BeatBox

Unfairly referred to as the Americanized version of the Chemical Brothers because of a sound that combines rock and electronica, the Crystal Method is a distinctive and oft-imitated pair of artists. Before hitting it big, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland cut their teeth in the early-'90s underground L.A. rave scene (at a time when raves weren't nearly as annoying as they are today). Their new remix album, Community Service II, features revisions of such classics as the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues," New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle," Smashing Pumpkins' "1979," and Uberzone's "Octopus," to name a few. DJs Jonathan Beech and Nikola perform sets in between the Method. It all goes down this Thursday, April 14, at Mezzanine; call 820-9669 or visit www.mezzaninesf.com. -- Brock Keeling

Ever wonder where some of those great hip hop breakbeats come from, but you don't know anyone with an extensive record collection that could help you find out? Well, then check out "The Breaks," where you can trainspot (i.e., peek at song titles on the records) as DJ Spair, Ross Hogg, Satva, Kingmost, and Slowpoke spin the original funk, rock, jazz, and disco jams that make up so much of the sample fodder for today's hip hop. Those who own turntables will also have the opportunity to browse through and buy portions of these and other DJs' collections. Buy breaks or just boogie to them on Saturday, April 16, at Club Six; call 863-1221 or visit www.clubsix1.com for more info. -- Tamara Palmer

The recurring party known as "San Fiasco" is a unique event for the Left Coast and particularly for San Francisco. Resident DJs Shortkut and J-Boogie feature a musical policy that is normally more at home in cities like Miami and New York: hip hop, reggae, and dancehall "club bangers," as they put it. This, of course, means that there's absolutely, positively no parking on the dance floor. These genres have cross-pollinated in recent years like never before. It used to be that American popular music had more impact on Jamaica than vice versa, but now everyone is trying to sound and dance like he's from the island, mon. Wind your waistline to the bass lines on Saturday, April 16, at 26 Mix; call 826-7378 or visit www.26mix.com for more info.-- Tamara Palmer