleberry Friends' Amanda and Carlyn from Blond Elvis. Amanda and Carlyn have also appeared before on the blog as part of rockers Darlene Shrugg. Here's Carlyn on bass!
Keyboard action with Amanda (who you may also recall singing backup with U.S. Girls at the 2015 edition of Arboretum)!
Carlyn sings!
Extra Amanda!
They also worked in a dance tune.
Dancing action.
And so on!
Even more Amanda!
The whole lot!
A really fantastic night.
