Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Last band standing

Saturday night I made a rare trip to Irene's. It still hosts a bunch of great shows, but I find the place is usually full by the time I drag my lazy self down there. Patrick Shanks was kind enough to put me on the guest list, so I knew there'd be a place in what was obviously going to be a sold out show by local legends The Stand GT, The Sir John A. MacDonalds and Gruesomes offshot Fuad & The Feztones.

As it happened, there was a sickness in the MacDonalds, so Patrick played a solo set, including some new J-Macs material.

Patrick Shanks at Irene's

There was also an a capella encore of his Wake And Bake tribute to pot-smoking and bicycyling.

Patrick Shanks at Irene's

On to The Stand GT. They reformed for a set at Ottawa Explosion 2014, which I missed due to the schooling and giant-pepper-mill making. Thus, while Chris Page has appeared (solo and with Camp Radio) a bunch of times, as has Colin Majid (with Garaga and others), this is actually the band's first appearance. Here's some rhythm section action with Colin and Wally!

Stand GT at Irene's

Doug frets!

Stand GT at Irene's

Chris sings!

Stand GT at Irene's

Pickin' action!

Stand GT at Irene's

Standing action!

Stand GT at Irene's

Doug sings!

Stand GT at Irene's

Colin sings!

Stand GT at Irene's

Bonus Wally!

Stand GT at Irene's

More Chris!

Stand GT at Irene's

The whole blurry, fisheyed lot!

Stand GT at Irene's

Less blurry action!

Stand GT at Irene's

Fuad & The Feztones take their stylings from early '60s frat rock and such outfits as Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs. If they had been around then, they'd be on a Norton record now. First, some saxophonic action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Banner action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Bassist Rich N. Ready introduces the man himself!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Chugging action with Fuad Ramses (a.k.a. Bobby Beaton)!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Thumbs up action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Backup vocal action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Fuad sings!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Rich sings!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

More saxophone!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Fraternal action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Keyboard action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Gruesome twosome action!

Fuad and The Feztones at Irene's

Of course, they finished off with Louie Louie.

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