Half awake

Sunday doesn't usually draw a big crowd, but it was not a surprise to see Zaphod's dancefloor quite full as I walked in around 9 p.m. The Arkells had a good portion of the crowd at Barrymore's opening for Matt Mayes' last year in their corner, and many of them apparently decided to show for this gig as well - maybe they all have today off (unlike me).

The Waking Eyes had just started their set as I entered. I received a copy of their debut many years ago when I was writing reviews for the Ottawa Sun. I found the songwriting and musicianship quite capable, but thought it was neutered by a glossy production. Even live they're a very tight combo with a good ear for late 1960s- early 1970s pop. Think of The Move, or a more polished Dr. Dog. As you can see from guitarist Rusty's Manitoba tattoo, they're proud Winnipeggers and took time out to mock their skating trail's trumping of the Rideau Canal as the world's longest span of man-made ice, even though it's too skinny to play hockey on and too wide to put in your drink.


The Waking Eyes, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 15, 2009

I knew The Arkells would make a better impression in a smaller, sweatier club than they did at Barrymore's, and so it proved to be. Their chunky indie rock sound and vaguely leftist lyrics were a big hit with the audience.


The Arkells, , Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 15, 2009

They finished things off by inviting the members of The Waking Eyes back on stage for a rousing version of The Beatles' Don't Let Me Down. Then they probably headed off to the Elgin St. Diner to eat poutine.

• Show reminder: Just Like Before, Ben and Me and Bad Road play Zaphod's tonight. People You Know perform at The Rainbow.

Light and dark

Time to start clearing out my backlog ... here are a couple of pictures from Matt Ouimet's CD release show of opener Steve Durand. Neither are all that good.

Fuzzy Steve.



Fuzzy Steve, in colour.



Speaking of Zaphod's, if you're all recuperated from your Valentine's Day lovin' (or lonely drinking) you might want to head over and check out The Waking Eyes and The Arkells. Joe Taylor performs at The Rainbow - if you like classic rock in the 1970s L.A. style - Joe Walsh, say - it might be your thing.

Black love

Happy Valentine's Day! And what could be more romantic than taking in the sweet sounds of woo courtesy of Shanker and Romps, along with obsessive law turned into hostage-taking courtesy of Black Boot Trio at the Rainbow tonight? Personally I'm still thinking it over. Come to think of it, I'm working that night. Oh well.


Black Boot Trio, The Rainbow, April 15, 2005

Also treading the boards tonight are Kathleen Edwards and The Hunting Horns at Bronson Centre Theatre; The Castevets, Picked On, Vile Intent, Four Stroke, The Dirty Nuns and Harsh Supplement will be punking it up at 62 Bell St. N - just down the street from where I used to live. The Bible All Stars and The Cutmen will be celebrating Valentine's Day with odes to puppy love (it's a benefit show for the humane society) at the Elmdale Tavern. Lonesome Paul and Uncle Sean will be playing at Irene's.

Merciful Jesus

It was a night of familiar faces at Zaphod's last night, starting with openers The DeadZone. That's Nials Everett from Radiodazed on bass. He's obscuring your view of Mark McHale, also of Radiodazed on drums. They sound quite a bit like the Radiodazed I remember seeing and hearing back in July 2005. Jay Champagne handles guitar duties in the punky trio.


The Dead Zone, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

Jesus Mullet put on an awesomely heavy show. I thought they sounded a lot more thrashy - like High on Fire, say - than on previous occasions when they were closer to Kyuss territory. Judging from the ebb and flow of the audience turnout most of the folks there were one hand to see them. They were so darn fine I had to buy their year-old album Waiting For The Wagon.


Jesus Mullet, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

As anyone fortunate to have seen Shikasta live knows, they were one of the most powerful bands on the rock scene. The Mercy Now, Shikasta mainman Russell Fernandes' new band, is cut from similar cloth. Their pretty ferocious and remind me a lot of Starvin' Hungry. Once again I was inspired to buy their new CD.


The Mercy Now, Zaphod Beeblebrox, February 12, 2009

Unfortunately, they had to make way for the dancers after only a half-hour or so, leaving more than a few folks unhappy. "I now hate the human race" said Allrights drummer Jon. Oh well, they should be back up here someday ...

• Show reminder: Big Jeezus Truck are having a big 'ol CD release at The Rainbow. Toronto's The Donefors are having a CD release show at Irene's with Ember Swift cohort Lyndell Montgomery. The Hi Lo Trons and The White Wires play Babylon; Push Inc. plays the Elmdale with Sleepy Magic.

House of praise

There's some heavy sounds going down at Zaphod Beeblebrox tonight, with The Mercy Now, Jesus Mullet and Dead Zone. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing the Mullet since the show captured below at Mavericks in 2007, so I may just go out and catch that. For those who don't know, The Mercy Now features Russ Fernandes from Shikasta and Adam and Lee from White Van Speaker Scam.


Jesus Mullet, Mavericks, July 19, 2007

Speaking (or snapping) of Mavericks, tonight it hosts The Planet Smashers, The Dirty 30s and Gusto Fiasco. Upstairs at Cafe DeKcuf you can see Down In Ashes, The Audio Vengefuls and The Scarlett Fever. The Death of Apollo and The Urban Aesthetics are playing at Elmdale House.

Cottage industry

There I was wondering what I would be doing with my Monday evening when I noticed an e-mail in my inbox from Jon Bartlett of Kelp Records pointing out Chris Page was performing that evening at the Mercury Lounge - problem solved! The headliner for this show was Dutch funk musician Steye. What you may ask is a Dutch funk musician doing in Ottawa (what, you may also ask, is a funk musician doing in The Netherlands ...). As it happens, Dutch music producer Maarten Besseling created a musical foreign exchange dubbed In A Cabin With, with sends musicians to the far corners of the globe to collaborate with local musicians in recording an album. In this case Steye, Alvin Ronde, formerly of Zuco103, and producer Jesse Beuker were shipped off to Ottawa to enjoy our -30 C weather, skate on the Rideau Canal, blog a bit and head into the studio with Philippe Lafreniere and Zakari Frantz of The People Project and Souljazz Orchestra and select other folks. They're recording in Le Groupe Dance Lab's space in Arts Court, with everything rapping up today. This show was a chance to strut their stuff before the locals and show off what they've been working on.

First up, Chris Page. Chris previewed a few songs from his upcoming album on Kelp.


Chris Page, The Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

Jesse Dangerously looks a bit like a nutty English teacher (alternative job: Midwestern standup comedian) but lays down some amusing rhymes, one of which referenced both romantically troubled comic character Scott Pilgrim and being threated by seniors at a Buffy St. Marie show.


Jesse Dangerous, The Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

Before Steye took the stage he showed off some of his videos, which were pretty impressive considering he evidently did them on a shoestring budget. The one below featured someone smoking their own boogers. "I warn you, it's a bit disgusting," before letting it run.


'Bonehead' video, Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

He mentioned after taking the stage that he's a bit annoyed at discussing The Netherlands famously easy-going stand toward marijuana prohibition.


Steye, The Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

Here's a black and white wide-angle shot. Alvin Ronde, at left, is a hell of a guitarist, and his blistering solos drew some of the loudest audience whoops of the evening.


Alvin Ronde, Steye and Philippe Lafreniere, The Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

Kellylee Evans came up to sing some songs, including the People Project's People.


Kellylee Evans, Philippe Lafreniere, The Mercury Lounge, February 9, 2009

Jesse Beuker later kicked in some drumming, and the show finished off with Steye taking over the kit so Jesse Dangerously could rap to some live music. Steye and Jesse switched around for a bit - let's just say Steye's a better drummer than a rapper. It was quite a varied and successful evening, which was also being recorded for Dutch television.

Coffee nerves

Raw Sugar is a relatively new coffee shop at 692 Somerset Street (at Cambridge Avenue). It's hosting musical acts in addition to the usual drinks'n'treats. Early tonight Rolf Klausener of The Acorn is presenting Toronto combos Snowblink and Luxury Pond, the latter of which makes up a good part of the former. Hard rockers Wise, Young & King will be playing The Rainbow.


Shout Out Out Out Out, Zaphod Beeblebrox, October 23, 2007

In other news, Prairie dancepunks Shout Out Out Out Out will be making one of their frequent visits to Ottawa - this time they're playing Babylon, so I'm expecting a lot of audience interaction due to the low stage ....

Saturday night fever

Marie-Josee Houle has shown up frequently in this blog, performing as part of the Centrtown Music Club or, as below, with Glenn Nuotio. But she has her own solo project on the go, and has two fine records out under her own name. She's playing tonight at the Avant-Garde Bar with a full band.


Marie-Josee Houle, Club SAW, May 25, 2007

There's plenty of other stuff going on tonight. I've already mentioned Winter Gloves, who play Mavericks with The Weathermakers and Ruby Coast. Australian folkie Marta Pacek should appeal to fans of Jenn Grant and Rebekah Higgs - she plays Zaphod's tonight with Kris Ward. Hercules and Love Affair, released a hotly tipped electro album last year - they're at Babylon tonight with Jokers Of The Scene and DJ Bear Witness. Ryland Bouchard , the android formerly known as The Robot Ate Me will rock the house at 443 Kent St. with Emperor X and White Flash. Washboard Hank and Lonesome Paul perform at Irene's. Bluesman Scotty Doubt and his band hit the Rainbow.

Regular guys

Hollerado have conceived a brilliant (or crazy) plan to perform at seven different venues in Canada and the U.S. - and then they're going to do it again ... and again ... and again. So on Saturdays, they'll be at Montreal's Barfly, on Monday they're at T.T. the Bear's in Boston, Tuesdays they hit Piano's in New York City, Wednesday is set aside for the Pipeline Gas Bar in Lacolle, Que., Thursday they perform at Sneaky Dee's in Toronto and Friday - you guessed it! - they come to Ottawa's Cafe DeKcuf.


Hollerado, Bluesfest, July 7, 2008

Tonight's special guests are Poorfolk and Young Rival - should be a killer show. On February 13 it's Barnburner and Rough Sea, on the 20th it'll be an all-ages show with The Gales, and their final gig will be with the Black Names and Rough Seas.

• Show reminder: Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre and Giant Hand play Zaphod Beeblebrox; J'envoie, Ace Kinkaid and Kidstreet perform at Club SAW. Everlea, Lay Low Aim High, Killing For Friday and No More Hollywood rock Mavericks. Big Tobacco & The Pickers and Uncle Sean play the Elmdale House.

Keep it quiet

Matt Ouimet finished the night off with some folky pop. On his just-released new CD Silently Matt evinces a melancholy streak; live everything sounded more robust, with enthusiasm making up for an admitted shortage of practice.

Matt explained he invested a considerable sum fixing up his dad's old guitar - the repairs were less than successful, which is why he's wielding Steve Durand's Takamine.



Philip Shaw Bova and Sarah Hallman got rhythm.



Wayne Eagles once tried to teach me to play guitar ... well, I got all the major chords down.



Silent action!



At this point I decided that what was really required was a bunch of really, really grainy low-light photos.





Okay back to colour ... big finish!





You can next see Matt on stage - or at least a select corner of the Elmdale House's floor when he plays bass for Eric Vieweg's CD release February 20. Philip Shaw Bova can also be seen drumming for The Hi Lo Trons, when the perform with The White Wires at Babylon February 13.

• Show reminder: Marabou and Band in a Bag play the Elmdale House.

Your neck of the woods

Back to Zaphod's on January 29. I'm going to bypass my few remaining photos of Steve Durand for now and throw up some Meredith Luce pictures since she'll be on stage again this evening as part of the regular singer-songwriters' circle at the Elmdale Tavern.

Eric Vieweg adds some twangy stuff at right ... unfortunately Meredith's dress loses a lot in black and white.



Tim and Dean Watson, grainy rhythm duo.



Meredith sings!



Eric approaches the microphone.



Meredith sings intensely.



And in colour.



The floating head of Tim.



And so on.





I finally decided to switch my flash on ...



And switch back to colour.



That aforementioned singers-songwriters circle at the Elmdale also includes Trevor Alguire, Ray Harris and Lefty McRighty. She's off to Upper Jay, New York, for a date February 14, then plays a gig in Perth February 20 before coming home to open for Jim Bryson at the Irving Greenberg Theatre March 8.

• Show reminder: Tonk and The Honkys, The Last Night of Your Life and Lauren O'Reagan play Zaphod Beeblebrox. Flash Lightnin and the Sal Piamonte Band rock Mavericks.

Raise another glass

I've just returned from the inaugural Boozeday at Babylon. Not a bad turnout - two dozen or so people turned out for a hot set from Ukrainia. They played on the floor and cordoned off the dancefloor with some furniture for a cozier feel. Maybe it'll turn into something like The Aloha's live music nights used to be.



Tom Werbowetski said the event will be "Every Tuesday 'til we die!" I expect more folks will turn up as the buses roll again and the weather warms up.

Two steps from the booze

Babylon has decided to spice up its Tuesdays with a new alcohol-themed evening. Hey, it worked for pizza! Thus Boozedays is born. There's a musical component to the evening, and if you guessed it involved Ukrainia!, you guessed right - at least on the first night ... it's not clear whether future Boozedays will involve live music.


Ukrainia, Bluesfest, July 8, 2007

There's also going to be some DJing provided by Male Nurse and Gwen.

• Show reminder: Pop rules the roost at Zaphod Beeblebrox with Lights and We Are The Take. River City Junction perform at the Avant-Garde Bar.
  

Back in a flash

Yet another upcoming show, this one worth the attention of boogie-rock fans: Flash Lightnin, last seen passing through town on the coattails of Priestess November 11, will return to Mavericks February 4.



Local "Southern rocker" Sal Piamonte will be opening.

• Show reminder: Speaking of Mavericks, GOB and The Johnstones perform there tonight, along with The Prefect and To The Rescue. Sedatives and The Creeps will rock the basement at 52 Park Ave tonight - it's all connected to Standard Issue whether they like it or not; Trevor James and The Perfect Gentlemen and The Birthday Boys play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Sam Roberts Band and The Stills play the second of two sold out Bronson Centre shows. The Flaps play Irene's. Blues dude Terry Gillespie performs at the Elmdale.

Look busy

I've seen Matt Ouimet a few times playing drums for Sarah Hallman and once for Eric Vieweg, he's also got a resume boasting a dozen other names that should be familiar to anyone who follows the local music scene; he also plays bass and guitar and his dance card for the near future includes gigs with Jehan Khoorshed, Jack Pelletier, Inglewood Jack and of course Hallman. All that and he still finds time to do his own singer-songwriter thing.

First Steve Durand played a short but lovely set of acoustic folk-pop that put me in mind of Slowdive mainman Neil Halstead's solo work. The stage was a bit dark so this photo of him is extra-grainy.



I feel like I've seen Meredith Luce's name in show listings several times, although the first time she's shown up in my show listings was back in April 4, 2007 ... on a bill with hockey rockers The Zambonis, oddly enough. Her set reminded me a lot of Ron Sexsmith - something in her phrasing or her voice, I guess. She had Eric Vieweg on board playing some twangy guitar and fraternal rhythm section Dean and Tim Watson. There seem to be plenty of songs about snow and one parting shot at "OC Transpoo" ... "That may be the first time I've said 'poo' on stage," she noted.



Finally Matt did his thing. He was in a pretty good mood and there was obviously a lot of friendly faces in the crowd - he interrupted one song to say hi to one arrival. Sarah Hallman also plays bass in his band, while Phil Bova plays drums and noted local guitar teacher Wayne Eagles handles the six strings.



He started things off with a cover of The Beatles I Need You that he joked (well perhaps not) was the sound check. I'd classify his performance as rough but ready, cheerful and pretty entertaining.

• Show reminder: Politique, Relief Maps and Ennuie play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Sam Roberts and The Stills play the first of two sold-out shows at the Bronson Centre Theatre. Paul Fenton and Rattle Snakin' Daddy rattle the Rainbow. Luther Wright and The Wrongs and The Chislers play the Elmdale

The unstationary Arkells

If you're quite recovered from Hollerado's February 13 show at Cafe DeKcuf, you might want to head over to Zaphod's on the following Sunday - I'll give you the Saturday for free - and check out Hamilton rockers The Arkells. They put on a fun show at Barrymore's last year opening for Matt Mays and can only be better in the smaller venue. The Waking Eyes are also on board.


The Arkells, Barrymore's, November 5, 2008

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to sulk because Neko Case's tour for her new album isn't passing through Ottawa (unless you count the drive from Toronto to Montreal).

• Show reminder: Matt Ouimet releases his new CD at Zaphod's. Streetlight Manifesto, A Wilhelm Scream, The Swellers and The Stitch Up play Babylon (already sold out, I see); M. Mucci's and Jozef van Wissem play the Avant-Garde Bar. East of Gatineau perform at the Elmdale. They have a song called Honky Tonk a Baudelaire, which should be reccomendation enough.
  

Winter cycling

I just got the word that the other act on the bill with Black Boot Trio this Valentine's Day at The Rainbow is going to be Shanker and Romps. This means you can get pancakes with your murder ballad, or something like that. Either that, or the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse will be the Four Bicyclists of the Apocalypse.


Shanker and Romps, Irene's, November 7, 2008

But wait? That's not all! They're also performing at Irene's - just like in the photo above, with Mississippi Grover and The Von Drats on April 4. In other cheery news, Cannibal Corpse is going to be at Babylon with Neuraxis, The Faceless and Obscura April 22. That all clear?

Blanket coverage

No sooner do I post my highly abridged list of shows of interest then a new one comes down the pipe courtesy of Mark Mcintyre of Cold Coffee and Salty Boots. The artist occasionally known as Jake Heartbreak and his cohorts will be joined by The Fays and The Beach Blankets at the Clocktower Pub February 21.


The Beach Blankets, The Rocker Room, November 22, 2008.

I predict fun times. And even better I'm not working that night - unfortunately it's the same night as The Polymorphines, The Felines and Dany Laj and The Implosion at Babylon - isn't it always the way? As for this evening, Unearth, Emmure, Born of Osiris and Impending Doom bring a great weight to Babylon - unfortunately if you don't have a ticket your chances of getting in are between slim and none. Kevin Bartman is performing at The Rainbow. By The Seat is playing the Elmdale.

The shape of things to come

The January doldrums seem to be fading away, and there's a host of stuff emerging on the horizon. So here's a rundown of interesting shows, which conveniently doubles as an excuse to drag previously unseen photos out of archives. We can just start things off with Male Nurse, a.k.a. Davey Quesnelle of Mother's Children and sundry other combos, who's playing a free show tonight at The Manx. This snap comes from his first show at Mavericks ... it's actually my first shot of his first show.


Male Nurse, Mavericks, June 4, 2006

In more free Male Nurse news, Davey has also just released his new EP, My Friends Are All Assholes, to the world for download.
I've already talked up M. Mucci's guitar-handling skills. He's returning to the Avant Garde for a show with lutist Jozef van Wissem this Thursday, allowing you to get your baroque and Takoma listening experiences in one fell swoop.
On Friday Andrew Vincent returns with his new album, Rotten Pear (being officially released tomorrow on Kelp Records). Grizzlar - another Quesnelle combo! - and Baby Eagle round out the bill at The Gluepot Pub. You can also check out Politique, Relief Maps and Ennuie at Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.


Relief Maps, Bluesfest, July 9, 2007.

It seems like it's been a while since The Flaps played out; I caught 'em in August 2008; they're playing Irene's this Saturday. You can also check out Honeylanes, which looks to be the succesor of 59 Argle. Sedatives, The Creeps will be rocking their basement at 52 Park.


The Sedatives, Mavericks, July 9, 2008.

For some reason, Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Allesandro Cortini has set out on a tour of the world on his lonesome. His Ottawa stop will find him performing at the Avant Garde as Blindoldfreak on February 2 alongside Deadly Apples, Kakihara079 and Filter 27.
You no doubt recall my words of praise for Hollerado. They're back in town in February, not just once, but four times at Cafe DeKcuf. I'm betting that seeing them jump around up close on four separate Friday nights will be even more than their show at Bluesfest.
Downstairs at Mavericks on February 7 you can see Winter Gloves, who I found quite tantalizing earlier in 2008 when they visited town with Bonjour Brumaire. This time they're sharing a stage with The Weathermakers and Ruby Coast. If your tastes run more to fucked up rock, Savage Crimes and Fucked Corpse will be performing at The Rocker Room on the same night - mostly to themselves since the place has a capacity of 50 and Fucked Corpse has 47 members.


Winter Gloves, Mavericks, June 19, 2008.

On Valentine's Day you can hear how love can be a massacre, courtesy of veteran Bytown cowpunks The Black Boot Trio.
It's been so darn long since I saw Jay Clark and The Jones at the Dominion (photos of that April 17, 2004 show can be seen at the Birdman Sound website), I'm almost surprised to hear they're still active. But active they are, with a show at Irene's February 20 with the Pamela Brennan Experience. Modernboys Moderngirls, The Centretown Cripplers, and hotly tipped (by me) local outfit New Teeth play Zaphod Beeblebrox the same night.
The next night, Babylon will rock to the sounds of The Polymorphines - who have a new CD on the go - The Felines and Dany Laj and The Implosion. Incidentally, Felines bassist and vocalist Morgan A. Cook (that's her below at right) has an exhibit coming up at Irene's featuring portraits of Ottawa's rocking women. It runs from May 11 to June 11; the vernissage is May 12.


The Felines, Bytown Tavern, October 21, 2008.

February 26 there will be too much entertainment at Babylon with performances by fuzzy-wuzzy lo-fi king Nobunny, Windy City rock devolvers The Smith Westerns, local party animals The Beach Blankets and devilish Montrealers Demon's Claws.
Malajube, Young Galaxy will be bringing art-rock and space-rock to Babylon March 13. Both bands have played swell sets when I've seen them live.


Young Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 4, 2007.

I'm guessing tickets to see Bloc Party at the Bronson Centre Theatre March 17 will sell out well in advance, even at $35 per.
When I saw Bell Orchestre and more at First Baptist Church back in September 2006, things were a bit sticky. Great show though, so it's good to see they'll be back at the church March 18 (and for only half of what Bloc Party is charging).
You might want to mark March 21 on your calendar as well, since Evil Farm Children and Boom Creek will be rocking the heck out of Irene's.
The Fiftymen have booked two nights at The Elmdale Tavern, April 17 and April 18; no doubt both nights will be jammed.
Finally, Swedish pop trio Peter, Bjorn and John will be making an Ottawa whistle-stop on their CD release tour, at the Capital Music Hall April 26.