Where the heavy’s at this week

One of the best small venues in the city and one of my personal favourite swill joints, l’Escogriffe blows out 15 candles on their frosted cake this month and their plans for the month will have you doing cartwheels, kissing babies and waking the neighbours. I tip my cap to you, l’Esco. Here’s to another 15 more.

Thursday: Blankfest is an organization that works directly with the homeless and are organizing another benefit at Katacombes tonight with Mad Parish offshoot band Cromagnum, as well as Sharp Shooter, Massacrity and Scud and the Grimes. Admission is free and donations are encouraged. 1635 St-Laurent, 7:30 p.m., $5/by donation

Friday: Turbo Haus is finally shutting its doors before announcing their new swank digs so you have one last chance to smoke in their hallways with the BCASA, Mountain Dust and the newly hatched Fashion Police featuring a duder named Dickbird. 1180 St-Antoine W. #408, 9 p.m., $10

If you want to darken the door of l’Esco during their month-long birthday bash, tonight would be a great opportunity. On stage is Teenanger, Steve Adamyk Band, Brat Kings and the gigginest band in town, Nobro. Best show up early if you want to squeeze into this one. 4467 St-Denis, p.m.,

Giving Teenanger some healthy competition is Montreal’s favourite crooner, Mark Sultan (aka BBQ), with Birds of Paradise, Lunar Exile and DJ Bonne at Divan Orange. 4234 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m., $10/$12

For a night of exquisite indie rock, catch Moon Duo with Moss Lime and Pang Attack at le Ritz. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $11/$13

Saturday: If you were at the Ritz for the Moon Duo show, you may want to return to the scene of the crime to see Ultimate Painting, Sheer Agony and Alex Calder let it ooze. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $8/$10

My big pick of the week is the return of Ahna with the slow and brutal pummelling of Show of Bedlam, Saw Mass, Nightmare Collective and No Chaser at Katacombes. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Tuesday: The city’s longest running DJ night, We Sold Our Souls to Rock and Roll at Casa del Popolo, has indeed put a fork in it, but a new monthly has been hatched. No Hope Tuesdays will feature punk rawk, post-punk, metal, cold wave and all the other good shit. Expect some serious bangers, thrashers and bleeps and blips from record nerds DJ Pappa G, Personne and Arthur Spyder. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

Wednesday: If you were hoping to catch Ought at Casa and aren’t gripping tickets, you are fucked without a kiss on this one, as the show is unsurprisingly sold out. Could a second show for fans who couldn’t get in be around the corner?
 
Current Obsession: Swans, Soundtrack for the Blind

Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com