Frog is the new Wolf

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Before I hip you to some boss-hoss shows happening this week, please allow me to get a little misty-eyed about some past shows last week. Divan Orange was definitely the place to be for the noiseniks when Wolf Eyes, Ghost Limbs and

Menace Ruine attempted to shear some ears on the first Wednesday of the month. The inadequate P.A. proved to be the real hindrance of the night. Ghost Limbs’ heavy minimalism and largely improv poundings were topnotch, but the processed vocals were muddled at best, while Wolf Eyes’ sound never really lurched and attacked, but rather limped before falling. Their show at Sala Rossa almost exactly two years ago was pure ultraviolence, with sheets of white noise and high frequencies lunging forward while pounding, industrial low frequencies pummeled. This time around, the band concentrated largely on minimalism and ambiance that I guess was cool, but hardly their calling card. The set never really firmly planted its flag on the summit. Ambient or not, Wolf Eyes’ full range of frequencies has to be painfully loud to be fully enjoyed, and with Divan Orange’s neutered P.A. and vocalist Nate Young’s vocals even lower in the din than usual, this performance came across as a little too polite for my liking.

Last Thursday, April 3, at Bar St-Laurent 2, things turned out much better when Winnipeg/Montreal prog band Mahogany Frog had the entire crowd collecting their jaws off the ground. Vancouver ex-pats Barn Burner opened and, as good as they were, this was clearly Mahogany Frog’s night. Their unabashed prog could even make Mars Volta blush crimson red, and their technical know-how was just stunning, but it was their knack for making impossible dynamics and time signatures work that really impressed. They boast simply one of the most entertaining drummers you could ever see, and their sense of humour was a welcome contrast to their heady instrumental arrangements. Even if the word “prog” gives you the willies, do yourself a favour, go to www.myspace.com/mahoganyfrog and let the frog bring out the prog in you.

Damn, I’ve run out of room again, so I’ll have to be quick here. The big show this week would be AIDS Wolf, who should prove to be devastating after returning from tour. They join Japanther, Sightings (!) and Black Feelings at la Sala Rossa tonight, April 10. At l’Escogriffe on Friday, check out the punk rock of the Aversions with Shortpants Romance and the new dandies on the scene, Hot Kid, who killed it at l’Esco’s anniversary bash a few weeks back. Also happening on Friday night, at the Black Dot, is Ecstatic Peace’s Tall Firs with Grand Theft Bus and Snailhouse. Dammit, if Thurston likes ’em then you should too. Finally, on Wednesday, the third installment of Mandatory Moustache’s local series happens at Lambi with disgruntled music-store employee band and weekend goths I Lay Dying in Discontent as Winter Beckons the Thaw of My Autumn Tears, the hesher rock of Barn Burner and the heavy psych of Wizardtron. Once again, this is a pay-what-you-can event, ideal for people who are forced to parade around wearing barrels in lieu of costly traditional clothing.

YOU’VE GOT THE MAGIC POWER OF THE MUSIC IN YOU… JONATHAN.CUMMINS@GMAIL.COM