Sunday, October 02, 2016

Crystals and cream

A week and a weekend ago, Gabba Hey put on a great show of bands familiar and unfamiliar. There was local indie duo Piith (formerly known as Pith & The Parenchymas), Calgary's Crystal Eyes (en route to Pop Montreal), Wakefield's Rebelle and much-talked-about headliners Ice Cream. Piith were up first; their new album Sweet Sweet Morning was also making its first appearance courtesy of local promo crew Casual Hex. Here's Andy!

Piith at Gabba Hey

Chris sings!

Piith at Gabba Hey

Laptop action!

Piith at Gabba Hey

Guitar action!

Piith at Gabba Hey

The whole lot!

Piith at Gabba Hey

Adjusting action!

Piith at Gabba Hey

More Andy!

Piith at Gabba Hey

More microphones!

Piith at Gabba Hey

Crystal Eyes passed through Ottawa for a stop at Ottawa Explosion this summer, performing as a trio. They were up to quartet strength for this stop for extra shoegazing jangly goodness.

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Faceoff action with Criss on bass and a guitarist whose name I don't know!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Mathieu hits!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Extra Chris!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

More guitar!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

More Mathieu!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Extra Erin!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Eyeful action!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Shadowy action!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

The end!

Crystal Eyes at Gabba Hey

Wakefield's Rebelle have been around for several years - going back to their days as The Strain. I was really impressed by their performance; they'll be on stage again Oct. 12 opening for Paper Lions at Zaphod's. Here's the sister-and-brother at the hart of the band, Rylee and David!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Bassist Ryan is udner there somewhere.

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Rylee works the keys!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

David sings!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Rebellious action with drummer Joey!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Extra Joey!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Guitar action!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

More Ryan!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Joey hits!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Ryan sings, plays some guitar!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

The whole lot!

Rebelle at Gabba Hey

Ice Cream is a minimalist synth-pop duo, formed by Huckleberry Friends' Amanda and Carlyn from Blond Elvis. Amanda and Carlyn have also appeared before on the blog as part of rockers Darlene Shrugg. Here's Carlyn on bass!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

Keyboard action with Amanda (who you may also recall singing backup with U.S. Girls at the 2015 edition of Arboretum)!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

Carlyn sings!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

Extra Amanda!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

They also worked in a dance tune.

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

Dancing action.

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

And so on!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

 Even more Amanda!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

The whole lot!

Ice Cream at Gabba Hey

A really fantastic night.

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