Show picks of the week (February 13 – 18)

The winter lull officially begins to thaw this week with some long-awaited shows, including the return of Swans, Father John Misty, and Pennsylvania punks Anti-Flag, at a cozier-than-usual venue. Both the Father John Misty and Anti-Flag shows are sold out, but if you didn’t score tickets to either, we’ve got a few other solid picks for you below.

Friday, February 13

Obliterations with Sick Feeling and Mental Fix at Turbo Haus
Members of LA’s Obliterations have done time in some heavy bands, including Black Mountains and Saviours, but this project is a straight-forward hardcore assault that sounds like early Discharge bred with Black Sabbath. Rounding out the bill are NY post-punks Sick Feeling, and Montreal melodic punks Mental Fix. 8:00 pm, $8/$10, 1180 St.Antoine Ouest #408.

Thus Owls + Last Ex + Special Noise at Bar le Ritz PDB

Local promoters Passovah Productions are celebrating their 7th year anniversary with 2 nights of shows at Bar le Ritz PDB. This is the final night, with a stacked lineup including Montreal by way of Sweden duo Thus Owls, the experimental duo Last Ex (featuring members of Timbre Timbre), and the angular minimalist duo (notice a trend?) Special Noise. 8:30 pm, $12, 179 Jean Talon West.

Anti-Flag with The Dying Arts and World’s Scariest Police Chases at Foufounes Electriques

This is definitely an underplay for Anti-Flag, and tickets blew out for this one in no time. Performing their 2003 LP, The Terror State, in its entirety on this tour guarantees that you’ll hear the hits, and there isn’t a better suited venue for this show. If you couldn’t snag a ticket for tonight, the band will be back in just over a month for a show alongside Pennywise and A Wilhelm Scream at Metropolis on March 22. Sold out. 8:00 pm, 87 Ste Catherine E.

Monday, February 16

Father John Misty with Guy Blakeslee at Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre

It’s hard to know how seriously to take Father John Misty, the stage name of J Tillman, formerly of Fleet Foxes. His latest LP, I love You, Honeybear, is at equal measures hilarious and off-putting, painting a picture of a vain paramour’s droll recounting of his love-life. However you view the Father John Misty persona, there is no denying that he is a total showman, as evidenced by his recent Letterman appearance, which should make this quite the spectacle. The show is sold out, but you’ll have another chance to catch Father John Misty at this summer’s Osheaga.  8:00 pm, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest. 

Wednesday, February 18

Sinkane with Cookies at Bar le Ritz PDB

After spending time as a session player for bands like Caribou and of Montreal, Brooklyn-based Ahmed Gallab reinvented himself as Sinkane, producing a genre-hopping mix of soul, funk, Afrobeat, and Krautrock. If you’re looking for a sure-fire way to shake off the winter doldrums, this is likely your best bet this week. 9:00 pm, $12/$15, 179 Jean Talon West.

Thursday, February 19

Swans with Xylouris White at Le National

Swans were just here this past June, but with devotees describing the band’s live show in near-religious terms, people seem just as excited as they were when the band re-formed back in 2011. Their last album, the sprawling 2-hour To Be Kind, showcased the band moving more towards headier / dreamier landscapes, but rest assured that Michael Gira and co. still deliver an absolutely pummelling live show, and are absolutely not to be missed. Opening the show are Xylouris White, a collaboration between a Greek lute player and Jim White of the amazing Australian band Dirty Three, which should get things started off on a particularly high-minded note. Tickets are apparently moving fast for this one, so you may not want to wait too long. 7:00 pm, $25, 1220 St-Catherine E.