Meg Warren of Repartee performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Their charismatic singer Meg Warren’s strong voice carried throughout their set taking the audience back to the 80’s bubblegum dreams, crimped hair and neon colors.
USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Toronto’s Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS for short) started their Algonquin Commons Theatre show with a bang.
DJ Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
DJ Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons was flying across the stage in his flaming Adidas track suit throwing front flips and high-fiving the audience while singer Ashley Buchholz bounced around with his acoustic guitar to start their energetic set for the night.
Ashley Buchholz of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
After the intro, the band mixed in House of Pain to get the crowd going for the Laces Out from their early releases. From Yo Hello Hooray to Nepal, the audience religiously repeated every lyric and bounced with their masters until the theatre turned into a pool of sweaty bodies.
DJ Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Parsons took the opportunity to remember George Michael in between songs when he got the crowd to hold their cell phone flash lights and lighter up in the air and silently swaying while he threw in a short clip of Careless Whisper.
DJ Jason “Human Kebab” Parsons of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
The stillness did not last long once the band got the people going again with This Is The Best, Work Shoes, and for a moment turned the floor into a massive rave with Freakquency, and even the audience with assigned seats on the upper levels couldn’t keep their asses on their seats anymore.
Ashley Buchholz of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Buchholz silenced the theatre with the acoustic K.I.T., which brought him to his knees in front of the stage and got the crowd cheering wildly.
Ashley Buchholz of USS performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Visibly emotional singer gave a shout out to his band mate when he admitted he would still be hiding in his basement if he had never met him.
Ashley Buchholz of USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
The band’s first hit Hollowpoint Sniper Hyperbole, Who’s with me and Damini ended the main set, and after the crowd insisted, they returned on stage for another four songs.
USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) performs at Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa photo by Dave DiUbaldo
Song after song of floor pounding drum ’n’ bass and deafening beats combined with a blinding light show, makes you realize that the band is at their full potential live.
USS left Ottawa hot, our ears ringing, and anxiously waiting for the band’s promise to return to Ottawa this summer, could this be an RBC Bluesfest lineup hint? I guess time will tell.
Article written by Laura Collins. Photos by David DiUbaldo of Worn Leather Media.
