Hey hey, they're The Gories

If ever there was a personal reason to head off early to Bluesfest, Thursday, July 15 was the day, since one of my favourite bands of all time was on stage. Yes, Mick Collins, Danny Kroha and Peggy O'Neill have decided to reform and finally make a few bucks out of being one of the most influential underground bands of the 1980s and '90s. I actually bumped into Mick Collins at Birdman Sound prior to the show where he was chatting with proprietor John Westhaver about his move to New York, The Dirtbombs going on hiatus in an album or two and an upcoming electronica album.  Mick apparently took a taxi to the old Bluesfest site at City Hall, where he played with The Dirtbombs, when he arrived in town - oops! Fortunately he found his way to LeBreton Flats. Ms. O'Neill was not so fortunate - her plane was delayed and by the time she arrived it was all over. Fortunately Bloodshot Bill was already heading on down to Ottawa to catch the show and was swiftly drafted to fill in.

The whole lot! Mick! Bloodshot! Danny!



Mick sings!



Danny chats up the crowd!



Bill rocks the traps!



Rocking action!



Danny sings! He's also wearing a lot more clothes then when I last saw him, playing with the ever-underclad Demolition Doll Rods.



More Bill!



More Mick!



Shadey action!



The shouty bit!



Tuning action!



"What are we playing next?"



Guitar action!



Back to back action!



Danny shows off his moves.



What happens next? I know not.

• Show reminder: Bleeker Ridge, The Aesthetics and Pretty Little Death Machine are at Mavericks; Brian Dunn performs at the Elmdale House. Street Meat, Those Gulls and I Spell It Nature make some noise at Avant Garde Bar.

The rod squad

After Broadzilla stomped over the stage, The Demolition Doll Rods came up to do their thing ... these photos are runners up that didn't make the last post, so you can find out more with a quick click on the tag below. Here's a few more of Margaret, Danny and Christine "Thumper" Dollrod.









The Dollrods are on hiatus (at least) ... Danny decided to take a break and Thumper had a daughter. Margaret has played in Canada as a solo act a couple of times since, performing in conjunction with Bloodshot Bill. She's also played guitar for Circus Boy.

• Show reminder: Fuck The Facts, Psyopus, Maculate and Elephantoms perform at Cafe Dekcuf.

Hot Rod action

The Demolition Doll Rods were in Ottawa just this summer (at Maverick's); just a few months later and they rolled through town again for a show at The Dominion, Halloween night. Underdressed as usual, energetic as ever and - as always - entertaining, they rocked the night away with such tunes as Take it Off and The Creation's How Does It Feel to Feel, and as many gyrations as you can shake a stick at.

Those Rods: Christina, Margaret in a crouch and Danny.



Hot Danny action!



Margaret goes behind her back.



Christina thumps.



Singalong action!



Danny works the crowd.



Margaret whips it out for Danny's tribute to little piece of leather.



Margaret strikes like lightning.



Christina sings while Danny claps.



Danny gets his kicks in.



As does Margaret ...



Thank you and good night from the Rock Candy Mountain.



The only downer: The sound on their Live at Fortune Records DVD that I bought doesn't work - oh well, I'll get a working replacement somehow ...

Motor City demolition

The Demolition Doll Rods show at Mavericks June 3 wasn't as flagrantly sexual as an earlier gig at The Dominion, but that isn't saying much - their costumes were less revealing by a square inch or so (you can get a lot of coverage out of feathers). Danny took on a greater vocal role than I recall from last time (for reasons explained later). The guitar interplay was as incendiary as I remember.

Margaret gets her kicks in.



Danny in boots.



Christine on drums; she didn't get to do her signature tune, Fat Pussy, because the night was getting on, but she did step up to the microphone.



Despite blowing out her vocals cords ("The only thing I've blown in two or three years," she told the audience), Margaret still pulled out a fairly long set.



Christine steps out from behind the kit.



Sing along with Danny ...



Explosive demolition!



Another sin-sational rock-stravaganza from the 'Rods, who ended the set with their version of Amazing Grace.

• Jack Daniels news: Jake Lovetart - one of the bands that made me think "darn, I should be out photographing stuff" - appears with Four'n'Giv'r at Babylon June 24.
  

Demolition time

Breaking news: Demolition Doll Rods return to Ottawa June 3 for a gig at Mavericks; Broadzilla is with 'em. The Rods put on an - ahem - revealing show last year at the Dominion. Photographic evidence is available at the Birdman Sound website, but just look here: Margaret, Christine and Danny Doll Rod in action.





And another side of Margaret Doll Rod. Yowza.



Some of this stuff might not be safe for work ... you've been warned!

• In other news, The Acorn, Kepler and Snailhouse will be post-rockin' the joint at Irene's Pub May 13. I'm sure their stage show will be largely similar to the Doll Rods'.