Electric evenings

With House of Targ's Switched On Synths nights being such a hit, it was almost past time for a full-blown Switched On Synths Festival. I only attended one night (I had a busy week), and checked out the Thursday, with sets from Hard Science, Leucrocuta, Vanity Phase. I arrived a bit late for Arturo's set, and Leucrocuta was performing when I walked in, on a very dark and smokey stage.



Keyboard action!



Smokey action!



And so on!



Vanity Phase played next. This is Andy from Century Palm and Zebrassieres (and other bands) new musical outlet. Here he is, dressed just right for the 1980s!



Moogy action!



Adjusting action!



Cable-testing action!



Fist-pumping action!



I first caught Daniel of Moon King when he was performing as one-fourth of Spiral Beach at Mavericks. His Moon King outfit always seems to have a different lineup, this time around he was accompanied by a drummer. Here's Daniel!



Percussive action!



Gesticulating action!



Kingly action!



And that's it! Another festival to put on the schedule for 2019!

Spiralling outward

I was a big fan of Toronto's Spiral Beach back in the day, and I've been just as impressed by the various offshoots (Doldrums and Moon King). Last time I saw Moon King was at Ritual, opening for Holy Fuck. I was quite interested to see how things would go in the somewhat smaller stage at Pressed. Locals Baberaham Lincoln kicked things off. Here's Jenna, Hillary and Cory.



Jenna sings!



I left my camera plugged in the night before and drained the battery, so I resorted to my iPhone for a few shots.



Extra Hillary!



Extra Jenna!



Even more Hillary!



Slow-motion action (at least if you click through to Flickr)!



Moon King busted out their own floor-lights for this gig. Much appreciated! Here's Daniel!



Head-shaking action with Maddy!



Percussive action!



Extra Maddy!



Shouty action!



Extra percussion!



Singalong action!



Even more Maddy!



Crowded action!

Hello, moon

The first time I laid eyes on Daniel Woodhead and Maddy Wylde, they were performing in gleeful fuzz-pop combo Spiral Beach. They put on quite a show at Mavericks back in February of 2006, but sadly did not launch into the indie stratosphere - I think they may have come along a year or three too early. Daniel and Maddy now form the core of Moon King, and though they were a somewhat odd opener for Fucked Up, I thought they did a great job.

Daniel gets a grip.



Maddy prepares to amplify.



I believe this is the performer also known as Sexy Merlin.



Daniel shakes it!



Sorry, I didn't get the name of their keyboardist.



More Maddy!



Daniel takes a stand.



Lunar action!



They're embarking on a big North American tour with Magickal Cloudz in August and September.

Up with people

I went off to Ritual last night to check out a trio of Toronto bands who dared to tour the Great White North (or at least a small part of it) in winter and local rockers Crusades. I've had a hankering to see Fucked Up, but work kept me away from their three previous shows in town. No such problem this time around, so it was of to Ritual for some rock and the most miserly glass of soda pop I've ever seen!

First up, S.H.I.T. The Toronto quintet were were the most traditionally punk band on offer, with some shouty vocals and hard-hitting drumwork.


S.H.I.T. at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Some more S.H.I.T.!


S.H.I.T. at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Crusades followed with a brisk set, great as always.


Crusades at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Emmanuel sings!


Crusades at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Moon King were a bit of an odd match for the other bands. It's the latest project from Spiral Beach's Daniel Woodhead, and also features the Beach's Maddy on guitar. Daniel 's voice makes me thinks of bands like The Television Personalities and Vaselines, but the group's sound has a lot more drive.

Daniel takes a stand!


Moon King at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Singalong action!


Moon King at Ritual, January 12, 2013

As soon as Fucked Up took the stage the crowd started to heave back and forth. Despite the usual posted proscriptions against crowdsurfing there was plenty of it.

Damian works the crowd!


Fucked Up at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Sandy sings!


Fucked Up at Ritual, January 12, 2013

Damian goes surfing!


Fucked Up at Ritual, January 12, 2013

A fine show from all parties!