Day 2 of the Ottawa Explosion kicked off with a pair of smaller shows. Motivator and Pregnancy Scares blitzed Vertigo Record Store just down the street from Mavericks and Cafe DeKcuf, but I opted instead to see various heavy rockers play short sets at Yogi's Meatlocker. They had a draw to see who would play when.
Pretty Little Death Machine grabbed the first slot; I caught them just last weekend performing at the Avant-Garde and once again they really rocked out - they definitely deserve wider acclaim.
Pretty Little Death Machine at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 17, 2011
Up next were Groovegasm. Apparently the band has undergone almost a complete lineup change (guitarist Warren is the only original member, I hear tell), and is planning a name change before their next fory of funky hard rock.
Groovegasm at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 17, 2011
Finally I caught one song by Muffler Crunch, who killed it as usual, before I ran off downtown to ctch the night's main event at Mavericks and Cafe Dekcuf.
Muffler Crunch at Yogi's Meatlocker, June 17, 2011
Mavericks was already filling up when I got there ... the plan for the evening was alternating sets downstairs and upstairs at Cafe DeKcuf, starting with the last ever performance by the Fucking Machines, complete with CiV back on vocals and ending with
Lights Out.
The Fucking Machines at Mavericks, June 17, 2011
Then I zipped upstairs for a set of extra-crunchy powerpop from The Mnemonics.
The Mnemonics at Cafe DeKcuf, June 17, 2011
Back downstairs Sonic Avenues revved things up with their ferocious garage-pop assault. The Sonic Avenues toured with The Steve Adamyk Band in Europe this spring, and now Steve is playing bass - I don't know if this is a permanent thing or not.
Sonic Avenues at Mavericks, June 17, 2011
They were followed by The Johnnies upstairs. It's a good thing since drummer Sarah started performing just so she could play the Gaga Weekend.
The Johnnies at Cafe DeKcuf, June 17, 2011
Another weekend rock festival, another performance by The Creeps - and once again, not the last performance from Skottie and Jordie. I gather they finished things off with a cover of The Spits'
Tonight (not the last Spits tune of the night either).
The Creeps at Mavericks, June 17, 2011
The festival also had a couple of bands drive all the way from Moncton - a 13-hour trip - to take part. First up, The Kamalas, zipping through some rough-hewn pop punk. If memory serves they played a Rock'N'Roll Pizza Party that I missed, so I was glad to catch them this time around.
The Kamalas at Cafe DeKcuf, June 17, 2011
The Statues are another band that needs no introduction, as its members are regular visitors (and also played a set the next day as Strange Attractor).
The Statues at Mavericks, June 17, 2011
Back upstairs for the final Cafe DeKcuf set of the night with Fear of Lipstick. Earlier Eric Neurotic had been marvelling at The Creeps coincidental decision to cover The Spits ... that's because FoL had their own plan to cover their
Spit Me Out.
Fear of Lipstick at Cafe DeKcuf, June 17, 2011
Show organizer Emmanuel had to jump on stage to sing along for one song.
Emmanuel at Cafe DeKcuf, June 17, 2011
Garage rockers Bad Sports hail from Denton, Texas and really had the audience going. They lamented they had no T-shirts to sell due to the postal strike but otherwise seemed to be having a good time, and like many of the bands stayed around to catch the bands the next day, and played another impromptu set at Yogi's.
Bad Sports at Mavericks, June 17, 2011
Then it was off home to brace myself for the Ottawa Explosion matinee at Yogi's.
