Nine lives

The Felines are calling it a day, alas! No more will the leopard-print loving quartet rock the town with their Cramps-inspired sounds ... although you have to figure they'll all be keeping busy on the music scene. Ilona Spo-dee-o-dee is off course also slinging her axe with The Suppositories drummer El Maraschino - a.k.a. Allie Hanlon - also drums for The White Wires and has some tunes of her own. I expect that Morgan and Molly will also be gracing our ears with musical sounds in some way or the other. We'll see ...

Spotted action!



Morgan sings!



Allie rocks the traps.



Steel Rose sings some.



Ilona bars the chords.



Morgan switches to bass.



Shirt-tossing action!



Faceoff action!



Big finish!



So, when's the reunion show?

• Show reminder: Counterparts, Amnesia Amnesia, Aimless Endeavor, The Epilogue and Hunter City Madness perform at The Bayou. Luther Wright and The Wrongs and The Jack Grace Band play the Elmdale House. Zaphod's hosts Caledonia, Riishi Von Rex and Uncle Cat.

Lost weekend

The last day of the Gaga Weekend was the biggest: A full afternoon of sets from Ottawa's top bands, plus some folks from Toronto and Sudbury, followed by an evening of pure rock mania. So I slapped on the old suntan lotion and headed over to the intersection of Greenfield and Main. Then I discovered the bands were playing inside. I arrived to late for the first few acts; my apologies to Year Zero, Fucked Corpse and Germ Attak, but after the previous night I was not able to get out of bed before noon, and I had a few chores around the house that had to be done. I also missed most of The Fucking Machines' set, and only caught the last five minutes, or about six songs. Since I was late, most of my shots are actually of the back of Emmanuel Sayer's head. Emmanuel wins festival prize for most indefatigable sing-alonger, by the way.


The Fucking Machines, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The I toodled over to the "main stage" ... or perhaps that should be the main part of the room ... to see hot teen trio The Girlfriends perform. I'm glad to say this time it was all musical enjoyment and no bashing-on-the-knee with guitars. Yay! The triplets of trash also wore their best dresses for the occasion. Nigel and Wolfgang did, anyway - Sammie wore something that looked like a Halloween wizard's head, or perhaps the mascot for Gentle Giant. By the time of this picture, Sammie and Wolfgang had mostly stripped off.


The Girlfriends, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The small stage doubles as a practice space for several city bands. It's small and it gets pretty hot if you back 30 people into it. It doesn't help if the band in question is The Centretown Cripplers, since not only do they bounce around a bit there's also seven of them. I don't think I took my camera off the widest angle setting once during the set.


The Centretown Cripplers, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

Off course, there wasn't just music on offer. There was also barbecue. Since I suffer from a peculiar affliction which causes me to pack for a small mountaineering expedition for short trips down the block, I was already prepped for food, drink and pitons. J.P. Sadek manned the barbecue, that's Meatlocker mainman Yogi at right (for those few who have just gotten acquainted with National Capital Rock and don't already know them both).


J.P. Sadek and Yogi, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

There was also merch ... and the Ottawa Gaga compilation, which had arrived the previous night. They sold so fast by the end of the day they were just selling the records since they'd run out of handmade covers.


Merchandise, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The Zebrassieres jumped on the main stage next; in addition to Andrew and Daniel from The Beach Blankets, Sarah Ford of The Misclits and Jordy of The Creeps churn out some catchy organ garage pop.


Zebrassieres, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009


Zebrassieres, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The next set was my favourite of the afternoon. The Balconies are Ottawa's next big indie rock sensation. If someone ever brings Blonde Redhead to town or Girls Against Boys to town, this is the trio you want to fill the local opening slot. At the risk of hexing them, I'd say they're the local band most likely to hit it big beyond Ottawa's borders as more than a cult sensation. They're sharp musicians and excellent live performers. I hear an album is in the works, and I for one plan to grab it at first opportunity.


The Balconies, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009


The Balconies, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The Felines dug out the leopard print for their set, which unfortunately seems to be the last. I guess the folks involved all have other projects on the go, and Molly is off to Toronto. So if anyone's interested, there's now space on the Ottawa scene for an all-girl trash-surf quartet. Be warned they're big heels and sneakers to fill.


The Felines, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The Joliettes were yet another band I was unfamiliar with. They come from Sudbury (and have only played a trio of shows there). They've got a pair of folk harmonizing frontwoman, a hot lickin' guitarist and a punk rock drummer, Statues frontman Rob. They do sound super-sweet, and news of an upcoming Gaga records single is most welcome.


The Joliettes, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The White Wires probably had the best-attended show of the day; Allie Hanlon returned to the drum kit while Million Dollar Marxist Luke and Gagaman Ian rounded out the trio.


The White Wires, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

As you can see they filled out the Meatlocker's main space quite nicely.


The White Wires, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

As you can no doubt tell, the bands alternated between the big room and the practice space; I had looked at an earlier version of the schedule and had noted The Botched Suicides were performing in the small space ... did I really want to be in the small room with Ottawa's most infamous band?!? I'm a fan so what the hell - I have nothing to lose but my life. Unfortunately a lot of other folks passed, and only about a dozen folks dared to witness The Suicides' blistering set.


Botched Suicides, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The Suppositories really kicked out the jagged postpunk to perfection. The addition of a fourth member has really added some heft. Here Ian glares ... he also did most of the sound at the Meatlocker, along with Justin Considerate.


The Suppositories, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

I better include a picture of Ilona since she also played guitar for The Felines. "She's so serious," I heard one Gaga attendee say. You can see Germa Attak's Jo lending Jeff his guitar at the back.


The Suppositories, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

Next up were The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol. I've started referring to them as MW))) so I'll just stick with that. Here's a band for folks who like The Heads, Acid Mothers Temple's raga tunes, The Mike Gunn and the drugged-out fringes of post-rock.


MW))), Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

The School Jerks from Toronto finished things off with another set of Brutal Knightly hardcore. Rough and straightforward like the kids like. The audience had dwindled a bit by the time they hit the stage, but what the crowd lacked in numbers it made up for in slammability.


The School Jerks, Yogi's Meatlocker, June 13, 2009

Then I went home - I needed to recuperate, as did my camera battery.

The shape of things to come

The January doldrums seem to be fading away, and there's a host of stuff emerging on the horizon. So here's a rundown of interesting shows, which conveniently doubles as an excuse to drag previously unseen photos out of archives. We can just start things off with Male Nurse, a.k.a. Davey Quesnelle of Mother's Children and sundry other combos, who's playing a free show tonight at The Manx. This snap comes from his first show at Mavericks ... it's actually my first shot of his first show.


Male Nurse, Mavericks, June 4, 2006

In more free Male Nurse news, Davey has also just released his new EP, My Friends Are All Assholes, to the world for download.
I've already talked up M. Mucci's guitar-handling skills. He's returning to the Avant Garde for a show with lutist Jozef van Wissem this Thursday, allowing you to get your baroque and Takoma listening experiences in one fell swoop.
On Friday Andrew Vincent returns with his new album, Rotten Pear (being officially released tomorrow on Kelp Records). Grizzlar - another Quesnelle combo! - and Baby Eagle round out the bill at The Gluepot Pub. You can also check out Politique, Relief Maps and Ennuie at Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.


Relief Maps, Bluesfest, July 9, 2007.

It seems like it's been a while since The Flaps played out; I caught 'em in August 2008; they're playing Irene's this Saturday. You can also check out Honeylanes, which looks to be the succesor of 59 Argle. Sedatives, The Creeps will be rocking their basement at 52 Park.


The Sedatives, Mavericks, July 9, 2008.

For some reason, Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Allesandro Cortini has set out on a tour of the world on his lonesome. His Ottawa stop will find him performing at the Avant Garde as Blindoldfreak on February 2 alongside Deadly Apples, Kakihara079 and Filter 27.
You no doubt recall my words of praise for Hollerado. They're back in town in February, not just once, but four times at Cafe DeKcuf. I'm betting that seeing them jump around up close on four separate Friday nights will be even more than their show at Bluesfest.
Downstairs at Mavericks on February 7 you can see Winter Gloves, who I found quite tantalizing earlier in 2008 when they visited town with Bonjour Brumaire. This time they're sharing a stage with The Weathermakers and Ruby Coast. If your tastes run more to fucked up rock, Savage Crimes and Fucked Corpse will be performing at The Rocker Room on the same night - mostly to themselves since the place has a capacity of 50 and Fucked Corpse has 47 members.


Winter Gloves, Mavericks, June 19, 2008.

On Valentine's Day you can hear how love can be a massacre, courtesy of veteran Bytown cowpunks The Black Boot Trio.
It's been so darn long since I saw Jay Clark and The Jones at the Dominion (photos of that April 17, 2004 show can be seen at the Birdman Sound website), I'm almost surprised to hear they're still active. But active they are, with a show at Irene's February 20 with the Pamela Brennan Experience. Modernboys Moderngirls, The Centretown Cripplers, and hotly tipped (by me) local outfit New Teeth play Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.
The next night, Babylon will rock to the sounds of The Polymorphines - who have a new CD on the go - The Felines and Dany Laj and The Implosion. Incidentally, Felines bassist and vocalist Morgan A. Cook (that's her below at right) has an exhibit coming up at Irene's featuring portraits of Ottawa's rocking women. It runs from May 11 to June 11; the vernissage is May 12.


The Felines, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008.

February 26 there will be too much entertainment at Babylon with performances by fuzzy-wuzzy lo-fi king Nobunny, Windy City rock devolvers The Smith Westerns, local party animals The Beach Blankets and devilish Montrealers Demon's Claws.
Malajube, Young Galaxy will be bringing art-rock and space-rock to Babylon March 13. Both bands have played swell sets when I've seen them live.


Young Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 4, 2007.

I'm guessing tickets to see Bloc Party at the Bronson Centre Theatre March 17 will sell out well in advance, even at $35 per.
When I saw Bell Orchestre and more at First Baptist Church back in September 2006, things were a bit sticky. Great show though, so it's good to see they'll be back at the church March 18 (and for only half of what Bloc Party is charging).
You might want to mark March 21 on your calendar as well, since Evil Farm Children and Boom Creek will be rocking the heck out of Irene's.
The Fiftymen have booked two nights at The Elmdale Tavern, April 17 and April 18; no doubt both nights will be jammed.
Finally, Swedish pop trio Peter, Bjorn and John will be making an Ottawa whistle-stop on their CD release tour, at the Capital Music Hall April 26.

Cat people

I can tell how much my work schedule has impacted my going out to shows by the large number of new local bands I want to see (either for the first time or again) but haven't managed to catch live. At least I can cross The Felines off the list of bands I had yet to see. On the other hand I have to add them to the list of the bands I want to see again. Oh well. On this occasion they were sharing a stage (or the section of the Bytown Tavern's floor that passes for one) with Vancougar, Statues, Horses and Malcolm Bauld.

For those who missed my earlier post, the band is composed (from left to right) of keyboardist Steel Rose, drummer El Maraschino, bassist and sometimes guitarist bassist Momo and Ilona Spo-dee-o-dee. Think Cramps, Link Wray and any band that ever stuck a pencil through an amplifier cone.



Guitar action!



Singalong action! I put this photo up on my Flickr account a couple of days ago. So if you've been wondering when the hell I'd be updating stuff over there, the answer is right now!



Steel handles the keys.



El Maraschino prepares to hit! She'll also be playing tonight at The New Bayou with her other band The White Wires when they release their new LP.



Spo-dee-o-dee wine-coloured guitar action!



And so on!







And we end more or less where we began.



No word on upcoming shows, but they were promising some Christmas vinyl back in August.

• Show reminder: As I mentioned earlier, the The White Wires, The Visitors and The School Jerks perform at the new Bayou in honour of the Wires' spankin' new wax. Over at The Rainbow you've got Ukrainia, Akpokli, Poorfolk, Slo' Tom, Good2Go and BushPilots performing at a benefit for the Food Bank. Apostle Of Hustle and Gentlemen Reg play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Evil Farm Children and Mississippi Grover play the Elmdale House Tavern. James Cohen performs at Irene's.
  

Rock and roller derby

Last night I trotted over to the Bytown tavern for the latest benefit on behalf of The Bytown Blackhearts Roller Girls, featuring prizes, bands, DJs, and a tasty selection of vegetarian cupcakes. There was a pretty big crowd too.

First up were Perth quartet Fools Like You, a tough sounding bunch with a throaty vocalist in Tolsen Nicholson. They did covers of We Don't Need No Education and Suzie Q.



The Misclits did a bunch of Misfits covers ... you may recall bassist Morgan from The Felines show; Felines drummer Allie was also on board, with keyboardist Barb, singer Sara and guitarist Erin rounding out the skull-desiring colection of "one part evil, one part estrogen, three parts kicking ass."



There was a raffle. (I didn't win anything. Boo! Hiss!)



The Gemini Sideshow - a.k.a. Ilona and Daisy Szabo - were spinning tunes between the sets.



The Suppositories played next and once again sounded great. Their next gig is at The Bytown Tavern for their actual honest-to-goodness record release show Nov. 13 with Savage Crimes.



Finally The Nymphets knocked out a dozen tunes of their zippy lo-fi punkrock, including a cover (as before) of Borstal Breakout. Regulation Nymphets with regulation Nymphets Jared and Johanna joined by Nathan (subbing for Ben) on bass. It seemed a lot peppier than the last time I saw them at Babylon, a staggering two years ago.



That was swell. Don't forget to turn your clocks back this morning if you haven't already ...

• Show reminder: I was hoping to see Spiral Beach at Zaphod's tonight, but apparently that show is postponed. Rachelle Van Zanten slides in to The Rainbow.

Animal House

The Felines are a band I've been waiting a while to catch. Unfortunately, every time they've got a show booked something else has pushed them off my calendar. That all changed last night, where I caught the stripey quartet opening for Vancougar, Statues and Malcolm Bauld with Horses.


The Felines, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

You may recognize some familiar faces from the scene, I'm sure guitarist Ilona Spo-dee-o-dee has shown up in a crowd or two, and drummer Allie Hanlon ... er, I mean El Maraschino ... has of course served in Captain Foxy and The White Wires. Bassist Momo and keyboardist Steel Rose round out the combo, which kicked things off with a cover of The Cramps' Human Fly. Lo-fi surf and garage rock is the order of the day: There were also covers of Shake, Rattle and Roll and The Witch - dedicated to a band pal and birthday gal.

Next up was Malcolm Bauld. I've seen the former Frenetics frontman before at Babylon, where he was backed on a few songs by The Details. He's continuing the tradition of folk-punk rock that seems more than a little influenced by Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp. He skipped the solo stuff this time and rocked out with Horses, the band he's touring with now.


Malcolm Bauld, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

Horses did a handful of songs themselves. Like Bauld they're influenced by that New Jersey blue collar rock, and finished things off with a cover of Darkness on The Edge of Town.


Horses, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

I suspect the band that a lot of people were there to see was Sudbury mod-pop punks Statues. The trio features the two Houle brothers, Mitch and Jeff, who have also rolled through town as part of Varge and The Havocs. Rob Seaton is the third man, on guitar and vocals. There was a Buzzcocks cover, a Jam sound and every brisk and frisky pop punk band to the right of Joe Jackson.


Statues, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

Finally Vancouver's Vancougar finished things off. The quartet of guitarist and singer Eden Fineday, bassist Becca Stewart, keyboardist Megan Johnson and C.C. Rose (last seen on NCR playing drums and keys with Black Mountain at Barrymore's) turn out tuneful pop with a tough chaser in the vein of early Go-Gos and Bangles. Hmm, maybe I'll throw The Pretenders and The Pandoras in their as well.


Vancougar, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

Here's some extra Vancougar rock action!


Vancougar, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008

There now headed down to the States for the U.S. leg of their North American tour. The Statues and Malcolm Bauld are headed to Quebec and parts east.

• Show reminder: A Dream of Descent thrash things out at Zaphod's. Nudie and The Turks play Irene's.