Like father, like son

It's always a happy occasion when Denver, Colorado's pride and joy come through town. Yes, the good people of Ottawa are big fans of Slim Cessna's Auto Club and even the dog days of August and the call of the cottage can't keep a big crowd from showing up to sing along to the band's tales of Apocalypse and sin.

Usually when I see the Auto Club I manage to arrive to late to see their opening act (the exception was a couple of years ago at the Dominion, when I managed to arrive in time to see Dry River Caravan). No problem this time around, and a good thing too since The Sterling Sisters are a near-perfect opener. They have an excellent frontman in George Cessna - and boy does he look and sound like his Dad.This was also the accidental album release show for their debut Hale, since their vinyl was a bit delayed in transit.


Sterling Sisters at Babylon, August 3, 2013

He makes a great combination with bassist Scout Pare-Phillips, who's a talented singer and solo perform as well as a skilled photographer (just don't check her stuff out while at work).


Sterling Sisters at Babylon, August 3, 2013

Banjoist Andrew Haas and drummer Corey Hughes round out the group (they also have a steel player, but he had to skip the tour).


Sterling Sisters at Babylon, August 3, 2013

And now it's time for Slim and Co., testifying as usual!


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Babylon, August 3, 2013

Munly and Slim are the best duo since Ashford and Simpson.


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Babylon, August 3, 2013

On our left, Godfather of the Cleveland sound Robert Ferbrache and bassist Danny Pants.


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Babylon, August 3, 2013

Everybody wave!


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Babylon, August 3, 2013

As always, one of the best live bands ever.

A sense of unentitlement

At this point, Slim Cessna are one of those "needs no introduction" bands. Or they should be, since they've come through to play for "the good people of Ottawa," as Slim says, with considerable frequency. Son, on with the pictures!

I'm going to start off with a picture of their excellent new drummer setting things up, since in a while there's going to be bunch of lanky Coloradans obscuring my shot.



Here we go!



It's all about bromance with Slum and Munly.



Also, Jesus! (And the Rev. Dwight Pentecost.)



Munly sings!



Standup action!



Hallelujah!



Laying on of hands action!



Drumming action!



Dwight sings!



Singalong action!



More Munly!



Bonus Slim!



Fisheye action!



Banjo action!



Revelatory action!



More laying on of hands!



Oh, those two!



And so on!



And now a bit of flash photography!



Singalong action!



More drumming!



Things seem quiet around the Club right now, but I expect they'll be back soon enough ...

Through thick and thin

About 10 years ago Jon Westhaver and Dave Aardvark brought Slim Cessna's Auto Club to town, and ever since they've been about as close to being a local musical institution as you can get without actually being from here. They've drawn a sellout crowd for the shows I've seen at Babylon and The Dominion. They've already sold out tonight's show, barring a dozen tickets at the door.

Dry River Caravan, who play a Eastern European folk style sound, a la Beirut, on accordion, clarinet, bouzouki, trumpet and standup bass. I recognize bassist Dan Grewal from The Dusty Drifters, the rest of the folks I don't know. Bouzouki player Matt Smith definitely gets points for enthusiasm. He was so enthusiastic he accidentally unplugged himself a couple of times.


Dry River Caravan at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

And here's accordionist John Cockburn, clarinetist Robin Meyer-MacLeod and a mystery trumpeter Craig Pedersen, who due to late-night brain cramp I did not recognize from his gig with Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers. Drummer Liam Smith rounds out the combo.


Dry River Caravan at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

As for Slim and company, they put on their usual killer set. They had a super new drummer for this show, alongside the familiar faces. Rev. Pentecost was really working the feedback this time around.


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

More fuzz!


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

Want tickets for their show tonight with The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol? Good luck!

• Show reminder: the Nummies, the Donner Party, Knives and Forks for Freedom, The Chest Hair Eagles and The Mudplots' Thomas White play Cafe Dekcuf; Currents, Jet Black and Milanku are at the Avant-Garde Bar; Hey Ocean!, Whale Tooth and Loon Choir perform at Ritual; Sheezer and Camp Radio rock Zaphod's; Wicked Grin and DoubleDouble serve it up at the Rainbow; Irene's hosts Kelly Prescott and Lou Canon.

In the club

Last time Slim Cessna's Auto Club rolled through town I headlined the post 'The drought is over' - it had been too darn long since one of this city's favourite bands had played. If only I'd known it would be more than four years before I'd have another chance, and only then because I got a ride home from work and managed to sneak in for the last few songs.

Slim! Munly! It's been too long!



Danny Pants double-bass action!



Steel-and-keyboard man Bob Ferbrache is also a Denver music engineer with a long pedigree.



Sometime a man must stand on the monitor.



Munly sings!



The Rev. Dwight Pentecost with his trademark velvet doubleneck and pointy mustache.



More bass!



It's all about the hugs.



Nice buckle.



Whispering action!



Preach it!



Let us pray ...



Go to the light Munly!



Twelve-string action!



I's a fact - all Slim Cessna shows include pointing.



More hugging!



Get down to get up.



And that's it, barring some crowd-surfing I wasn't able to capture. I'm sincerely hoping it's not another four years before they come back.

• Show reminder: I can tell it's not a school night because Monday I Retire, Become the Sun, Stedfast, and Sonarctic are at the Live Lounge; Adrynaline Rush, Special Ops and 1993 rock Mavericks; The Super Awesome Club is at Irene's; the Elmdale hosts Crush Luther with openers The Danger Bees and First To Three; The Girlfriends and Liquor Store are at the Dominion.