It's Christmas for music lovers

Even more important than our hockey team starting their playoff run is my favourite holiday of the year, Record Store Day, happening at shops around the world this Saturday, April 18. With the media continuing to flap their gums about “vinyl’s big comeback,” Record Store Day has made a major dent in the dilapidated music industry.

Although I remain a fan of RSD and honestly believe it does good to reintroduce foot traffic into mom-and-pop, brick-and-mortar wax shacks, it is not without its detractors. If you’re an independent label or band, the few remaining vinyl pressing plants are jammed with major label releases months ahead of this Saturday, and often have to play a waiting game of six months or more to finally get their vinyl stock. Not to mention that most of the major label RSD reissues that are keeping the pressing plants so busy can easily be found used at less than a quarter of their current list price, readily available to anybody who is willing to dig through the bins. The other issue that has swept RSD is eBay flippers who camp out like pigeons in a McDonald’s parking lot plunking down major sawbucks on limited edition releases that will never have the cellophane cracked, only to double or triple in price mere hours after being purchased.

Having said that, RSD continues to alert people about a better way to listen to music other than MP3s screeching through your ear buds and laptop speakers, that listening to music can be an experience instead of something you do to get through traffic jams or medial chores. Even with increasingly less attractive titles due to major labels taking over the annual event, I will still be lining up with bells on and I hope you will, too.

Friday: If you’re looking to get your hardcore jollies out, you can catch Hawthorne Heights with By the Glory and Monarchs of Disarray at le Ritz. 179 Jean-Talon W., doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $15/$20

For those looking for something a bit darker, catch two bands from the city of brotherly love: Hot Guts and Void Vision, with Carnal Veil and DJ Cold Hands. Katacombes (1635 St-Laurent), 9 p.m., $10

Saturday: The third edition of Girls Can Kick Your Ass gets underway at Katacombes with My Fatality, Act of Disorder, Smirking Revenge, Murder the Elite, Devora, Discorp and Guttrot. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $8

Pouzza Fest continues to hold down its Saturday night residency at TRH Bar with Slater & Fils, Wayne Kennedy and Los Skallywags. 3699 St-Laurent, p.m., $

The big pick of the week is the rock ‘n’ roll swagger of Burger Records’ Peach Kelli Pop (nice Redd Kross snatch there) with Pale Lips and Pool Boy at l’Esco. Get there early if you want to get into this one. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $7

Monday: Chicagoans and Thrill Jockey recording artists Brokeback will mosey into town with solid support from Chris Brokaw and the always awesome Maica Mia, at la Vitrola. 4602 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $10

Tuesday: Cult MTL‘s April cover stars the Muscadettes will be getting their swoon and croon on at Casa when they release their debut EP Side A with ample support from Nancy Pants. 4873 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $10

Wednesday: For more aggro sounds, catch NOLA’s Mystic Inane with Urszula, Toronto’s the Brain and Buffalo’s Junk Drawer at l’Esco. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $5/$10

Current Obsession: Low, Long Division

Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com