Show picks of the week (March 6 – 12)

While every other band in the universe begins to make the annual trek down to Austin for SXSW (don’t miss the McDonald’s showcase!), there are still a handful of great shows this week, along with a couple of book launches that are definitely worth hitting up.

Friday, March 6

Teenanger with Steve Adamyk Band, Brat Kings and No Bros at L’Esco

L’Esco celebrates their 15th anniversary tonight with a solid lineup featuring Toronto’s Teenanger, Ottawa’s finest power-pop purveyors the Steve Adamyk Band, the surf rock of Montreal & Toronto’s Brat Kings, and the straight-ahead RN’R of Montreal’s No Bro. 9:00pm, $8, 4467 St-Denis.

Moon Duo with Moss Lime and Pang Attack at Bar le Ritz PDB

Modern psychedelia often sounds like a failed attempt to recapture the vibe of the 60’s, but Moon Duo use their psychedelic touches to enhance their minimal post-punk aesthetic, creating a dense soundscape that doesn’t rely on nostalgia. With the addition of a live drummer, the band should be in full-on face melting mode tonight. Montreal’s Moss Lime and Pang Attack open. 9:00pm, $11 / $13, 179 Jean Talon West.

The B.C.A.S.A with Mountain Dust and Fashion Police at Turbo Haus

Turbo Haus, the great indie show space run by the Trigger Effect folks, is closing its doors tonight, as the guys prepare to launch their new venue in St. Henri in the coming months. The final show fittingly features a trio of local acts, including the wacky The B.C.A.S.A, along with Mountain Dust and Fashion Police, both of which feature members of Trigger Effect. This one should be wild. $10, 9:00pm, 1180 St.Antoine Ouest #408.

Saturday, March 7

Hounds with La Querelle, No Hands and The Tomorrows at TRH Bar

Hounds are a Montreal / Toronto collaboration, featuring members of Dig It Up, The Flatliners, and The Victim Party, playing high-octane punk rock, with a harder-edged sound than their primary bands might indicate. Their Wild Eyes record is due out soon, so expect to hear a few cuts off that. You can check out the first single, “Thanks,” below. Rounding out the bill are a couple of locals, including the post-rock of  la Querelle and the anthemic punk of The Tomorrow’s, as well as  the grimy hardcore of Toronto’s No Hands. Note that this is an early show, and will wrap up by 11:00pm. $5, 8:00pm, 3699 Saint-Laurent.

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Wednesday, March 11

Ought with Harsh Reality and Joint Custody 

If there was any doubt about the pent-up demand to get into Ought’s long-sold out gig, just take a look at the show’s Facebook event – 600+ people are listed as attending at a venue with a capacity just north of 100, with desperate messages offering up money (and a soul) in exchange for tickets. Montreal’s Ought were one of our highlights from last year’s Pop Montreal, delivering a tight and playful set of Talking Heads-inspired angular punk. Hopefully another local show is in the works. Sold out, 8:30pm, 4873 Saint-Laurent. 

Southern Cross comic launch at Bar le Ritz PDB

Montreal-based cartoonist Becky Cloonan is on a roll. She gets to play in the Batman family with her Gotham Academy title for DC, and is now set to launch the sci-fi/horror series Southern Cross via from Image Comics. Cloonan, along with co-creators Andy Belanger and Serge Lapointe, will be on-hand to sign copies of the book, and will participate in a Q&A. Copies of Southern Cross will also be on-sale at the venue, so have no fear if you haven’t added the title to your pull list (yet). Free, 7:00pm, 179 Jean-Talon West. 

Socalled’s Life of Slice launch at Librarie Drawn & Quarterly

Klezmer rapper Socalled is set to launch his second cookbook, Life of Slice, featuring cake and pie recipes compiled from his mother, AC Dolgin’s files. She will also be on hand for the launch, offering up a knish workshop (!), alongside free cake, and an interview with Socalled by recent Giller Prize winner Sean Michaels. Free, 7:00pm,  211 Bernard West.