8 ways to support the scene this week

I just came back from an all too brief jaunt around the U.S. East Coast and am finding myself in a post-vacation reflective mood. Easily the best part of the trip was meeting amazing beautiful people who are as passionate about underground music and grassroots community as I am. I was offered a choice of floor spaces and had amazing food and drink everywhere from Boston to Providence to Brooklyn.

It goes without saying that Monterealers who promote shows and play in bands do this on a regular basis and it’s this selflessness that keeps Polaris Prize dropouts proliferating in the underground music scene. If you haven’t put up a band on your floor or bought a CD/shirt/record from a merch table, ya better start moseying up because that’s how this shit works. You are just as important as the promoter and the bands on stage in keeping the scene running.

Here are some people doing shows this week who just might need your floor.

Friday: If you’re a Beatles fanatic like I am, you will not want to miss a 16 mm print of the Fab Four’s first foray into Japan in 1966, plus Ferry Cross the Mersey (with Liverpool’s Gerry and the Pacemakers) screening at BBAM at 7 p.m. The evening will start with a few words from BBAM gallery owner Ralph Alfonso. 3255 St-Jacques, 7 p.m., $10 includes snacks and a beverage or $5 LP of your choice

The new Viet Cong record is an easy early pick for the Top 10 jammers of 2015 but if you aren’t grippin’ tickets, you are fugged as this show at le Ritz is completely sold out. If you’re holdin’, definitely show up early to catch Crosss and Unblonde. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9 p.m., SOLD OUT

Saturday: Pouzza will play host to the Creeps launching their full length Eulogies with Rogue River with Laureate at Pouzza’s regular digs TRH Bar. 3699 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

For a night of psych, avant rock and pop you can catch Archery Guild, Slight and Feefawfum at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $7

The fine folks at Slut Island are putting on a show at la Vitrola with Downtown Boys, Pretty Boys and Vibe Wrecker. While you’re there, pick up the new K7 slammer from Vibe Wrecker. 4602 St-Laurent, p.m., $7/PWYC

Sunday: The good people at Drones will open up their floor space to the electro proggy folk of Providence’s Roz Raskin, the surfy pop of Boston’s Little Foot and the krauty pop of Sivani and This Anger. 9:30 p.m., $5/$7

Wednesday: One of the most buzzed-about local bands, Beat Cops (featuring members of Trigger Effect, the Stills, Priestess etc) will lay down their psych/prog-fuelled pop with Paul Jacobs and Pale Lips at their favourite spot, l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 8 p.m., $5

Giving the Beat Cops a little bit of competition will be Columbus, Ohio’s the Sidekicks, Upstate New York’s Lvl Up and Nanimal at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10
 
Current Obsession: The Bee Gees, Odessa

Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com