by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

With performances numbering in the hundreds, figuring out how to get the most out of the Pop Montreal schedule can be a major headache. To facilitate the process, the Mirror contacted 10 notables from the local music scene, all of whom have their own shows at Pop Montreal, to ask what’s at the top of their own to-see lists. Here’s what they had to say:

Suzie McLelove of les Breastfeeders recalls, “Our ex-drummer Kiki Boone, a little over a year ago, put a CD in the van’s player and said, ‘Tcheké c’te nouveau band!’ It was Creature. We were all knocked on our asses, and promised ourselves to go see them soon. We never did, but now we won’t miss our chance! Oh, no!” Les Breastfeeders, Creature, Call Me Poupée and the Dagons are at Cabaret tonight, Thursday, Oct. 5

Tim Dwyer of the Mongrels (with Space Team Electra, Seahorse Liberation Army and Mike Visaggio at Lambi tonight, Thurs., Oct. 5) and Bionic (with Fucked Up, Shat and Disco Tigers at Petit Campus, Sat., Oct. 7) suggests the Besnard Lakes. “Their live show is exalting—luscious back-ups over some of the best arrangements ever conceived of, they will lift you up and slam you down. They are about to release the best come-down record ever written, The Besnard Lakes are the Dark Horse, on Jagjaguwar, in February 2007. Dig it.” With Holy Fuck, Kill the Lights and Femme Generation at Lambi on Saturday, Oct. 7

Adam Brown of, obviously, the Adam Brown (with Nymphets and Fake Blood at Zoobizarre, Sat., Oct. 7), exclaims, “Hot damn. Roky Erickson is made of legend. This will be your only chance to see him in Montreal, and trust me, you already know and love his music—and he loves you.” At Associaçao Portuguesa on Friday, Oct. 6

Giselle Webber of the Hot Springs (with Tokyo Police Club, Portastatic and Snailhouse at la Sala Rossa tonight, Thurs., Oct. 5) and Giselle Numba 1 (with Subtitle, C-Rayz Walz, Flosstradamus and Kid Sister at Academy, Fri., Oct. 6) says, “Dishwasher = the cleverest angel. He chimes. Sick nursery rhymes. Listens to the earliest of things. And loves the soul. And loves the crazies. All pure and love and man-child genius. Why front when you can represent?” With Pop Levi, Hilotrons and the Patients at Main Hall on Saturday, Oct. 7

Socalled (with the Mighty Sparrow and Mikey Dangerous at Club Soda, Sat., Oct. 7) announces, “The best thing to come out of Ottawa since Paul Anka, the Hilotrons blow my mind, and I don’t even like their kind of very white, rocky electro music. Mike, the lead singer, makes me poo, in a good way. And boy, is Montreal lucky to host rapper C-Rayz Walz for a few days. This man is so hip hop, he did a feature on a song of mine, got loaded and fell asleep on the toilet in the studio.” With Pop Levi, Dishwasher and the Patients at Main Hall on Saturday, Oct. 7. C-Rayz Walz joins Kid Sister, Flosstradamus, Subtitle and Giselle Numba 1 at Academy on Friday, Oct. 6

Warren C. Spicer of Plants & Animals (with Peasant and Yo-Yo Contingency at les Minots tonight, Thurs., Oct. 5) says, “Pop Montreal, aka the ultimate Mile End-Plateau pub crawl. Five days of whiskey, poutine, beer, barfing, forgetting and playing/seeing a mother-load of shows—basically, like five months of my regular life condensed into five days. One show: Mike O’Brien opening for Giant Sand. Good in every way, look out.” With Giant Sand and Under Byen at Cabaret on Saturday, Oct. 7

DJ Mini (with Genders, Windom Earle, Sean Kosa and Akufen at les Saints tonight, Thurs., Oct. 5) says, “Lesbians on Ecstasy is my pick. I must say, every time I saw them, I kept thinking, ‘Oh, it’s even better than before,’ and yet it still happens each time! It’s a great performance, totally a party each time, and it always makes you smile! Those girls really have something going on, and it’s edgy and refreshing.” With DJ Lynne T, Think About Life and Genou at la Sala Rossa on Saturday, Oct. 7

Annie-Claude of Duchess Says (with Stop Die Resuscitate, Put the Rifle Down and DJs Paul Devro and MyGayHusdand at Academy, Sat., Oct. 7) states, “If Mr. Erickson hasn’t fixed your problem, and/or the flashbacks continue until Sunday, I strongly advise the acoustico-tronic therapy of our local specialist, Beaver.” With Sunset Rubdown and the Christa Min at Ukrainian Federation on Sunday, Oct. 8

John Milchem of Starvin Hungry (with Royal Mountain Band and the Leather Uppers at Petit Campus, Fri., Oct. 6) vouches for Anagram. “They’re from Toronto, and they seem pretty pissed about that, which I can relate to. They can keep up with Dan Burke, which means they’re crazy. Plus, they’re on at 2 a.m. Fuck early shows.” With Lunchmeat, Creeping Nobodies, Sunday Sinners, Surplus Sons, Frontier Index and Sweet Thing at Divan Orange on Saturday, Oct. 7

Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes says, “I have 30-odd words to tell you whom I think you should go see at Pop Montreal this year: Starvin Hungry, Starvin Hungry, Starvin Hungry. Starvin Hungry, Starvin Hungry. Petit Campus. Friday at 11 o’clock.”

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