Montreal Buzz: Cruel Summer

I can't help being bummed each time the reality sets in that summer is winding down. School has been out of my system for a few years, but still I feel the urge to cram as much fun as possible into these last weeks before September, as if I'll be doing anything other than sitting in front of this computer a month from now. Maybe I'm disappointed by the record rain, which has nixed my plans to attend Piknic Electronik too many times since the weekly DJ dance party kicked off in May. This Sunday's Piknic features Mightykat, Maüs and Bougie Solitaire. The grand finale takes place on Labour Day weekend — Sunday, September 5 — with techno DJ Misstress Barbara vs. her house self, Barbara Brown, and Monday, September 6, with Mossa, New Electric Dog and Crackhaus live and a DJ set by Mike Shannon. Enjoy Mother Nature before she turns on you at La Place de l'Homme on St-Helen's Island, from 1 to 8 p.m., for $5.

Skipping back to the heart of the weekend, Le Nombre, Starving Hungry and DJ Sweet Pete bring hot 'n' heavy rock to L'Escogriffe tonight (Friday, August 13) for $8 and DJ Frigid brings the glam rock electro sleaze brigade to Saphir on Saturday, August 14. Yes, he of Kink fame is launching a new weekly soirée, Schizotronic, where clubbers are encouraged to dress to excess.

Excess is in the cards on Sunday, August 15 at Café© Chaos, where the folks behind Spooky Boogie Nights screen Child's Play at 8 p.m. and launch into live rock'n' roll at 10 p.m. with Les Prostiputes (a moniker reflecting Montreal's fine bilingual tradition) and Les Dimmers from "Chicoutimi, Rock City," along with DJs Nick Evil and M. Wax. As is the case every Sunday, there'll be free popcorn during the movie, cheap beer all night and (because there are bands) a $5 cover.

Ever heard the Pinocchio theory about why men love robots? Well, as of Wednesday, August 18, Louis Rastelli is the proud parent of his fourth Distroboto, the vending machines that have been spewing $2 art at Casa del Popolo and La Sala Rossa since 2001. Les Abdigradationnistes and Moondata Productions' Matt Lederman play the launch party at the new 'bot's home — and the home of this province's best beer, in my opinion — Cheval Blanc, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., for free. Bring your own cigars.

In other launch news, local art collective/band The Hooks let their leathery debut record loose on Thursday, August 19 at Petit Campus (at 9 p.m., for $5), a cocktail of low-slung rock and rusty vocals called Model B. Opening the show is a certain like-(dirty)-minded rock 'n' roller, Bloodshot Bill, who's recently released another indie solo disc, Rockabilly Trash, which tells you all you need to know.

And there's more rock 'n' roll comin' ta getcha on Friday, August 20, when The Mystery Girls and BBQ serve up the gritty goodness at Casa del Popolo. Or you could enter the dub zone with Mossman on Saturday, August 21 at El Salon, the latest space to host the eminent DJ's long-running Dub Lounge.

Anyone who's witnessed the electro rock sensation that is Duchess Says knows that the band practices onstage hairstyling and budgie worship. Well, the Church of the Budgerigars will unveil a new altar at L'Escogriffe on Tuesday, August 24. DJs Romeo Casio, Prions en Église and Sound Scientist will spin punk, new wave, rock 'n' roll and electro as of 10 p.m., for $5. A wing and a prayer.

Some people just can't keep it in the vault. Le Swimming's website advertizes a secret CD launch party for Wolf Parade's new indie EP on Wednesday, August 25. Ssshhh! The same night, around the corner, Poxy and Le Nombre team up at Café Campus (at 9 p.m., for $10). Let's see which boys make more noise.

I couldn't help but be intrigued by an upcoming event called Fear And Loathing In Montreal, at L'X on Thursday, August 26 for $5 in advance, $8 at the door. The bands are Psychotic 4, Fayne, The Trigger Effect, The Shake and Humanifesto, while other entertainment includes a Homoerotic Kissing Contest, Ultraviolent Wrestling, a Gnarly Eating Contest, tattoo and art expos, multimedia presentations "and many other forms of debauchery." Oh, and hors d'oeuvres, of course.

After all my talk about summertime blues, here's something to look forward to this fall. The third annual Pop Montreal Festival takes over the Plateau from September 29 to October 3, and some of the confirmed bands include: Franz Ferdinand, The Weakerthans, The Constantines, Tricky Woo, The Barmitzvah Brothers, The Unicorns, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Unireverse, Patrick Watson, Carolyn Mark, Barcelona Pavillion, C'Mon, The Sonny Best Band and Memphis. Watch this space for updates.