Sweet deal

There was a lot of super music at Bar Robo a week ago. The bill was headlined by Bonnie Doon and included Haligonians Vulva Culture, as well as new acts Protruders and Phern. You may recognize the Protruders as the latest iteration of Joe Charmondy's Kappa Chow, plus bassist Jarrett has played here with Tough Age. Here's some guitar action with Joe!



Rhythm section action!



Thous shalt not park!



More Joe!



The whole lot!



More bass!



Singalong action!



On to Phern, who got all gussied up for their set of avant-garde minimalist soft-pop. They have a new album out, Cool Coma. Helene from Moss Lime is in the band, along with veterans of sundry other Montreal combos. Here's some Danelectro action with Mike!



Singalong action with Helene and Sarah!



More Sarah!



Christian hits!



Bass action with Ben!



More Mike and Helene!



Extra Sarah!



Even more Helene!



Even more Christian!



Vulva Culture played a lovely set; they seemed a bit more low-key than when I saw them perform at Gabba Hey. Here's Amy, Hannah, Bianca and Kayla!



Bass action with Hannah!



Kayla frets!



Bianca hits!



Extra Amy and Hannah!



Instrument-switching action!!



And so on!



On to Bonnie Doon, who kicked things up with their patented post-surf-punk. Here's Lesley and Sara!



Double-action with Madison!



Keltie hits!



Guest saxophone action with Mara!



All this and birthday cake for Keltie as well!



Fantastic stuff all around

Creep cults

Halifax certainly has been sending a lot of good bands to Ottawa this winter - perhaps they're trying to escape the East Coast snowfall. Tuesday night it was Mauno and Vulva Culture bringing their fuzzy and poppy sounds to Mugshots as part of their Rolling In The Creep tour, along with locals Baberaham Lincoln.

Baberaham Lincoln were first up. Unfortunately, guitarist Jenna's gear was nicked earlierr in the week, so she was playingon a borrowed guitar.



Jenna sings!



More guitar!



Percussive action!



Extra Jenna!



And so on!



Vulva Culture make me think of My Bloody Valentine, Mazzy Star and other bands I listened to when I was at college (the first time, that is). Here's Amy, Bianca, Evan and Kayla (regulation bassist Hannah had to stay in Nova Scotia)!



Kayla prepares to step on a pedal.



Amy sings!



Bianca hits!



Evan also drums in Mauno.



Yep, it's a bit dark in Mugshots for flashless photography.



More Bianca!



More Kayla and Evan!



Cultural action!



Guitar action!



Mauno played a very heavy set; in addition to his bass duties in Vulva Culture, Evan is also a monster drummer. Nick Everett has played under his own name and in Burdon, and bassist Eliza Niemi has kept busy out East as well. As Mauno they've been compared to Grizzly Bear, which I can hear, but I can't recall Grizzly Bear being as loud or propulsive when I saw them at Barrymore's eons ago.



Nick sings!



Evan hits!



Nick frets!



Eliza rocks the plaid.



The shouty bit!



Singalong action!



Candlelit action!



Eliza sings, takes a turn on guitar.



Great sets, and a good crowd for a chilly Tuesday.