by RAF KATIGBAK

Ever notice how lazy we've become with our language? Take "what's up" for example. Not so hard to say, it's already shortened from what is up to two words, two syllables and seven letters. But that wasn't short enough for us was it? We had to turn it into one word, "whassup!" Then shave off a few letters and replace them with an apostrophe: "w'sup!" Short enough? No, let's take that "w" out of there so we can really speed through this - "'sup!" What I really want to know is, what's the hurry? Maybe we do it to speed through conversations with people we really don't want to talk to, and when somebody goes "'sup" to you, they're really saying, "Oh shit, I was hoping you didn't see me standing here but now I have to say hello so let's just get this over with as fast as humanly possible so I can continue mackin' this girl next to me."

This economy of language has spread to the DJ world as well. The upcoming and much anticipated Cloud 6 rave features a DJ called HP Chicken. HPC (which stands for Horny Plastic Chicken) not only joins the other HPs already existing (the writer Lovecraft, the computer people and the barbecue sauce) but he combines all their strengths into the most twisted, tangiest beats you've ever tasted. All right, I've never heard him, but I thought the tie-in was too good to pass up. Join him, Stabba, Poontz, Sarcastic, Baby Dino, Maüs, Mini & Jordan Dare and a slew of other Montreal techno DJs this Saturday, September 6, at the indie rave party of the season, Cloud 6. Call 304-8967 for details.

When Exclaim! published their "Synth Punks and Super Freaks" article, detailing Montreal's weirdo electronic-party-rock-dance scene, it made a lot of people in this city step back and go, "Hey, it's true! There are a lot of weird and wonderful bands here!" But some people knew all along. Take local DJ/producer/musician/Ninja Tune soldier Jrobot, for example. The track listing on the latest compilation on his Robosapien label reads like a who's-who of Montreal's best new electronic-rock acts. "I wanted it to be sort of a snapshot or historical document of the Montreal scene, so that decades down the line, people who want to know what was going on in Montreal can point to this CD." Indeed, with acts like les Georges Leningrad, Lederhosen Lucil, Alexis O'Hara, Pony Up, Montag, [sic] and the Dorkestra, it looks like the comp (due out mid-October) will be a doozy. Check out Jrobot's Human Y Festo party tonight, Thursday, September 4, at la Sala Rossa with acts EHG, the World Provider, Superultramega! and more. Cover is $6.

In other electro-rock news, DJ Frigid will be moving his popular Thursday-night weekly Overdose from Parking to Unity II and renaming it Kink! Seems like the new Overdose will be taken over by none other than the electro triple threat of DJ Mini, Jordan Dare and Philgood - wow wow wee wah! Decisions, decisions…

If you're downtown Sunday (2 p.m.–9 p.m.), drop by SAT for DJ Luv's new monthly Space Tea Party. Part of his ongoing dream to play records on a Sunday afternoon, it just might be the perfect spot to grab a drink after a long day of downtown activity. Entrance is free!

You down with OPPFTLMGGRQLZN? Yeah, you know me! Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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