Easy Targets / Postcards / The Hoa Hoa's / Volcano @ Rancho Relaxo

Under normal circumstances, the four band lineup has become something that I do not look forward to as much as I once did. My attention span and irritability level after 10pm is not what it used to be, and the thought of attending a late show with a bill of more than two bands just seems like too daunting a task sometimes. It also often results in me becoming a bit of a harsher critic by the time I get to bands three and four simply because by that point of the evening I've become a grumpy old man.

However, an evening that was billed as The Fallout Party, which took place last Friday night, was a quadruped of sorts that I was more than willing to support, since four outstanding examples of truly euphoric psych rock were joining forces to create a symbiotic "excursion of weightless significance" at our very own Rancho Relaxo. I just knew this was going to be a good one.

Kicking off the evening was Volcano, and, as far as I know, this was their very first live performance. I'm quite familiar with the work of lead vocalist Chris Hobson through his other project The Space Between Things, and when I sampled his Volcano output on the myspace page, I became very curious as to how the material would translate live. While it's true this project comes across as a bit more streamlined than the TSBT material, it still contains a fair measure of jumbled cacophony to facilitate a "how are they going to do that?" thought in my head. Still, even the mildly muffled sound system of the Rancho couldn't hide the beauty of the sounds that this band created together. It was certainly a subdued performance in terms of stage presence and banter and whatnot, but in terms of musical artistry, the band literally sucks you into its drone with a mesmerizing mix of epic space jams and lo-fi psychedelic freak outs. Their last two songs were significant highlights; beginning with an extensive instrumental number that reminded me a little bit of Atom Heart Mother-era Floyd before quietly segueing into their last song, an upbeat rocker with a Keith Richards-like riff that was about as infectious as it gets.

The biggest selling point for me was the last minute inclusion of The Hoa Hoa's into the evening's lineup. It has already been duly noted that they're one of my favorite bands in the city, but despite all of my best intentions, I had never actually gotten around to seeing them live. Yes, embarrassing, I know. Now that I have though, I have to say that my confusion as to their lack of popularity and buzz is now even more mind boggling. I'm willing to accept that they're recorded material may not be everybody's thing, especially if you're not a fan of the whole psych-rock universe. But I refuse to believe that it's possible to leave a Hoa Hoa's show without being completely blown away, regardless of your genre of choice. The reason that I say this is because their performance is tailor made for music lovers, as well as lovers of the live experience, plain and simple. The band exudes an amazing amount of energy on the stage, and the songs translate with excellence as the Manchester beat got the crowd dancing from start to finish. They showcased several songs from the new album, and I think that, as much as I love their older stuff, the newer material boasts a greater intensity that sounds so good live. I loved their performance, and I think that it's safe to say that they are one of the best live bands in the city right now. On the downside, this made things pretty difficult for any band that was put in the unfortunate position of having to follow them.

Postcards (from Montreal) were up next, and of all of the bands that performed that night, the buzz surrounding them seemed to be the greatest. They've built up a strong reputation within the community as a forerunner in the Canadian shoegaze/psych movement, placing emphasis on keeping their sounds artistic, genuine and as lo-fi as possible. As far as I can tell, their EP is only available on cassette, which is either extremely cool or extremely annoying, depending on your outlook. The fact is that their melodic brand of dreamy, slightly Smiths-ish pop music probably suits the hiss and crackle of a car stereo cassette deck warmly, and they displayed their low key sound to a crowd whose enthusiasm seemed oddly disproportionate to the laid back vibe on stage. The audience was jumping around and dancing spasmodically, which was bizarre considering the subtle tones that was emanating off of the stage. Performance-wise, the band was a significant step down from the energetic whomp of The Hoa Hoa's, and it would have been nice to see them get into what they were doing a little bit more. Material-wise however, the band was right on par with everyone else, and I really enjoyed their unique blend of subtle jangle guitar tones and 60's Phil Spector-ish pop melodies.

The evening ended with our very own Easy Targets, who pumped the enthusiasm back up to an indisputable high. There were a couple of familiar faces in the band that I recognized, most notably Jeremiah Knight who played with Volcano at the beginning of the night, and Clint Scrivener, who's in another one of the best live bands in Toronto, namely Pick A Piper (not to mention the work he's done with Caribou). While the other bands of the evening I would describe as firmly rooted in 60's psychedelia, with hints of 80's rave culture and 90's shoegaze, Easy Targets sounded to me to be more the other way around, steeped moreso in 90's melodic noise rock such as Sonic Youth or even early Teenage Fanclub, while still including traces of some of the aforementioned past genres. Boasting easily the largest band of the evening (I think there were six of them) they ended the evening in a celebratory mode that raised the level of euphoria to an appropriate height for an evening so jam packed with music.

I left the evening completely satisfied, which, as I mentioned at the outset, is a pretty amazing feat for such a huge lineup. The fact that all of the bands complemented each other so well allowed the night to flow seamlessly, and listening to Stone Roses on my iPod as I walked home seemed like the perfect nightcap for me. Needless to say, I've been on a steady diet of psych-rock since then, and it's become apparent to me that I need to go to more shows like this.

Photos: My shots of the Fallout Party @ Rancho Relaxo are on flickr
Myspace: Easy Targets
Myspace: Postcards
Myspace: The Hoa Hoa's
Myspace: Volcano

'Sup in November: Ten Picks

I went to a lot of shows in October (including a Shotgun Jimmie instore and an historical Roky Erickson show with The Sadies that I still have yet to tell you about) which means that I think I'm going to chill out a bit for the month of November. I'll still be catching a few, but I'll likely be limiting it to a few of the smaller ones. Still, there's a lot to do, and here are my picks.

For more detailed listings, as usual, go check out Stillepost, Zoilus and Jen's Weekly List (of shows under $10)

1. Monsters of Folk @ Massey Hall
(Monday November 2nd; Cost: $36.50-$49.50 w/$1 of each going to Foodshare)

If you haven't yet heard about this project, (which, if this is the case, where have you been?) this is the name of a new supergroup consisting of Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket's Jim James and She & Him's Matt Ward. Initially I wasn't all that enthused about this project simply because I'm no longer as big a fan of each of these talented artists as I once was. Conor jumped the shark at the time of the truly boring Cassadega. My Morning Jacket's last two albums also left me wanting, and I never really was a huge fan of M. Ward. But the Monsters of Folk self-titled debut is actually really good, providing some of the best material that any of those artists have produced in some time. I've also heard that the show will feature two and a half hours of material spanning all of their respective careers.

[Myspaces: Monsters of Folk; Conor Oberst; My Morning Jacket; M Ward]

2. Postcards / Easy Targets / The Hoa Hoa's / Volcano @ Rancho Relaxo
(Friday November 6th; Cost: $7)

Psych rock is alive and well in the city of Toronto and 4 of Canada's finest are sharing a bill at the mighty Rancho. Montreal's Postcards play a minimalistic blend of 60's jangle guitar psych and Phil Spector-ish pop. The Easy Targets capture a mid-90's psychedelic shoegaze vibe, not unlike the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The Hoa Hoa's are one of the best garage bands in the city who are currently in the midst of releasing an outstanding new CD entitled Pop/Drone/Pedals that would've made Ian Curtis proud. And opening the evening is Volcano, the side project of The Space Between Things' Chris Hobson, which takes a lo-fi approach into the psychosphere.

[Myspaces: Postcards; Easy Targets; The Hoa Hoa's; Volcano]

3. Rural Alberta Advantage / Fox Jaws / Bahamas @ Lee's Palace
(Friday November 20th; Cost: $15)

The RAA are officially the hottest band in Canada this year, and they're playing another hometown show at Lee's Palace which is sure to be well supported. They're being accompanied by a couple of Nevado Records' finest; namely Fox Jaws and Bahamas. Hopefully the RAA's supporters will get there early enough to give the openers the exposure they rightfully deserve, enabling them to find a spot on next year's list.

The RAA are also playing a free in-store at Soundscapes on Nov 17th.
[Myspaces: Rural Alberta Advantage; Fox Jaws; Bahamas]

4. Ume @ The Horseshoe (Tuesday November 3rd; Cost: Free)

I finally got around to listening to the Sunshower EP by Austin trio Ume (pronounced ooo-may and pictured above) and it's pretty spectacular. The songs are tight examples of only the best in melodic power pop, but with an edgy guitar sound that rips right through you. Apparently frontwoman Lauren Larson is a guitarist with amazing shred all wrapped in a tiny little amicable persona which sounds to me like a compelling contrast. They've been labeled a must-see by several reputable sources, and to fulfill that recommendation for free is an opportunity not to be missed.

[Myspace: Ume]

5. Camera Obscura @ The Phoenix (Thursday November 26th; Cost: $20.50)

Although they're not the most animated performers I've ever seen, it's hard to deny the power of the music. Their latest album My Maudlin Career may not be quite as magnificent as their star making turn with 2006's Let's Get Out Of This Country, but it's still pretty sweet in its own way, and it will definitely be securing a spot in my personal best of in '09.

[Myspace: Camera Obscura]

6. Devendra Banhart @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Friday November 27th; Cost: $29.50)

As much as I admire this beacon of eccentricity, for whatever reason I haven't heard any of his albums since 2005's Cripple Crow. No real excuse for this other than just simply never getting around to it. I also have never actually seen him live, which is an even bigger atrocite considering the fact that he's apparently a very unique performer. Even more unique and eccentric, from what I've heard, is a room full of hippy, freaky Devendra Banhart fans, the entertainment value in which is also likely worth the price of admission. Sadly, I can't make it to this one either, but I will see him one day, just you wait!

[Myspace: Devendra Banhart]

7. The Swell Season @ Massey Hall (Tuesday November 3rd; Cost: $29.50-42.50)

Unlike some people, I never had the opportunity to catch their surprise intimate show at Dakota Tavern in September, but apparently, although the romantic involvement of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is no more, the sounds are still as sweet as ever. This means that Massey Hall will be the perfect setting for them to perform not only the hit songs from Once, but also the newer material from their latest effort entitled Strict Joy.

[Myspace: The Swell Season]

8. The Pretty Faces / Maned Young Lions / Born To Busk @ Rancho Relaxo
(Friday November 27th; Cost: TBA)

The Pretty Faces are an incredibly hooky band that used to live in Waterloo, Ontario before settling in Coral Springs, Florida. Their style is right up my alley as it borrows from many of my favourites like Big Star, Elvis Costello and The Kinks. In other words, the perfect power pop band. Maned Young Lions are a band from Orangeville that I only know in a casual way, but I've had the privilege of hosting a show in the past featuring lead vocalist Rayelle Stainton and I can say with absolute certainty that her talent is staggering. If you're looking for something new and accessible, this show comes highly recommended.

[Myspaces: The Pretty Faces; Maned Young Lions; Born To Busk]

9. Amos The Transparent / The Love Machine / Rival Boys / Michou @ Rancho Relaxo
(Saturday November 19th; Cost: $8)

Looks like the Rancho is the place to be this month, as we witness the return of the always entertaining (especially at the Rancho) Amos the Transparent. Joining them on the bill are fellow Ottawans The Love Machine whose infectious high energy rock throughly impressed me at this year's NXNE. As far as Rival Boys and Michou are concerned, I'm afraid I don't really know much about them other than the fact that they are a couple of Rancho faves whose reputation has become quite the buzz of that particular bar.

[Myspaces: Amos the Transparent; The Love Machine; Rival Boys; Michou]

10. Steely Dan @ Massey Hall
(Wed Nov. 25th & Thurs Nov. 26; Cost: $59.50-159.50)

Well, I'll bet you weren't expecting to see this one on my list. There is no band that raises more eyebrows amongst friends when asked to reveal my favourite bands of all time, but these 70's AM progressive jazz popsters settle nicely in the lower reaches of my top ten. 1977's Aja is an album that I actually crave from time to time and when that craving hits me, nothing else will do. My love of The Dan also explains my attachment to bands like Zero 7 and Midlake, not to mention local acts like The Paint Movement and Make Your Exit. Say what you will, but their influence is obvious (at least to my ears) and I'll bet their highly distinguished sounds would sound amazing at Massey Hall.

[Myspace: Steely Dan]

Honorable Mentions:
There's only a few other shows that I'd like to mention. Former Reily vocalist Megan Bonnell (Nov 1st @ C'est What); Dog Day, Immaculate Machine & Balconies (Nov 5th @ Horseshoe); Islands (Nov 7 @ Mod Club); Peter Bjorn and John & El Perro Del Mar (Nov 11 @ Phoenix); Young Galaxy & The Junction (Nov 13th @ Horseshoe); Invasions, Planet Creature & Davey Parker Radio Sound (Nov 13 @ Silver Dollar); Andre Williams & The Sadies (Nov 19th @ Horseshoe); Devo (Nov 23rd & 24th @ Phoenix); Elvyn (Nov 30 @ Horseshoe)

Where I'll Be:
As I mentioned, I'll be sticking with some of the smaller shows this time around. I'm hoping to catch Ume at the 'shoe, and it would be great to see RAA, Fox Jaws and Bahamas again at Lee's. I will definitely be taking in the psychedelic experience at Rancho Relaxo on the 6th, and I'll certainly be back there again on the 27th to support my friends in the Maned Young Lions. Other than that, the rest of the month is a toss up, so we'll see.

Final Notes:
Just one more thing that I'd like to mention: My computer is currently on its last legs meaning that it's running very slow and overheating regularly. This means that a post like this, which would normally take an hour or so to do, has been taking me approximately a billion hours to do. I'm hoping to get something new early in the month, but until then, my posting might me a little bit on the non-existent side. But I will get those aforementioned reviews up as soon as possible, and when the new 'puter is up and ready to go, I'll hopefully be posting a little bit more regularly again, which means a few more recommendations and rants than I have been providing lately. Until then, enjoy the stupidly colder weather.

[Above Ume photo by Michael Thad Carter]