N-Type is dubstep’s demon dervish–a whirlwind of energy, enthusiasm, and destructive dubplates. Born Mark Newton, the DJ, producer, and globetrotting music ambassador connects with crowds from Croatia to Chicago via his fist-pumping DJ sets, along with a growing catalog of solo discs and remixes. Audiences in the US will get a chance to see what all the fuss is about when the RinseFM host returns for a tour that starts in California and heads East.

In xlr8r.com’s hometown of San Francisco, N-Type–who records for Dub Police and his own Terrain label–spins July 13 at Underground SF, in support of the newly released Dubstep All Stars 5 compilation (Tempa) compilation. Presented by producer Juju’s NarcoHz label and Surefire Productions, the night will feature locals Djunya, Samsupa, and Emcee Child.

Supa was excited about N-Type’s return. “N-Type is a bad man,” he enthused. “He brings energy and skill and love to his sets. He mixes so many tunes in his sets, it borders on audio ADD, but everything blends well and he pulls off mixes that really feed the dance floor.”

London’s Guardian UK newspaper agrees, describing Newton’s skills as “a hyper-kinetic DJ style [linked] back to the rave and jungle DJs who took over the pirate airwaves over a decade ago.” N-Type was voted Best Dubstep DJ and Best Dubstep Radio Show (RinseFM) on dubstepforum.com–the leading international resource of information for the dubstep genre.

Many fans have discovered the sound through the Dubstep Allstars series. “Dubstep Allstars is a great introduction to the genre for the average listener,” says Supa. “Historically, the series has provided great mixes packed with fresh dubs by some of the pioneers of the London dubstep scene. Allstars gives people worldwide a preview of the tunes to come, and the direction [where] most of the producers are taking the dubstep sound. I love the mixes, because they are packed with exclusive tunes that I would not see released for almost a year.” That’s an important factor, as dubstep’s international popularity rapidly grows.

DJ and producer Djunya, who has had several successful 12” releases and is established as one of the US’s leading dubstep producers, has witnessed the music’s growth first hand. “Dubstep’s support is certainly growing across the US and rest of the world. I’m blessed to be in one of the hotspots for US representation,” he notes. “As more compilations and tunes become available, I think it will continue to flourish.”

After a two-year hiatus and the fatal overdose of guitarist Ryan Noel, New York-based band A.R.E Weapons is back, and more pissed off than ever. Modern Mayhem, the outfit’s latest album, conjures the spirit of the snotty punk rebellion without forcing the four remaining band members to succumb to DIY clichés or a lack of bathing. “Let’s Go to Time Square” hollers for relief from downtown hipsters, while “Weird Wild Free” is the garage anthem for kids who wished that the New York Dolls recorded their albums post-paint huffing. Naysayers, wake up. Post-punk is far from dead.

Modern Mayhem is out in September on Defend Music.

Tracklisting
1. We Don’t Care
2. Let’s Go to Time Square
3. I Just Can’t Get Started
4. Weird Wild Free
5. Keys Money Cigarettes
6. Just A Crush
7. Have You Ever?
8. Sweet Jesus
9. Dreamers
10. Hey Joey
11. Heartbeat
12. F What You Like
13. Too Low
14. Do You Wanna Hang Around?
15. We Don’t Care (Part 2) 

Rarely are funk outfits as outlandishly eclectic as The Ticklejunk Allstars, but these dudes produce jams that encompass just about every dance genre known to man, including breakbeats, housey grooves, and some lounge-friendly guitar riffs. 

Download this song as an MP3, or preview a week’s worth of tracks at the XLR8R Podcast. Subscribe using iTunes, or with an RSS reader of your choice.

For the latest installment of the XLR8R Podcast DJ Mix Series, soulful house collective King Street Sounds has compiled an arsenal of groove-worthy cuts for dangerous nights. Taking several tracks from its sublabel, Nite Grooves, as well as a slew of other imprints, host Jason Hayer and Tonylee, Joe B, James, Tomo, Alex, and Hoshiko unleash one of the most eclectic ‘casts we’ve posted to date. Featuring Jimi Hendrix, Kool & The Gang, Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam, and Ananda Project, this is one for the books.

Listen to this podcast, or subscribe to the series, using iTunes, or with an RSS reader of your choice.

Tracklisting
Jimi Hendrix “Still Raining Still Dreaming”
Johnny Dangerous “Beat That Bitch”
The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows”
Shaun Escoffery “Days Like This (Spinna’s Club Mix)”
Ly “Back to Zanzibar (King Street Mix – Doc Martin’s Edit)”
Alison Limerick “Where Love Lives”
Mondo Grosso “Star Suite (Blaze Mix)”
Kool & The Gang “Jungle Boogie”
Tiger Stripes “What Was”
Kerri Chandler “That’s All I Needed”
Johnny Dangerous “Emerald City (Tomo’s Mixaroony Edit)”
Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam “I Wonder If I Take You Home”
Chris Staropoli feat. Melanie “Find Yourself (Go Deep Mix)”
The B.B.& Q. Band “Dreamer (Jay vs. Shep’s Mix)”
Ananda Project “Where the Music Takes You”

The state of California is in luck next month, with reggae pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry popping in for a few select live dates. Next, after collaborating with Kanye on Spank Rock’s XXXchange, club rapper Kid Sister rolls through a ton of festivals and other massive events. The dub-punk experimentalists in The Jai Alai-Savant are packing their horns and guitars for a trek through Europe, while ambient shoegazer Ulrich Schnauss rings in autumn with a week in North America.

Lee “Scratch” Perry
07/27 Anaheim, CA: House Of Bluesclub-rap
07/29 San Diego, CA: House Of Blues
07/31 San Luis Obispo, CA: Downtown Brewing CO.
08/04 San Francisco, CA: The Independent
08/05 San Francisco, CA: The Independent 

Kid Sister
06/30 Las Vegas, NV: Hard Rock Hotel
07/15 San Francisco, CA: 111 Minna St. (SF Block Party)
08/05 Chicago, IL: Lollapalooza (Minefield Stage)
08/16 Orlando, FL: Club Firestone
08/17 Tampa, FL: Czar
08/18 Miami, FL: Studio A
09/08 Montreal, QC: MEG/Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
09/14 Morrison, CO: Monolith Festival
09/30 Los Angeles, CA: Neighborhoods Festival

The Jai-Alai Savant
07/01 Stuttgart, DE: Schocken
07/12 Dour, BE: Dour Festival
07/14 Grafenhainichen, DE: Melt Festival
07/16 Nijmegen, NL: Valkhof Affair Festival
07/18 Vienna, AU: TBA
08/01 Cleveland, OH: Beachland Ballroom

Ulrich Schnauss
09/20 Philadelphia, PA: World Cafe
09/22 New York, NY: Joes Pub
09/25 Montreal, QC: La Sala Rossa
09/26 Toronto, ON: The Rivoli
09/27 Chicago, IL: Empty Bottle
09/28 Minneapolis, MN: Triple Rock Club

The Week In Tours, June 21