7 shows to shake off cabin fever this week

Did you miss me? Truthfully I’ve been playing possum lately, just like the majority of tour vehicles that are put up on blocks around this time I too have been barely displaying a patch of skin for jack frost to nibble on and have been couch bound. Occasionally cabin fever will grab me by the collar and send me out into the night, but usually I just end up sinking my whiskers into an amber nectar at the usual haunts and the wealth of new bars like North Star that have been taking up real estate on our well-beaten paths. Enough is enough already and this week I’m gonna sink my eardrums into some delicious decibels and here’s some shows where I might see you.

Friday: Roy from Red Mass and a host of other great Montreal garage acts continues to show how multifaceted he is with the decidedly toned down Birds of Paradise, who lull while poking and prodding tonight at Turbohaus with Trepanated Heads and Beechwood Park. 5011 Notre-Dame W., 8:30 p.m., $5

CKUT launches their first fundraiser of the year with Avec le soleil sortant de sa bouche, who’ve just returned from a European tour. Opening is Brick Tio and At Peace, featuring a kidney-stone-free Sam Shalabi. La Vitrola (4602 St-Laurent), 9:30 p.m., $10-$15

Just slightly down the street at Sala is a benefit for Syrian refugees with Heurtmas, the newly signed Essaie Pas, Blankets and /|\|\. 4848 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., PWYC

A perfect start to your weekend can also be had at Casa with Nanimal, Smokes, No Aloha and more. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Saturday: Tonnes have a record release at the Plant with the heavy as fug duo Nightwitches, Mands and Gaura. Hint: Ought fans will want to make this scene! Secret location, 10 p.m., $7

My big pick of the week would be to make it to Sandi Martel’s birthday party at Barfly, but even if you haven’t had the honour of having Ms. Martel sling you some suds, you will want to show up for the Gram Parsons tribute gig featuring many local stalwarts of the scene crooning to some of the best songs ever written. Best of all, it’s free. 4062 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., free

Tuesday: The regular weekly of Deadly Mardi’s DIY nights continues at Rockette with Trstss. 4479 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., $5/PWYC

Current Obsession: Swervedriver, “Ejector Seat Reservation”

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com