Last night a DJ saved my life

It’s been just shy of two decades (yeesh) since I started DJing at watering holes around the city. Spinning discs and getting wobbly is about as much fun as a vinyl fiend/beer drinker can possibly have. I’ve travelled all over God’s green acre and propped up bars in many towns, and I can say that no matter what genre of music you’re digging, Montreal’s fine pedigree of disc jockeys can easily go toe to toe with the best of ’em. Of course, I’m not talking beat-matching floor-fillers here. I’m talking about eclectic mixes that satisfy as much as they challenge — and, most importantly, go great with a frosty pint.

Perhaps it’s due to our amazing resources of absolutely killer brick-and-mortar record stores, or just the attraction the city holds for people truly passionate about music, but Montreal’s rock ’n’ roll DJs who dare to dig beyond the hit parade and dancefloor claptrap are indeed top notch.
For true music nerds that live to spin discs, you don’t have to look any further than Casa del Popolo’s longest-running weekly, We Sold Our Souls to Rawk and Roll, happening every Tuesday night. For blazing punk rock, frigid black metal, slathered soul and mind-searing psych, you can catch DJs Juan Zanders, O.C.D., Fast and Loose and yours truly booked respectively throughout the month.

Easily one of the best regular nights in the city is also happening at Casa on the third Monday of every month, hosted by Nao Identificado. Expect minimal electronic, lurching prog and serious psych, and prepare to be schooled by this amazing DJ.

Every Thursday night, the long-running Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches continues to hold it down at Korova. Hosts George Donoso III and Tinsoldierman (aka the High Dials’ Trevor Anderson) and their guests play the best of raw soul, early rock ’n’ roll, freak beat, garage, punk etc. Also happening on Thursday nights is Jeudi Nasty, hosted by CISM’s Mathieu Beauséjour, at Panda Bar. Expect the coolest stacks of garage and snotty punk rock with regular guest DJs on board.

On Saturday nights, I can be found hiding behind the handle of DJ Johnson and behind the wheels of steel at Notre Dame des Quilles for my weekly Let’s Get Rad Again, playing everything from shoegaze to New Orleans funk to Norwegian black metal. Also happening this Saturday, and on the last Saturday of every month, is the long-running metal DJ night Jour de Sabbat. After working it at Salon Officiel and Rockette, DJs Luci and Fer have moved over to Casa and continue to spin everything metal, be it glam, black, death, thrash, power etc.

Of course this list of Montreal rock nights only scratches the surface, and if you ever spot the names of renegade DJs like Bloodshot Bill, DJ Satanick, DJ Choyce or DJ BBQ, don’t miss out — these guys will utterly destroy a room.

And if you have a “rock” DJ night you’d like me to hype, feel free to get hold of me at the address below.

But guess what — there are also plenty of shows happening this week.

Thursday – For an evening of fuzz-fuelled garage stomp and home-cooked yé-yé, point your Cuban heels to Katacombes for le Chelsea Beat, les Indésirables, DJ Eric Boulanger and a surprise “celebrity” guest.

Friday – The 205 Fest happening at Casa features the ultimate bro-down of Trigger Effect, Barn Burner, Firechy, Courtaud and Dead Party. Better get there early, as this will get packed to the tits pretty quick.

Also Friday is Expérience MTL’s “Indie Luau” at the Olympic Park esplanade, marking the 20th anniversary of Greenland Productions. Check out this line-up: Atari Teenage Riot, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine and Duchess Says, to name just a few.

Saturday – If you’re looking to get out of town one more time before summer comes crashing down, you can take the hike to Lavaltrie to catch Pouzza Pelouzza with Anti-Flag, Vulgaires Machins, Dig It Up and a ton more, as of 1 p.m.

Monday – Finally, my pick of the week for those into extremely heavy psych and head-nodding trance riffs is to catch the almighty Atlas Moth when they devastate Katacombes. Opening is Altar of Plagues, and more to be announced. ■

Current Obsession: Breaking Bad, Season 5

Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com