Saturday, March 30, 2013

Join the club

I've been to packed shows before, but for shear sardine-can quality I don't think I can beat my debut appearance at the Fun Boy Club House. The popular house-show venue  is Ottawa's premier Manse of Misrule, occupied as it is by various members of New Swears and their partners in debauchery. Friday night's show marked the conjunction of two events. The first was Allie Hanlon's brief return to Ottawa (she now lives in California) as her band Peach Kelli Pop is on trans-continental tour. The second was a reunion of The Girlfriends, progenitor of The New Swears and others. First time I saw the girlfriends, Wolfgang cracked me on the knee while swinging his guitar around. Last time was at Ritual in 2010 for the last Gaga Weekend. They were supposed to have a tape out for the show (this the reunion) but they didn't arrive in time. Maybe they'll have a second reunion show? I think this is the place!

Fun Boy Club House

And once again I'm going to skip on followup posts, so check out what's what after the jump ...

That's brings us to the opening act, Voicemail. Various White Wires, Mother's Children and Average Timers fill out the ranks of these punk poppers. They recently played the covers show doing some Undertones tunes; You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It) and Male Model were dutifully added to the setlist for this gig. Here's some soundchecking action.


Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

Todd rocks the stripes.

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

I told Mike before the show it was a good thing he was playing sitting down, because the ceiling of the Fun Boy basement is a bit below my own 6-foot-2 in several places.

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

That's why all the crouching.

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

Ian sings!

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

Fisheye action!

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

Ken rocks the Tele!

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

The whole psychedelic lot!

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

Beware of I-beam.

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

And a bit more Mike.

Voicemail at Fun Boy Club House

On to The Girlfriends, who broke out their best lingerie for this show.

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Doesn't everybody want a Fun Boy Club House tattoo?

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Nigel sings!

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

The headstocks were intermingled with audience all night long.

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Wolfgang sings!

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Shotgun action!

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Singalong action!

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

First time I saw the basement, I said to myself "Well, there's no way anyone's crowdsurfing ..." I underestimated Shitty Mike.

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Wolfgang gets his mask on.

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

There was also lots of silly string, including on me.

The Girlfriends at Fun Boy Club House

Now for Allie and company, and lots of tuning.

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

Allie sings!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

Singalong action!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

Drumming action!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

More Allie!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

And so on!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

More drums!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

The sweaty end!

Peach Kelli Pop at Fun Boy Club House

A good time all round.

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