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Tonight we will have a special double edition of Champions of the Local Scene, with Montreal band Punchline 13 live in studio at 7pm. Punchline 13 wil be playing Pouzza Fest May 17 & 18th at TRH Bar- 3699 St Laurent, more information here! Tune in tonight at 7pm for this special episode hosted by Abby of Psychic City.

Hosted by Saturm De Los Angles 

Stories by Celeste Lee, Tom Matukala and Catlin Spencer

Produced by Tom Matukala 

Summer, where are you? Nanimal, a Montreal-based band releasing their debut full-length Presentation, seem to have an idea. It's a follow-up to their previous release, Karma Kamikaze EP, which was recorded at Montreal's finest radio station, CJLO (heard of it?). Nanimal make music you listen to with the windows open and your mind adrift.
 
More than just wanting to blast this record out of your speakers, Presentation's exuberant energy creates a desire to see Nanimal live. Often bands whose music fall into that increasingly meaningless term "noise rock" or "indie-rock" struggle to translate the booming energy of their live sound into a recording. One of the primary reasons Presentation works so well is the production doesn't shy away from the rawness of what's being emoted, but rather embraces and emphasizes it, which ultimately creates an energetic atmosphere that's hard to ignore.
 
Opening track "Mother Father" sets the tone for the record clearly. Title track "Presentation" gives us some great advice, "You don't let no bullshit change nothing / I've changed, I think, it's in the presentation". It almost sounds silly, but for anyone in that weird mid-20's stretch, it's a statement that's all too relatable. The record is diverse, and doesn't stick to any sonic or lyrical structure throughout, which keeps your attention intact. Album stand out "Only If You Say" veers off into swirling post-punk territory, while "Call The Airline" is driven by jangly guitar tones and one of the best songs on the record.
 
Sonically, the record evokes multiple references, notably the Pixies and the raw guitar crunch of Steve Albini produced records. Fans of Parquet Courts, White Lung, and Greys will find plenty to love here, but to be clear the reason this record works is because Nanimal have their own distinct voice. That voice is laced with personality, wit and at times, aggression. It feels familiar but stands on its own, and this makes the record both highly palatable and engaging even on first listen.
 
Rating: 4/5
Best For: Convincing yourself it's not freezing outside. Still.

--Kenny Chatoor is former CJLO radio DJ and magazine contributor currently living in Ontario, "Yeah things are good, there is definitely nothing like CJLO in Toronto though, which is a bummer."

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

Spring is making a gallant effort to be sprung in the great city of Montreal, as the buds begin to appear on the trees and the thermometer goes through its annual bipolar episode. In this time of renewal it is nice to realize that sometimes an old dog can learn a new thing. Nearly 20 years after he first took on the title of 'Concordia student', Prince Palu learned about the existence of the phantom third floor in the downtown Hall Building. While this is of no real importance to you, Palu was beside himself telling anyone who would take the time to listen. If you ever see him out at one of the bars mentioned below and would like to know about this secret floor, buy him a beer and he'll surely regale you with stories of hidden stairwells and private rooms. Until then, here are a few options for this weekend.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

There is no better way to kick off the weekend than with the killer show happening at Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent) when CJLO and Femme Fatales co-present Hervana, the all-grrrl Nirvana cover band from Toronto, with two of Montreal's finest, Nancy Pants and Heathers. And before you accuse me of nepotism, the fact that this is a benefit show for CJLO, as well as Rock Camp for Girls Montreal, has nothing to do with my insistence that this is the best way to start your weekend. I have not seen Hervana before, but have been lucky enough to see the other two bands on a few occasions, and can guarantee that they will leave you well spent and sweaty. Plus, an all-grrrl Nirvana cover band?! I mean c'mon, what's not to like? Plus a '90s Dance Party with some of CJLO's finest DJs spinning classic Riot Grrrl, Grunge and other gems from the decade of my youth. $10 and the doors open at 9:00.

If the superfuzz bigmuff vibe is not your bag, then you could make your way up to Bar Le "Ritz" PDB (179 Jean Talon W) for the danceable dystopic electronica of Montreal artist Airick Woodhead, aka Doldrums. The show is to celebrate the release of his Sub Pop debut album, The Air Conditioned Nightmare, and will feature Toronto's pop electronica duo Moon King, half of which happens to be Woodhead's brother Daniel. The doors open at 9:00, show begins at 9:30. $13 at the door.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Tomorrow night there are a number of great rock 'n' roll options happening, starting with New York City garage legends The Fleshtones at Bar Le "Ritz" PDB, with local rock 'n' roll duo Les Deuxluxes, and Toronto's psych-beat warriors Pow Wows. Rounding out the night will be Mod Club Montreal DJs Ben Shulman and Parka Pat. If you are a fan of '60s garage rock this is a show that you don't want to miss. Doors open at 9:00, show starts at 9:30. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Friday also sees the return of Detroit underground legends Tyvek, who will bring their brand of garage-punk to La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent). Joining them in the mixed bag of rock 'n' roll bedlam will be the jagged post punk of Gashrat, the synth punk of Les Temps Liquides, the psychedelic sludge of Crosss, and the noisy shrugcore sounds of Cheap Wig. Doors open at 9:00. $10 at the door.

And what would a 'What's Happening?' column be without an appearance from Monsieur Santosh Lalonde? It seems that pretty much every week since this column started back in November there has been something being offered up by this fine gentleman. This week he returns with the date that he brought to the dance, so to speak, the incomparably bad ass polkabilly Bad Uncle. And as you've come to expect from a night of music where M. Lalonde is involved, the stage will feature other like-minded genre blending rascals. This time it will be the anarcho-folk gypsy-punk of Tintamare, and the '60s go-go spy-fi surf sounds of Ottawa's The Reverb Syndicate, who just happened to release a brand new album, Odyssey, at the beginning of this month. It is all taking place down at Coop Katacombes (1635 St-Laurent) for $10. Doors open at 9:00, show starts at 10:00.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

If you are looking to get a little dirty this weekend, Barfly (4602 St-Laurent) is putting on a night of messy rock 'n' roll simply titled Rock Show. For $5 at Montreal's greatest dive you can catch the trashy glam-pop of the brother-sister duo The Castagne's, the lo-fi garage of Double Date With Death, and the punk rock of Straight Escape, but try not to catch anything else, if you know what I mean. Show starts at 9:00.

Need your Saturday to be a little more art-rock themed? Then you'll want to check out what Brasserie Beaubien (73 Beaubien E) has going on. The four-band bill of The Marquis, Alexei Martov, Heavens No, and The This Many Boyfriends Club is sure to fill you up with all the experimental new-wave DIY rock your little heart can handle. $6 at the door, show starts at 9:30.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

It appears that this Sunday evening is brought to you by the good folks at Blue Skies Turn Black as they present three shows for you to choose from. First up is the great double bill at La Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent) with two fantastic bands out of Toronto. Darlene Shrugg, which is a new band comprised of U.S. Girls and Slim Twig, play what they themselves have described as "ice cream rock", which from the sounds of the track made available on their bandcamp is a fuzzy, reverb infected pop melange. Joining them will be Milk Lines and their hypnotic cosmic folk-rock, fresh off their US tour with The King Khan & BBQ Show. Spinning tunes throughout the night will be DJ Tanner of Timber Timbre. Doors at 8:00, show starts at 9:00. $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

Down the street from Sala Rossa, at Le Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent), BSTB present a night of music for all you Emo kids out there. Chicago's Dowsing will set up shop and give you all something to agree with. Joining in the night of angsty noise will be Kingsey Falls, QC guardians of emo-punk, Cold Days, and Montreal's A Death In Canada, who sound less emo, but definitely have a great emo band name. Doors at 8:30, show starts at 9:00. $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

And the final offering from BSTB, up at their home base of Bar Le "Ritz" PDB, on what is supposed to be a beautiful +15°C Sunday evening, will be a night of electronic bliss for all you electronica fiends. San Francisco's post-punk techno band The Soft Moon, the droning cinematic soundscapes of Brooklyn's Noveller, and local synth wave dame Xarah Dion will have your brain humming into the wee hours of Monday morning. And judging by the response on the Facebook event page, it might be wise to get your ticket in advance. $11 in advance or $13 at the door. Doors at 9:00, show starts at 9:30.

--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.