The week in rock shows

Now that we’re getting past February’s mid-mark, you can almost feel the winter blahs start to grab you by the spine. Thankfully there are some absolutely killer shows happening this week to help you get through these grey days.

Thursday: The 13th edition of Buckfest continues with a highlight: the weird and psych-soaked Panopticon Eyelids, Vomit Squad, P/DO P/DRO and Black Piranha at l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $5

At the always rad Turbohaus, catch Gulfer, Black Love, New Wings and Mands. 1180 St-Antoine W. #408, 9 p.m., $8

Friday: Support Rock Against Racism with the nail-gun sounds of Asile, Malokio and les Temps Liquides at Katacombes. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m.

Saturday: Turbohaus keeps things at a slow boil with VCR, Thee Nodes, Dead Future and Pretty Boys. 1180 St-Antoine W., 9 p.m., $8

Sunday: Katacombes will host a good ol’ punk rock matinee show with Pelvic Floor, Gashrat, les Temps Liquides (phew), Mueco, the Rejecters and Weevil Knivel. 1635 St-Laurent, 1–6 p.m., $5

Ex-Pavement mastermind Stephen Malkmus brings his Jicks to Café Campus, along with shoegazers Disappears. 57 Prince-Arthur E., 8:30 p.m., $20/$23

Wednesday: My big pick of the week goes to the Sword. Although I dig their meat and potatoes metal, it’s actually two current Melvins members, as Big Business, that make this a definite do-not-miss. Their show at Sala where they blew up half of the PA is still stuck in the nether regions of my noggin. Openers are O’ Brother. Foufounes Électriques (87 Ste-Catherine E.), 8 p.m., $20/$23

Current obsession: Loop, The World in Your Eyes boxset