Something wicked this way comes

Here's a short little post about a Nov. 20 show featuring Bell Witch and Mono. Mono prefers not to be photographed, so here's some shots of Seattle's witchiest duo. I saw them back in 2018 opening for Yob at Mavericks, and they were just as good now as then. Here's bassist Dylan!



And so on!



Percussive action with Jesse!



More Dylan!



The whole lot!



Super stuff, as was Mono.

Return to Mono

Almost exactly nine years ago heavy instrumentalists Pelican rolled through town and played a set at Barrymore's. Also on the bill, slightly less volume-centric Japanese combo Mono. They put on quite a good show then, and nine years later I dare say they sounded even better at Ritual. I wasn't sure how many people they'd attract to a Monday night show in Ottawa, but the turnout was really good. For this show, Holly Hunt provided the loud - and in a generous dose, too. Well, what do you expect from a band with roots in Floor and Cavity? Here's percussionist Beatriz Monteavaro.



And guitarist Gavin Perry, with his Hi-wattage.



Beatriz hits!



Feedback action!



Bonus Beatriz!



The whole lot!



More Gavin!



Unfortunately Gavin's 100-watt head expired, leaving him with a mere 200.



Mono certainly manage to move around a bit considering three-quarters of the membership spends most of the time sitting down. They have a real knack for dynamics and everything sounded really sharp. Here's mainman Taka Goto and drummer Yasunori.



And here's the other half, guitarist Yoda and bassist/pianist Tamaki..



Yasunori hits!



Sorry, no good Yoda photos this time around.



Singular action!



Hair-swinging action!



And so on!



Tamaki takes a spin on the piano. I suppose this shot of Yoda's not too shabby either.



Gong action!



The whole lot!



Crescendo action!



Floor time!



Then I headed back to the bar so I didn't have to hear the entire set while my hair was being playfully tousled by the speaker stack stage left.

The One

Okay, next time I want to catch all three acts on the bill at Barrymore's, I'm heading over at 9 p.m. - last Friday I only managed to catch the last few moments of Mare: A heavenly choir, some guitar grind and they're off with a polite farewell. Up next, Japan's Mono. They aren't my go-to band for instrumental music - I like Shalabi Effect and the other G!YBE folks, Acid Mothers Temple when they're freaking out, Tortoise and Mogwai. Where Mono really shine is in blending instrumental music from across the spectrum. To my ears they're a little less than the sum of their parts, but it's quite apparent from the post-show commentary that I'm in a minority of one.

Ringleader Takaakira "Taka" Goto.





Yoda on guitar, this is.



Drummer Yasunori Takada.



Bassist and guitarist Tamaki.



Heads down all 'round.







Singular action!











A brief interlude on the keys.





My taste aside, I can't deny it was a fabulous set. Great stage performers this lot are too.

• Show reminder: Sister Suvi (featuring Patrick Gregoire from Islands) and Soft Disaster play End Hits. Trevor Alguire performs at the Bayou for his CD release show.
  

One and more

I got to Barrymore's at 9:40 and still didn't make it in time to see Mare's set. I'm all for early show times, but dang, that's crazy early! At least I saw all of Pelican and Mono's sets. I like Mono, but I confess that I prefer the bands that seem to influence them more: Mogwai, Tortoise, Godspeed! You Black Emperor and such.



Pelican were of course heavier, and less about the dichotomy of loud and soft.



Not as loud as I predicted, but still pretty damn loud. When I post a more in-depth account you may expect prodigious hair-shaking.