Road trip

Circumstances forced me to miss last night's Metz show at Babylon, so it's back in time we go tour previously interrupted programming for Two Hours Traffic. They had a good audience for this Spetember gig, but nothing compared to the (for Zaphod's) huge turnout at their more recent performance. This was my first chance to see them and I was quite impressed.

Liam Corocoran works the microphone; new bassist Nathan Gill is at right.



Derek Ellis hits!



Extra Nathan!



Hourly action!



Liam sings! Guitarist (and former bassist) Andrew MacDonald is at left.



Extra Derek!



Downstroking action!



The end!



They're still touring behind their new album, Foolish Blood, out west.

Traffic both ways

Off to Zaphod's for some very sharp pop sounds, courtesy of Two Hours Traffic. They're on tour with Regina combo Rah Rah. Both bands have of course dropped in at Canadian Music Week, but it's more of a waystop than the reason for being in the vicinity.

 First up, Rah Rah played a knockout set, even though the Regina sextet is down a man. They apparently get compared to Arcade Fire quite a bit. They certainly remind me of Ottawa's own Jetplanes of Abraham.


Rah Rah at Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 23, 2013

There was quite a bit of instrument switching going on; Erin Passmore, the lady at right, started on drums, moved to guitar, then spent some time playing that keyboard thing she's holding in the snap below.


Rah Rah at Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 23, 2013
 
Two Hours Traffic were in town back in September - I haven't even had the chance to post more photos from then. In the interim they've released another new batch of recordings, Foolish Blood. Songs old and new alike were sounding really hot, and there was a big crowd on hand to enjoy them as well.


Two Hours Traffic at Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 2013, 2013

Fretful action!


Two Hours Traffic at Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 2013, 2013

They're both headed out west for further dates.

Two and two

I went over to Zaphod's on Wednesday to check out Great Bloomers and Two Hours Traffic. The latter have a new EP out which apparently presages a more rocking direction for the recently revamped quartet. The former I've seen before, also at Zaphod's, ran through a pretty hot set of pop with a rootsy twist. They had just started up as I walked in the front door.

It's been three years since I saw them, give or take a month, and they haven't changed much at all - at least not soundwise, their lineup has undergone some permutations. Lowell and Co., like THT, have a new release out, Distant Fires.


Great Bloomers at Zaphod Beblebrox, Sept. 26, 2012

Adrian Cook works the keys.


Great Bloomers at Zaphod Beblebrox, Sept. 26, 2012

Two Hours Traffic were really sharp, backing up super pop hooks with an energetic performance. I'm also always keen for a Nick Lowe tune: They covered Raging Eyes.


Two Hours Traffic at Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sept. 26, 2012

Guitarist Andrew MacDonald has recently shifted over from bass.


Two Hours Traffic at Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sept. 26, 2012

They also had a very enthusiastic crowd who were happy to shout out requests and sing along.