BLOG ENTRY BY D.D. ROCKER (MAY 31)

Last night (May 30), I had the opportunity to catch a double live set by the National Capital Area's Lee Bowie Band and Liquid Edge at the Elmdale Tavern on Wellington St. W. in Ottawa.

Local sound technician Mike Ktenas was on hand to perfectly balance out the potential for distortion that sometimes accompanies the high level of volume typical of hard-rock music.

Both of these bands performed their original, well-crafted songs that kept the capacity crowd in its seats (except for one particularly amorous couple, and later a very brave but talented lone male, on the dance floor) throughout the evening. Liquid Edge also played some enjoyable covers, including one by Alice in Chains. I don't think I've heard such a great team of lead and harmony vocalists, not to mention their dexterity with their respective instruments.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Elmdale owner Natalie, who took the time to chat about the logistics of booking a band there.

Although Liquid Edge has yet to release an official CD, you can check out their original tunes on Myspace. I took advantage of a 'two-for-one' CD offer - a 2006 release by the Lee Bowie Band (Lee Bowie, Randy Innes and Robert Rochefort), Sunflowers and Surfcasters, and a 1995 recording from his former band, The Suicide Kings (Lorenzo Cotroneo, Lee Bowie, Trevor Finlay, Sean Burke, Guido Guzzo, Teri Loretto, and Lori Hodge), entitled ...and make it strong. The latter includes a hidden track by the Suburban Tabernak! Choir, which includes drummer Steve Lund (of Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo and Cajun Zydeco) and guitarist Scott Doubt.

I'm very interested in catching up on the Ottawa-Gatineau music scene, after having been away for the better part of 30 years, and look forward to hearing from many others.

D.D.

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