Show picks of the week (July 10 – July 16, 2015)

With Osheaga and Heavy Montreal still a few weeks off, July is usually pretty quiet on the show front, although this week is pretty slammed with great gigs, particularity on the weekend. Speaking of Osheaga, you still have another week to catch photographer Susan Moss’ excellent 10-year Osheaga retrospective exhibit at the Yves Laroche Galerie, located at 6355 Saint-Laurent. For more information, visit the exhibit’s Facebook event. Below is our full list of recommended shows for the week ahead.

Friday, July 10

Metz at Piccolo Rialto
If 90’s noise rock bands knew how to write hooks, they would sound like Toronto’s Metz. Their latest album, the appropriately-titled Metz II (Sub Pop), is by far the best thing the band have ever done, and we should get to hear a good chunk of it tonight. Opening up are locals USA out of Vietnam and Night Squirts. 9:00 pm, $13/$15, 5711 Parc Avenue. 

Crusades at Turbo Haus
Ottawa’s reigning kings of satanic metal/hardcore are making up for their missed Pouzza appearance by headlining this great bill at Turbo Haus, featuring support by Hounds and Barrasso. 9:00 pm, $5/$10, 5011 Notre Dame West. 

Saturday, July 11

Black Lips at Foufounes Electriques
Atlanta’s garage-rock road warriors Black Lips make their third Montreal appearance in just over a year, this time playing the relatively-intimate Foufounes. Expect a ton of shenanigans at this one. Opening are the always-dependable Sonic Avenues, as well as The Letouts. 7:30 pm, $20/$25, 87 Sainte-Catherine East.

Omegas at Casa del Popolo
Like a wild beast shaking off the hibernation blues, Montreal hardcore heroes Omegas are poking their heads out to play their first show in ages tonight, along with FLQ and Night Squirts. Things should get nice and stupid for the joy boys’ grand return to slam glory. 9:00 pm, $10, 4873 Saint-Laurent.

Monday, July 13

Happyness and Michael Rault at Casa del Popolo
London’s Happyness may make soothing indie-rock, but their lyrics often head to odd dream-like realms, including “Montreal Rock Band Somewhere,” which features the band singing about wearing a decapitated Win Butler’s head. Maybe Win will pop in for backups? Also on the bill is Toronto’s psychedelic garage rocker Michael Rault, and local Adam Waito. 9:00 pm, $10/$12, 4873 Saint-Laurent.

Wednesday, July 15

Primus at Metropolis
Pack up your best “mood enhancers” and high-tail it to Metropolis to catch the demented genius of Primus, touring behind last year’s incredibly twisted Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble, a re-imagining of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack. The band also play an opening set of their non-Wonka material, so you have time to brace yourself before the giant dancing Oompa Loompa’s show up. 8:00 pm, $47/$52, 59 Sainte-Catherine East.

Swirlies at Bar le Ritz PDB
90’s Boston shoegaze band Swirlies are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a quick run of shows, including this gig at the Ritz alongside Cryptorips, featuring members of Holy Fuck & North of America, and Traces, with members of The Besnard Lakes. Bring some money for the merch table; the band should have copies of their new 7″, along with the long-awaited vinyl reissue of 1993’s Blondertongue Audiobaton LP. 9:00 pm, $12/$15, 179 Jean Talon West.