by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Whenever I read or watch any look at the history of punk rock, I’m always blown away by the amount of revisionism that takes place. With the exception of great books like We Got the Neutron Bomb, documenting the L.A. punk/hardcore scene, or This Band Could Be Your Life, about the hardcore and post-punk scene in the U.S., most mainstream explorations merely linger on the Sex Pistols ill-fated last show in San Francisco and then zoom straight ahead to Nirvana’s superstardom. What about Black Flag’s huge contribution to the independent touring circuit? The proliferation of fanzines? The Minutemen? Bad Brains? Meat Puppets?

I recently watched Don Letts’ Punk: Attitude, which is exhaustive in its research and encapsulates punk rock’s many generations over its four-hour running time. Although the in-depth look into punk’s forefathers is nice, it’s when they smash through the wall of the Pistols’ demise and chronicle the pre-grunge years of hardcore and no wave that Letts really scores points. If you love punk rock as much as I do, this is a must-see.

Plenty of shows happening around town this week. Tam will be launching her debut CD on Ecstatic Peace (Thurston Moore’s label, donchaknow) at the Barfly on Saturday. The same night, Victoria’s Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown (featuring Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug) and Film School play at Centro Gallego (4602 St-Laurent) and Islands, Busdriver and Cadence Weapon play a benefit for the Ashraya Intiative for Children at le National. All of the proceeds will go towards helping to house underprivileged street children in Pune, India.

A show you will most definitely be seeing my bearded mug at will be the Besnard Lakes at la Sala Rossa on Sunday night. It’s no secret that I think the psychedelic orch-pop sound of the Lakers marks them as one of the best bands in the city right now, and if you’re already a fan, this show will prove to be a special one. They’ll be playing with a complete string section, as well as selling an advance, limited edition version of their record Are the Dark Horse, at the show. Check out their myspace page and download “Devastation” and “Disaster” right now!

For all you riff rats out there, you have to make tracks down to Petit Campus on Monday night to check out the sheer heaviosity of Small Stone recording artists Dixie Witch, with Floating Widget and Dutch Oven.

Finally, on Wednesday, you can check out the new wave pop of Xavier Caféïne (formerly of Poxy), with the Suicide-meets-GWAR sounds of D.A.N.G.E.R., at Café Campus. Downstairs at Petit Campus the same night, you can also check out the punk-rock prowess of les Prostiputes, the psychobilly freak-out of the Alley Dukes, and Blue Light Burlesque. Finally, the fine, furry folks at Friendship Cove play host to Old Time Relijun, Montreal stalwarts American Devices and Ungh on Wednesday.

GOTTA SHOW COMING UP? LET ME KNOW. jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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