The Deep End

Electro has undergone several deviations since the dawn of Kraftwerk's cold pulse, from the "Planet Rock" of Afrika Bambaataa to synth-pop to recent electroclash nostalgia. One of its more underrated offshoots is Florida's indelible electro-breaks scene, which owes an equal debt to roller-skating booty-tech and German industrial beats.

At the forefront of that movement, West Palm Beach-based Cyberian Knights has been an emerging force in this movement, as a label and as a collective. "Scott Weiser and I started Cyberian Knights Recordings in 2002," co-founder Jason Metsala explains, "shortly after our first release under that collective name on my label, Millennium Breaks."

The CK imprint includes work from Sunshine State vets like Miami's Dynamix II and Tampa's Jackal and Hyde, along with up-and-comers like Orlando's DJ Wutam. With several releases, remixes, and underground thumpers like Ashrock's "Body Rock" already behind them, CK will always be a joint effort, according to Metsala. "We'll feature multiple artists from the CK collective on every 12-inch and CD release we do," he says. "Our goal is to make Cyberian Knights to electro what Metalheadz are to drum 'n' bass." Two new albums and a three-month, 30-city tour, including multiple appearances at the Winter Music Conference, might assure that goal.

Cyberian Knights artists are all over the Winter Music Conference, starting Tuesday, March 22, with J-Break and 15 other regional and international artists at Spy Lounge, 227 Ninth St., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $20; Dynamix II, Infiniti, Wutam & J-Break, Ashrock, and Agent K play a daytime set Thursday, March 24, at Break Fest II at Nocturnal, 50 NE 11th St., Miami, and that night at Rivir, 66 SW Sixth St., Miami. On Friday, March 25, Dynamix II vs. Jackal & Hyde, and Ashrock play the Ultra Music Fest. See the Winter Music Conference insert for details, or visit www.myspace.com/cyberianknightsrecordings.