by RAF KATIGBAK

I'm still kicking myself for missing techno legend Speedy J at Aria last week but, seeing as the flu had me curled up in the foetal position convinced that I was being chased by rabid figure skaters in top hats, I gotta say, I had a good excuse. But the after-hours fates have granted me a second chance, and if I'm no longer sweating like Schwarzenegger's speechwriter, I'll be there this Friday when another techno legend hits Aria-Japan's Ken Ishii, bringing his hard, sparse Detroit-inspired techiness. Of course the big news on the after-hours tip is the October 31 opening of Sona at their new space in the Pepsi Forum. Aside from the assortment of hip hop DJs, throughout the opening weekend the main room will feature the likes of Miche & Sultan, Pink Feria, Laflèche, Joubin and Refuge Electronik.

Friday, October 17, at SAT, those seeking some serious AV stimulation should check out the Seven Deadly Sins, where seven VJ crews (including Moment Factory and K Project) will team up with local acoustic and electronic musicians (including Black Market, Athesia, Patrick Watson and more) to do a live reinterpretation of the seven deadly sins. A high concept, high talent night that is a great example of the kind of cool collabs this city is all about. $18 at the door, $15 for students.

After wowing the crowd at this year's Swirl party, electro duo Runner and the Jet have been busy with DJ/producer Luc Raymond, putting the final touches on their debut album. Catch them live this Friday at Living.

Also on Friday, the Digital Militia crew will be throwing yet another star-studded shindig of local talent at their Makina party. Sarcastic, Freebass, Nter, Nuclear Ramjet, Geist, Clown and more will be on hand to bring the noise. Call 301-6971 for details. On the harder side of things, Montreal's hardtek collective Zone-33 will be hosting Revolt! on Saturday, October 18, with Lynn T, Fictional & Stalker, Trek & Julie D, Mutante and Moebius. Also on Saturday, part of the much talked about fourth wave of Detroit techno producers, Matthew Dear, will be dropping a live set at the SAT. I just heard some of his new stuff (as False on Richie Hawtin's Plus8, Jabberjaw on Perlon and under his own name on Ghostly Records) and it is fan-freakin-tastic-funky, minimal, with vocals and a heavy groove. Also on that bill will be the Mole, Deadbeat, EGG and Akufen so this is not to be missed, understand?

This Sunday, October 19, drop by the Jupiter Room for Louisville disco rock sensation VHS or Beta. If y'all missed 'em the first time, they turned the Casa del Popolo into a sweaty dance party, be sure to check 'em out, they're indie rock's answer to French house. Before that, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., drop by the SAT for another installment of Space Tea Party with DJ Luv and DJ Superultramega, with live visuals by BeeWoo. As always, it's free and will surely be a fun, eclectic mix.

Taking drugs seriously since 1996... Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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