# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z




Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006

  by Andrew Carver

published: 23 / 6 / 2006



Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006

intro

New wave melodic pop band Immaculate Machine have been attracting increasing attention in their native Canada. Andrew Carver sees them and modbeat-influenced support act the Ride Theory play active sets at a show at Babylon in Ottawa

Victoria, B.C.’s Immaculate Machine have won fans with their new wave influenced melodic pop, and grabbed a little extra attention thanks to singer and keyboardist Kathryn Calder’s connection to the highly acclaimed New Pornographers. That connection didn’t seem to generate a huge crowd on a Friday night – and other shows that night probably harmed their draw – but they and their opener generated a dedicated crowd. First band of the evening was the Ride Theory, a modbeat-influenced band from Canada’s premier steel town, Hamilton. A few listens and you understand why they’re opening for the reconstituted Yardbirds on a few July dates. The well-dressed crew knock out tunes that would have suited the Crawdaddy Club, or popped up on a Stiff Records sampler next to Nick Lowe. The Theory brought in a few rowdy fans of their own, one of whom bellowed for ‘Piper’, one of the band’s tunes, during breaks in the action. They were a very active stage act with the occasional near collision. On record Immaculate Machine eschew fancy production for an energetic rush through their material. Their live show has a similarly loose and engaging feel, with a set-list free approach to the running order of their songs: Introducing ‘There’s No Future’ one audience member yelled out “It’s so true!” which was misinterpreted as ‘Strange Brew’. After a brief stab at the Cream tune, and, for some reason, ‘Independent Women, Pt. 1’ – the Destiny’s Child theme for ‘Charlie's Angels’-the band returned to the previously announced number. There was also much amusing banter - including discussions of the band’s predilection for playing street hockey when they come to town - some remarkable gurning from shirtless drummer Luke and of course the band’s nifty melodies, three-person harmonies and apocalyptic litanies. Having played most, if not all, of their latest album, ‘Ones and Zeros’, the band rounded things off with a cover of ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Who Is We Are’ from their first long-player, ‘Transporter’. A pleasant show with a lot of exuberant charm.



Picture Gallery:-
Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006


Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006


Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006


Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006


Immaculate Machine - Babylon, Ottawa, 23/6/2006



Post A Comment


your name
ie London, UK
Check box to submit



reviews


Immaculate Machine's Fables (2007)
Impressive indie rock on new album from Canadian band Immaculate Machine, whose frontwoman Kathryn Calder also plays in the New Pornographers
Ones And Zeros (2006)


most viewed articles






most viewed reviews











Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors