Prodigal sons

Back in July I went to the House of Targ to check out C'mon frontman Ian Blurton's new band, Public Animal, and was duly blown away. When I heard they were returning to town for a show at the Dominion Tavern I naturally decided to go see them again, along with local lights Big Dick and Mass, a band with a bunch of local expats now stationed in Toronto.

Mass took the stage first. The band features local scene vets Mike Laderoute (Robot Kill City, Van Johnson) and Steve Lam (Black Actors). Here he is at right, with bassist Mark.



Ex-Black Actor Steve Lam and Andrew Butko (of Disgruntled, Van Johnson and others - though the only time he's appeared on the blog has been playing guitar in Nick Gaetano's country combo).



Andrew hits!



Mark sings!



Mike sings!



Extra Steve!



Rhythm section action!



More Mike!



The whole lot!



A fine exhibition .. then it was on to some former bandmates, Big Dick ...

Choir goings on

There's something about country and folk music that seems to attract punk rockers. It's almost an inevitable evolution: One day it's a leather jacket and bullet belt, the next it's a western shirt. The Mekons may be the best known group to follow the route en masse; the same bug has obviously struck former Van Johnson members Nick Di Gaetano, Bill Greene and Andrew Butko. Their new outfit is Nick Di Gaetano and the Vespertine Choir, a.k.a. the O'Connor St. Vespertine Choir. They're joined by Sleeping Pilot/Army of Saint Joan/Embassies of Denmark's Pat Johnson and keyboardist Alexis Van Bernel. Their debut show at Babylon went off really well. Pretty good attendance too, for a Tuesday.

Di Gaetano goes Nudie.



In profile.



Butko and Van Bernel. Keyboards are obviously the way to go if you like a wide drink selection.



Pat prepares to deliver a double whammy.



Bill; scroll down a wee bit and you'll see him and Pat in Embassies of Denmark.



Choir action!







And altogether (and larger).



Definitely worth checking out. I'm not sure when the group's next show is, but you're sure to catch various members in their other projects sooner rather than later.

• Show reminder: In Sleeping Pilot, for example, which performs with The Grey and Crimson Mire at Zaphod Beeblebrox tonight. Kill Cheerleader, The Creeps, 8 Minute Veil and Krown play Mavericks. Upstairs, JerryCan, C.I.A., The Botched Suicides and The Knockoffs play Cafe DeKcuf.

Duty calls

I've just returned from the inaugural night of Babylon's A Civic Duty - Adam Solomanian and Nick Di Gaetano and the Vespertine Choir were the bill. I didn't take many pictures because my camera battery is in urgent need of recharging - indeed, it called it quits as I was transferring photos to my computer.

This time around, Adam played a short set and did not lose a bridge pin. He'll be opening for Akron/Family tonight.



Here's Alexis Van Bernel, Nick and Pat Johnston of the Choir.



The Choir made a live recording, so if you weren't there you may soon be able to hear some of their rootsy rock. Civic Duty promises live music on Tuesdays. The Mighty Eagle Band and Jesus Mullet play March 28, Black Actors and Embassies of Denmark play April 4 and The Banditas play April 11.