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We Just Wanna Have Some Fun, Down at the Rock and Roll Club

The second weekend in March is always a funny time for ol' Prince Palu. Usually around this time Mother Nature begins the seven week long tease of acceptable weather. As the temperature rises above zero and the snow begins to melt, revealing just how much dog poop was not picked up over the past three or four months, Montrealers begin to feel like spring is here and that the equinox actually gives a hoot about how long we have put up with the ice and snow. Palu has been through this too many times, however, and knows better. "Do not be fooled!" he warns anyone in earshot, "winter has not gone, but is only hiding! Put away your short pants." But never one to unwelcome a beautiful day, Palu gladly accepts the mild week we've had and hopes that you all have taken advantage of it. Here are some shows that will help you enjoy the mild weekend. Have a happy and safe Saint Patrick's Day and get ready for the return of the blizzards.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Combining electro-pop and minimalist-folk, local quartet Our Book & the Authors will be launching their EP Equals tonight at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent). There will be two shows, with the doors for the first one opening at 6:00 if you want to go home early. It is still a school/work night after all. The second show will happen at 8:00. The best part (aside from the music of course) is that both shows are free!

If you are in the mood for a more salt-of-the-earth kind of vibe, a country blues and ragtime music kind o' thing, then head down the street a few blocks to Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent) where Dan Livingstone & the Griffintown Jug Addicts will transport you back "to the days when jug bands were the cat's meow". Sharing the stage tonight for this Dust Bowl time-traveling adventure will be the Dominic Desjardins Quartet and Bernard Adamus.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Friday sees a couple of shows that fall into the wide spectrum of experimental rock 'n' roll. Since labels and genres are all kind of silly anyway, let's just say that these shows are a little different than what you might find on commercial radio.

The first of these shows for you to partake in, if you are so inclined, is happening over at Quai des Brumes (4481 St-Denis) where Analogue Addiction presents a night of punk rock with Meta Gruau, No Negative, and ALPARCHIE. If weird and loud is what you need on this Friday the 13th, then these groups will give it to you.

The second experimental rock 'n' roll show this Friday is going down at Brasserie Beaubien (73 Beaubien E.). There you will find the tape release show for slack-core legends in the making LOC-NAR, a local band that takes their name from the Canadian animated sci-fi classic Heavy Metal, which is reason enough to go and give them your support, and last year released a song called "Open Burger Surgery". I mean c'mon! What is not to like about this band, even if you have never heard them?! To make it even more appealing, they will be joined by the psychedelic space jams of Knows and Joint Custody, who are either too new or too cool for internet presence... although this might be their bandcamp. You can have it all for $5. Show starts at 10:00pm sharp.

Friday also marks the return of the Soul/R&B night known as Mess Around. DJs New Breed Nick and Ben Shulman return to Divan Orange to share their immense collection of vintage 45s so that you can celebrate the break of the deep freeze we have all been living under.

If you are looking for something funky, but with live music, then Brutopia (1219 Crescent) would be the place where you'd like to find a seat or piece of carpet to dance on. Local band Kebeko take to the stage at 10:00 with their blend of world music rhythms and rock 'n' roll attitude. Combining the flavours of funk, cumbia, salsa, reggae, kompa, soukous with a rock groove, their unique sound will put a bounce in your step and a smile on your face.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Productions Haineuses present a night of experimental-electronica at Casa del Popolo with a triple bill of Violence, William Crop, and Napollon. If you're looking for pop-synth, beat and loops, then this will surely have you covered. $5 to enter, show starts at 9:00pm.

Still looking for the funk? Then head over to Le Bleury Bar à Vinyle (2109 Bleury) where Voyage Funktastique presents the March Funkness edition of their monthly night. DJs Walla P and DR.MaD call out to all the Fly Girls, Modern Funksters, and Boogie Dancers to join them and celebrate their dedication to promoting Future/Modern/Boogie Funk. $4 before midnight, $7 after.

The DJ night theme continues over at Divan Orange with the second edition of the Global Beat Montreal featuring NYC crew Burdel Dali with their blending of East and West grooves, Psychotropical Orchestra's DJ Elvis Cocho, and Montreal's own Touski, founder of the Gypsy Balkan Party. Admission is $12. The mayhem begins at 9:30pm.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

I strongly recommend that you head over to Quai des Brumes Sunday night for the 5 à 7 album launch featuring one of the swingin'est bands around, Filly and the Flops. I was lucky enough to get a copy of I Got Burned earlier this week and can tell you first hand that this one will have you jumpin', jivin' and wailin' before the sun sets. When was the last time you could honestly say that about a Sunday evening out? And since the show is so early, you can have some dinner with friends after and go out to any number of beautifully weird music shows happening around town at places like La Vitrola, La Plante, and La Presse. Yes, I have run out of time to describe them in more detail for you, but I know that you are wise enough to click a link and find something that tickles your fancy.

--Prince Palu hosts The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, every Friday night from 6 to 8pm. Tune in. Turn on. Freak OUT! Only on CJLO.