Linkin Park with the X-ecutioners, DJ Z-Trip and Apex Theory

Usually it's not that hard to distance yourself (enlightened sumbitch that you are) from things that stink. You don't have to watch the MTV Video Music Awards. You are not required to drink Mountain Dew's new energy drink. And so on. All of us happenin' hipsters can tiptoe through the tulips in our vintage Euro-sneakers with nary a thought about rap-rock-retch outfits such as Linkin Park -- which makes it all the more perplexing when artists we consider incredibly inventive and groundbreaking, such as turntablists DJ Z-Trip and the X-ecutioners (pictured), open for Linkin Fucking Park at the not-so-hip and less-than-happenin' St. Charles Family Arena. Huh?Z-Trip (along with DJ-P) recently released Uneasy Listening Vol. 1, a frighteningly well-executed mix CD that seamlessly blends old-school electro, new wave and hip-hop with anthemic classic-rock. The X-ecutioners are turntable pioneers whose group and solo performances blend physical DJ theatrics with complex rhythmic retooling. And God bless 'em every one for attempting to spread the gospel of vinyl to the backwards-hatted jock masses, but puh-leez!

Oh well. Maybe Linkin Park is really gonna bridge that gap between the mooks and the snobs, and we'll all chill out together and drink energy drinks and stuff. Maybe this absurd billing is step 1 toward world peace. Who knows? Maybe? Or maybe not.