by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Along with new live venues popping up in town almost weekly, like ex-peeler sleaze joint the Playhouse, now opening its doors to live bands, we've also seen a rash of new DJ nights that stray far from the predictable beats of dance fodder like J-Lo and 50 Cent (well, with the exception of Totally Tuesday at Korova, but read on).

Tonight marks the second installment of Pretty in Pink, happening every Thursday at Jupiter Room. Hosted by Mlle Bacon and DJ Pat Dynamite (ex-Lipstick), they're spinning everything '80s, so break out your leather tie and Molly Ringwald outfit and bug out to the sounds of INXS, Echo and the Bunnymen, Annie Lennox, Musical Youth, Eddy Grant or, uh, something like that. Don't expect me there as my "Belinda Carlisle" sway ain't up to snuff these days and I find these '80s-themed nights a little nauseating (I actually lived through the MTV years). But hey, what the hell do I know? I'm just a jaded old hack who listens to Black Sabbath.

Probably my favourite night of the week would be the country night at L'Escogriffe on Sunday. Hosted by DJ Hugo (the Sainte Catherines, Yesterday's Ring) and DJ Mike, these two provide the perfect elixir for a weekend hangover, serving up some countrified songs for the soul by Steve Earle, Uncle Tupelo, Lucinda Williams, George Jones, David Allen Coe, etc. Fans of this night may also want to keep tabs on Lonesome Hank's (ex-Bliss - see, I didn't mention godspeed!) infrequent night at Pharmacie Esperanza. If you happen to catch the night, expect major tear-in-your-beer classics, guaranteed to leave you contemplating ending it all. Yee haw!

A sure bet on Monday night is Lundi Lunartique at Korova, hosted by the Besnard Lakes' DJ Oggy and DJ Jack Lacey P.I. These two have been known to play selections from Billy Joel's classic Glass Houses, Van Halen's Eruption, Jefferson Starship's We Built This City, Toto's Rosanna, the Beach Boys' Kokomo and have no problem at all playing the first Asia album in its entirety. Once they just let CHOM play over the sound system with the drum solo from "Moby Dick" providing the interlude during commercials, and nobody batted an eyelid. Sound awesome? You bet it is!

Tuesday is easily the biggest night in town with a whole host of kick-ass nights. Probably the longest running rock night would be Sold Our Souls for Rock and Roll at Casa. It's a rotating cast of DJs that includes Crawdaddy Simon (for my money the best soul/rock DJ in town), Juan, DJ of rock and roll, DJ Ludwig Wax (Le Nombre), DJ Gourmet (Le Nombre, Bon Sound), DJ Salami (Demon's Claws) and others. Also check out Crime, hosted by DJ Jay Watts III at the Green Room on Tuesday nights. Warning though, don't try and request anything hip like Pere Ubu or Nicki Sudden or he will try and bum all of your smokes and stay on your couch.

KEEP ON ROCKING, HIPPIE MAN! jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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