Hip hop heroes school the new kids

It's been a strange musical journey for Dutch-born/American-transplant producer Junkie XL (aka Tom Holkenborg). In a decade he has gone from an underground techno terrorist to a No. 1 artist in several countries — hitting success with an Elvis remix — as well as experimenting with his '80s heroes (his last album, Radio JXL, featured Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode, Robert Smith of the Cure, and Chuck D of Public Enemy). His lively new full-length, Today, features just the right balance of jangly guitar and propulsive beats. Junkie XL will DJ in celebration of this release on Thursday, May 11, at Ruby Skye at 9 p.m. Admission is $10; call 693-0777 or visit www.rubyskye.com for more info.

Without Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Jazzy Jay, hip hop as we know it wouldn't exist. Jamaican expatriate Herc migrated his nation's appreciation for roving soundsystems to the Bronx, hosting impromptu rebel parties in the '70s. N.Y.-born Bambaataa soon followed, displaying a combination of disparate sounds that blended into pure pop-culture bliss. And Jay helped define hip hop's early recorded presence as part of the first wave of Def Jam Records. On a special night of "Old School Rules," these three pioneering DJs will appear together in one intimate venue. Expect a wealth of styles and tempos (especially from the breakbeat-loving and frequent local guest Bambaataa) and some good old-fashioned showmanship. New-school DJs Shortkut, Sake1, and Gaslamp Killer join this holy trinity of hip-hop heroes on Saturday, May 13, at 10 p.m. at Club Six. Call 863-1221 or visit www.clubsix1.com for more info.