RECOMMENDED

Prepare for wobble madness this week at Smart Bar as Excision, in his Chicago debut, drops dubstep science with a heavy twist. His productions and mixes are permeated by elements of drum ‘n’ bass, heavy metal and hip-hop, and this rising star from Canada is set to bring his aggressive and energetic style to the Windy City. Rottun Recordings, Excision’s own label, is tearing up charts and boasts upcoming collaborations with top-shelf names like SPL, Bassnectar, and Pendulum. Excision is bound to drop some favorites, but expect a few exclusive peeks into Rottun’s plans for 2010. Adding fuel to the fire are “Dubstep Massacre” alum, DJ Belly, and Akademy from NYC’s famed Proper Villains crew. (John Alex Colon)

March 11 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

For the last year and a half, Freakeasy has been lighting up Chicago’s underground scene with its distinctive brand of partying centered around positive vibes, community and live art and installations. Part of what makes their events so successful is the partnering of like-minded organizers including the illmeasures crew, best known for house, techno and downtempo, and DJ/producer Radiohiro, whose ethno-centric breakbeat and dubstep sounds have been building a steady following for the last few years. With the two principals at complete opposite corners of the dance-floor sonic spectrum, Freakeasy boasts among the most diverse lineups, with techno, dubstep, house, breakbeats and the kitchen sink thrown together in a single evening. Tonight, the underground bubbles above ground with an event at Smart Bar, featuring regulars Radiohiro & MC Zulu (pictured), Brad Miner and Striz, with special guests DJ Form (formerly with the Baldwin Brothers) and San Francisco-based, Sri Lanka-born Asian Massive pioneer Janaka Selekta (with JC Stokes). But sadly, I don’t think the fire-dancing performances common at Freakeasy events will be permitted inside! (Duke Shin)

February 18 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

If you believe DJ Krush’s bio, seeing the severed finger of his best friend was enough to steer Ishi Hideaki away from a life in the Yakuza, and headlong into the world of turntables and mixers he saw in the groundbreaking 1983 hip-hop film “Wild Style.” Over time, his DJing and production work made him synonymous with Japanese hip-hop, but Krush’s reach is truly global. Often lumped into trip-hop or ambient categories, Krush’s sound is difficult to nail down, with influences coming from every direction from jazz to dub, with classic breaks to cinematic builds, and most often, the kitchen sink. As a producer, Krush’s confident grooves have been paired with the varied likes of songstress Esthero, off-kilter rapper Aesop Rock, and even Mos Def spitting out a couple sentences in Japanese. But the real treat is seeing DJ Krush perform live. A sublime synthesis of technique and flow, Krush creates moody dystopian soundscapes, melding scratching and effects seamlessly, expertly, precisely—until the break drops and threatens to migrate the kinetic energy of your head nod down to your behind, and lower. Chicago has been fortunate to be a semi-regular stop for global icon Krush, but don’t take tonight’s performance for granted. Also featured tonight is an opening set from Striz, easily one of Chicago’s most versatile DJs. (Duke Shin)

January 27 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, (773)276-3600.

RECOMMENDED

Local dubstep fans are in for a treat as two U.S. favorites, Houston’s Claw and Chicago’s Richie August, combine to drop their acclaimed “Hulkstep” style to this week’s Big Bass Thursday. Claw’s exploits landed him deck spots in Australia, Europe and around the U.S., and recently he collaborated on remixes with Wu-Tang Clan and Public Enemy’s Chuck D. August’s sets blend known dance-floor crushers with his own tracks, fueled by hip-hop elements and shocking basslines. As Hulk, they dropped the “Gamma Bomb” mix in October and it only continues to impress. Catch the duo this week before they hit the road as Hulkstep’s U.S. ambassadors. (John Alex Colon)

December 17 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Rusko tapped into the dub sound early on, creating beats and basslines with Iration Steppas while living in Leeds. A trip to London paired him with Caspa and the Sub Soldiers imprint and soon the duo was mixing a Fabric Live CD and collaborating on hit releases. Rusko’s dark, sample-driven style of dubstep morphed into an energetic, floor-filling approach to the sound, gaining him legions of fans and the respect of the globe’s top DJs. The seminal “Cockney Thug” still overwhelms crowds, but young Rusko is poised to reach greater heights. A move to Los Angeles, collaborations with Diplo, and remixes for Kid Sister are proof of his ambition. Rusko’s high energy style of sample-laden dubstep is on display at Smart Bar this weekend, supported by a live performance by Abstract Science’s own, Quadratic. (John Alex Colon)

December 4 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

DJ/rupture is not misprinted. After all, if anyone would know, it would be the man behind the moniker Jace Clayton, who besides being an incredibly diverse DJ, is also a writer, covering music for the likes of Wire and Fader. Most recently spotted in Chicago dropping a deep set of baile funk, house, dubstep and the kitchen sink at Pitchfork Fest, he incited a full-on dance party which had manifested behind the sound tent. DJ/rupture is in town to promote his latest venture, “Solar Life Raft,” an album-length blend of twenty-five tracks that he assembled, remixed or gene-spliced together with pioneering dubstep producer Matt Shadetek. Matt Shadetek is the founder of Dutty Artz and has produced tracks with Modeselektor, and seen his own releases as Team Shadetek released on perennial beat favorites Warp Records. Tonight’s performance will recapture the dreamy-yet-slightly sinister feel of the dubbed-out rhythms and beats from “Solar Life Raft” with Shadetek on drum machine and laptop, and a separate performance from DJ/rupture on three turntables. Headlining are Baltimore DJ icons Devlin & Darko, best known as part of hip-hop club sensations Spank Rock, who unleashed the fury of Amanda Blank and club bomb “Bump” onto the unsuspecting club world of 2006. And if that weren’t enough, local club staple DJ Trew will spin throughout the evening, with a performance from Dance Fam Chicago, and a video installation from pop-culture/Internet-obsessed artist Jon Rafman, a Quebecois armed with a MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago. (Duke Shin)

November 20 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Big Bass Thursdays continues the dubstep onslaught by welcoming South London producer, DJ and label owner Distance. The revered Planet Mu label is home to his critically acclaimed singles and albums, but his Chestplates imprint is stepping up the game, offering the style for which he’s best known: dark, brooding elegance fused with less wobble and more fright. With guest spots from genre headliners Skream and Benga, Distance and Chestplates are names to watch indeed. After a slew of hip-hop- and dance-floor-aimed DJs, this Big Bass show promises a welcome shock to the system for dubstep fans. (John Alex Colon)

October 22 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Incubated in the warmth of underground loft parties, the Lake Street Collective makes another visit to the crimson-lit confines of Darkroom, where a mere $5 after 11pm gets you a live dose of dubby rhythms and organic breaks from Elev8tor, along with DJ sets from Shifty Johnson, DJ Striz, Adrienne Sanchez and DJ 8 that are likely to go from nice to nasty. Elev8tor sports a trio of seasoned musicians on drums, bass and keyboards and loops to lay down enough funk to keep it moving, but with enough variety to avoid the Velveeta factor that seems to threaten any live band dealing in funk. Darkroom always seems like a comfortable place to hang, whether you’re lounging or dancing. Add in a good Friday night jam of varied homegrown thump for the dollar… give thanks to Revolutionary Music and illmeasures for looking out for both ear and wallet! (Duke Shin)

October 23 at Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago, (773)276-1411, at 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

Variant is one of those monthly club events where, musically, just about anything goes. What began as a primarily dub techno and dubstep-oriented event has slowly evolved into a night with incredibly eclectic programming. Variant has hosted guest DJs spinning everything from deep house and minimal techno to dubstep, electro and Chicago house. The combination of the intimate space and the music-driven policy at Lava allows for more freedom in musical selection, not to mention a platform for local DJs to shine. Best of all, the event is always free. The featured guest for this month’s edition of Variant is Antiphase from the Naughty Bad Fun Collective. Antiphase, a professed vinyl addict, has wide-ranging musical taste that includes Chicago jack tracks, Detroit techno, alien electro, old disco cuts, modern tech-house and more. He owns an impressive record collection, and plans to drop a set full of electro at Variant. Joining Antiphase are Variant residents Matthew Martin (of Meiotic), Merrick Brown and Timid. (Elly Rifkin)

October 21 at Lava, 1270 N. Milwaukee. 10pm.

RECOMMENDED

As Infiltrata, John Dadzie released several high-profile drum ‘n’ bass tunes, most recently on Dieselboy’s Human Imprint label and Ohm Resistance. This time around, he visits as 12th Planet, a moniker under which he’s produced a healthy amount of dubstep, including a recent track with legendary MC Ras Kass and remixes for MSTRKRFT and Guns ‘n’ Bombs. The dark, techno-influenced style Dadzie used as Infiltrata persists in these efforts, with heavy bass and artillery-fire breakbeats defining the mood. Dadzie’s junglist tendencies are apparent and his deft use of hip-hop vocals certainly livens up the mix. Expect a solid performance from a U.S. dubstep artist with a history of bass research. (John Alex Colon)

October 8 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 10pm.