<em>Rock 'n' Roll Highschool

Get schooled on rock!

The top rock, punk, metal, noise and weird pop events in Montreal this week, PLUS: A review of last week’s Melvins show.

facebookOkay, how fuggin’ amazing were the Melvins at Club Soda last Sunday? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them, and truthfully it wasn’t the best Melvins show I’ve witnessed, but Buzzo and co. always deliver — every time! The bassist from Redd Kross/OFF was laying down the low end but his tongue in cheek rock moves and general thrill of playing (in a rhythm lock with Dale Crover, who was slamming the tubs) was contagious. If you’ve ever seen the Melvins, you know they don’t exactly deliver gift wrapped hits (remember the hour-long drone they seared Primus fans with at Foufounes ions ago?) but they did throw in “Revolve” off of Stoner Witch for the people graying around the temples. They also peppered the list with plenty of covers, including the stellar set-closer “Halo of Flies” by Alice Cooper as well as Malfunkshun and Green River covers. When McDonald crooned through a sped-up punk version of Redd Kross’ “Frosted Flake,” I was beside myself. For my money, Melvins definitely owned this show despite their set being sandwiched between Melt Banana’s laptop-driven fuckery (which was amazing) and headliners Napalm Death, who I admittedly didn’t mind, especially their covers of Siege and Dead Kennedys covers. Still, after Melvins blew my puny brain to smithereens, there wasn’t a band I can think of (except maybe No Means No) who could follow up on their barrage.

Thursday: If you’re in the mood for some serious songwriting genius mixed with twang and croon you can catch folk legend and Suoni fave Michael Hurley with Little Fire featuring Zuzu Pedals’ Aidan Thonrne at Sala. 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $15/$17

For some smash and bash, riffs and thrills you can catch OBN III with Greys and, Odonis Odonis at le Ritz. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $10/$13

The second edition of Riot Thursdays is underway at Katacombes and tonight you can catch Half Truth, Offside, Gazm and Malvaise Conduite. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5

Friday: Molten metal heads can order a “Lemmy” at Katacombes when the only official Motorhead tribute band Iron Fist love you like a reptile, with ex-DBC thrashers Kill of Rights and Anger Inc. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

At the almighty Turbo Haus, you can catch Hopeless Youth when they drop their new rekkid Devil, Walk With Me with help from their budz Kennedy, Gutser and Half Truth. 5011 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., $10/PWYC

Father John Misty’s debut  was one of my favourite records of the last five years, but after seeing him phone in a set a couple of years back at Cabaret du Mile End (now Theatre Fairmount), I kind of wrote him off. Clearly a lot of you are less crusty than I am because his show tonight at Metropolis is sold out!

My big pick of the week is without a doubt the return of the ever lovin’ Residents for a night they’ve titled “Shadowland.” Expect a screening of their film Theory of Obscurity, followed by a performance. If you were holding on to some MDMA, this would be a perfect opportunity to drop. La Tulipe (4530 Papineau), 7 p.m., $35/$45

Rockers should head down to la Vitrola to catch Frisky Kids, No Bro, the History of Gun Powder and Double Date With Death. 4602 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10

Saturday: For a night of hardcore heaviosity, witness the pummel of Deathwish Inc.’s Death Index, with Effet Werther, Cheap Wig and Flat Teeth, also at la Vitrola. 4602 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m., $6/$10/PWYC

Just down the street at Sala, Weird Canada and Debaser have cooked up a night for the Howl! Arts festival featuring Saxsyndrum, H. De Heutz, Blunt Chunks and the always-impressive Xarah Dion. 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10 (no one turned away for lack of funds)

Sunday: All punks will want to delve into the downstroked goodness of Spain’s la URSS with the great backing of one of the best bands in the city Complications, Sex Face and Nino Rata at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m., $10

Rock 'n' Roll Highschool
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School

Monday: The fine folks at Film POP are opening the doors to their office for a special screening of the Ramones bubblegum classic Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. Bonus points if you can dress up like Riff Randal. 5587 Parc, 7 p.m., $5

Tuesday: The third edition of Turbo Talks at Turbo Haus gets underway with a night entitled Post Apocalyptic Rock: A Practical Guide to Functioning as a Musician in the Year 2016. The three speakers are Ohara Hale (Nancy Pants), Dave Boucher (Extensive Enterprises) and Joni Sadler (CKUT). You know the drill though: these people have some knowledge on the subject, but the audience is encouraged to engage in conversation with them. 5011 Notre-Dame W., 7 p.m., $5

The Deadly Mardi DIY shows machine keeps churning with a performance by Autruche at Rockette. 4479 St-Denis, 10 p.m., $5/PWYC

Wednesday: Another successful series is Souper Spectacle nights at Perfecto. You get an amazing meal and a show that promises to be a unique experience, forcing artists to leave their comfort zones, and for those of you of who are skint, you can also just see the show for $5. This week, catch the electronic wizardry of former nerd punk Tobias Rochman. 20 Duluth E., dinner 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., $20 for meal/show/glass of wine, $5 for the show alone

Current Obsession: Brian Eno, Music for Airports

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com