Taking the 12-step program by SCOTT C Last week I was carrying a crate of records down the stairs on the way to catch a cab at Parc and Bernard when I lost my mountain goat footing and bailed. There, at the bus stop stood at least 10 of the most stonefaced, unfeeling bastards I'd ever seen in my life, all of them looking at me as if to say, "Well, that's what you get for being a DJ." I couldn't believe that nobody offered to help me, considering I'd just fell down about 12 steps. I picked up my stuff, salvaged my pride and rode off in a cab, hoping that their bus would never come. I really could have used some help that night. Kid Koala's got all the help he needs backing him up for his upcoming tour, which will take him to some of the finer parts of the globe. Along with the funk-tional dabblings of longtime friends and bandmates from Bullfrog, the Kid will also be joined by Montrealer-cum-New Yorker and fellow turntablist P-Love. P, who was just getting packed to move back to Queens, and was more than ready to join the vinyl fold. You may have seen a new little mag around town called Pound, filled to the gills with everything hip hop-culture-related. Although small and joining a number of publications out of Toronto, this little guy has a little more to say than many of its counterparts, calling itself "the vanguard in journalism for the hip hop community," but saying its peace with some fresh, conscious and funny writing. I get the feeling that the editorial staff at Pound has a firm grasp on all the bullshit mags that are out there and intends to do one better. Their premiere issue, released in December, asked the question "Is hip hop dead?" Not if they have anything to say about it. Don't forget Raekwon in the basement at Sona on Saturday night, Feb. 26, rollin' in for a show on the back of the half-decent new album Immobilarity. All the kids should enjoy this all ages show, $24.50. Also on Saturday, Noize has the one and only MC Abdominal returning to the city for a little instore action. This adept microphone blabbermouth will be joined by DJ Fase (beats), DJ Twist (scratching), Oral-B (beatbox) and the Circle Research Turntablists. Boo boo heads will know I used to be in a group with Abdominal called Rusholmes (!) along with T.O. DJ Serious back in '92. Good to see Abs getting along extremely well without me. Show starts at 4:30 p.m. Finally, check out 2 Hot 2 Handle IV at Café Campus on Monday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Montreal's premier celebration of Québécois hip hop culture features performances from Ninja, South Squad, X-Horde, Spida and Division Blindee, to name a few, as well as DJs, breakers and graffiti. Call 842-6333 for details. : Send only the hottest of mixtapes for review to: Mel's Rock Pile, c/o Scott C, 400 McGill, suite 100, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2G1, or write me at plan_b13@hotmail.com