Canada is quickly turning into a real-life version of the Ebullition distro, as evidenced by the fact that we’ve seemingly got more post-hardcore bands than actual people. This week proves no different, as a group called Veneers are bringing off-kilter punk jams to Tubby Dog on Thursday, August 16, where they’ll be joined by locals Stalwart Sons, Tel Fyr and The Hills are Watching Us (whose name I don’t really understand, but they sound like a better pastime than watching The Hills).

Maybe you’d prefer a slightly different sub-subgenre, however, in which case Ontario metalcore group Dead and Divine are hitting SAIT’s Orpheus Theatre on Friday, August 17 as part of their farewell tour. The Burlington ’core factory will be joined by space-bar-disrespecting dudes MyChildren MyBride and Liferuiner, a band who attempt to do just that with their concoction of emotional diary entries and aggro vocals.

If you’d prefer to keep things on a local tip, you’ll want to head down to Broken City that same night as indie rock legends Hot Little Rocket return to the stage. Joined by relative newbies The Shematomas and The Soft Option, it’ll be the most Calgary-positive thing you can do. Shit, ride your bike across the Peace Bridge on your way there and Nenshi himself will shed a single joyful tear.

Come Saturday, August 18, you’d be wisest to return to Tubby Dog for a headlining slot from terse, raw punk act Criminal Code, who are making their way out here all the way from Tacoma, Washington. Joined by Ohio’s White Walls alongside Edmonton’s Rhythm of Cruelty and locals Glitter, it’s the sort of punk show that you’ll be kicking yourself for months if you’re dumb enough to miss.

Remember Tim Heidecker’s classic prankster Spagett on Awesome Show, Great Job? Well, that’s what the name of the fifth annual Spaghetti Western Festival reminds me of. Sure, it’s really more of a free country music festival that sees the likes of No River, Justin Rutledge, the Dustin Bentall Outfit and more hit Olympic Plaza on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. If you want to check out any of those acts, make sure you add this event to your calendar. We wouldn’t want you to spagget about it!

Then, to end it all, classic rock-indebted Vancouver group Black Mountain will ride into town on a wispy smoke cloud guided by frontman Stephen McBean’s Tolkien-esque beard. If you like enormous riffs then you already know that The Republik is the place to be on Wednesday, August 22.