Sweet and hot

Raw Sugar is an independent coffee-and-more shop on Somerset St. that has also done a standup job offering bands a place to play (and for that matter gainful employment to musicians such as Rolf Klausener of The Acorn). It may have been a little small for a comeback show by The Banditas. One of Ottawa's best post-punk bands, they've been slumbering for a couple of years but came back with a blast. The opening act was Hot Damn (or is that Hot Dam? Or Hot Damn Vietnam?). They're a rambunctious rock quartetwho made the best use possible of the space allotted. On the other hand, the tight confines did make my then-new fisheye lens mighty handy.

Raw Sugar' counter, loos to the right.



Bryan Larosse on guitar, vocals and jumping.



Scott Rubino on bass.



Bandita Scott Terry was manning the sound board.



Matt from Clark on another guitar and funny faces.



Guitar action, and you can just make out drummer Grant McNeil there in back.



Jumping action!



Scott, using my regular wide angle.



More Grant!



James Brownian action!



Gesturing action!



Big finish!



That was an exciting set. I'm keen to see them again, if only to straighten out what the heck their name actually is.

• Show reminder: Speaking of Raw Sugar, The Strumbellas, Mike Duguay and The Candle Cave Ensemble Part II perform there tonight. Halifax reggae-funkers Slowcoaster are at the Mercury Lounge; Tired Lion and Corey Taylor play at the Elmdale House.