The phatter they come

While discussing our relative fondness for ska prior to Phat Bastard's set, Skottie Lobotomy of The Creeps noted that they were heavier than most ska bands. True, that. They have a very hard rock edge - they're the ska band you can both skank and bang your head to. They're originally from Russell, so this was a sort-of-homecoming show for the group, which is now based in T.O.

Guitarist and lead singer Gid.



Drummer Johnny, in the brightest stage-lit photo ever!



Bassist Jeff, not in the brightest stage-lit photo ever.





Andrew.





Yvo dances by the alpine horn.





Ska-rock action!





Two times the tooting.





Some audience members help out on vocals.





A darn entertaining evening, and I'm not even a big ska fan. There was a Misfits cover in there too, if memory serves.

• Show reminder: They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, Telefauna, Pianosaurus Rex and Books On Books play The Rainbow.

Scratch that!

Skratch3 bounced their way up from Toronto for a jumping set at Zaphod's last Sunday. I don't think I've ever seen a lacklustre ska band, and S3 are no exception to the rule. Lots of energy from these lads, and a steel drum to boot. Introductions, please!

The chaps with the brass: Trombonist and lead vocalist Todd Mason sings while trumpeteer Luke Kinmond looks on.



Ooh, this one of Dic Dickerson turned out nicely!



Urgh, this one of Woody didn't.



Ben Payton and the lip of a steel drum.



Keep a-movin'!



Phat Bastard Andrew lends some trumpet to the cause.









The lot.



They have a new album out called Crash & Burn.

Travel time

The Visitors played their first show at Zaphod's April 2; the band features alumni and members of "The Creeps, The Annoyers, and The Bio-Chemistry Society." They sing songs about visiting such places as Vietnam, Outer Space, and Rockaway Beach. Yes, they like the Ramones ...



Skottie Magellan, nee Lobotomy.





The blue moods of Arctic-Cat McGwire.







Stick-tossing action from Kevo Polo.



Skottie surveys the audience: "Well, we have four more people now ..."



Beware the claws of the Arctic-Cat!



1-2-3-4 Go!





The Visitors spell it out post-show!



Their next performance is April 22 at Cafe DeKcuf.

By the sea

I hopped on the No. 2 bus to get to the Carleton Tavern - my first time at the venue to see some Kelp acts rock it up in the afternoon. I had a dinner date to keep so I only saw one Kelp act and one non-Kelp crew, but such is life. Here's a couple of advance photos for some more serious blogging when time allows.

First, Run Stop Restore with Chris Cook and brothers Jim and John Sproull (Joey Vienneau's off to the right).



Then, Andrew Vincent and his Pirates, Scott Terry and Bryan Curry.



I also bought the new, and quite smashing-looking, Camp Radio limited edition LP. While I was waiting at the bus stop with the LP in the hand, a lady passing by remarked "Oh, it's out!" Turned out to be the wife of bass player and ubiquitous Little Bullhorn supremo Dave Draves. Ottawa is a small town, strung together by Kelp ... the Barrymore's show with The Acorn, Flecton & The Big Sky Orchestra, Detective Kalita and The Recoilers starts in just an hour or two ...

Now that's harsh

Yet another familiar bunch of faces - i.e. Harshey, and yet another quick run through pictures from their show at Irene's April 1. As usual, they were a well-lubricated rock machine.



John's facial expression was actually much goofier than this.







By well-lubricated, I mean they'd had a lot of time to drink before their set ...

• Show reminder: The 12th annual Kelp anniversary weekend continues at the Carleton Tavern with The Flaps, Andrew Vincent and The Pirates, Chris Page and Run Stop Restore - I understand there will be sausage for this early show (2 p.m.). Later in the evening, The Acorn, Flecton and The Big Sky Orchestra, Detective Kalita and the Recoilers will all perform at Barrymore's Music Hal Magneta Lane and Tokyo Police Club play Zaphod Beeblebrox. Nick Danger & The Danger City Rebels and The Solid Senders will rock Irene's.

Might makes right

Perusing this blog of late, one can't help but notice a tragic shortage of Mighty Eagle Band-related posts. Really, these guys need to get off their duffs and start playing out more ... I think it may have been a whole two weeks since I saw them last! You can always go backward in time or check out their site if you need an introduction ... for now let's groove on some Irene's April Fool's action.











No news of upcoming shows that I can detect, but no doubt it won't be long ...

• Show reminder: Let the festivities commence! Rhume, Camp Radio, Th'Grain and Roofrack play the Navy Club to kick of Kelp's 12th anniversary. Growly punk folk rocker Mr. Plow plays the Avant-Garde Bar with BA Johnston and Ladymilk.

Fourth on the first

I rushed over to Irene's after a dinner at Genji with a lady friend just in time to catch the last few tunes by Fourth. They were invited to this gig by Harshey, with whom they share a practice space. There was an appropriate continuity to the night's entertainment, with Fourth's 1960s inspired music (including a medley that covered The Doors) leading into the Mighty Eagle Band's '70s stuff, followed by Harshey's early '80s thing.

Tim Pechloff does his best mad scientist-keyboardist impression.



Drummer Gord.



Jim McDowell keeps his pick out of the way.



Rock action, with guitarist Bogdan Gheorghe at left.





I heard twice that they only play out every few months - too bad, they should definitely be a bit more active about booking shows.

• Show reminder: Design Of Cities, Destroy All Dreamers and A Dying Breed play Zaphod's.

Ian Tolton

The Ottawa music scene is a little bit poorer this week with the death of Ian Tolton. I only knew Ian as the bassist for the Mighty Eagle Band, though he had also served in Andrew Vincent's Pirates and other outfits. He passed away Monday in his sleep. He was 35. Here he is in action with the MEB in May 2005, the last show I saw him play.



The service will be at St. Matthew's Anglican Church (on First Ave. between Bank and Lyon) this Friday at 3 p.m. You can make a donation of a musical instrument in his memory to the ArtsCan Circle in his memory. Five bucks from the purchase of Kelp Records' 12th anniversary comp will also go to the ACC.