Maximum Wattage

At this point, if you still don’t know who Mike Watt is, I’m afraid we can no longer be Facebook friends. Watt is a punk fuggin’ rock vanguard and bass player extraordinaire. The man’s pedigree speaks for itself — Minutemen (!!!!!!), firehose, solo artist and, for the past five years, “thunderbroom” player for the Stooges. The motherfuggin’ Stooges fer chrissakes!!!!!!
Not one to rest on his laurels, Watt has just released a book of his nautical-themed photographs, with the odd “spiel” tossed in for good measure. It’s called On and Off Bass, published by Three Rooms Press (100 pp, $26). I highly suggest you get your mitts on it, as it’s guaranteed to spruce up any coffee table. While we’re at it, another great Watt title that is definitely worth hunting down would be his 2003 book Spiels of a Minuteman, from local publisher L’Oie de Cravan.

At this point, if you still don’t know who Mike Watt is, I’m afraid we can no longer be Facebook friends. Watt is a punk fuggin’ rock vanguard and bass player extraordinaire. The man’s pedigree speaks for itself — Minutemen (!!!!!!), firehose, solo artist and, for the past five years, “thunderbroom” player for the Stooges. The motherfuggin’ Stooges fer chrissakes!!!!!!

Not one to rest on his laurels, Watt has just released a book of his nautical-themed photographs, with the odd “spiel” tossed in for good measure. It’s called On and Off Bass, published by Three Rooms Press (100 pp, $26). I highly suggest you get your mitts on it, as it’s guaranteed to spruce up any coffee table. While we’re at it, another great Watt title that is definitely worth hunting down would be his 2003 book Spiels of a Minuteman, from local publisher L’Oie de Cravan.

Okay, I’ll put a sock in this bookworm shit for now and just get to the gigs.

Tuesday – One of “the big four” of mid-’80s thrash metal, Anthrax, will utterly destroy Metropolis tonight with more than solid support from their heavy friends Testament and Death Angel.

Wednesday – If the current state of R&B is crushing your soul to bits, you can’t miss one of the best soul men to shake it like a bowl of soup since the Godfather ruled the roost: Lee Fields and his fabulous Expressions. Anthrax is definitely nothing to sneeze at, but this is guaranteed to be the show of the week. Fields will let your backbone slide at Cabaret du Mile End, with Martin Goyette & the Skinny Bones warming up the room.

For something a little more subdued, you can also check out the ex-members of Wooden Shjips and their new joint Moon Duo with Event Cloak and local droners/shoegazers Aim Low at Casa.

Thursday – Easily one of the busiest bands in the city would be les Momies de Palerme. If you still haven’t caught these two songstresses and their self-styled psych/prog freak-out, you can catch them at Casa when they launch their new cassette with Chris Forsyth & Koen Holtkamp and the dazzling improv of Souffle.

For those who like their greasy garage and raucous rock ’n’ roll, you can catch le Kid & les Marinellis with the yéyé stomp of le Chelsea Beat at Divan Orange .

Friday – You can start your weekend off right with a night called Howl VI, featuring the avant prog of Leopard et Moi and Avec le Soleil Sortant de sa Bouche at Sala.

If you’re digging the new breed of hipster hardcore, you can chug your PBR to the three-chord blast of Yardlets playing their favourite haunt, l’Esco, with their buds WetMetal and Bearmace.

Saturday – Katacombes may be boasting a new set of clothes thanks to the amazing façade from artist Dominique Pétrin, but Saturday proves it hasn’t changed a bit when it comes to hosting righteous punk rock. Show up at one of Montreal’s best venues to catch U.K. Oi legends Hard Skin with the Prowlers, Buddha Bulldozer, Plus Minus and Mayday. For those who like a little bit more swagger in their rock ’n’ roll, you can catch Disablers with les Gonars, Lip and a night of burlesque at Théâtre Ste-Catherine.

Sunday – It may be Crystal Castles who will shine the brightest on Metropolis’s marquee, but the real reason you should be getting off the couch on a Sunday is to catch the band taking up the middle slot, Health. Opening is Kontravoid.

Monday – Finally, don’t miss a chance to see Vancouver’s Bend Sinister at Casa with the Vasts. ■

Current obsession: Low, Things We Lost in the Fire
jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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