The bell is back

After my Birdman Sound outing I chilled at home for an hour, then headed to the House of Targ for some serious rock'n'roll action with Southern sleazoids White Cowbell Oklahoma. Their Barrymore's shows of a decade ago still stand as some of the wildest and most entertaining in my memory, and I was eager to see what kind of shenanigans they've been up to lately. Local misbehavers In Heat and Hot Snake Handlers were rightly tapped to open things up; here's some standup action with Timmy Jayof the Handlers (who will also be playing the the Black & Bluegrass Festival this weekend)!



Tom hits!



Greg sings!



Jason frets!



More standup bass1



More Greg and Tmiiy!



Extra Jason and Tom!



In Heat have certainly been keeping busy lately; I've seen them rock for Lemmy and CanCon in addition to this gig (they also released a new album this spring). Here's Joady going for maximum height with both mohawk and leopard-print pumps.



A shouty bit with Tony!



Singalong action!



Bass action with Greg!



Guitar action with Brent!



More Lexxi!



Percussive action!



White Cowbell Oklahoma have been through a few lineup changes in the decade since I saw them (come to think of it, they had lineup changes even back then), and the only guy I recognized from those lineups was lead guitarist and singer Clem.



Another familiar face: John from Mokomokai.



Percussive action!



More Cowbell!



Singalong action!



Even more percussion!



Extra Johnny!



Telecaster action!



Even more percussive action!



Gripping action!



Angle-grinding action!



Bass action!



Even more guitar!



Beer-drinking action!



Always fun!

Bears and bells

I've been trolling through old photos, and have decided to dump a few larger sets into my Flickr pool. Now you too can marvel at the off-centre and out-of-focus! The photos come from Barrymore's, and feature Grizzly Bear and The Dirty Projectors.


Grizzly Bear, Barrymore's, February 5, 2007

There are also some new old White Cowbell Oklahoma photos. Some of them best viewed at home rather than work, if you know what I mean.


White Cowbell Oklahoma, February 24, 2007

As it happens, Cowbell will be back in town October 29 at Mavericks.

Balls of the 'Bell

Subtlety ... restraint ... good taste. These are all things you will not risk overexposure too at a White Cowbell Oklahoma show. They have a new CD out - Casa Diablo, I don't like it as much as their first, but it has a few good moments - and came to Ottawa to expose a good-sized and rambunctious audience to the many pleasures of whatever the heck it is they do. So here you go!

As is his fashion, the sheriff done warns us of these ne'er-do-wells proclivities.



It didn't take long for the ladies to get on stage.



Cowbell action!



I was sure I took some decent photos of Jessup H. Christ, but this was the only one that turned out remotely decent. Did I say decent? I meant "in focus."



No WCO shoot is complete without a jump'n Cousin.



They had some trouble starting up Chainsaw Charlie's chainsaw, but when they did it was adios to various paper products.





The whole lot!



Bubba gets to sing one.



The Sarge does enjoy his stints on bass, doesn't he?



Mo' Bubba.



Doubleneck action from Hollis!



"How does Clem keep his suits so white?"



Let me hear you holler!



Many people find Clem's guitar work most satisfying.



Like wise for Hollis.



They're just good friends.



Big finish!



Unfortunately I failed to adequately capture keyboardist Jess Lactater or their new drummer, Dingo Von Devereaux. As I always say ... next time!

Breast in show

It wasn't easy choosing where to go this Saturday, but in the end I plumped for White Cowbell Oklahoma - I'll just have to catch up with the other folks at a later date. The Fucking Machines opened things up with a typically punchy set of old school hardcore. Not sure how well they went over with the audience, but I liked 'em.

Unfortunately my pictures turned out kind of cruddy.



Things were better with White Cowbell Oklahoma - they turned the lights up to grill.



As usually they were a show and a half - plus titties, to use Scott Terry's term.

• Show reminder: Stop Die Resuscitate, Syntonics and Jokers of the Scene perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox; Shotdown Stars and Darker Red play at End Hits.