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We Just Wanna Have Some Fun, Down At The Rock And Roll Club

To say that old Saint Valentine and Prince Palu have not always gotten on would be an understatement, but those old wounds and sad tales are for another time and place. What is important to Palu, however, is that as we all brace ourselves for this Hallmark holiday, each and everyone of you understand that you are all special and that he loves you in his own special way. He would also like to point out that if you are going to break-up with your boyfriend/girlfriend this Saturday, do it before they take you out for dinner and spend a lot of money, that they cannot really afford, buying gifts for your ungrateful ass, Suzanne! Anyway, here are his picks for this weekend. Happy Valentines Day.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Ultrathin, the local swampy psychedelic-punk band - drummer Matthew Wilson, bassist Mark Fragua, and guitarist Shaun Anderson (the man behind such ventures as The Pirates of Lachine Canal and Psychic Handshake Records) - who have been going for a few years now, dropping three cassettes and countless memorable shows, are launching their debut LP tonight at L'Escogriffe (4467 St-Denis). Along for the ride are Birds of Paradise, the new music project of Roy and Hannah from Red Mass, with their noir-folk-punk blend, and the punky-synth (or is it synthy-punk?) of Perverted Justice. It is part of Buckfest 14 and only $5!

For a more rootsy evening, Barfly (4062 St-Laurent) presents Yukon transplants The Soda Pony, who described themselves as "the synth wielding friendship duo". Joining in on the rootsy throw down will be none other than (surprise, surprise) Monsieur Santosh Lalonde, with yet another music project! This evening he will be hitting the stage under the nom du jour Santosh Lalonde Extravaganza, which I don't have much information about, but he did post this photo on the Facebook event.

Celebrating their 7th anniversary, Passovah Productions present the launch party for Sea Oleena's album Shallow over at La Plante. Also playing tonight will be the ambient-pop masters Seoul.

If you are looking for a more dance party vibe to start your weekend flowing, DJ Annie Q presents the first 'Yes All Girls!' party at Bar le Ritz P.D.B. (179 Jean Talon W). A multi-genre blending celebration of all women in music that promises to be dangerous, beautiful and crazy while being full of substance and awesomeness. There will also be a live performance by Pelada. It all gets going around 10:00pm and is free.

Another great dance party tonight is the monthly CJLO-presented Beats and Brews happening over at Kafein (1429 Bishop). This month is the World Music edition with some of the best DJs Montreal has to offer. You can check the Facebook event for all the details of the whos and whens, but I'm gonna give a big shout out to my girl Sugarface Nene who has been bringing the funk for over a decade on the amazing Beat The World on CJLO every Saturday from 12:00-2:00pm.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Continuing with their anniversary celebrations, Passovah Productions, in collaboration with POP Montreal and Blue Skies Turn Black, present Thus Owls, Last Ex (members of Timber Timbre), and Special Noise at Bar le Ritz P.D.B. (179 Jean Talon W). Put on your skinny jeans and and get ready to enter the Valley of Hipdom.

If that is not loud enough for you, Blue Skies Turn Black is also co-presenting (with Extensive Enterprise) a night of bi-coastal hardcore punk at Turbo Haus (1180 St-Antoine W. #408) that will leave you punch drunk and sweaty. A supergroup of sorts out of Los Angeles, Obliterations - Stephen McBean (Black Mountain/Pink Mountaintops) on guitar, Austin Barber (Saviours) on bass, Sam James Velde (Night Horse) on vocals, and Flo Schanze on drums - are touring in support of their debut album Poison Everything. Representing the other side of the continent is Brooklyn's Sick Feeling whose debut album, Suburban Myth, came out last month on Terrible Records. Opening up the evening of screaming and head pounding ruckus will be Montreal's Mental Fix. Just a suggestion, but if you plan on heading over for this night of raw power, bring some ear plugs.

Friday is also time for another great R&B dance party from the good folks at Mess Around happening at Le Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent). Beginning at 9:30, DJs New Breed Nick and Ben Shulman will be selecting vintage soul and R&B tunes from their vast 45rpm collection. Some of the songs you might know and love, and some of them you may discover and grow to love. Either way you will not be able to keep those feet from movin'.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day then to head over to the Wheel Club (3373 Cavendish) and dance the night away with the one you love to the hip shaking rock 'n' roll of the Eddy Blake Trio? Exactly, there isn't a better way to do, so put on your fancy duds and do your hair up pretty and kick up some dust with Montreal's coolest rockin' Daddy-o. Along for the fun will be Cold Lake Buzzards, yet another music project of Santosh Lalonde, and country swagger of The Dirt. At just $10 it is a steal of a Valentine's Day date. Now just so's you knows, single ladies and gents are just as welcome, and who knows maybe you'll not be single when you leave. Love will be in the air!

If you are on the lookout for a quieter evening with your significant other on this lovers holiday, you could check out the soulful jazz of the Mike Gauthier Quartet at L'Escalier (552, rue Ste-Catherine E - 2nd floor). A little jazz, a little food, a little wine. A Valentine's Day date doesn't come much easier than this.

One final option to celebrate Saint Valentine, with or without a partner, is the garage love-in happening at La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent) with the legendary Boston garage band Lyres, and Montreal's own garage-punk hooligans Les Envahisseurs. Rounding out the night and making sure that there are no gaps in the garage stomp will be DJ Joakim Morin.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Well I ain't gonna say nothing about February 15th before I say Happy Birthday to Gigi. Seven years strong and getting better everyday. If you have not yet checked out her podcast, Pop Shop with Gigi Brown, this would be the perfect day to have a listen.

As for what to do Sunday night, I've got two choices for you. First there is the always-sure bet of the Bluegrass & Old Time Country Jam at Barfly (4062 St-Laurent), which is a great way to say goodbye to the weekend. Secondly, staying with the twangy theme, but adding a little bit more punk into the mix, is the Buckfest 14 offering over at L'Esco (4467 St-Denis) with Bucky Harris, Route St-Louis, and Old Dirty Banjo (featuring members of Les Chiens de Ruelles, Ol' Crocodile, Cartel-Pigeon, and Street Meat).

--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.