CKCU is still celebrating its 35th anniversary - this year's funding drive is coming up soon - and among the celebratory performances was a roundup of heavy rockers from Toronto (well South Ontario, anyway) at the Rainbow for an evening of "All That Is Heavy."
Gypsy Chief Goliath were the first band out of the gate.The sextet plays the heaviest of blues wrapping up Black Sabbath, a touch of Lynyrd Skynyrd and a really growly singer. They also have a harmonica player, which you don't see every day.
Gypsy Chief Goliath at The Rainbow, October 16, 2010
Electric Magma were up next, a sludgy, mostly instrumental trio, with a big debt to folks like Dozer, Fu Manchu and so on. The only hitch was that their smoke machine apparently overwhelmed the Rainbow's power system, bringing down the amplifiers mid-song. Fortunately everything else was still running and soon enough the show was back on the road.
Electric Magma at The Rainbow, October 16, 2010
Sons of Otis have been doing it lower and slower than a lot of people. It sems a bit weird that this was the first time they've played Ottawa, though an earlier band (just called Otis) apparently made the trip. They sounded just like their
Temple Ball heyday on stage. Unfortunately they too tangled with the smoke machine, with the same amp-zapping results.
Sons of Otis at The Rainbow, October 16, 2010
Blood Ceremony finished things off. I was thinking that Sons of Otis would have been the bigger draw, but plenty of folks stuck it out to the end. Also the speedier music helped me stay awake. Singer and flautist Alia was certainly looking snazzy in her fringed vest. The band definitely has that 1970s vibe going.
Blood Ceremony at The Rainbow, October 16, 2010
The only drawback to the evenings entertainment was all the amazing stuff going on elsewhere.
