Ram, bam, you
know the rest...

by SCOTT C
It’s once again time to dig deep and support CKUT 90.3 FM’s annual funding drive, from April 26 to May 6, during which they’ll try to raise $100,000. This year’s theme is Good Vibrations, and things jump off in a big way on April 25, when CKUT presents a live radio show/dance party at Club Lambi called Radio in 3D. You can move to the sounds of the Roots Rock Rebellion Soundsystem with DJ Redstrike and Mossman, Revolution, BuddaBlaze and Flow from Off the Hook Radio, and special guests Narcycist and Cracked Lips to round it out. Feel free to donate anytime by calling (514) 907-9424, or online at www.ckut.ca during the 10-day drive.

While I’m on the subject of community radio, I must pay respect to CKUT’s Ill Groove Garden, the crew of which is getting ready to celebrate their 10-year anniversary with a party at Boodha Bar on May 4. Manchilde, Zip and all of the DJs that have represented on the show since 1997 will probably be in attendance, jostling to drop the hot shit for you and me. Stay tuned for more details, though.

May 2 is the day that Def Jux main man El-P has decided to touch down in Montreal for a show at le National. Here I was thinking he’d be out there grinding alone, like the dark horse that he is, but no, he’s on tour with Hangar 18, Yak Ballz and Slow Suicide Stimulus, so what the bloodclot do I know. The last time I spoke to El-P, he was just getting ready for his first national tour, back in 2002, and I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t already been out on the road. Guess he’s well-travelled now, with 30-plus dates on his current tour. Tix are $20 and the show starts at 9 p.m.

The other night, I ran into the elusive DJ Ram—aka Ramachandra Borcar, the mastermind of Ramasutra—who pretty much locks himself inside the studio and never comes out anymore. It all started when I got into a chance conversation with a girl named Vanessa who was outside the bar for a smoke, and literally 10 seconds after she mentioned Ram was her boyfriend, he appeared out of the fire and brimstone. He informed me that he’s been keeping busy musically, and that he’d just finished doing the music for the new season of Montreal porn-industry reality show Web Dreams. Make a note, people. Ram is still the missing link between music and sensuality, and naturally always will be. He’s also finishing up a new album for the rest of us.

It was great to see Nas dipping his toes in so many phases of his own musical career the other night at Metropolis. He did the old shit, the new shit, some bits and pieces for the heads, and even a few of his less stellar releases to keep everybody happy. All in all, it was a good show, on some straightforward gusto from beginning to end. R.I.P., hip hop.

Quickly, check out the Gala at the Sala IV this Sunday, April 22, at la Sala Rossa for some Blue Cat neighbourhood boxing action. Male and female amateur exhibition boxing matches start at 2 p.m. and I hope to be at ringside with boxing legend Limehouse Chappy calling the shots!

No more drinks for me... fathead@videotron.ca