17 Jun 2009

Ottawa: GAGA WEEKEND 2 GAG FEST

-”I’m not going to make it.”

-”My body is exacting revenge on me for this weekend.”

- “…can’t eat, can’t drink, can’t sleep. I’m on the verge of total collapse.”

-”What the fuck happened?”

-”…is NXNE this weekend. No more fests please and thanks I might die.”

-”My stomach hurts so much.”

-”I hurt in ways I never thought I could. Now what the fuck are we going to do?”

-”…put his body through 5 lifetimes in 3 days. I need to be put down.”

The above are some notable facebook status updates that I accumulated following the 2^nd Annual Gaga Weekend here in Ottawa. It was immensely fun, but over the top horrendous on the liver. I am still hungover and it’s been like 3 days since. Gaga Weekend 2 took place from the 11th to the 13th of June and the roster of bands was absolutely phenomenal this year.
Ian Manhire, founder of Going Gaga Records , enlisted close to 30 local bands to participate in the festival. Without any major advertising, news of the festival transpired throughout the underground, via the means of social networking sites, blogs and good ol’ fashioned word of mouth. The overall hype and success of Gaga Weekend indicates how awesome and truly connected the underground scene in Ottawa is.

GAGA WEEKEND 2 kicked off at Rock & Roll Pizza Party with performances by the Sedatives, Mother’s Children and the Visitors. I arrived early in anticipation of RRPP being busy, but when I got there, there was already a lineup! After waiting 20 minutes in line (which was different for me because I’m spoiled and never have to wait in line!) I was granted entrance into the Atomic Rooster just as Sedatives were about to start. Sadly, many folk were left on the streets of Bank to watch/listen to the show from outside. Sedatives played loudly enough that my ears are still fucked and all their friends outside could hear them perfectly.

Sedatives

The next act to play was Mother’s Children. They’ve been around for about a year or so now, and they always get the crowd going. They had everyone at RRPP dancing and singing along to the likes of “Dance to the Rock & Roll Band” and “I Did Not See Her” among others. Mother’s Children were definitely one of my favourites of the weekend. They’ll be playing Toronto along with the Sedatives Thursday, June 18th for a NXNE gig at the Silver Dollar.

Friday night, GAGA WEEKEND 2 shifted to a local house renowned for basement punk shows. There were people everywhere. They even had a live feed set up in the living room of what was going on in the basement. People were squished into any corner they could find, drinking out of tupperware bowls because there were no cups to be found. First band up was Nervous System who have just released their first tape this week (available at bruisedtongue.com!), followed by the Holy Cobras. The Holy Cobras debuted a new drummer, only to rescind the offer to join the band following the show. Ah well, the Holy Cobras were fun to watch, as always.

After the Holy Cobras, Savage Crimes performed what is rumoured to have been their last show? Is this true?? That’s too bad! I really enjoy the Savage Crimes! (Update: untrue. They have a show next weekend in Ottawa at the Glue Pot Pub with Zoobombs & the Centretown Cripplers, phew.)

Uranium Comeback made a comeback (although I believe they were listed as Ukrainian Wombat somewhere on the lineup). Despite the fact that they are made up of 3 parts Marxists, I had never had the liberty of seeing Uranium Comeback before (Edit: untrue. I once saw them, but I was pretty intoxicated. This has just been brought to my attention). They don’t have anything to preview on their myspace page, which kind of sucks because I wanted a refresher of the stuff they played on Friday night.

Closing down the evening was the Beach Blankets. This was my first opportunity to see these guys and I was blown away. They were so much fun to watch. I’m surprised none of them ended up being severely injured during their set. I do recall a few instances where close to half the band was on the floor. Needless to say, they were amazing!

Holy Cobras Holy Cobras

Savage Crimes

Uranium Comeback

Post Gaga McGangBang

GAGA SATURDAY – MATINEE

The next day started off early. 12:30 to be exact. I made my way over to Yogi’s Meatlocker (a local recording studio/jam space) around 1:30 for the Gaga Matinee (stopping by the Beer Store beforehand and picking up a 12 of PBR). I got there just in time to see Fucked Corpse begin their set. Shortly thereafter, the Zebrassieres played. Another one of those Ottawa bands with plenty of hype but I had not had the opportunity to check out (update: also not true. I saw them on my birthday. I’m entitled to not remember). They were another one of my favourites this weekend. Really fun to watch and dance to. Next on my agenda to see was the Felines, who unfortunately are splitting up after Gaga weekend to pursue other options. Glad I got to see them one last time.

Fucked Corpse

Zebrassieres The Felines

Now, I’m not the type of person to get really hyped on a band and talk about them constantly, so I am going to say this once and only once (edit: untrue. I am all about this band). If you ever have the opportunity to check out the White Wires, I highly encourage it. I can’t get enough of “Girly Girly Girly”, “Ha-Ha-Holiday” and “I Remember When”. The White Wires had everyone in the meatlocker dancing and singing along at the top of their lungs. This was by far, my favourite show of the weekend. The energy shared amongst the band and the crowd was amazing. I cannot wait for the “Gaga Weekend DVD” to come out so I can relive that set.

GAGA SOIREE @ BABYLON NIGHTCLUB

Following the White Wires performance, I decided it might be a good time to go home and download some of the 1100 photos I had taken prior to the evening show at Babylon. On the walk home, I was sure to stop by the Beer Store to pick up another 12 of PBR. I got home, plugged my camera into my computer and set my alarm for a half hour nap. I woke up and it was dark outside. Immediately I knew I had slept longer than a half hour. I checked my phone and of course there was about 10 missed calls/text messages and it was 4 hours later than my intended “wake-up call”. I ran to Babylon just in time to catch Sudbury favourites, Statues. Everytime I see this band, I love them a little more. “Living in Lines” was my favourite song of their set. Everyone was into it. WAY INTO IT.

The last band to play Gaga Weekend 2 was (presently defunct) Million Dollar Marxists. They headlined last year’s festival as well and have made it somewhat of a ritual to reunite for ONE NIGHT ONLY during Gaga Weekend! I truly miss Marxists. They’ve been on heavy rotation on my ipod again since seeing them this weekend. The Gaga-Goers went insane during the Marxists set. Marxists don’t come around here very often anymore, so I think most of the audience felt the need to experience/contribute to the mayhem induced by the Million Dollar Marxists. By the end of the show, most of the crowd had invaded/violated the stage. After the Marxists left the stage, they were invited back for another round. I don’t recall the exact quote, but they were surprised that anyone wanted to hear them play anything else. Ha.