One of these things is not like the other ...

Let's go over what we've seen at last Monday's Zaphod's showcase show. We've had a one man Montreal folk artist, a folk-rock band from Ottawa, and a folk-influenced singer-songwriter from Denmark . . . and now we've got ... the Ultimate Power Duo!!!! The Saskatoon trio(???) have a musical ethos best summed up by the title of one of their songs, Buddy Holly Was The First Ramone. They also have a kooky sense of humour, as well as a political bent which emerges in songs like UPD Democracy We're In Control Now and UPD Status Report: The War Is Going Good (a black-humoured song about a soldier being beheaded in Iraq).

Ultimate Power Duo! ScottRP! AK Double AK! The Riz! Also big!



There's something vaguely Chris Farley-esque about The Riz.



ScottRP, guitarist and straight man.



Smashing drummer AK Double AK (a.k.a. Amber Kraft).



They like windmills! (A lot! I really mean it!)



Faceoff action!



Chris Farley overload!



Fun with audience member Marty!



Some relatively sedate action.



Big finish! (Bigger big finish!)



A most entertaining show, and swell banter. Alas, the cold weather and timing led to a small audience.

• Show reminder: Sundry musicians - Kinnie Starr, Robertson, The Golden Seals, My Dad vs. Yours, Ladymilk - are playing at a benefit for action in Darfur at Babylon; Brutal Knights and Sweet Janes punk it up at the Dominion; Spookey Reuben, The Bridegroom and others play Mavericks.