Saturday, September 17, 2011

The sign of four

Are four-band shows the new three-band shows. I caught two in a row Thursday and Saturday, and if that isn't conclusive evidence, I don't know what is. Anyway, Friday's show featured a rare performance by The Double Pumpers, who seem to be busting it out one a year these days, Knives For Kids, which is the hard rock combo fronted by Big Jeezus Truck's Mat Spag, The Glorious Moon Rockets, which is Harvey Cartel/Train Jumpers frontman Chris Landry's new rock outlet and On Better Ground, of who I know nothing apart from the fact that, like all the other bands on the bill, they're a power trio.

They were performing as I walked through the double doors to the Clocktower's basement room. In fact they were right beside the doors, which is convenient for drummer photos, such as this one of Mike Iwaskow.

On Better Ground at The Clocktower
On Better Ground at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011

James Gray and Steve Tozzi round out the crew, which had a good crowd of pals out to watch them. They also covered Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2.

On Better Ground at The Clocktower
On Better Ground at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011 

The Glorious Moonrockets played next, kicking things off with some extravagant feedback.

The Glorious Moonrockets at The Clocktower
The Glorious Moonrockets at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011

And so on ...

The Glorious Moonrockets at The Clocktower
The Glorious Moonrockets at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011

Knives For Kids brought their smoke machine ... it was a little too smokey for the basement, and set off the fire alarm.

Knives For Kids at The Clocktower
Knives For Kids at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011

The lightshow worked out okay, though.

Knives For Kids at The Clocktower
Knives For Kids at The Clocktower, September 16, 2011

Finally Double Pumpers came up and rocked it in their usual rocking fashion!

Double Pumpers at the Clocktower
Double Pumpers at the Clocktower, September 16, 2011

The crash cymbal made a few attemtps to escape ...

Double Pumpers at the Clocktower
Double Pumpers at the Clocktower, September 16, 2011

A fine night out.
  • Show reminder: Camp Radio launch their new record at Babylon with Mother's Children and Mnemonics; Reverb Syndicate also have a new CD on their hands, they're at The Rainbow with The Pelts and Hobo Outlaws. The Dodos and The Luyas play Mavericks; Aggressor, Joe Thrasher, The Sin Sisters and sundry others bring metal mayhem to The 2nd Bass Line Skybar & Restaurantat Ottawa Stadium. Ball & Chain hold their annual Hank Williams tribute at Irene's. Daddy Long Legs and The All-Stars perform at the Elmdale House; the Avant-Garde Bar hosts Leah Flanagan and Swift years.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Combination platter

There was a quite a mixed bill at Zaphod's last night. Not that the blues rock of StillNative, drum machine rock of Robots! Everywhere! and psychedelic surf-punk of Wooka Tribe were a million miles away from each other's styles or that of mathcore headliner SSRIs, but still - not a collection of acts you'd expect to hear on the same comp, say.

First up, Robots! Everywhere! He had already started when I walked in the door, was playing off the floor and joshed me about getting his good side. Songs I heard include turning into one of the living dead and girlfriends with polychromatic hair.

Robots! Everywhere! at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Robots! Everywhere at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011 

He was followed by the twisty chaps of Wooka Tribe, who I'm sure I've listed on multiple occasions in my show reminders ... They made me think of west coast punk rock and British psych-punker The Afflicted Man.

Wooka Tribe at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Wooka Tribe at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011 

They're quite a punchy trio, and covered The Chantays' classic Pipeline.

Wooka Tribe at Zaphod Beeblebrox
Wooka Tribe at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011 

StillNative  seem to have a serious think for The Black Keys going so far as to cover Set You Free. They also sported big fur vests. They're also playing a show at The Elmdale on September 21. Here's guitarist and singer Patrick.

StillNative at Zaphod Beeblebrox
StillNative at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011 

And a similarly warmly clad Max. They have plans to release a single later in the fall.

StillNative at Zaphod Beeblebrox
StillNative at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011

Finally Vancouver's SSRIs rocked the join with their weird guitar noises, rhythm section grumble and adenoidal vocals. They even got a conga line going on their penultimate tune. It was a really great set.

SSRIs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
SSRIs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011 

They had a small but enthusiastic audience.

SSRIs at Zaphod Beeblebrox
SSRIs at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 15, 2011

A great finish to a fun night.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Bluesfest: Alberta Cross

I'm always a bit amused to see American bands take a Canadian name ... I guess it compensates for all those Canadian bands with songs about California. This outfit actually hails from the Big Apple, though they also have British roots. Despite comparisons to countrified rockers like The Band and Neil Young, they seem to keep more company with pop outfits - they've also opened for folks like Oasis and Thee Crooked Vultures.

Petter Ericson sings!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Lead guitarist Sam Kearney sings!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Drumming and singing action with Austin Beede!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Sam frets!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Petter rocks the mic.

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Co band founder Terry Wolfers plays the bass.

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Keyboard action!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Point-making action!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Bonus Terry!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Gripping action!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

And let's not forget Alec Higgins on keyboards.

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Is it just me or did the sun suddenly come out?

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Faceoff action!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

Singalong action!

Alberta Cross at Ottawa Bluesfest 2011

They're heading off on a U.S. tour with Portugal The Man, starting in Las Vegas on Sept. 23. Closest they'll be to us is Toronto, Oct. 18.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

White is the new black

White Lung also put on a killer set at Babylon back in July ... notwithstanding singer Mish Way's complaints of pre-show puking

Mish and Grady!

White Lung at Babylon

Kenneth!

White Lung at Babylon

Anne-Marie!

White Lung at Babylon

Lung-power action!

White Lung at Babylon

Grady in the red!

White Lung at Babylon

Mo' Mish!

White Lung at Babylon

Kenneth bends!

White Lung at Babylon

Mish works the floor.

White Lung at Babylon

Fisheye action!

White Lung at Babylon

And so on!

White Lung at Babylon

Bonus Grady!

White Lung at Babylon

The whole lot!

White Lung at Babylon

Like Nu Sensae, they appear to be taking it easy right now after a summer touring extravaganza.
  • Show reminder: Kalle Mattson, Right By Midnight, Winchester Warm and The Beer Barons are at Babylon for a benefit to help people starving in East Africa; are Cross Stitched Eyes playing a second night at the Kent St. Legion? Maybe so - this time  Schizophasia and Boneblack round out the bill. *Cousins, post-Hoodlum band The Holobodies and Musk Ox perform at Raw Sugar; the Massie Johnson Combo is at The Rainbow; The Elmdale hosts The Marlow Rhythm Kings.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Nu-sonics

I suppose I could have stuck around at Bluesfest to watch Soundgarden's set, but I plumped for the now sounds of today and biked off to Babylon to watch Nu Sensae. I heard later that Soundgarden put on a fine set, but I still maintain I made the right call ...

Andrea Lukic and Daniel Pitout make up the high-volume duo.

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Percussive action!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

More hitting!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Andrea sings!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

The crowd goes wild!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

The whole lot!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Fisheye action!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Electric action!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

The shouty bit!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

The view from under the cymbal.

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Extra Andrea!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

More Daniel!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

The end!

Nu Sensae at Babylon

Ryan from Holy Cobras and New Human also spun some tunes.

Ryan DJs at Babylon

I think they're chilling right now.
  • Show reminder: Inner City Elegance and Bright Lights stroll into Zaphod's; Paradigm Divide and Among Ashes perform at The Rainbow; The Elmdale hosts CLEAR. Amy Thiessen is at the Avant-Garde Bar.