MACABRE MUSIC: JOHNNY HOLLOW PLAYS LIVE THIS THURSDAY IN TORONTO

MACABRE MUSIC: JOHNNY HOLLOW + ATTRITION IN TORONTO

The DLB’s favourite local band, Johnny Hollow, opens for UK electronic music legends Attrition this Sunday at the Neutral nightclub. (See posters for details.)

This is what Johnny Hollow is like live, performing a cover of The Sisters of Mercy classic “Temple of Love”:

And this is the wonderfully bizarre Attrition video for “A Girl Called Harmony”:

You should be there.

FRIGHTENING PHOTOS: RUE MORGUE’S BLACK 100 PARTY

Trio of terror: (l-r) RM writer Liisa Ladouceur, Managing Editor Monica S. Kuebler and Office Manager Jessa Sobczuk

Rue Morgue Magazine‘s Black 100 party happened this past Friday at Toronto club Revival. Of that, I am sure. (Beyond that, it’s a bit of a blur thanks to the Warner Home Video-sponsored open bar.) But there is photographic evidence.

Can’t wait for the 200th  issue party!

L-R: Musician Deane Hughes of Akumu, Rue Morgue designer "Ghoulish" Gary Pullin and comedian/actor Tal Zimerman

So Sick Social Club's Chris Lewchuk and filmmaker Philip Carrer

Johnny Hollow cellist Kitty Thompson with artist Ankixa Risk

RM admirer Ashley Lotecki (centre) with friends

RM writer John Bowen (right) with friend

Squid Lid!

Longtime RM supporters Kat Von Pire and Steve Walsh

MACABRE MUSIC: FAITH & THE MUSE, JOHNNY HOLLOW LIVE IN TORONTO

Johnny Hollow cellist Kitty Thompson

Toronto’s creatures of the night came out in full force last night to sup on the sinful sounds of local Goth trio Johnny Hollow and the act they helped bring to town, America’s Faith & The Muse. This was FATM’s first local show in 11 years so the 90-minute delay to the start of their set (border troubles, of course) was only a minor impediment.

Johnny Hollow has built up a solid local following in the last couple of years, packing the Horseshoe Tavern on a Monday night this winter (despite the doubts of the ‘Shoe’s booking agents, we were told) and now drawing a solid crowd to the El Mocambo, a nice follow-up to their gig at the same venue on Devil’s Night last year. Here is the band performing their cover of The Sisters of Mercy classic ‘Temple of Love’:

And here they are playing their own song, ‘Worse Things’:

Janine White of Johnny Hollow

Not being overly familiar with Faith and the Muse, the DLB was curious, having only heard a few songs and watched the YouTube trailer for the Toronto show:

Monica Richards of Faith and the Muse

The result was mesmerizing, a phantasmagorical display of hypnotic rhythms, atmospheric music and a theatrical presentation. Core members Monica Richards (vocals) and William Faith (guitar, vocals, electric cello, drums) were joined by six other multi-instrumentalists to play an alternately beautiful and compelling blend of Gothic, Celtic and tribal tracks. Not being familiar with the band’s catalogue, I haven’t been able to name these songs but feel free to comment if you know their titles:

William Faith, almost in focus

Here’s hoping we don’t need to wait another 11 years before FATM’s next Toronto show. Johnny Hollow’s, by the way, is June 6 at Neutral (349A College St. at Augusta) with Attrition.

MACABRE MUSIC: FAITH & THE MUSE IN TORONTO

Fabled Gothic rock duo Faith and the Muse is winging its way back to Toronto for a show at the El Mocambo April 19th. Opening the evening will be local band Johnny Hollow, while legendary Chicago-via-Berlin DJ Scary Lady Sarah will be providing the macabre melodies between sets.

William Faith and Monica Richards

Tickets are $15 each, doors are at 9 pm. Go, listen, be happy for once. Oh, and to see what to expect, watch this…

MORBID MUSIC: JOHNNY HOLLOW LIVE!

Guelph-based chamber goth outfit Johnny Hollow played a charmingly creepy set last night — Devil’s Night — at Toronto’s El Mocambo club. Here they are performing the theme from John Carpenter’s Halloween, which segues into a new song.

And a special Halloween treat: another new JH song, which cellist Kitty Thompson announced would be included on their next record!

MORBID MUSIC: TORONTO ELECTRO-GOTH BAND ALECTRONA LIVE

Electro-Goth band Alectrona opened for Johnny Hollow last night at the El Mocambo, and we were impressed, especially their cover of Bauhaus’s ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’. Here they are performing their song ‘Dead’:

Get more info on the band on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/eroticbass