In-store shows at Vertigo Records are something of an Ottawa Explosion tradition, but Saturday's was the first time I'd made squeezing in part of my schedule. Emmanuel had already announced that the surprise guests were Benny The Jet Rodriguez, so that was all the more inducement to go and check it out. First on the floor were Poor Form, who made the trip all the way from Vancouver. Guitarist Adam also serves in Needles//Pins. Here's guitarist Legs.
James hits!
Punk-pop action!
Legs sings!
Adam shouts, James bends!
Extra Adam!
More James!
The whole fish-eyed lot!
A good crowd, inside and out.
San Pedro
Sandlot aficionados Benny The Jet Rodriguez carried on the pop-punking, with Lauren and Todd making a repeat appearance from Underground Railroad to Candyland's set.
Lauren sings!
Todd works the keys!
Also on hand, Joey, Tanner and somebody else.
Tanner and Joey work the crowd.
Outside-looking-in action!
Percussive action!
Head-to-head action!
It was all West Coast combos for this in-store: Vancouver's Nervous Talk finished the evening off with some tasty power-pop.
You may recognize Joel Butler from that Moby Dicks gig at the Legion in August 2011 with M.O.T.O. and Needles//Pins.
Fretful action with Todd!
Percussive action with Trevor!
Extra Joel!
Bass action with Shane! Shane's also making a repeat appearance on the blog; he was in Hot Blood Bombers when they played the Rock'N'Roll Pizza Party during its brief stint at the Royal Oak.
Now with more fisheye!
Overhead action!
Then it was back home to grab a bite to eat ... almost ... there was of course time to return to the SAW Gallery to catch some not-quite secret reunion action from Statues.
Mitch sings!
Jeff hits!
Rob strums a bit!
Then it really was time to split.
