by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Montreal has never had this many available venues, so quit your damn whining. If you don’t want to pay to play, don’t, because there are more shows happening in lofts, rehearsal spaces, empty offices and even people’s apartments than ever before. One of the most successful live venues on the fly is the Electric Tractor, tucked away on Esplanade in Mile-End. With over 40 shows under their belts, this warehouse space with a 180-person capacity has been able to provide an all-ages stage to bands that just don’t have the money to rent a bar. Matt Miller and André Guerette are ardent supporters of live music and hatched the venue simply so that they could put on shows for their friends. It’s since played host to everyone from the Gossip to Buried Inside. A non-profit venue, it also houses silkscreening facilities, a record-label office, rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and the odd dazed roommate or two.

“It really started as a venue from the very beginning,” says Guerette. “Unfortunately, we have been getting noise complaints from neighbours, so it looks like the Electric Tractor may be closing its doors soon, but we are already looking for a new space and will hopefully have one after our upcoming shows. We get a lot of satisfaction seeing the bands getting all of the money.”

Although the space’s days are numbered, you are strongly urged to check out the show on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the Electric Tractor, with Vancouver’s the W.P.P., Hot Springs and In the Broken Sound. Shows must be over at 11 p.m., so show up early.

Miller and Guerette are also presenting the Paperbag label showcase with Uncut, Wintersleep and Magneta Lane at Casa del Popolo tonight, Thursday, Dec. 2. Check out this walloping doozy from Uncut’s bio: “This isn’t disco punk or nu wave. This is something decidedly now. This is the new violence.” Hoooo-leeee mack, that shit is rich! Do these guys think they’re Slayer or something? Who actually writes up this stuff? If “the new violence” means Joy Division-meets-My Bloody Valentine moodiness, then head on down and start swingin’.

It’s an action-packed Saturday night ahead when Starvin’ Hungry play a special early show at the unlikely venue of Java U in the Hall Building of Concordia. Also on the bill are Owl Sex and Beaver, les Banlieuse and the Casingles. Early show, so you’d better show up at 8 p.m. Concordia students get in for free, five bucks for the rest of us. Also on Saturday night, the incredibly sexy les Séquelles heat up Hemisphere Gauche as they get their yéyés out with More Plastic and Steven Stills worshippers World Famous Rifleman.

The Vice North American label tour makes a stop at El Salon on Sunday with Death From Above 1979, the Panthers and Vietnam. DFA ’79 easily live up to all the hype being heaped on them lately, laying down the punishing dance groove with pop hooks that play for keeps.

Is the new violence as good as the old violence? Is burlesque the new ballroom dancing? Help me out here. jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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