Music: Brokencyde brings 'crunkcore' style to Starline

If you ask Brokencyde, it's not all that bad being hated.

The New Mexico-bred band, which plays tonight at Starline, has drawn all kinds of ire in the past year. It's been called the worst band ever, among other things that probably aren't fit for print.

Thrash Magazine called the band "a mockery to the world of music."

Much of the chagrin lies with their style of music, something they've coined as "crunkcore," a mixture of hardcore rock and the hip-hop subgenre "crunk."

But Brokencyde -- a self-described "boy band gone bad" -- doesn't seem too bothered.

"The hate makes you more motivated to do what you do," says band member Phat J. "It makes you stronger."

In fact, Brokencyde's debut album makes light of their rep in its title: "I'm Not a Fan But the Kids Like It!"

"If you like listening to Kenny G sitting at home on your rocking chair, you're not going to like Brokencyde," says Phat J. "They can very well think it's the worst music in the world, but people who want to have fun and come out and see a good show, they'll change their minds about Brokencyde."

Band members are all in their early 20s. They have played on the Vans Warped Tour and are signed to independently run BreakSilence Records.

Much of Brokencyde's following was built on MySpace, where the band's single "Booty Call" (which features rapper E-40) has registered more than 2 million plays.

And the younger audience that loves Brokencyde does it with as much passion as the band's haters.

"I think it's just the fun element," Phat J says. "Kids want to go to shows to have fun and lose all their problems -- to come to a show rather than somebody's Bible study."

Elsewhere

- Blues/roots rock guitarist A.C. Myles always puts on a show when he performs, and he will be at it again tonight at Audie's Olympic, 1426 N. Van Ness Ave. After doing 140-plus dates this year, he's got a new live CD out, "Live & Loose." 9:30 p.m. $5.

- Vocalist Karen Marguth's recent collaboration with the jazz band Espacio was such a hit, they're getting together again and playing tonight at Tokyo Garden, 1711 Fulton St. 7 p.m. $7.

- Violinist-on-the-go Patrick Contreras returns Saturday to Starline, 831 E. Fern Ave., for a genre-jumping night of music. 9 p.m. $5.