There were a few technical difficulties at Casa Carver on Sunday. I was hoping to post a bunch of photos from Friday and Saturday's Ottawa Explosion, but unfortunately my computer's hard drive started making cricket noises. Experts quickly concluded that it was, to use the technical term, (expletive deleted). Fortunately photos were already up on Flickr, and hopefully I haven't lost anything from my photo library either, thanks to Time Machine. Anyway, back to happier times and crazier people in the lovely environs of the SAW Gallery courtyard.
It was a mere year ago today in the same place and just about the same time (Thursday, June 14, 2012 for you sticklers) that Voicemail made their scintillating debut.
Voicemail at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Todd shouts!
Voicemail at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
I think Thee Nodes put on the second craziest set of the weekend that I caught, largely thanks to their abuse-screaming, tent-climbing frontman.
Thee Nodes at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Believe me, he went even higher still.
Thee Nodes at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Next under the not-very-big top were New York's Wyldlife, who graduated some come louder from the Johnny Thunders school of guitar rock.
Wyldlife at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Bendy action!
Wyldlife at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
On to The Nervosas. If you caught them at last year's Ottawa Explosion you know they put on a great show of jittery punk rock. Same deal this year.
Nervosas at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Guitar action with Mickey! They also played the next day at Mavericks.
Nervosas at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Needles//Pins may hail from the West Coast, but they're also local faves thanks to a some Ottawa expatriate action. They played the Explosion before and will no doubt do so again. (They also had a second show.)
Needles//Pins at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Macey hits!
Needles//Pins at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Now I faced a moment of decision: Stick around for Holy Cobras and a further slate of hot bands down at Club SAW, or head off to one of the other venues. In the end I decided to go to Mavericks and Cafe DeKcuf, since I've already seen all the bands playing at Club SAW at least once and had yet to lay eyes on World War 4, The Raging Nathans or Dig it Up.
I've actually seen everyone in World War 4, but they do not sound like a cross between The Fiftymen, a Misfits cover artist, electronic dance and comedy rock. No, they sound like the unholy combination of old school thrash and punk.
World War 4 at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Faceoff action!
World War 4 at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Downstairs the Raging Nathans were doing the Ramones-loving pop punk thing.
Raging Nathans at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Percussive action!
Raging Nathans at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Back upstairs for a raging set from Klovenhoofs. They say they've recorded some new material, and I can hardly wait.
Klovenhoofs at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Scott sings!
Klovenhoofs at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Back downstairs for baseball-loving punks The Isotopes, who had another man in the bullpen for this go-around. They had been auditioning for a new lead guitarist when I last posted about them, and I guess they got him, because this time around Evan just worked the microphone. They also started things off with the singing of
O Canada.
The Isotopes at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
More guitar!
The Isotopes at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
I knew nothing of Dig It Up before I caught their set, but now I know they rock really hard, and have Andrea Silver (who I last saw playing with Young Galaxy) on drums!
Dig It Up at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Telecaster action!
Dig It Up at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, July 21, 2013
Finally The Creeps played a brief set "Have you been drinking all day? We've been drinking all day."
The Creeps at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Bass action!
The Creeps at Ottawa Explosion Weekend, June 21, 2013
Then it was off to bed, so as to prepare myself for even more craziness on Saturday.
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