Fear of festivals, love of Blues Control

The new Blues Control release Valley Tangents has been a daily listening ritual for me since I first scooped it up a couple of weeks ago, and the live translation should really lift these psyched/jazzed-out jams up high. Lea Cho’s Dave Brubeck/Stan Getz-esque piano lets loose a cluster of chords on opening track “Love’s a Rondo” (à la turk?) as Russ Waterhouse’s guitar and synths know when to careen and lead the charge, and when to just lay back and fill in all the holes.

The big gig on the horizon is this weekend’s Osheaga festival. I’m not going to waste too much bandwidth on it, though – my overworked Cult MTL colleagues will have you covered, giving you the skinny on the fest before and after the fact.

No slam against Osheaga, but I once again won’t be attending. Although seeing Sonic Youth as well as an absolutely amazing show by Devo there in 2010 is indelibly stamped into my memory banks, I still retain reservations about festivals of any stripe. Specifically, it’s fear… of the sight of overflowing chemical toilets, crowded subway cars and line-ups everywhere. I also tend to fry to a crisp if left out in the sun for more than five minutes. For the tens of thousands of you going to Osheaga this weekend, don’t forget to pack sunblock, by gummy!

But if you’re like me and would rather avoid the crowds, may I suggest you darken the door of Il Motore on Wednesday, when Drag City duo Blues Control pulls into town with Natural Child, Andy Boay and DJ Sanderson. The new Blues Control release Valley Tangents has been a daily listening ritual for me since I first scooped it up a couple of weeks ago, and the live translation should really lift these psyched/jazzed-out jams up high. Lea Cho’s Dave Brubeck/Stan Getz-esque piano lets loose a cluster of chords on opening track “Love’s a Rondo” (à la turk?) as Russ Waterhouse’s guitar and synths know when to careen and lead the charge, and when to just lay back and fill in all the holes. If you miss the days when Tortoise and their Thrill Jockey rock/jazz hybrids ruled the roost, you’ll definitely want to grab this slab of wax off the merch table.

Wednesday – If you’re down with the Laurel Canyon jams, you don’t want to miss Vermont’s MV & EE when they smoke some bad banana peels with There Is Still Time… Brother at Casa del Popolo.

Friday – Drawing on the rich surf heritage laid down by local bands like the Treblemakers, Montreal surf finks Madafakaz will turn the reverb up to 10 when they catch a wave at Casa, with ample support from the Rejecters.

Also happening on Friday at l’Escogriffe is the birthday party being held for Priestess/Uncle Bad Touch honcho Mikey Heppner. Better get there early if you’re hoping to squeeze into this one. Along with Heppner’s Uncle Bad Touch, the Yardlets, le Kid et les Marinellis and Taylor Hoodlum Stevenson will be on hand to help blow out the candles on Mikey’s cake.

Saturday – Without a doubt, the place to be on Saturday is at the best watering hole in the city (Barfly!), where Starvin’ Hungry will reunite for one final local show. The band’s last stand will feature the original  “twin line-up” of the Milchem brothers. If you’ve been whining about Montreal’s slumping garage rock scene, this is not to be missed. Expect nothing less than real-deal, sleazy garage rock ’n’ roll done to a T. There are no openers, and Starvin’ Hungry will park themselves next to the washrooms at midnight.

Sunday – If the Blues Control show has you strokin’ yer whiskers, you definitely want to check out fellow Drag City recording artists Dope Body with local stoners Ultrathin at the fossilized dive bar Brasserie Beaubien (73 Beaubien E.). The stage there has been getting busy over the past couple of months, and with the recent explosion of scenesters in the Mile-Ex area, this little dive could prove to be one of Montreal’s best new venues.

Current obsession: Low, The Great Destroyer
Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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