Show picks of the week (April 17 – April 23)

If you’re not glued to hockey playoffs this week, there are some wildly eclectic shows to check out, including Every Time I Die, the Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque, and a conversation with the Pulitzer prize-winning author Junot Diaz. Check out our full recommendations for the week below.

Friday, April 17

Gutter Demons at Petit Campus
Montreal’s reunited psychobilly trio Gutter Demons just returned from a tour in Europe, and should be in fighting form for this headlining gig at Petit Campus, alongside Matchless, who also share a member with the ‘ Demons. Get your hair game right, and be prepared for a night of primal RN’R. 9:00pm, $13/$15, 57 Price Arthur East. 

Saturday, April 18

Peach Kelli Pop at L’Esco
After a day spent fighting through crowds for a chance to score some major-label “instant collectible” LP’s during Record Store Day, head over to L’Esco for the trashy power-pop earworms of Peach Kelli Pop. The White Wires drummer has been bashing out her low-fi garage anthems since 2009, and is set to release her III album next week via Burger Records. Check out the Mario Bros. themed first single below. Rounding out the bill are locals Pale Lips and Pool Boy. 9:00pm, $7, 4467 St-Denis.

Monday, April 20

Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque at La Tulipe
The widely popular alternative pin-up site launched their own travelling burlesque show a few years back, which has now morphed into a true production, featuring costumed routines set to pop-culture favourites like Star Wars, The Legend of Zelda, and 50 Shades of Grey. We spoke to Suicide Girls co-founder Missy Suicide about the tour and the history of the site – listen to the interview here. 8:00pm, $29.50-$59.50, 4530 Papineau Ave.

Every Time I Die at Foufounes Electriques
Buffalo, NY’s Every Time I Die consistently put on a great show, tearing into their metal/hardcore/punk hybrid sound with a contagious sense of fun and abandon. The band have traded in their usual metalcore / hardcore tour mates for this run, instead brining along a total mixed bag of openers, including UK alternative rock act Marmozets, Philadelphia rockers The Eeeires, Ontario metalcore band Exalt, and local prog heads In the Name of Havoc. 7:00pm, $20/$25, 87 Sainte Catherine East. 

Thursday, April 23

Junot Diaz in conversation with Heather O’Neil at The Rialto
Dominican-born author Junot Diaz’s works weave pop-culture references into inter-personal tales of love and politics, with an ear for dialogue that often blends English and Spanish into a sort of street-wise Spanglish. The author of the Pulitzer Prize winning The Brief Wondrous life of Oscar Wao will be appearing in conversation with Montreal author Heather O’Neil (Lullabies for Little Criminals), and will also be presented with the Premio Metropolis Azul Award, honouring contributions to Spanish writing and culture. If all of that sounds a tad high-brow, check out a video of Diaz geeking out at New York’s St. Mark’s Comics below. 7:00pm, $10, 5721 Avenue du Parc.