In living Mono

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Mono last Friday at la Sala Rossa was everything I hoped they would be, and more. With some stiff competition from Do Make Say Think and James Plotkin the same night, Mono still managed to pack the place just short of a sell-out. Live is definitely the way to absorb these Tokyo instrumentalists, who take songs from pin-drop sonic restraint to a face-peeling wash of decibels.

True, many could argue that you could set your watch to the swells and crescendos, and the counter-melodies bear more than a passing resemblance to GYBE, but this emotionally charged set went far beyond pale imitation, with certain sections getting downright bewitching. Seeing “The Flames Beyond the Cold Mountain” live was pure musical ascension.

In more review news, I recently got the debut EP by locals Black Ships, the flagship release for Montreal D.I.Y. label Mon Oeil, with more promised releases hitting the presses soon. Black Ships are on the serious Cursed/early-Entombed tip with these six scorching tunes that will definitely leave marks.

Thankfully, these crusty misanthropes keep their metal well in check while they pulverize, but stop just short of a non-stop bludgeoning, with panoramic arrangements and mid-tempo beats introduced at unlikely places. With the fall of like-minded bands like the Fallout Project, Black Ships fill their shoes nicely and possess the talent that could put Montreal on the map, attracting some international attention to our more aggressive bands. The EP should be available at Sound Central or through www.mon-oeil.org. Better hurry up too as there’s only a limited run of 100 copies.

Now that we have all of that review stuff out of the way, there’s much to look forward to this week. Tonight is an easy choice when the “Rocket From the Tombs fronted by Mark E. Smith” sounds of new up-and-comers the O Voids pull into Barfly, along with the Am Rep-style blues of Ashtray Heart and Run by Devils.

This Sunday goes against tradition and is jam-packed. Montreal’s favourite quirky nerds Think About Life join the Clyffs, who recently ditched the “Crystal” part of their name, and Bold Saber at la Sala Rossa. Another hot ticket for Sunday would be XBXRX (see Discs, p. 24), who go toe to toe with AIDS Wolf side project Hamborghini and local noiseniks ttttttttttttt at Zoobizarre. For some grade-A punk rock ’n’ roll, head down to l’Escogriffe and check out the Aversions, Red Dons and the Clorox Girls on Sunday night.

Also on the punk rock tip, l’Escogriffe’s still the place to be on Tuesday when Whiskey Trench play with Thunder Bay (featuring members of Black Ships) and Boston’s Ringers.

Moping types will be wetting themselves when they see Modest Mouse and find out that Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr is indeed in tow, but what people should be really getting excited about is openers Man Man, who will be making a quick return to town. If anybody saw them a month or so ago, they’ll probably shell out the loot for this pricey affair and see if one of the best live bands around right now can win out over the dead ambience of Metropolis and the wet blankets that are the Modest Mouse blogaholics. The middle slot is held by Love As Laughter and it’s all going down on Wednesday night

Morrissey must die… Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com