All aboard for Slut Island

With over-the-top reviews from Calgary’s Sled Festival pouring in, Montreal serves up its volley this week with Slut Island. The decidedly smaller festival is queer-friendly and although many of their bills encourage positive thought, it’s primarily a party that demands you shake it like a bowl of soup.

Thursday: Slut Island gets underway at Sala with loopy duo UN, Gambletron (with visual artist Johnny Forever putting the freak in yer beak), the droney drones of Echo Beach who will lead you far back in time, Ghost Taco and host Lilac Poussez keeping you pumped while DJ Compton Chic spins that wheel. 4848 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $8

Those of you who like their punk rock and oi can catch the Bombs, Shotcallers, the Castagnes, Kill Kids for Whiskey and the always lovely Cuntagious at the often overlooked venue l’Alizé. 900 Ontario E., 8 p.m., $8/$10

Friday: Toronto noise rockers and Montreal faves Metz will pack ‘em in at another overlooked venue, Piccolo Rialto, with my band USA Out of Vietnam, who will perform an entire set of songs by underrated ’90s band Technotronic, plus the hush hush debut of Night Squirts. 5711 Parc, 9 p.m., $13/$15

If you haven’t been to the new Turbohaus digs and had your blown off by their ridiculously powerful P.A., you should make it down St-Henri way to catch Crusades, Hounds and Barrasso. 5011 Notre-Dame W., 8 p.m., $10

Saturday: Slut Island continues to rule over the weekend at la Vitrola with Fathers, Nobro (the hardest working trio in town), les Zerreurs, Charogne and Paralix. 4602 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5

Turbohaus brings the darkness and opens their doors to Vice Device, Abandos, Effet Werther and synth punks les Temps Liquides. 5011 Notre-Dame W., 9 p.m.

It will be a miracle if this isn’t sold out yet but the Black Lips will turn Foufs into all assholes and elbows when they cram ‘em in with power pop gems and Bomp records enthusiasts Sonic Avenues, plus the Let Outs. 87 Ste-Catherine E.,  7:30 p.m., $20/$25

[Enter a contest to win tickets to this show here.]

The Black Lips will have most of you hot under the collar, but the easy big pick of the week would go to the dangerous and nitro-charged punk fucking rock of Omegas, who return after a lengthy hiatus to play Casa with FLQ and yet another appearance by the mysterious Night Squirts. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Sunday: Slut Island continues on Funday night with Baby Cages, Magicperm, Joint Custody, Electrocake and Johnny de Courcy at la Vitrola. 4602 St-Laurent, 9 p.m.

At Turbohaus, check out Gull, Forth Wanderers and Boy Friends. 5011 Notre-Dame W., 9 p.m., $12

Wednesday: Swirlies are playing on hump night, but get down to le Ritz early to catch openers Cryptotrips (feat. members of the kings of abacus rock North of America and Holy Fuck) plus Traces, with members of Besnard Lakes and Play Guitar. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $12/$15
 
Current Obsession: Mission of Burma, Vs.

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