Out in daylight

After catching a good chunk of Ohbijou I cut through the main area, pausing to see a couple of average numbers from Joel Plaskett, then moved on to the River Stage where Shout Out Out Out Out were getting ready to perform. I've seen them once before at Zaphod's when they put on a really lively show. They didn't bring their letters with them (not as usable during daylight, anyway), but there was the usual energetic bouncing about from Nik 7 and Co.

It's only a matter of time before they put out the Shout Out Out Out Out exercise tape. That's Jamie Wolfson at right.



Nob twiddling action with a hatless Whitey Houston and Nik.





Jaycie Jayce - right - points something out.



Microphone twirling action!



Cowbell action!



Snarf lifts!



Whitey towers!





They're definitely a band best appreciated live.

Where'd they go?

There were a few good options for an evening's entertainment last night, but when it came time to head out the door I went downtown to Club SAW to see a show put on by i(heart)music featuring a couple of bands I hadn't seen before: The Rural Alberta Advantage and Capital Grass and The No Men. Ottawa's own Sarah Hallman provided the icing on the cake.

Readers with sharp memories may recall me wondering in print whatever happened to the 50% of the Four Frames not in Boom Creek, the Coulis brothers. They're now two-thirds of Capital Grass and The No Men, at least for this engagement. Matt Gower is the chap on banjo and vocals.



After viewing my pictures of CG&NM I decided to tinker with my camera's white balance, sucking out most of the yellow. I think you'll agree this photo of Sarah and Brian Simms is something of an improvement ...



Finally, here is two-thirds of the Rural Alberta Advantage; drummer Paul Banwatt is off to the left, but can also be seen behind the kit in my pictures from an early Club SAW show as 50% of Woodhands (who are returning to the area at the Black Sheep Inn Aug. 24, by the way).



This was an excellent show from all three bands. I thought Hallman's performance was particularly fine.

At the bijou

Ever since Broken Social Scene broke big, it seems that multi-membered bands have been popping up left and right. I guess that's due to either a growing acceptance of deviation from the standard singer/drummer/guitarist/bassist band lineup, or an increasing willingness for seven musicians to be stuffed in a van for a cross-country tour. One of those bands is Ohbijou. They're one of those bands that cruises through town a couple of times a year, usually performing in the company of The Acorn. Once again Bluesfest provided an opportunity to connect the dots.

Casey Mecija rocks the Tele.



Ryan Carley on keys.



Every band these days has a melodica. When not tooting, James Bunton handles the drums.



Andrew Kinoshita on mandolin.



Anissa Hart chills on cello.



Heather Kirby also handles the bass.



Casey's sister Jennifer.



Ohbijou action!



Those indie bands - so serious.



And not so serious.



They were pleasant, but not particularly gripping. I'd like to see them again in more intimate surroundings.

Dance dance revolution

As I mentioned earlier, I met a coworker at Spiral Beach and we decided to go watch Ukrainia. Last time I saw them was September 2006 for their CD release show. I got there in time for the end and a lot of crazy audience dancing. Same thing this time.

Dave rocks the shades.



Tom models the stripes.



Singalong action!



Running Yogi action! Damian looks a little alarmed.



And some plain old Ukrainian action.



Then they went off to the CD tent to do the autograph thing. I bet Tom is writing something embarrassing.



After the show my coworker revealed to me that they are not actually from Ukraine. Shocking.

• Show reminder: Dead Bush, Squelchbox and Cash Bubbles perform at 59 Argyle Ave; Maximum R'n'R, The Setbacks and Garaga rock out at Irene's; Ten Second Epic, Attack In Black and Walter Schreifels get punky at Cafe Dekcuf; The Soft Disaster's Tim Brownlee, and The Soiree's Bryce Colenbrander perform at Aunt Olive's (on Gilmour between Metcalfe and Elgin). The Rural Alberta Advantage, Sarah Hallman and Capital Grass and the No Men perform at Club SAW; The Parkas, Ben Gunning and Andrew Vincent perform at Zaphod's.
  

The Beach is back

I was wowed in every way by Spiral Beach when I saw them at Mavericks more than a year ago. They've been back to Ottawa a couple of times since then but - alas! - I've been busy on every occasion. Fortunately they snagged a spot at Bluesfest - earlier than I think they deserve, but those are the breaks. Once again stuff broke and they put on a great show.

Airick's hair colour has taken a surprising turn for the blond.



Brother Daniel multitasks on percussion.



Some smoking bass from Dorian.



Maddy appears to have borrowed some of Airick's peroxide.



Standup drumming action!



Rhythm section action!



Singalong - dare I say shoutalong? - action!



A bit more of that.



I just knew that one of those safety cones was going to end up on someone's head.



Spiral Beach are coming to get you!



Maddy rocks the Danelectro and recommends you not do that, mister.



The whole lot!



What can I say, I love those crazy kids. Various Beach boys and girls could be seen catching sundry acts throughout the week. They also got turfed from the side-stage seating at the Gogol Bordello performance. They're finished their new CD - it's called Ball (not Bomb, as someone announced earlier).

• Show reminder: Immaculate Machine, The Allrights and Sadie Hell perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox.

Busy busy busy

Day 4 of Bluesfest turned out a bit like my Friday - lots of running around (or back and forth) starting with a set from Ottawa's own F!ghtF!ghtF!ght at the River Stage.











They've got a bunch of shows lined up, two here in Ottawa. The first is Aug. 13 at End Hits, the second at Zaphod's Aug. 26. I confess I only stayed for a few songs. I arrived a bit late then ran off to watch Spiral Beach.

There and back again

So, the Marxists threw a great big tour kickoff party, a bunch of people wished them farewell, and westward they went. They all made it back in one piece, which I guess is excuse enough for another show. They were sounding pretty tight too.

Singalong action! Someone get Davey a microphone!



Steve rocks.



Davey shows off the band's tour proceeds. Actually, he lost a pick and this coin was offered up as a possible replacement. What, no ZZ Top cover?!?



Johnny O. sings.



Tim twists 'n' drums.



Rock stance action!





Don't look back!



Davey works the crowd.



Luke makes off with the hat of Grady Finch - once of the late great Sweet Janes, now fronting the Holy Cobras. Grady, that is, not the hat.



I thought the singer was supposed to loop the microphone cord around his own neck, but this was probably safer. For Luke, anyway.



After this show they once again piled into the van for some Ontario and Quebec dates.