Everything you need to know about the 2018 Ottawa Psychfest. Festival organizer John Westhaver provides some background on this incredible evening of trippy tunes and graciously offers up a top 5 primer list to help initiate the curious into the wild world of psych rock!
CANADA's COOLEST: A brief rundown of everyone's fave cancon garage-punk hitmakers.
Local Albums Reviewed by a Millennial: Monobrow- Big Sky, Black Horse
Loyal Targians, get ready to get out yer pickaxes and stereotypical miner clothes, because MONOBROW have struck gold with their new album!
They have found the perfect balance in a stoner/doom metal album, with equal parts devastatingly heavy sludgy riffs, acoustic interludes, fast pounding riffage to bang yer head to and slow mind bending power to (still) bang yer head to (slowly of course). Every moment on this album becomes instantly memorable, and after a single listen you will recall every riff. MONOBROW is a three piece stoner/doom metal band hailing from our very own town of Ottawa, who are also an entirely instrumental group. I have heard some complain due to the lack of vocals, but I think this is the path for groups playing in this style. Vocals in stoner metal were never the high point of the genre, and could feel out of place if too aggressive (for example, the barked chanting on SLEEP’s DOPESMOKER) or could feel passive and too laid back, and out of place or inactive.
The riffs on this album, simply put, are amazing. They can sound absolutely massive, but also sound simply beautiful and can put you in a trance. The lack of vocals actually is, once again, an asset in this case, as when you close your eyes, all manner of images, from mammoths crushing mountains beneath their hooves (do mammoths have hooves? Eh, whatever) to wizards enchanting forests will circulate in your mind, and with the intriguing & mysterious song titles you are free to conjure up whatever mental images are inspired. THESE MOUNTAINS DON’T WANT US HERE is easily one of the best song titles I’ve ever heard, and when listening to that particular song I can simply let MONOBROW lead me down a road of wonder to a riff filled land.
Some stoner metal ( and especially doom metal) bands often have song writing that will not be very varied at all, and will simply follow one path and end up overstaying its welcome by becoming long and monotonous. MONOBROW never commits this fatal sin and, as mentioned before, can, without directly telling stories with vocals, can fill you with many different emotions and will keep you interested throughout the album.
In conclusion, MONOBROW have conjured up a masterpiece of stoner metal, and I urge anyone with the ability to seek it out,listen to it immediately, and support yer local stoner wizards!
- FELIX THE MILLENNIAL
SEE MONOBROW LIVE AT HOUSE OF TARG - FRI JULY 31 with ELECTRIC MAGMA & REX HECK
A Record Review of my New Record by Me: B.A. Johnston
Remember that song ACDC did about thunder or Back in Black or something and how it kinda sounded like their other song about Dirty Deeds or like TNT or something....
Well my new record SHIT SUCKS is kinda like that. Songs about dump bears and discounted garlic bread sounding kinda like my songs about being a geriatric old man and ditties about my crappy cat. Not as good as STAIRWAY TO HAMILTON but not as bad as THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.
Seems as though I at least had the good sense to enlist a whose who of Canadian Music. Paid for by Mother’s Bingo Winnings and the lure of Free Whoppers, (album was recorded on Whopper Wed), it has Mike Oneill producing (Inbreds), as well as Nathan Doucet (Crosss) and Adam Mowery (Grubbies) playing various instruments and crud on it. Which helps.
If you liked My old compact discs chances are you won’t hate this one, If you hated my old compact discs you will probably still hate this one. You might not but it seems unlikely. You could still order it to see if you hate it but there are no refunds and then you would just be stuck with it, until you can unload it on your juggalo cousin you get as Secret Santa next Dec.
I will give my new album 2.5 perogies out of 5.
TARG EXCLUSIVE! Hear The New BA JOHNSTON Single NOW.
Self described “failed showman” BA Johnston never stops. He never stops touring, he never stops making us piss out pants with laughter & he never stops putting out records. “Shit Sucks”, BA’s 10th studio album will be officially released on Feb 27th (Mammoth Cave Recording Co.).
House Of TARG is arguably the closest thing this strange performer has to a natural habitat so we are honoured and excited to be the place where you can hear the first single off this album - “Gonna End Up Working In Fort McMurray”. Enjoy!
Catch BA Johnston Live at House Of TARG on FRIDAY MARCH 27 2015.
Steam Whistle Unsigned Ottawa At House Of TARG
On Friday November 21st, it was all about pinball, pierogies and punk at the first Unsigned in Ottawa at House of TARG. The night featured Buzz Records’ HSY and The Beverleys from Toronto and local acts The Yips and Bonnie Doon. What a great nite! http://unsigned.steamwhistle.ca/
August Invasion: Hear The World At House Of TARG
Our concert promoters & programmers work hard to bring you the best Punk, Metal & Indie bands we can get. The TARG August calendar is packed full of great shows featuring acts from: Japan, the U.K., Texas, L.A., Calgary, Toronto, Moncton & of course some of our fave local heroes. I guess Ottawa ain't so boring after all.
Ottawa Explosion Weekend 2014
Thurs June 12 - Sun June 15
Ottawa Explosion Weekend is the hi-lite of the year for those who enjoy celebrating independent music in the punk/garage/hardcore/weirdo vein. This amazing annual music festival is organized by a small group of smart, lovely & motivated folks with help from a tireless army of volunteers.
The 2014 instalment of this good times machine features 80+ bands from all over canada & the US playing at 9 of Ottawa's best music venues between Thurs June 12 - Sun June 15. (I sure hope you booked some time off work.)
House of TARG is stoked to join in on the fun by hosting 4 of these dynamite OXW events including the Arcade FreePlay wrap party with DJ KJ Maxx on Sunday June 15. All of the House Of TARG OXW events are only 5 bucks after 9pm and free when you fist pump your Ottawa Explosion Weekend bracelet at the door.
PS - Don't forget to eat during all of the excitement. Our perogie kitchen is open between 5pm & 9pm Thurs - Sun to help keep you alive.