December 06, 2007

Those who remember Darius Rucker's ill-fated dance with hip-hop can rest assured. East St. Louis selector Bitch Ass Darius has more interest in crafting the kind of ghetto techno that would make any plaid-happy preppy blush.

The former social worker may have scaled the same creative ranks of artists like Nelly, Chingy and J-Kwon, but unlike the commercial stars who glean their rewards from radio, Darius' payback is a nightlong affair of sweat, heat and floor-torn nastiness.

Recent releases on DJ Godfather's bass-driven Databass label showcase a backlog of ghetto tech gems he polished during his days at the now-defunct label N.E.S. That label pioneered the underground ghetto sound in St. Louis before folding, but Darius' tracks still stand, invoking the same kind of "face-down, ass-up" salute of the day.

Milwaukee's Juiceboxxx lends his potty mouth to the party with a rare DJ set of hip-hop, BC club and stuff your mom would probably throw away. With the backing of Detroit's DJ Assault, techno legend Ron Murphy and a pet snapping turtle named "Boo-yah," Bitch Ass Darius has little to bitch about. Now he's telling you to hit that all night and shut up, too.

Drink up before you go: This dusk-'til-dawn affair is not serving alcohol. Must be 21-plus to attend.

"Hootie and the Glowsticks," presented by Juiceboy and friends. Saturday, Dec. 8, Darling Hall, (601 S. Sixth St.). With Bitch Ass Darius, Juiceboxxx (DJ set), Rand (Terry Plumbing) and Screendoor (Niche). Music at 10 p.m. Cover charge: $5 before midnight, $7 after.

Hard Candy: The West Coast has willingly sleazed out Colette's track production as of late. Since relocating to Los Angeles from her native Chicago, the pretty gloss that once infused her classic house cuts has taken a few makeover tips from the electro scene of the left coast.