What's Happening?

We Just Wanna Have Some Fun, Down at the Rock and Roll Club

Prince Palu found himself spinning in all different directions this week with term paper research, pediatrician appointments, and out-of-town family functions, so this edition of "What's Happening?" is lighter in words than normal. It is, however, one of the most important weeks in the Montreal calendar. We have survived what will go down as the coldest February in our recorded history, and in honour of that, here are some ways to celebrate as this month fades into a memory and gives way to March.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

It looks as though the SUUNS and Disappears show up at Bar Le "Ritz" P.D.B. (179 Jean Talon W.) has sold out, so if you didn't act quick enough here are a few other options.

Let's be honest, if you were hoping to go see SUUNS, trying to find something similar will only leave you more disappointed, right? The best thing you can do is forget about psychedelic ambient music for the night and try some different flavours. One such option finds The Bombadils returning from their artist residency at The Banff Centre to launch their sophomore album at La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent). Heaps of acoustic instruments, vocal harmonies, and their friends Sin and Swoon joining in the old time fun.

Keeping with the old time fun theme, you could always check out The Golden Two featuring Eric Sandmark (aka the Eddy Blake Trio) downtown at Brutopia (1219 Crescent). There are not many guarantees in this world, but these fellas are one.

For a funkier take on music, you could hop over to Le Belmont (4483 St-Laurent) and check out the party that is the nine-piece collective Busty and the Bass. Opening the night will be local garage rockers Frisky Kids with a different musical style, but the same amped up energy.

Friday, February 27, 2015

If Elton John is to be believed and Saturday night is in fact alright for fightin', then Friday night is surely alright for trashy, glam rock 'n' roll. Luckily for us Montreal maestros of such music, After Party Acid People will be plugging in at Barfly (4062 St-Laurent) and delivering a boozy blast of adrenaline. Toronto's OL'CD are making the trek up the 401 to add some Hogtown splash. Rounding out the night, and playing their first show whilst also launching their first album, will be the local trash punk band Straight Escape.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

A couple of rock show options on Saturday. First up at La Vitrola is a night with so many varieties of head-spinning pop goodness, it'll leave you giddy. There is the post-punk pop art band The This Many Boyfriends Club, the six-headed indie pop collective Archery Guild, go-fi pop duo Look Vibrant, and the gothy synth pop of J0J1. Show at 9:00. $5 at the door.

If you'd like to add a little more punk into the music mix, head down to Le Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent) where Crabe will mix it up with the lo-fi ambient tunes of Corridor and the fuzzy power pop of Silver Dapple.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

At the newly-rechristened Théâtre Fairmount (5240 du Parc), the Red Bull Music Academy wraps up their four-day Bass Camp music festival with Toronto's free-jazz hip hop trio BADBADNOTGOOD. Their latest release, Sour Soul (a collaboration with Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah), has been getting so much buzz that the band should probably get ready for a whole lot more attention, and you should go see them while you have the chance.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

The mid-week show that I have to include in this week's column is happening at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent). Red hot local rockers Heat will play one last hometown show before hitting the road to conquer the world. After glowing write ups in Vice, NME, Q Magazine, and The Guardian, it seems like only a matter of time before the rock and roll public catches up. With upcoming shows at SXSW in Austin, TX and The Great Escape Festival in the UK, this might be your last chance to see them in a venue this size. Also playing will be Beat Cops and Child Actor, thus making this a must-see show. Do yourself a favour and grab a ticket right now at Blue Skies Turn Black. It will be the best $10 you spend this week.

--Prince Palu hosts The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, every Friday night from 6 to 8pm. Tune in. Turn on. Freak OUT! Only on CJLO.