Milky way

Les Breastfeeders are one of my favourite bands. I've only seen them live three times - not nearly enough - and they've put on a scorching show every time. Band dancer Johnny Maldoror wasn't around for this gig, but even in weakened form the kicked out the jams in their usual ferocious manner. I can hardly wait for them to come back through town ... but isn't it about time for a new record?!?

It's not a Breastfeeders show with Sunny Duval jumping.



Suzie McLelove handles the poppier end of things.



Bassist Joe.



Luc Brien explains!



The inevitable Pat Sayers.



Singalong action!



Dual guitar action!



Lowering and raising action!



Pointing out Sunny action!



Rhythm section action!



It was getting mighty hot out there.



Big finish!



The band is incidentally heartbroken over the recent disappearance of Johnny's fur vest.

• Show reminder: Motherfuckers and four-stroke rock the pizza at Bytown; The Darcys and Arizona play Cafe Dekcuf (how they're going to fit a whole state into that tine place I don't know); The Love Machine, The Junction and The Sunjet Records Band play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Anti-Flag, Black Lungs, The Creepshow and The A.K.A.s do it for the kids at Babylon. Urban Preacher and Universal Habit perform at The Rainbow.

Sunday, bloody Sunday

My Sunday Bluesfesting was a bit more sedate than usual. I had hoped to get their in time to see Poorfolk and The Soiree, but I woke up late (the consequence of being baked in the sun on Saturday, no doubt) and by the time I'd actually got my act together it was 2:245. Part of the delay was because I had to go out and by a new bottle of sunscreen. The local supermarket only had the spray-on stuff in stock. In addition to warnings not to expose it to excess heat and one's eyes, they should add a caution not to apply it in an enclosed area. Hacking and coughing I made my way along the Ottawa River bike path - I'm eschewing my usual Somerset route since Booth is now a parking lot for a good chunk of the day - and got to Lebreton Flats in time to see a big chunk of Hollerado's set on the Giant Telecommunications Company Stage.


Hollerado, Bluesfest, July 6, 2008

I've heard many people singing Hollerado's praises, and they do indeed put on an excellent show. It's amped up power-pop, I guess, and I can see them on a bill with Sloan, although Hollerado strike me as being much more direct. There was plenty of running about and jumping on stage, and lead singer Menno finished things by running off into the audience ... hooray for cordless microphones! They'll be back in town August 22 for iheartmusic's annual festival.


Les Breastfeeders, Bluesfest, July 6, 2008

Now Hollerado rock darn hard, but I think they're just edged out by Les Breastfeeders. This was the third time I've seen the band in action. Both times they've totally destroyed, and their Giant Financial Institution Stage set was more of the same, but at higher volume. Tambourine player Johnny Maldoror wasn't around ("He's in jail again" was the band's explanation), but even without their secret weapon they were punchy as hell.


Chuck Prophet, Bluesfest, July 6, 2008

After Les Breastfeeders' gig wrapped up I zipped over to the Black Sheep Stage to see Chuck Prophet. I was a fan of his work with Green On Red, and I think his solo stuff is just as charming. Unfortunately I forgot my earplugs at home, and after having my tender drums pummelled by Hollerado and Les Breastfeeders at point-blank range, I was ready for a sonic respite. I snapped a few pics then retreated to the hill to view the set from afar.


The Acorn, Bluesfest, July 6, 2008

That done I walked over the Hill to see The Acorn. They sounded sharp as usual, though as with Richard Thompson's set I could hear some sound creeping over from the River Stage. Fortunately the Acorn is a bit louder than Richard Thompson and it wasn't a distraction (at least not where I was). As for his splattered shirt, Rolf was joking that he'd engaged in a death match with B.B. King. He also said the band wanted to check out Snoop Dogg. Some people laughed. "Is that supposed to be funny? I wasn't joking." After some pleasant sun-stroke songsmithery I headed back over the hill to see some of James Blood Ulmer.


James Blood Ulmer, Bluesfest, July 6, 2008

Ulmer was once Ornette Coleman's axeman, and has continued to use Coleman's theory of harmolodics in his music-making. Not many people do, but since Neil Hagerty of Royal Trux - one of my all-time favourite bands - has mentioned his own interest in the theory, I thought I'd check him out. I did enjoy his sound, but was still feeling a bit baked. There wasn't much of interest to me later on in the evening so I headed on home after a brief pause to listen to Snoop Dogg.

New blue bayou

Last time I was at the New Bayou it was the old Bayou ... not the really old Bayou, but a shortlived club where I saw the Brothers Chaffey and Trevor Alguire for the first time; that was more than two years ago. This time the punks have taken over. There was a bunch of people there (about 70 when I counted, and that was a dozen or two shy of the peak) to see Vanier Shank and The Visitors. I feel like I've seen Vanir Shank's name for ages; they've been on a bunch of bills I never got the opportunity to see. They made me think of a faster, more reckless Leatherface.


Vanier Shank, The New Bayou, June 30, 2008

As for The Visitors, I saw their debut performance at Zaphod's; they were good then, but this time they really rocked out. A smashing set.


The Visitors, The New Bayou, June 30, 2008

This show was billed as a pre-Canada Day show. Naturally that means there's a ton of stuff to do today, and for once it looks like the weather is going to cooperate.


Basia Bluefest, Bluesfest, July 12, 2007

I may start my show-going early on Tuesday by heading over to Confederation Park to see Basia Bulat. She's performing at noon. Later in the day Alex Cuba and Molly Johnson perform. I think I'm finally going to see a 59 Argyle house show - they're celebrating Canada Day with Fucked Corpse, Montreal's Special Noise, White Wires, Crazy Ocean and Teenage Lightning. The New Bayou has a huge lineup of bands, punk and otherwise, for July 1: The Nads, A Final Draw, The Scarlett Fever, The Turne, The Red Jets, The Mistress, Sule, A Common Misconception, Lady Seema Dee and Junior Don, G-Kai, Paper and Metal, Project Mars, Capital Hearts, Jamie Lang and Diamond. Zaphod's has Blazer, Ken Workman and The Union, 27 York, The Cutmen and Alex R. Newman.
The fun continues at Zaphod's on Wednesday with Snailhouse and Sarah Hallman. Snailhouse is releasing their new CD. Irene's hosts Karen Kosowski, Tyler Summers and Trevor James.


Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 22, 2003

As for Thursday, quite apart from shows by Incantation, Funerus and Deamon at Cafe Dekcuf; Today I Caught the Plague, Pysiedius, The Great Sabatini, Abhorrent Human Animation and Grafenberg at Mavericks, once again it's Bluesfest time in Ottawa. Although I bought a festival pass (as I have for the past six or seven years), I'm probably going to spend less time festing than in the past. This is mostly due to a strong lineup of acts passing through town, most notably the Boris show at Babylon. Bluesfest has also decided to ban SLR cameras this year, which does kill the buzz for a diehard snapper like myself. I'm interested to see what the turnout at Bluesfest will be like. Unlike last year, it doesn't seem like there's any really acts plucked from the stratosphere like Bob Dylan or Van Morrison.
The main action for me has always been on the side stages, and that seems even more true than usual for 2008. Opening day is one of the exceptions, since TV on The Radio are playing on the Rogers Stage, unfortunately about the same time as Jose Gonzalez on the Black Sheep Stage. Matt Mays and El Torpedo are also performing. It's been about five years since I saw them play at Zaphod's. I've always meant to catch them again since they put on a great show then, but the stars never aligned. I hear they've changed their sound since then, so my curiosity is further inflamed. I also note that Spanish blues rockers Tea are performing at Zaphod's that evening.


Wintersleep, Bluesfest, July 14, 2006

On Friday there's always Wintersleep at Bluesfest. They were pretty good at Bluesfest in 2006, but Tusks, Yellow Jacket Avenger and Psychic Hotline at Irene's look like the better bet to me. The Mahones play Zaphod's and they're always a good show if you like that Pogues-influenced stuff.
There's a bunch of local acts at Bluesfest this year, such as The BushPilots, who will be playing Saturday on the River Stage. Jenn Grant and Richard Thompson are also playing on the River Stage that day so I may just stick around. Then, I may go to the Rogers Stage just to watch the juxtaposition of Ladytron and Lucinda Williams.


The BushPilots, Zaphod Beeblebrox, December 15, 2006

Saturday is busy elsewhere as well, most notably as Gunsmoke release their new CD with The Hypnophonics, Machine Gun Dolly and The Nummies at the New Bayou. Full Blown Chaos, The Breathing Process, The Red Death, Sons of Azrael, Epocholypse and I Call This Safety play Mavericks. Despite their name - which suggests a dance electronica act - Hot Panda are in fact a rough'n'ready pop combo from Edmonton (you can probably dance to them, mind you). From what I've heard I'm guessing that if you like The Bicycles, you'll probably enjoy Hot Panda. They're playing Irene's.


Les Breastfeeders, Babylon, April 20, 2007

Sunday you can check out Innerpiece, Dirty Beloved and Liquid Edge at Zaphod's. But the best show of the day - if personal experience is anything to go by - will be courtesy of Les Breastfeeders. Yes, it's on the Main Stage at Bluesfest, bit I don't think that will stop them from knocking a whole lot of socks off. One of my must-sees for Bluesfest, Chuck Prophet, also plays on the Black Sheep Stage (he also plays the Barney Danson Theatre the day before).

Mother's milk

As Les Breastfeeders frontman Luc Brien pointed out during their action-packed show at Babylon Friday, it has been three years since the band last played Ottawa. Three freaking years! Considering how many instant fans they made at that show, it's a shame they didn't capitalize with a gig a few months later, but oh well! The years peeled away as the band took the stage and rocked out with the same vigour they demonstrated at that fondly remembered performance.

Here's Luc, early in the show, on his knees.



Sunny Duval, rocking out near the finish line.



Suzie McLeLove sings a funny, and possibly funicular, song.





Johnny Maldoror greets the audience.



Joe on bass. I think he's wearing the same shirt as three years ago.



I didn't quite get Luc's introduction of the drummer, so I'll just presume it's Fred Fortin.



Sunny steps up.



The whole lot!



And now ... rock action!











Johnny Maldoror got a laugh out of Luc's band introduction.



Sunny jumps! As he is wont to do.



Luc Brien gets down! As he is wont to do!





Big finish!





Now that was a real rock'n'roll show.

• Show reminder: Priestess, The Binges and Tokyo Sex Whale rock Babylon; White Cowbell Oklahoma pop back into town for a gig at Mavericks ... how are they going to fit everyone on stage? (Money Money round out the bill.) Sick Puppies, Iconoclast and The Prefect play upstairs at Cafe Dekcuf.

It came from Quebec

Les Breastfeeders and Xavier Cafeine make a great double bill - who doesn't like milk with their coffee? Unfortunately I missed the opening performance by Cafeine and Co. since I worked to 10:15 and had to make a 45-minute bike ride home. Even more unfortunate the show was $18. This is more than I'm willing to pay for most bands (and to be frank, I've seen bigger name acts play for less). Nonetheless, having seen Les Breastfeeders open for Le Nombre a few years back at The Dominion I figured I would regret missing the show more than I would regret spending $18, and it was indeed a kick ass performance.

Magnifique!



The view from the other side of the stage ...



Plus jumping!



Nice way to kick off a busy weekend!

• Show reminder: xbxrx and Elephantoms perform at End Hits; The Wooden Stars and Tusks play Babylon; Emm Gryner and Royal Wood perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox; Garaga, The Allr!ghts and Elbeejay do it together at Cafe DeKcuf; Muffler Crunch, Power Farm and Mississippi Grover duke it out at Irene's; and at the NAC' Fourth Stage you'll find more Quebec Scene action with Torngat.

The Top 10 Canadian Bands Who Rock!

This post by Mike Sheridan at Crammit Hall concerning I (heart) music's latest poll results got me thinking about what my own choices would have been had I submitted any. Last time Matthew ran a poll I was involved in, I was left with the impression that my Top 10 leaned more heavily toward loud guitars than most other submitters. Since a respectable survey of independent music can be found at the aforementioned blog, I am going to name my own one-person survey of: The Top 10 Canadian Bands Who @#$!%ing Rock! (I shortened it in the post title because I couldn't fit in @#$!%ing - there's the story of my life right there ...) These folks are the 10-hardest rockin' outfits in Canada, with two disqualifications: I'm leaving out locals and ex-locals, because my homeboy bias would just leave me with nine local bands and Mississippi Grover- I'll save that list for another day. So here they are! (In no particular order - I just numbered them because it's easier than keeping track by counting on my fingers.) And yes, this is another lame excuse to hunt through my back catalogue.

1. White Cowbell Oklahoma: Some folks'll turn their nose up at a four-guitar boogie rock army of pretend Southerners. But then there's Andrew, the slack-jawed blogger.



2. Black Mountain: Perhaps "rock" is the wrong word for Black Mountain's fuzzed out melancholy drone, but listen to them long enough and you'll be too stoned to care.



3. Priestess: Montreal produces a bucketload of killer rock outfits; Priestess have killed every time I've seen them, be it as headliners at massive Babylon and Dominion shows, or opening for heavyweights like Motorhead at Capital Music Hall.



4. Hot Springs: The Springs may slide a lot more pop into their sound than the other folks on this list, but thanks to Giselle Webber's onstage antics and some loud guitars they're more than deserving.



5. Brutal Knights: Idiot savant lyrics and raging motorcore from these Teen Crud Combo and Hacksaw veterans.



6. Les Breastfeeders: I'm glad to hear these guys are coming back to Ottawa as part of the NAC's Quebec Scene show. When they played The Dominion with the mighty Le Nombre it was one of the hardest one-two rock'n'roll punches in memory. Three guitars (one of them weilded by the amazing Sunny Duval) and a dancing percussionist add up to a mighty mambo of garage destruction. Incidentally, those wondering why Le Nombre didn't make the list, I understand there have been lineup changes, so I shall reserve judgment until I witness the revamped band.



7. Tricky Woo: I've seen these guys in various permutations, and I think it's fair to say that the current lineup is the hardest (I won't say best, though it's certainly arguable).



8. C'mon: Would probably qualify just for Ian Blurton's beard and Katie Lynn Campbell's hair, but rock so much they'd be on this list even if they were completely bald.



9. Whitey Houston: Two guys and no guitars, so how do they qualify? Answer: Big fur hat.



10. Bloodshot Bill: Almost disqualified for just being one guy, but since he packs the hair grease of a 40-piece orchestra we'll allow it.



Well there you have it. I know I'm going to catch hell for not putting Bionic (never much liked 'em), Shikasta (too long since I've seen 'em to pretend to give an informed opinion), The Heelwalkers (ditto ... are they even still together?), The Subhumans (I'm lookin' at you, Ken!), The Illuminati (dang I forgot about them until now - too late!). Other folks I could have mentioned: sHeavy, Floating Widget, Deadly Snakes (yes, they've broken up, but that didn't stop me from naming The Golden Famile in my last Top 10), Aversions, Iron Giant, Diablo Red, The Sadies ... and on and on and on.