Happy birthday l’Escogriffe

Although the Stephen O’Malley show at Sala last week was indeed a humdinger (see the review next week, in April’s print edition of Cult MTL), the show of the month awaits at the tail-end of March. There are plenty of shows to get you there though, and a couple happening afterwards that will keep the ball rolling:

Thursday: One of the best rock ‘n’ roll bars in the city, l’Esogriffe, turns 14 tonight, and helping to blow out their candles is none other than Red Mass/Duchess Says collaboration PyPy, with Leamers. This will be all asses and elbows quick, so better show up early if you want to try and slink in. 4467 St-Denis, time and price unknown

At the other best rock ‘n’ roll bar in the city, Barfly, you can catch Minneapolis’s Casual User with countrified stoners Mountain Dust. 4062 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

Friday: PyPy’s guitar god Roy proves he’s no slouch when he shakes loose of Thursday’s hangover with his main gig Red Mass at Quai des Brumes, with the Pink Noise and BP Black Piranha. 4481 St-Denis, doors 9 p.m., $8

Keeping l’Esco’s birthday celebrations burning brightly is UBT with Nanimal and Loc-nar. Again, this will pack up fast. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $7

Probably the big gig tonight will the homecoming show for Solids, who begin their two-night stand at TRH. On this first night, the dashing duo will get a little help from the brutal blur of Hashed Out, No Bones and DJ Raw Love. 3699 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Saturday: Solids keep things broiling at TRH with openers Barrasso and Corridor and DJ Kenlo Craqunuques. 3699 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Sunday: Much ballyhooed band Dear Denizen will try and squeeze onto the tiny stage of Snack and Blues. This will get weird. 5260 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

The New Moon Psychedelic Carnival is happening at Roxbury downtown and will once again feature psych fixtures NooM with the burlesque of Lavender May, DJs Jessica Longstocking and Blames Junt, electronic music by Icky-Magdala and much more. 1432 Crescent, 8 p.m., $10

Of course the best gig of the week,  of the month and maybe the year (at least until Swans return to town in June) is the 3D Kraftwerk show at Metropolis. This is going to be fuggin’ insane. (Read our exclusive interview with Kraftwerk here.) Although the earlier show is sold out, there are still tickets for the later show, so don’t dilly-dally. 59 Ste-Catherine E., 10:15 p.m., $62

Monday: If the New Moon shindig has you hot under the collar, you can also check out a psych gig of a completely different stripe at Sala. Headlining is Nouveau Zodiaque with Black Givre, Gambletron, Super Fossil Power and Gives. 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

Tuesday: Finally if you are into blackened/psych/stoner/doom, get ready for the hammer to drop when the Ocean, the Atlas Moth and Silver Snakes crush Sala. 4848 St-Laurent, 7:30 p.m., $15/$20

Current obsession: Various Artists, Sound of Funk Vol. 1-10