Heads up on underground beats

One of the most influential allies of up-and-coming hip-hop on the West Coast is Mike Nardone, host of the underground-oriented “We Came From Beyond” on Sunday nights, 11 p.m-2 a.m., on KXLU-FM (88.9). He’s working on the show’s second CD compilation, which will feature J-Zone, Planet Asia (featuring Kut Master Kurt), J-Live and Metaphor. He also produced Awol One’s latest album, “Speakerface.”

Yes yes y’all

I go to Fat Beats on Melrose for new things. I try and stop by every other week just to pick up stuff that I don’t get serviced on, ‘cause there are so many independent records out there that need attention that don’t necessarily get it. So, it’s worth my time to stop in there.

I also like Soundsations in Westchester. One day, I found some old Rolling Stones 45s. Another time, I found some old hip-hop records: Skinny Boys, Dana Dane and a Redhead Kingpin & the FBI record. You never know what you’re going to find. They have a really good hip-hop section. One time, I [spotted] the Atmosphere record and the Blackalicious record and a bunch of old stuff too, like MC Eiht, Black Sheep and the old Del records, all on CD. I didn’t even know some of that stuff was available.

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Ya don’t stop

I like going to the all-ages shows because it’s just fun to see that youth at a hip-hop show. I think there’s more enthusiasm. In L.A., it’s such an industry-driven town. At an all-ages show, you lose some of that element ‘cause there are so many younger people in the crowd that are passionate about the music.

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Electric Boogaloo

My favorite bar right now is this place in Hermosa Beach called Cafe Boogaloo. It’s like a beer place with a bunch of beers on tap. They play pretty good blues there. It’s really kick back and everyone is real friendly there. I think the later you stay, the more rowdy it gets. We try and get there early and get out before the huge rush.

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Those DJs made my day

It’s so prevalent that club DJs are spinning what’s on the radio. It’s, at the very least, uninteresting. My wife and I have gone to the Beat Junkies club at the Key Club. That’s a good time, but it’s like once a month.

The Beat Junkies are like the local crew that’s done the most. They include Babu from Dilated Peoples and J-Rocc. They did KXLU’s fund-raiser last year, and there were five of them and most of them had one turntable, and it’s incredible when they do it together, a collage of sound. I envy that because I came up as a DJ. They’ve done the battle thing and won all kinds of titles, but they are equally good at being club DJs or radio DJs.

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Liquor mecca

For beer or any type of wine, my wife and I always go to the Beverage Warehouse in Marina del Rey. It’s huge and they have a lot of hard to find stuff. They just have so much space. It’s definitely worth a phone call if you’re looking for something special. If they don’t have it, they might be able to get it for you. I always try to look for new wines and ales. They’re carrying this ale from Northern California called Lagunitas. I always like to get a six-pack or so of that.

-- Adam Bregman