New voices

I figure it's a good idea to start the new year by checking out some bands I've never seen before. I went over to House of Targ for Volume 2 of "Voice Of A Generation" to catch a quartet of punk rock acts. Photographing the local scene for more than a dozen years means that there's always a few familiar faces, so even though openers Omerta are pretty fresh, you'll recognize some folks if you've been following the blog. First, here's some guitar action with Rick!



Sierra sings, Dan bangs head!



More Rick and Patrick!



The shouty bit!



Patrick hits!



Extra Rick!



More Dan!



Silent action!



More Dan!



Up next, Pok Gai; you've seen Will before playing guitar with Shackles, drumming with such bands as Alcohol Fuelled, now here he is singing (with an assist from Ataxia's Frank)!



Bass action with Tim (also Alcohol Fuelled)!



Tasha (of Slumlord) hits!



Guitar-action with Matt!



Spikey-haired action!



Extra Trasha!



Singalong action!



Extra Will!



And so on!



It was also the birthday of Sammy, who got a celebratory dousing with silly string.



Ataxia was celebrating the release of their new tape.



Frank sings!



Scott (of many loccal punk bands) reaches for a new stick!



Guitar action with Aaron!



Extra Frank!



Bass action with Kailey!



More Scott!



Winking action!



More bass!



Even more Scott!



Disorderly action!



Cacophonous Montreal hardcore combo Drip closed the night with some raucous sounds. I don't know who anyone in the band is, so here they are!



Percussive action!



Bass action!



Flying V action!



Gripping action!



More drumming!



Aiming action!



The next edition of Voice of A Generation rolls out Feb. 25 at the House of Targ.

And good riddance

I wrapped up my 2016 show-going at House of Targ with the always excellent Metalian headline a bill with Flying Fortress and Droid, who started things off with some thrashy sounds. Droid have been quiet on the shows front as they prep their debut long-player. That's done, so I expect a return visit in the not-too distant future. Here's bassist Michael!



Sebastian hits!



Jacob sings!



Robotic action!



Flying V action!



And so on!



The shouty bit!



And finally a bit more Michael!



Flying Fortress are frequent visitors to Ottawa and Targ, so here's Brandon!



Steelrider hits!



And so on!



Bass action!



Closeup action!



Greenish action!



Flying action!



Smokey action!



Fortified action!



Metalian played two sets, the first of their own stuff, then one of covers (which started too late for me to stick around for). They're one of the best live metal acts around, and as usual, they sounded great. Here's Ian!



Percussive action with Tony!



Guitar action with Steve!



Extra Ian!



Close-up action!



Bonus Tony!



Bass action!



And so on!



Metallic action!



A good way to end the year a day early.