Up your alley

No time for picture fixing right now, so here's an ancient picture of Magneta Lane's Lexi contemplating her Stratocaster on March 24, 2005 at Zaphod Beeblebrox to hang a show reminder or two on. It's so old there isn't even a larger version to go with it. I haven't heard much of them lately, so I'm a bit surprised to hear they're still together and playing the Horseshoe in Toronto January 22.



Speaking of Zaphod's, Harvey Cartel and The Rough Sea perform there tonight. The Robert Farrell Band are performing at the Elmdale House.

Magneta attraction

Damn, I had forgotten what a thundering rhythm section Magneta Lane had! Between drummer Nadia King and bassist French it's like having a melodic bomb dropped on your noggin. Singer Lexi Valentine wraps everything up with her downstroke guitar and sultry singing. This show was to promote their brand new CD, Dancing With Daggers - and raise some cash to repair their van.

Lexi Valentine sends her love to the audience.



French, nonchalant as usual.



Nadia was looking particularly fabulous.



A few more Lexi shots.





Shutter speed action (which looks much nicer at twice the regular size).



All together.



For their encore they brought up a couple of guys to dance along ("and molest" I think I heard one of them say ... tsk, tsk!).



They ripped through their set - "because we're all hyperactive" Lexi explained - and as before it was a very fine thing.

• Show reminder: If you're a fan of folk, country and its offshoots you'll want to be in three places tonight: Casey Comeau and The Wilderness Club and Sandy play Zaphod's; Cuff the Duke and The Old Soul play Barrymore's; and The John Henrys play Irene's with The Empiricals. Also on tonight, For The Mathematics, The Love Machine, Dear Judah, 11 Minutes Away, ATFR and Beautiful Nothing play Cafe Dekcuf, while The Sweet Janes hold a release party at Club SAW for their new EP, accompanied by The Sick Fits, Sewer Rats and The Revoltz.

Lovers' Lane

Magneta Lane played Zaphod's on March 24 and were just as good as the hipster grapevine said they were. The Mark Inside were supposed to open but were snagged by Velvet Revolver for three dates on their tour and consequently were at the Corel Centre the night before.

Lexi Valentine on guitar and sultry vocals, a bit like Debby Harry.



Nadia on kick-pedal demolishing drums; fortunately an audience member fixed it so the show could continue.



French on bass. She had a strong downpicking style which really complemented Nadia's drumming.



More Lexi and French.



French and Nadia do make an awesome rhythm section.



Kinks and Velvet Underground simplicity with some girl pop touches (of the These Boots Are Made For Walking variety - no whining from this trio) make an excellent combination. Their six-song EP Constant Lover is also all killer and no filler.