by RAF KATIGBAK

I had never done it before, but last weekend I finally did. When I told my friends it was my first time, they were all shocked, they didn't believe me. It was tough to explain because where I'm from they did this sort of thing all the time (sometimes three times a day!) but for some reason I just never got into it, until now. So now I must confess - I'm a karaoke addict.

Last Saturday I popped my sing-along cherry as I celebrated my roommate Miss Matches' birthday by kicking out the jams in a tiny room on Ste-Catherine. I know what you're thinking. Aren't you Asian? Aren't you guys like, engineered to get wasted and belt out Richard Marx tunes? While generalizations like that and assumptions that I know kung fu, am really good at math, and know every other Asian you've ever met are usually off the mark, I must admit, I grew up with a karaoke machine in my house (right next to my kung fu training dummy). I just never really touched the thing except to record fake radio programs full of swearing as a kid. So now, I'm fully converted and "leady to lock" (as they say in Japan). If y'all know an intimate place to bust out my best Aaron Neville impression, please drop me an e-mail.

You can't miss the breakcore event of the year, as Venetian Snares gets ready to destroy the SAT on Friday, Nov. 7, with David Kristian, DJ Fishead, Black Market and C64. For those of you not in the loop, Venetian Snares does the craziest, most extremely intricate noise punishment you ever shook your ass to (what do you expect from a guy who made an entire album out of sounds of him and his girlfriend doing the nasty?). Tix are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

The SAT keeps bringing it on this Saturday as Mutek's ARCHI_TEXTURES does its thing with the A/V insanity of Rechenzentrum, Skoltz_Kolgen, Champion and Tim Hecker. Over at O Patro Vys, Shake & Break it up as Maüs, Soundshaper and Corey K mix up all things breaky. Also on Saturday, the IDJ crew bring locals and T-dot guests Stranjah, MC Lucid and more together for another In Da Jungle party. Always massive, call 401-6774 for details.

Y'know those club scenes in movies where sweaty people dance in slo-mo? Now's your chance to be in one! Tonight from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., Aria will be the next location for shooting the movie Pure, a "modern day nightlife romance" and they need your help to fill it up. Lots of prizes and surprises and booze await you and best of all there's no cover, so what are you waiting for! Before that, drop by In Beat on St-Laurent at 7 p.m. to catch legendary house producer Blaze for an exclusive and intimate in-store.

Finally, Monday, Nov. 10, drop by the SAT to wish one of the Montreal underground's hottest divas a happy birthday. Singer Athesia will be given the bumps with the help of DJs Uzi, Emanuelle, Scott C and Chevy Van on the Road and a plethora of visual artists and performers. Cost is free before 7 p.m., $6 after.

"Turn around, bri-yight eyes…" Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

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