Great, indeed

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

As I walked into Barfly last Saturday night to check out the brutalizing power of instrumentalists Squalor, I was left slack-jawed by openers the Great Sabatini. Despite having one of the worst monikers ever, this foursome turned it up to 11 and delivered one of the heaviest sets this side of Today Is the Day. Their recent EP, Burning Wilderness, possesses the cinematic scope of mid-period Isis and later Neurosis, the melodic know-how of Torche and the technical razzle-dazzle of Helmet and Meshuggah. Although the Montreal metal scene has its death and power metal bases well covered, it’s bands like the Great Sabatini, Squalor and Ménace Ruine that really push envelopes. I would bet dollars to donuts that the Great Sabatini will be inking a deal soon. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thegreatsabatini and then get your ass down to Sound Central before their EP goes out of print.

Now that we’ve had a peep in the rearview, let’s keep our eyes on the road for the shows happening this coming week. Now that the Man is starting to put the squeeze on live venues on St-Laurent, there are thankfully shows starting to happen off the beaten path. After the success of the weekly Time’s Up nights in St-Henri, the fine folks at Pirates of the Lachine Canal take things up a notch and start delivering shows in their own postal code. Things start off on Friday with the American Devices, local psych-rockers Triceratreetops and synth-punkers Drainolith (featuring members of Et Sans, Unireverse and Thames) at Bar des Courcelles (4685 Notre-Dame), with more nights promised at the bar, previously the exclusive turf of cover bands.

Also happening on Friday is yet another night of heaviosity when Mankillsman share the stage with Arizona’s Creosote, Bludgeoned and S.D.F. at Katacombes. On Saturday night at the Barfly, check the sleazy riff rock of Lady with the highly underrated Attack of the Microphone from Matane, Quebec, with Good Mornin’ Mitchell warming up the room—all for a whopping $3!

With the Suoni per il Popolo festival already underway, things really start picking up this week with ex-Hüsker dude Grant Hart putting in an appearance on Saturday night at la Sala Rossa with special guest Greg Macpherson. Sunday night is a definite do-not-miss when Carla Buzolich’s Evangelista slugs it out with rinse-and-repeat band Oneida. Adding a perfect one-two punch on Sunday is probably one of the most interesting guitarists today, Nels Cline, playing in a trio setting with Nels Cline Singers. Buzolich puts in another appearance, joining forces with Cline when their duo Scarnella opens up the night. Should prove to be scarily good and easily one of the highlights of the month-long Suoni fest. On Monday at la Sala Rossa, Sam Shalabi returns to the festival with his project Land of Kush, modelled on the Egyptian classical ensembles of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Finally, on Wednesday, Sala Rossa should be bursting at the seams when Thee Silver Mt. Zion & Tra La La Band prove why they are one of the best bands in the city, with newbies the Witchies opening up.

DO NOT MISS NELS CLINE!…JONATHAN.CUMMINS@GMAIL.COM