Also this issue: Bad Is Good There’s a reason for the sudden success of The Bad Plus. -Nate Chinen Minister of Information This is Al Jourgensen’s United States of Whatever. -A.D. Amorosi suitespot Peter Burwasser on Classical -Peter Burwasser Litmus Test Clayton the Chemist-Sean O’Neal The Mercury Program -Paul Burress Philomel -Peter Burwasser My Morning Jacket -Brian Howard Cousteau -Nicole Pensiero

May 1- 7, 2003

musicpicks

Dub Narcotic Sound System

"Creation is an act of sheer will," said the old guy in Jurassic Park who cloned velociraptors simply because he could. It’s a credo Calvin Johnson knows well; his clangy old punk band, Beat Happening, was all about venturing forth without pondering convention or so-called common sense. Now, following a brief stint as a solo singer/songwriter, Johnson has dusted off the Dub Narcotic Sound System to once again prove that a cardigan-wearing, famously nice indie rock dinosaur can make convincing -- and funky -- rap music. The upbeat title track off DNSS’s new Hand Clappin’ EP (K Records) is at least as catchy as Busta Rhymes’ recent treatise on the subject of smacking palms, "Make It Clap," and thankfully never quite as redundant. Of course, the deep-throated, sing-songy Johnson’s not gonna beat any modern badass hip-hopper head-to-head 8 Mile-style, but his ability to work a crowd and move a room make Dub Narcotic a force to be reckoned with.

Sun., May 4, 7:30 p.m., $8, all ages, with The Microphones and Black Lips, First Unitarian Church, 22nd and Chestnut sts., 800-594-8499.

—Patrick Rapa