The annual CMJ Music Marathon is back in town, albeit a wee bit earlier than usual, which means longer lines, higher prices, and more out-of-towners! Fantastic! While dance music aficionados don’t have as much to choose from as those rock geeks (who’ll all be fighting over the Strokes tix, no doubt), our muscles will still be hurting for three days. When attending the CMJ-sponsored CD release party for DJ Spooky, be sure to give the “illbient” jock a good ribbing for his Gap ads, currently plastered all around the city. The Subliminal Kid has apparently decided that mainstream clothing stores are fair game for getting out his underground message. Nevertheless, Mr. Miller knows how to throw a good party, bringing cohorts Lure, Singe, Dalek, as well as ghetto tech DJ Assault to the Lunatarium. With Kut Masta Kurt, Decadence Theatre, Andy Toth, Skizum, and more. Saturday at 8, Lunatarium, 10 Jay St., Brooklyn, 718-813-8404. If you’re not in the CMJ mood, then you can join DJ Ulysses for his CMJ SUCKS party. The jack-of-all trades shares the spotlight with DJ “Ass ‘N’ Titties” Assault, who you might remember is participating in a bona fide CMJ event with Spooky. Maybe someone should tip him off that this is what we journos like to call “conflict of interest.” Friday @ 10, Open Air, 121 St. Marks, 979-1459. The Flyer folks return from dormancy to host a party with XLR8R, Suspension. As per usual, they keep it eclectic and offbeat, bringing turntablist Roli Rho from the 5th Platoon, as well as the troublemakers from the 2step Wikkid! Crew, DJ Greg Poole and MC I-Dris; plus Titonton Duvante and Montreal’s Jetone. Friday @ 9:30, FUN, 130 Madison, 964-0303.
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