Turn up

Things have been going pretty well at school so I had no worries about toddling over to Cafe DeKcuf last night for some fuzz, feedback and overdrive courtesy of local bands Kings Quest and Shahman and Montreal tourists No Joy. If you were a fan of My Bloody Valentine, it was definitely the place to be.

Shahman were on first, and played a great set - the brothers Johnson have an excellent grasp on dynamics.


Shahman at Cafe DeKcuf, September 13, 2013

They recruited frequent show-goer and dancer Jordan to show off his moves on stage; a great addition to the spectacle.


Shahman at Cafe DeKcuf, September 13, 2013

When I saw Kings Quest at Pressed earlier this year, I thought the sound was a bit off. Things were hanging together much better at this gig for their jangly mid-1980s Brit shoegaze rock sound.


Kings Quest at Cafe DeKcuf, September 13, 2103

Whole lotta rhythm!



No Joy really tore through their set, which really but me in mind of MBV and other feedback classicists.


No Joy at Cafe DeKcuf, September 13, 2013

Sparkly guitar action! I have a sneaking suspicion that's the J. Mascis signature model ....


No Joy at Cafe DeKcuf, September 13, 2013

Then it was home to bed, since 11:30 is way past my bedtime ...

With the spirits

For the final set of the night, Shahman knocked out a killer set of quiet-loud fuzz. Identical twins Rob and Peter Johnson have been getting raves around town for their lives ests and 7-inches, and it's easy to hear why.

Large amps, small basement.



Drumming action!



Then I decides to start messing with the shutter speed.



Feedback action!



Fisheye action!



And so on!



The whole lot!



The shouty bit!



Bending action!



Overhead action!



They play again at 337 Lemoine in Vanier with Prawn and Calculator.

I heard something downstairs

AFter two nights of rocking at ritual, Sunday brought me to a somewhat smaller venue: The basement at 443 Kent St. The roomies change, but the house shows go on! The official reason for this three-band get together was the release of Shahman's latest 7-inch record. It's been more than two years since I saw a show there (it was The Girlfriends and Vincat in January 2010, to be precise)

First up, Montrealers The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch. Screamy post-punk done right. I thought I was going to get away without using any flash, but then they turned the light off.


The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

It's a bit close-quarters down there in the basement!


The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

Next up Bandera, who brought a real churning noise to the room.


Bandera at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

Singalong action!
 

Bandera at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

Finally, Shahman, who introduced some loud-quite dynamics and a giant heap of amplification. They'll be playing May 16 at Cafe DeKcuf with Isosceles Project, and at the Ottawa Explosion.


Shahman at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

And now for some shutter-speed abuse.


Shahman at 443 Kent, May 6, 2012

It all ended with a round of Happy Birthday for the twins.