Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Squeeze play

Yes, it's time for another delayed update (my weekend was dedicated to blending stumps), on yet another visit to the House of Targ. Mother's Children released their third album, Lemon, on the weekend, and had Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs and Pale Lips on hand to help them deliver it. It was a bit of a strange occasion because indefatigable man-of-many-bands Davey Quesnelle was mostly out of action ... but more on that nearer post's end.

Pale Lips once again brought their girl-group punk doo-wop and tales of boys, dogs, candy and murder. I still don't know who anyone is, apart from Ilona of the Dagger Eyes.

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Rhythm section action!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

The whole lot!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Fan action!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

More bass!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Lippy action! Incidentally, I think Pale Lips should cover a Rose Tattoo song, just for thematic ink reasons.

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Extra Ilona!

Pale Lips at House of Targ

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs first impressed at The Ottawa Explosion last year and the year before with their gutsy rock sound, and they were sounding even hotter this time around - also, matching vests! Sam sings!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Everybody's doing it!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Percussive action!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

More guitar!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Meanwhile, on the other side of the stage ...

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

More drumming!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

The shouty bit!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Even more singalong action!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

Feedback action!

Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs at House of Targ

So, Mother's Children ... bassist Davey had been bed-bound for a week and was not really in a fit shape to play that evening (mostly), so the band rustled up a substitute: House of Targ comment-growler Remi Royale!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Davey! Disobeying doctor's orders!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Guitar action!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Okay, now for some actual stand-in-bass work with actual stand-in bassman Seiji of Average Times fame.

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Ken sings!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Citrusy action!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Tim hits!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Seiji sings!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

More Ken!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Singalong action!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Of course they had a get well soon card for Davey!

Mother's Children at House of Targ

He felt well enough to sing (and play a bit of bass later, too!).

Mother's Children at House of Targ

Swell sounds all-round.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Lung power

White Lung are always a popular draw here in O-town. I saw them a few times at Babylon back in 2011 and 2012, and it actually seems a bit weird that it's been over two years since their last trip to town. They have a new record out, Deep Fantasy, and are running around North America with the folks from Pop. 1280. Also on hand were Pregnancy Scares and Bonnie Doon, who also have new releases to share.

Bonnie Doon went nautical for this gig with sailor's stripes, beards and tattoos. Also, a stuffed shark. Here's Sara and a coffee-bearded Madison.

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

More Sara!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Leslie rocks the Flipper tattoo.

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Sara's arm-whale!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Madison sings!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Keltie hits !

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Tambourine action!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

Leslie sings!

Bonnie Doon at House of Targ

On to Pregnancy Scares, frequent openers for White Lung. Pierre works the crowd! Not working - the microphone.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

That's better!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

As you can see, Davey is in his official show shirt.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Extra Craig!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Jumping about!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Hair-shaking action!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

David hits!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Gripping action!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Extra Davey!

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

There's just not enough to swing from at the House of Targ.

Pregnancy Scares at House of Targ

Pop. 1280 followed with a set of synthetic pulse and Cop Shoot Cop-styled holler. I picked up their first album largely because they were on Sacred Bones (along with Zola Jesus, Amen Dunes and others) and was mightily impressed. The Jim Thompson reference didn't hurt either. Instead of bass guitar, Allegra Sauvage applies some low-end throb; Andy Chugg mans the traps.

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Shirtless action with Chris Bug!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Ivan Lip is just behind him.

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Populous action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Andy hits!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Ivan frets!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Bonus Bug!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

More Lip!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

And so on!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ
Gripping action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Feedback action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

Savage Sauvage action!

Pop. 1280 at House of Targ

On to White Lung, who ripped through another killer set for an increasingly sweaty crowd. Since their last show here they've lost bassist Grady; Hether Fortune of Wax Idols now handles the low end.

White Lung at House of Targ

Mish sings!

White Lung at House of Targ

The whole lot!

White Lung at House of Targ

Ann-Marie hits!

White Lung at House of Targ

Singalong action!

White Lung at House of Targ

Kenneth frets!

White Lung at House of Targ

Mish works the crowd!

White Lung at House of Targ

And so on!

White Lung at House of Targ

Sweaty action!

White Lung at House of Targ

The end!

White Lung at House of Targ

Unfortunately I was too slow to grab a Bonnie Doon tape.