8 shows till Satan…uh, Santa

If you happen to be gainfully employed, you’re probably in the middle of the office Xmas party, or about to dust off your marry ’em and bury ’em suit/dress to go to one. Due to the fountains of free booze at these things, the week before the celebration of the baby Geezus can be a painfully hungover one. You can almost set your watch to it — the week leading up to the holidays is using all of its stored energy just trying to make it through things like getting drunk with your boss, uncles etc. Although the pickins are indeed slim this week, rest assured that every show is guaranteed to be infinitely better than your office party or trying to explain to your family that you’re still trying to make a living by playing guitar or being a spoken word artist.

Thursday: The big pick of the week happens tonight, when the ferocious and mighty metal of Relapse Records band Lord Dying let the riffs fly with Hitch Hike Rats and guests at Turbo Haus. This will get messy. 5011 Notre Dame W., 8 p.m., $13/$15

Friday: The Nick Babeu Centre for the Arts has its first meeting at Turbo Haus. I know, big fuggin’ deal, right? But check it: I’m DJing an all hip hop set, much to the dismay of the room full of doom rockers. Yip Yip! 5011 Notre Dame W., 7 p.m., $30 (includes a meal, two free drinks)

Matahari Loft is the place to be to catch what very well could be the last show for punkers Malokio, with F.I.T.S., Ottawa’s Durs Coeurs and local teen hunk DxJxTxA keeping the whole night spinning. 1673 Mont-Royal E., 9 p.m., $5

Katacombes is the place for meat-and-potatoes punk rawk served up piping hot by Morgan, the Horny Bitches, Late Night Munchies and Cirrhose et Cendrier. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $10

Saturday: Hyped local hypno rockers No Negative release their debut LP, The Good Never Comes, at Soundcentral. Better show up early for this one. 4486 Coloniale, 5à7, free

The rad dudes at l’Oeil du Tigre and Broken Chord Records are celebrating the holidays with an art expo and benefit show for the needy. You can pay what you can and are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, clothes and hygiene products. Laying down the racket will be Milanku, thisquietarmy (who finally returns after a two-month tour of Europe), and Pluum, at Hochelaga’s Atomic Café. 3606 Ontario E., expo at 6:30 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m., PWYC

Monday: The Souper Spectacle series continues at Perfecto with a special Xmas edition featuring Mikey Heppner (Priestess, Drop Outs, Uncle Bad Touch, Beat Cops). True, these events aren’t for the cheapskates, but for those of you with a little bit of change jingling in your pockets, this is a night that features a gourmet meal and glass of wine with unique performances that encourages local artists to think outside of the box. 20 Duluth E., $20 (includes meal & wine)/$5 for the show alone

Tuesday: Finally, Rockette keep things chugging with their Deadly Mardis DIY series with post punkers les Zerreurs. 4479 St-Denis, 10 p.m.

Current Obsession: High on Fire, Blessed Black Wings

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com