It was unofficial but cousin Jon and me caught the first Titans home game of the season. Just seven innings which was fine due to the chill and, as per usual, The Quebecs handed us our ass. Hopefully another fun cross-provincial rivalry this year. 10,000+ expected for Fridays Home Opener. Wow!

You can’t lose with love songs, babe.

Took a walk down the street and popped in to see my buddy @dawnsev.bsky.social rocking out in a neighbourhood bar. Sunday funday! #palsofrock #southpaws

Rock show at the record store. Saturdays rule! Cruised on my bike to a bunch of neighbourhoods and enjoyed seeing friends. And today I joined the Comma Club. Bully for me! I’m running out of milestones. Heh. #sobriety #IWNDWYT

“I don’t know that one. It’s a great song and I like that Vox guitar but I think they blew their video budget on drugs.” - Talking to girls about New Zealand powerpop

Throw some love at local punks. The Retreads have dropped a record and are celebrating its release on May 13 at House of Targ. Let’s fuckin’ go!

Raise a mug for David Allan Coe who departed yesterday. He was the favourite songwriter of all the dads even if the dads didn’t realize it. Big hits include, ‘Take This Job and Shove It’, ‘Willie, Waylon and Me’, and ‘Longhaired Redneck’. For extra credibility, he learned to sing & play in prison.

Of all my songs that don’t make it to The List of my songs, most of them are written about animals in my world. Topper & Bishop have MANY songs. There’s one about Margie that actually made it to The List AND got recorded. I’m glad my cats don’t understand English. #Kiteracy

Whirlwind weekend. First to Montreal to see Lemon Twigs & The Josephine Network with dear old pal K. Then down to Ktown for Barry’s farewell/birthday gathering and more lovely faces. This week is quiet save for a couple local shows. It’s spring. See you on the outside!

Top model! #Caturday

Beautiful Jane performs solo, gives the good people of Ottawa many feelings. I opened my antennae and received the music through smiles and tears. A lovely communion. Thank you. #JaneSiberry

*me eating dinner at the Cat in the Hat's house* these fish sticks are delicious, but why are they red and blue?

It happened again. I thought Dave Mason had died years ago. Damn. I don’t think I have any Traffic records but maybe I’ll throw on that thing he did with Cass Elliot from the early 70s. My sympathies to his fans.

I love you but I am not clicking on your Substack link. Sorry my dudes.

Jane is in town this week. I’ll be at the Thursday show if you want to meet me at the NAC and hang out.

Another wonderful #SolosGoingSteady is in the books. Great fun going steady with these cool cats year after year. Thanks, you clever lovelies. #palsofrock

Just got busted singing along to disco songs at the grocery store. Dude gave me a funny smile and kinda shook his head. He was gone before I could explain that I, in fact DO love the nightlife and that I absolutely have GOT to boogie on the disco ‘round. Oh yeah.

Shop at Birdman. Beauty day to bike over to the drum store, hang in the parking lot with Johnny Feck & co. and grab some new releases. I didn’t fly to BC last week for the YFF show but I did sing on this DG/RRP LP with 500 other devoted fans and friends. 💙 #DallasGoodForever #BirdmanSound #YepRoc

I keep taking drugs and they keep working so here we go ‘round again.

If cats had fingers they would 100% be flipping you off all the time

Here we go again. Join us Saturday night for another edition of Solos Going Steady, our annual showcase of artists unassisted. Always great fun. Quality music by some of Capital City’s finest songwriters/performers. It is going to sound pretty. Tix through Irene’s Pub or walk up. Music starts 9pm.

💛🩶

On the bus last week wearing headphones when I spotted Larry walking down the street. I said “Hey! It’s Larry!” probably too loud cos everyone on the bus turned and looked at me. But c’mon, it was fuckin’ Larry, okay?

Godspeed, street sweeper parade. Long may you run. 🧹🐣🌷

Last week was full of shenanigans. And friends with instruments. And terrible jokes. Thanks for coming out everybody. Let’s do it again this week! @dawnsev.bsky.social @patrickndg.bsky.social

Think I want to invite flash camera guy out to the parking lot.

This folksinger looks like he probably shouldn’t say no to a penicillin shot.

The Strokes are now as deep into their career as The Rolling Stones were circa Steel Wheels #couchella

Solid bicycle adventure day. First of the year! Last years season was short due to injuries. Feels good to be working the pedals slowly up a hill, the Rocky Theme in my head. Caught both live music and a 3D cartoon. Fun! Not messing with safety. Bike is all lit up. If I get hit it’s on purpose!

There’s no way to drink with a straw and still look cool. Sobriety problems.

Cold Coffee & Salty Boots. Ottawa’s least popular folk-punk-glockenspiel band. Live Sudbury pic from 2009 recently unearthed by pal JV. We practiced every day and were really good but rarely made it out of the basement of Artguise. Oh well. We pressed a record and it’s pretty good. Hit me up.

I was talking about this record recently. Pulled it tonight. Solid Side 1. Lots of play over the years. #CamperVanBeethoven

A good thing about people is that they can count. They can keep time even when the music stops. They might clap. It’s great when everyone sings. People want the song to keep going. It’s a very nice thing to be a part of.

Sometimes it’s really great. Last night was really great. Everyone stepped up to deliver beautiful, touching & clever music. Played to strangers and left having made new friends. Most of my jokes landed, folks sang along. Warm fuzzy feelings throughout. Happy Shanker! (Missed you Dawn) #palsofrock

Guitar shenanigans. With bonus fiddle and autoharp. Tonight in Centretown! Folk-rock fun! #palsofrock

Our good friend Mr. Kiely with the win last night. The ANVIL patch above the #FuckTrump is a Canadian chef’s kiss. No punks like old punks.

Trump threatening to destroy an entire civilization to get Iran to the table proves that he’s a Master Negotiator. The same way you shit in your hand and rub it into your hair when you’re on an airplane and want more pretzels.

Tonight. Gonna be great. Music starts 8:30pm sharp. Pull out your two-tone creepers and let’s rock!

A joyful and hilarious Slo’ Tom Day yesterday in a packed house. I sat with some Allaire Show first-timers and we all laughed and sang and had a big goofy time. #palsofrock

Happy Slo’ Tom Day to those who observe. A few seats left at Quinn’s if you pop by soon. #ottmusic

Finally available for home viewing. I ❤️ Redd Kross. #BornInnocent #ReddKross

Fourth Stage fun. Local star Mia Kelly on tour with Australia’s Kim Churchill teaming up to make the pretty music. Took double drugs and hallucinated through a good portion of Kim’s set - a cool bonus! Also took loads of notes in the dark that I’ll need to decipher later. #folkmusic #doubledrugs

The new Robyn Hitchcock single is brilliant. The Confuser LP out this July on Tiny Ghost Records. #iamthisthing

Anyone else attending tonight’s sold out Kim Churchill concert? Meet me in the lobby if you want to hang. I’m an excellent seat-mate.

‘Tis the season. ⚾️

- Are we doing that Chuck Berry song? - Sure - What key do you wanna play it in? - Um, Johnny B Minor?

It’s above freezing and it’s not yet 7AM. Feeling hopeful today. Let’s wear sneakers!

Anyway here’s a shot of local troubadours John Allaire and Matt Gower from yesterday’s excellent Allaire Show. Only a few of these events left this season. Don’t miss Slo’ Tom next Saturday. @mattgower.bsky.social

Halloween costume idea: Salvador Dali Parton You’re Welcome

Freedom 55? There is no freedom. There is only Zuul.