Power up

The Ottawa Explosion was also the last hurrah (or close to it) for a a couple of Ottawa bands - namely, Creep Wave and Crusades. OXW was also one of the first shows by Power of Fear, which features a few members from those bands, plus Sara from Tightlip. They played a quick set at Black Squirrel Books a couple of weeks ago, opening things up for some. Here's Emmanuel, of Crusades and a bunch of other acts (e.g. Last Communion) and Ashly of Tightlip! (Flash update: Power of Fear will be back at BSB July 27 with Tightlip, Torpor, Dogma and Pure Pressure.)



Guitar action with Britt (also of Doxx)!



More Ashly!



Guitar action with Dave of Crusades and Black Tower!



The whole lot (that's Kieran of Creep Wave and Doxx back there on drums)!



Fearful action!



Kieran hits!



Buffalo DIY bedroom garage rockers Velvet Bethany were on next. Here's Allison on vocals!



Extra Allison!



Mike hits!



The whole lot!



Mike sings!



Velvety action!



More Mike!



New Yorkers Choked Up brought the night to a close with some hard-hitting punk sounds. Here's Rachel on guitar and Cristy on guitar and vocals!



Rhythm section action with Wes on drums and Rose on bass!



Rachel sings!



The whole lot!



Extra Cristy!



Wes hits!



More bass!



Great stuff all around.

Blue metallic

Now back to that metal I mentioned earlier this week. On Saturday I headed over to the Dominion Tavern for the release of Loviatar's latest, Diva's Hymn. Also on hand were Dark Plains and Monobrow.

Last time I saw Dark Plains at Pressed, they were a duo of Andy Cant and Matt Deline. They've since added Chuck Saso of Mountanaka, Grey and Last Communion fame.



Shouty Matt action!



Chuck frets, Andy hits!



Feedback action!



Extra Andy!



Extra Matt!



Rhythm section action!



Planar action!



Monobrow have never disappointed, and this was an even tighter than usual set from.



Brian hits!



Sam strums!



Paul steps on it.



More tongue!



Closeup action!



Hair-tossing action!



More feedback!



Loviatar wrapped the night up with tunes new and old and a tip of the hat to much-missed Dominion soundman and instructor Mark Valcour.



Justin sings!



J.P. hits!



Mike hits!



More. J.P.!



My pictures were looking awful on the camera's itty-bitty screen so I took a few snaps with flash.



Shane frets!



More Mike!



Tapping action!



The whole lot!



Extra Justin!



Blueish action!



Snarly action!



A very solid evening all around.