Because we all need to Bust a Move and the retro card is worth big money lately, Salt-N-Pepa are headlining an I Love the 90s tour hitting TD Place in October.
All three members of the frank-talking, all-woman hip hop group are on the bill, plus a separate set by their own DJ Spinderella. The R&B and hip hop lineup also includes the much-maligned and yet much-remembered Vanilla Ice, the aforementioned Young MC and ‘It Takes Two’ Rob Base. The 90s weren’t all about grunge, after all. Oct. 27, Tickets $45.95-$69.95, on sale as of Aug. 5, 10 a.m. tdplace.ca.
However, grunge gets its due from misanthropic hardcore shoegaze band Nothing, who pay suitable homage on their recent album, Tired of Tomorrow. The band has had a rough go of it: coming of the toll of touring and partying after their popular first album, the family deaths and a brutal beating over a phone left frontman Nicky Palermo with a broken skull, re-attached ear, brain damage and heavy thoughts. Then there was question about this album’s release after the band publicly censured Martin Shkreli when they found he was financing their label (pharma exec Shkreli was made infamous for hiking an anti-malarial drug’s cost 5,000 times). But they were able to get out of their deal, and their sophomore album released under a different label.
This new collection of songs is not nearly as dark as could be, given their experiences and punk fan base; There’s something here for the indie rock to emo crowd. The hazy guitars are still forward, giving due to the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and later Nirvana. However, the songs listen like soft, alt-rock creations — take the pleasantly melancholic Ninety Ninety Heaven — only latently raging in the quietly-sung lyrics and welcome moments of anesthetizing guitar. Aug. 4, with PINE and Wild Love, 7:30 p.m., Zaphod’s. $15. spectrasonic.com
In an oddly similar vein, Ottawa’s eclectic and live hip hop band, Alex Silas and The Subterraneans, are formally launching their new musical project — despite having already putting out the album, Roots, as a band. That collection of songs, mostly written solely by Silas, was rap distinctly washed over with a folk vibe. Their sophomore recording to be released this week, Tunnel: Season 1, has a style that is difficult to decipher: beatnik seems the right word, as it ranges from hip hop with indie, with experimental drone, then art funk. Despite that seeming inconsistency, the album is somehow more coherent, possibly because the entire band was deeply involved in the creation process. I’ve also had it on repeat for three days, and have yet to become irritated (just click off of “song” seven.)
Tunnels is the first collection, or ‘season’, of songs from their complete album, to be released incrementally throughout the year. Silas says the band wants to be be able to react to feedback, “keeping it a living thing as we’re putting the record out,” and verifying this band is now a “musical project.” Putting aside such stultefying words, this band does enjoy a party, and are throwing one with help from Juno Award nominee Ghettosocks, along with locals Draw, Geisterhaus, E.on and A.Charter, bringing the gamut of hip hop styles to the stage. Aug. 6, 8 p.m., Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. $10 in advance. subterraneans.ca
Coffee shop owner and ertswhile singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards is giving a rare, and intimate concert in Pakenham this week to benefit local animal groups. She had sworn off touring, but then this spring headed out west for a bit, after someone returned her stolen Les Paul guitar. However, the beloved performerd has no future plans to perform in Ottawa, until November when her songs will be jazzified by Petr Cancura at the NAC. The show on Saturday is in a private house, so tickets must be bought in advance — it also appears to be waterfront, as attendees are encouraged to bring their floatation devices. Aug. 6, 5 to 10 p.m., 942 Blakeney Rd., $30 by e-transfer to janet@dogdayz.ca.
Switching gears, seminal new wavers Rational Youth, one of Canada’s first synthpop groups when they formed in 1981 — and then immediately opened, like you do, for OMD — have a new EP out of minimal electro songs that is very fresh (and very good) despite or because they maintain an allegiance to their fluid, Krautrock pop roots. This makes us sad we’ve not had an album from them since 1999. They’re headlining House of Targ’s Switched on Synths show, probably as a duo with founding member and frontperson Tracey Howe and wife Gaenor, alongside Iceland/Canada’s Dada Pogrom and Error 144. Aug. 6., 10 p.m., House of Targ. $10. www.houseoftarg.com
Metal fans of all ages can get their fill this weekend:
Montreal’s death metal band Necronomicon is on tour with their new album, Advent of The Human God, joined by Florida’s tech metal band Abiotic, Canada metal champions Vesperia and more. (Aug. 4, Mavericks, $13);
Toronto’s prog metal band Slyde are in town with a new EP to hawk — an eclectic and pleasantly pop collection, given the glam rock vocals, slamming speed punk drums and metal-ish guitar riffs (Aug. 5, The Rainbow, $10).
However, unabashedly metal, Ohio-based band Skeletonwitch will be headbanging through every genre in the class and a ‘new sound’ with frontman and lyricist Adam Clemans of Wolvhammer, who replaces the singer they kicked out last year (they ended up finishing their tour as an instrumental group). The group is about to launch and EP with their new-ish sound (Aug. 19), but fans seem to like what they’ve heard, as the CDs have sold out in advance. (Aug. 5, Mavericks, $15)
And “because evil has no boundaries,” there’s an all-ages, Night of the Pentagram show of hard rock, metal and punk with locals Occult Burial, Asile and Calgary’s Blackrat. The show is being held in a ‘funeral home — aka someone’s house, so good behaviour is expected. The address will be given to ticket holders. (Aug. 5, $6).
Other shows to catch include three women singer songwriters playing a ticketed show at The Record Centre: Hanna Bech offers quirky and catchy songs — ranging from early Tori Amos to charming cabaret singer; Hamilton’s Marie Avery channels Neko Case in her soaring folk-rock songs; and now-local Amanda Lowe brings raw, emotional pangs. Aug. 4, 7 to 9 p.m., 1099 Wellington St. Tickets: $10/PWYC.
• Country singer Brett Kissel plays the second night of the Festival Country Gatineau, on from Thursday to Sunday at Casino du Lac-Leamy. Aug. 5, 10 p.m., $30-$35. countrygatineau.com
• Texas natives The Lochness Mobsters (groan) whose pun-iness is only matched by their raging surf punk energy. Don’t let the opening bongos fool you. Aug. 7, with Coccinella, Mixer, 8 p.m., Avant-Garde Bar. $7.
• Then Kiran Ahluwalia, award-winning world music songwriter plays a free show at a Gatineau Parc. The singer, who came to Canada at the age of nine and now calls New York City home with her guitarist husband, Rez Abbasi, has most recently been combining classical Indian music with that of the Saharan Touareg people and western jazz, and is known for very charming performances. Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m., Parc de L’Imaginaire, Cost: Free. www.limagier.qc.ca
Photos: Hot gigs this week
The shows to see this week.
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Art this week: Strathcona Park and 9 other shows
What to do this weekend and beyond
FULL LISTINGS
Thursday, Aug. 4
All Star Blues showcase with Jeff Hagerman, 9 p.m., Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St. Tickets: No cover. irenespub.ca
Criticull, The Dead Fibres, Elementals, experimental funk/punk/garage, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Tickets: $5 before 10 p.m., $8 afterwards. www.chordproductions.com
Festival Country Gatineau: Le Gaspésien Irvin Blain and friends (7:30 p.m), Piette ‘Salut’ Poirier (5 p.m.), Line dancing with Alain Roussel (Bar 7, 3 p.m.), line dancing with Michelle C. Pinette 1:30 p.m.), Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: $25-$35. countrygatineau.com
Hanna Bech, Amanda Lowe, 7 to 9 p.m., The Record Centre, 1099 Wellington St. Tickets: $10/PWYC.
In My Coma, Double Experience, Lights in August, Small Black Dog, alt-rock/pop, 8 p.m., Cafe Dekcuf, 221 Rideau St. Tickets: $8. www.mavericksbar.com
The Maension, Fundetta (9 p.m., $10), Open Mic (3 p.m., free), The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $7. therainbow.ca
Necronomicon, Abiotic, Vesperia, Endemise, Infiltration, Projekt Gothenburg, death metal, 6 p.m., Mavericks, 221 Rideau St. Tickets: $13. www.chordproductions.com
Nothing, PINE, Wild Love, alt-rock, 7:30 p.m., Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St. Tickets: $15. spectrasonic.com
Phil Kesler, rock, 7:30 p.m., Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd. Tickets: $19.50. shenkmanarts.ca
Quebec Country with Irvine Blais and Xception, 11 p.m., Bar 7, Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: Free. casinodulacleamy.ca
Friday, Aug. 5
Celebrate The Tragically Hip: with tribute band Little Bones, and Tennessee Cree (Johnny Cash tribute band), 7 p.m., The Cross, 360 Elgin St. Tickets: $12 in advance, proceeds to The Gord Downie Fund, Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
Festival Country Gatineau: Brett Kissel (10 p.m.), Yoan Garneau (7:45 p.m), Peter Gibs (6:30 p.m.), 5 à 7 with Pierre ‘Salute’ Poirier (5 p.m.), tribute to Georges Hamel with René Turgeon (3 p.m.), René Turgeon (2 pm..), Classic country songs with Johanne Carroll (1 p.m.), Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: $30-$35. countrygatineau.com
Letterbomb, Ship of Fools, World War 4, metal/punk, Beau’s Oktoberfest ramp up show, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Tickets: $7. www.chordproductions.com
Lost to the River, Midnight Vesta, Fire Antlers, indie folk/rock, 9 p.m., Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St. Tickets: $10. irenespub.ca
The Marrieds, 9 p.m., The Branch, 15 Clothier St. E., Kemptville. thebranchrestaurant.ca
Occult Burial, Blackrat, Asile, ‘black magic’ thrash metal, all-ages show, 8 p.m., at a “funeral home” — address released with tickets. Tickets: $6. facebook.com
Places Erupt, The Visit, The Night Watch, 8:30 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn, 753 Riverside Dr., Wakefield. Tickets: $10. theblacksheepinn.com
Skeletonwitch, A Scar for the Wicked, Ominous Eclipse, metal, 8 p.m., Mavericks, 221 Rideau St. Tickets: $19. www.mavericksbar.com
Slyde and The Great Diversion, Cast in Cadence (prog/hard rock, 9 p.m, $10), Frank James Experiment (3 p.m., free), The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. therainbow.ca
Saturday, Aug. 6
Alex Silas and The Subterraneans, Ghettosocks, DRAW, GEIS†ERH∆US, E.ON, A. Charter, hip hop, album release, 8 p.m., Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick St. Tickets: $10 in advance. subterraneans.ca
Black and Bluegrass Fest: Hard Up, Grre En Famille, The Hayride, Hairy Hollder, Old Mant Grant, GT Harris, A Staggering Pace, Cold Chords, Whoa Nellie!, Jordan & Watts, Moonfruits, Bastards and the Buzzards, Drive-in Radio, and more, 2 p.m., The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $10. therainbow.ca
Festival Country Gatineau: Acadian jam (11:45 p.m.), Louis Bérubé (9:30 p.m.), Paul Dwayne (8:30 p.m.), Hert Leblanc (7:30 p.m.), Rhéal Leblanc (6:30 p.m.), 5 à 7 with Pierre ‘Salute’ Poirier (5 p.m.), Carol Renaud (4 p.m.), Marc-André Lemieux (3 p.m.), Kathy Lavigne (2 p.m.), Jay Lafrenieère (1 p.m.), Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: $25-$35. countrygatineau.com
Freak Heat Waves, New Fries, Spell, all-ages show, 8 p.m., Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St. Tickets: $8.50. zaphods.ca
James LeClaire and The Cable 22s, The John Punch Band, folk/rock/country, 9 p.m., The Branch, 15 Clothier St. E., Kemptville. Tickets: tip jar. thebranchrestaurant.ca
Kathleen Edwards, house concert, 5 to 11 p.m., 1942 Blakeney Rd. Tickets: $30 by e-transfer to janet@dogdayz.ca.
Kranium, DJs Tytus, Dr. Jeckell, Roz, P, Kendee, dancehall/R&B/hip hop, 10 p.m., The Bourbon Room, 400A Dalhousie St. Tickets: $30 in advance, $40 at th door.
Kyle Dunn, Emily Bashall, 7:30 p.m., LIVE on Elgin, 22 Elgin St. Tickets: $10 at the door.
Om Street, Blast from the Sun, EP release, 8:30 p.m., The Black Sheep Inn, 753 Riverside Dr., Wakefield. Tickets: $10. theblacksheepinn.com
Poetry and melody: Janie Jo Lee, King Kimbit, Brad Morden, 8 p.m., Origin Studio, 57 Lyndale Ave. Tickets: $5-$10/PWYC.
RBLx, hip hop collective, all-ages show, 8 p.m. to midnight, SAW Gallery, 67 Nicholas St.
The Smiffs, The Smiths tribute band, 8 p.m., Minotaure, 2 Kent St., Gatineau. Tickets: $12. lepointdevente.com
Switched on Synths: Rational Youth, Dada Pogrom, Error 144, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Tickets: $10. www.chordproductions.com
Washboard Hank (9 p.m., country, $10), Open mic with Sean Tansey and Mark Fassen (1 to 4 p.m., no cover), Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St. irenespub.ca
Wicked Grin, roots/blues, Lock 17, 646 River Rd., Kemptville. Reserve at 613-258-7166.
Sunday, Aug. 7
Beatlefest at the Brylee: The Capital Beatles, The Beatlefest House Band, Gib and the Country Beatles, K.E.W.T., Tyler Kealey and the Nowhere Men, Phil Jenkins, noon to 7 p.m., Brylee Farm, 425 Route 317, Thurso, QC. Tickets: $25. www.beatlefestatthebrylee.com
The Bytown Ukelele Group, 5:30 p.m., Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. Tickets; Free.
Festival Country Gatineau: Julie Daraîche celebration with friends and family (7 p.m.), 5 à 7 with Pierre ‘Salute’ Poirier (5 p.m.), gaspésienne Pamela Rooney (4 p.m.), Sylvain Dubois (3 p.m.), Bijo & Sun (2 p.m.), Daniel Bertrand (1 p.m.), Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: $30-$35. countrygatineau.com
Jumpin Joel Flash and friends (9 p.m., $5), Open blues jam with Jimmy Cochrane (4 p.m., $3), The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. therainbow.ca
Lochness Mobsters, Coccinella, Mixer, surf rock/blues-pop, 8 p.m., Avant-Garde Bar, 135 1/2 Besserer St. Tickets: $7.
Tribute to Julie Daraîche, with Jonathan Godin and daughter Dani Daraîche, 10 p.m., Bar 7, Casino du Lac-Leamy, 1 Casino Blvd., Gatineau. Tickets: Free. casinodulacleamy.ca
Monday, Aug. 8
Open mic Monday, 8 p.m., The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $10. therainbow.ca
Tuesday, Aug, 9
Wednesday, Aug, 10
Forest., T-Rex Marathon, In Fiasco, Empty Nesters, exp. rock/punk, 8 p.m., Zaphod Beeblebrox, 27 York St. zaphods.ca
Kiran Ahluwalia, world/Indian music, 7:30 p.m., Parc de L’Imaginaire, Cost: Free. www.limagier.qc.ca
Sean Conway and the Post-Modern Cowboys (9 p.m., $5), Dr Dave ( 4 to 7 p.m., free), The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $10. therainbow.ca
Thursday, Aug. 11
All Star Blues showcase with Steve Groves, 9 p.m., Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank St. Tickets: No cover. irenespub.ca
Emo Night: We Were Sharks, Rydell, and friends, pop punk, 8 p.m. Cafe Dekcuf, 221 Rideau St. Tickets: $6.
Reggae Night with Roots Movemebt (9 p.m., $7), Linda Marie (3 p.m., free), The Rainbow, 76 Murray St. Tickets: $10. therainbow.ca
SouthAsian Fest: Arjun, Dhol Circle and more, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W. Tickets: Free. www.southasianfest.net
Sweet Alps, Towers, Grand Theft Ottawa, alt rock, 10 p.m., House of Targ, 1077 Bank St. Tickets: $7. www.chordproductions.com
Switches, Expanda Fuzz, garage rock, all-ages show, 8 p.m., Bar Robo, 692 Somerset St. W. Tickets: $8.
Are you a promoter, musician or venue? Send your event information to kendemann@postmedia.com, by 8 a.m. Monday, two weeks before the event. Photos and audio files are welcome.
@keendemann
kendemann@postmedia.com