Get on the mic!

by SCOTT C

You and I both know that when bands take the time to describe the music they make on their MySpace pages, the descriptions are sometimes the furthest thing from the sounds involved. So hilarious, guys. Montreal outfit Pad Class have thankfully saved the comedy for their actual tunes, which happen to be part of the ever-growing sea of electro-punk disco-house sweeping the civilized world. They play the Blue Dog Motel tonight, Thursday, June 19, with Wilson Heart and New Money, playing soon-to-be hits like “Cousin Sex” and “Gang Bang Child.” Five dollars gets you in.

FUNNY BUSINESS:
Pad Class

Also jumping off for the first time on the Main is Karaoke à la Rap, aka Hip Hop Karaoke, which has made the big move from Zoobizarre to Coda for all you lazy bastards that wouldn’t come uptown. Tonight, June 19, is their first time at Coda, and I can’t say enough about this one, folks. Last month, I ended up doing “Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down” by Brand Nubian, along with a heartfelt rendition of “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J, and I gotta say, it wasn’t a completely embarrassing experience. In fact, every one of the people that were there got up and had some fun on the mic. Some were better than others, like the dude who ripped a perfect version of “Danse la Poutine” and then got up a few songs later and aced Jigga’s “99 Problems” from front to back. You will laugh your ass off, when you’re not downing drinks to up your courage, that is. Hosted by More or Les, Moonstarr and Tashish, your best bet is to check the song lists at www.karaokealarap.com before you go any further. This is an open call to all wannabe MCs and true lovers of the artform to come out and have some fun. You’ll be glad you did. Doors are at 10:30 p.m.

This Saturday from noon until 6 p.m., check out Popolo in the Park at St-Laurent and St-Joseph, where you can catch the Kalmunity Vibe Collective, Mantana Roberts and DJs like Jah Mikes, DJ Lexis, Uzi and more in the open air. Later that night, Stockholm, Sweden’s Mad Mats is doin’ it to death at la Sala Rossa for the Goods, as part of the Suoni per il Popolo festival. This all-around DJ, b-boy champ, record-label head and club owner has been trotting the globe, tearing up dancefloors and preaching the gospel about his baby, Raw Fusion Records, for years. Expect a heavy mix of funk, soul, hip hop, underground disco, deep house and broken beat flavours for real. Doors are at 10:30 p.m., admission is $12.

Seven reasons the beach is back:
1. Ayah “Feelin It” ft. Nickelus F (CDR)
2. Ray Barretto Acid (Fania)
3. Little Brother And Justus for All (Hall of Justus)
4. Shawn Jackson “Feelin’ Jack” (CDR)
5. Freeway ft. Memphis Bleek “Night Shift” (CDR)
6. Vox Sambou “Neg Chante” (PTR)
7. D-Sisive The Book (Urbnet)

WHEN RACCOONS ATTACK... fathead@videotron.ca