9 heavy gigs to get you through the week

Well, you can pretty much set your watch to gigs slowing down just before the holidays, and this year is certainly no different. Although there are definitely some great touring bands gracing our town this week, there is a real “locals only” feel to the week.

Friday: It seems I really kicked at a hornet’s nest when I described the Hazelles as sloth rockers — the once dormant band is digging in their heels with more gigs. You can catch them with fellow ex-Starvin’ Hungry buds Half Measures at the Barfly with the Pink Noise and Half Baked filling out the bill. 4062 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5

One of my top two picks of the week is Pharmakon, Marshstepper, Libestod, Ligature and la Naegleria at la Vitrola. 4602 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10/$12

The other big pick is doom-and-gloomers Occult Burial with Atroce, Outre-Tombe and Cancer at Katacombes. Be afraid — be very afraid. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $10

Saturday: Local Troma-inspired horror/comedy film Nuclear Neighbourhood gives another screening at Playhouse to be followed by some ripping punk rawk with Zex, Dekoder, the Bombs and custodian punkers Vibe Wrecker. 5656 Parc, film at 8 p.m. sharp, bands at 9:30 p.m., $7

For some envelope-pushing tech metal, catch Despised Icon, Beneath the Massacre, Ion Dissonance and Of Temples at Club Soda. 1225 St-Laurent, 7:30 p.m., $28/$30

Things should definitely get messy when psych/cult/punkers Vomit Squad unleash holy hell with Melted Faces, Perverted Justice and Shitsu at l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $5

If you haven’t experienced the cold and hypnotic trance of Marie Davidson, see her at the Drones with JS Aurelius, Encapsulate, Carval Veil and Pelada. Secret location, 9 p.m., $5

If you want some n.w.w.b.h.m  and vintage Bay Area thrash, you can catch one of my favourite local metal bands Metalian with fellow hashers Divebomber at Barfly. 4062 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., $5

Wednesday: Probably the giggin’-est band in the city, glimmering power poppers Dany Laj and the Looks, keep it rockin’ steady with the Sangomas and Pale Lips at l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9:30 p.m., $5

 

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