by SCOTT C

Had yet another sad but funny conversation about the demise of the DMC with DJ Craze during our interview this week. I add this to the list of similar exchanges I’ve had with A-Trak and No Luck Club this year, and I’m starting to wonder. If turntablism has moved on from its battleground beginnings, then where do people start? I can remember knowing a gang of dudes who were scratching in their basements back in 1992, but never would have thought to enter the DMC. By 1996, every one of those guys had entered at least one DMC, and were buying the videos, and all of us were making sure we were at the competitions. People used to get super amped about the battles, and you always knew you were going to see some craziness.

“It’s just not the same anymore,” DJ Craze explained matter-of-factly. “There used to be characters out there doing that shit, and those characters aren’t showing up in the competitions anymore. People have nothing to get excited about.”

That’s where the WWF theatrics of the iPod battles are on to something. People definitely want to be entertained, and if you can blow their mind with a song or some crazy scratching, then that’s okay too. “And people don’t do body tricks anymore!” added a laughing Craze. I really don’t know what could happen, or what could be done to save or revamp the DMC either. I know that Tableturns and the ITF battles were initially hatched out of criticism of the DMC, and there have been several other DJ battles that have tried to gain the same kind of following that the DMC first attracted, but nothing. Perhaps Serato should start sponsoring the whole thing...

A little, fat, baldheaded bird provided me with some info this week that made me smile and chuckle. Those of you who can remember the original incarnation of Dub Lounge at Blizzarts might find this mildly amusing as well. Oh yes, I said Dub Lounge at Blizzarts, because from here on in, the hallowed Wednesday-night spot will be filled once again by none other than Mossman himself. He’ll be joined by friends deadbeat, Poontz and Don Pedro, playing the best in dubbed-out goodness. The tax is $4 at the door.

Petit Campus should be jumpin’ on Saturday, Dec. 2, when Toronto’s Pocket Dwellers team up with Nomadic Massive on some hip hop shit. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tix are $12.50.

Seven reasons to do it for the love:
1. Think Twice ft. Manchilde “People Wanna Know” (TTP)
2. Moka Only “Carp” (MySpace)
3. DJ Muro ft. Diamond D & O.C. “Lyrical Tyrants” (Incredible)
4. Mizell Bros. “Think Twice 2006” (Blue Note)
5. Loe Pesci “Don’t Be Stupid” (Falls Advertising)
6. Hi-Tek Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip (Babygrande)
7. Nickodemus Endangered Species (ESL)

PLIGHT OF THE BOURGEOIS... fathead@videotron.ca

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