Camp Crystal Lake Memories SF, Broadzillaween PHI, DFA/Ghostly International BK and more

The night is finally here, when you can be someone else and watch the Peanuts special and eat candy and act a fool. So much good shit tonight, hard to know where to start. This is a preliminary sketch, think of it as like the Top 3, as I'm heading to a Colbert Report taping right now. I'm stoked though, so lots of exclamation points tonight! Deal with it! Yeah! San Fran, I'm giving you top billing for this amazingly named, amazingly booked party. Camp Crystal Lake Memories with Riot In Belgium! Sleazemore, Rchrd Oh?! and Omar of Popscene! Hot Tub live!

-Broadzillaween! Broadzilla DJs are back! Sal Principato DJing! Liquid Liquid! Pink Skull live! Free Absolut drinks and $1 PBRs from 9-10! Philly! Get Rad!



-Brooklyn, I see you! How can you not go to this? DFA + Ghostly International = Halloween raveage. Matthew Dear's Big Hands live, Juan Maclean DJing, Morgan Geist, Tim Sweeney and Tim Goldsworthy

Holy Ghost Record Release NYC, Outdanced CHI and more

If I was being honest with myself and my dear readers, I would recommend only eggings for tonight. Fuck parties and dancing! It's Mischief Night! But, alas, I'm an old man and I cannot condone vandalism and mischief as they are morally wrong. Thankfully, there are a ton of great parties going on tonight and I won't have to consider my lost youth. The next two nights are DFA nights for New Yorkers, if you so choose. Tonight, hit up 205 Club (205 Chrystie@Stanton) for the Holy Ghost! Record Release party where resident DJs Jacques Reneault and Justin Miller will spin all night with a great mix of dance music from disco to house to electro and back again. I believe the band is playing live, RSVP at justinandjacques@gmail.com to get on the list, show up early to make sure you get in probably as well. I'm a huge fan of the band's first single, love the basement of 205, love these DJs, feel the love people, feel the love.

-Ooh, another great event in NYC tonight, think of this as co-event of the night or something. New York Magazine are throwing a dance party called All Hallows Madness. No seriously, they are and they look to have done the damn thing. Pound for Pound favorites Chromeo and Kudu are playing live, along with Dan Deacon. Not sure if they are going to be DJs, but I'm guessing that there will be. It's a costume party, so try to dress up. There's gonna be cash prizes for best costume, plus a scavenger hunt, and an open bar all night! Like whoa. 21+, $25 tickets on sale here and at the door, doors open at 9 pm, coolest of all is that it's happening at the Judson Church (55 Washington Square South), should be a memorable night if you don't black out from the open bar.



-Sadly, tonight's the final editon of the See You Next Tuesday party in D.C. This one's called See You In Hell, nice to see them go out with a themed bang. DJ People's Champion is joined by Atari Crunk, i.e. Chris O from Yo Majesty and Taxlo and DLake from Taxlo only. Get to Wonderland Ballroom (1101 Kenyon St. NW) and party like crazy one last time and say goodbye. No cover, 10-2 am, 21+.



-Two cool events in Chicago tonight. The Outdanced weekly plays host to the Whitey/Rory Phillips tour we mentioned this weekend and which I got to check out Saturday night. Highly recommended, you already know that the Outdanced night is highly recommended. Combine them and watchout! Joining the UK stars is Brilliant Pebbles live and Jordan Z in the DJ booth. RSVP at outdanced@Yahoo.com to make sure you get in, drink specials and $2 PBRs all night, doesn't look like a costume party for the record, so The Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave.) should be safe from Amy Winehouse "lookalikes" and slutty [fill in the blank], sorry. P.S. What's the Devil's Night shit?



-The Smartbar is the choice for those of you looking to get dressed up tonight, as it hosts the Art Brut after/costume party. When The Eagle Met The Wolf and DJ Stv Slv will provide the music, no cover, 21+, doors at 10 pm.




-Whoa, I didn't even know LA had lofts, so you know I had to hype this Hocus Pocus Loft Party in the City of Celebrities. Luv Tek, S!n, Billy Noorlag, DJ Hyphy Crunk, Bul!m!atron!, DJ Dskotk and DJ Score are spinning at this 18+ costume party, there's an outdoor and indoor areas, photos by Red Slurpee, drinks by B.A. Events, all for only $5. It happens at the Purple Loft (430 S. Pecan St.), should be something nice and different out in LA.



-Finally, the New Young Pony Club is wrapping up its US tour, only two more dates including tonight's show in LA at The Echo. You know that we love NYPC, Muscles and Modular, so you know we think that this is a great show to check out. DJ Pube$ supports, $15 advanced, $18 at the door, 18+.

Bloc Party - I Still Remember Remixes

Bloc Party, "I Still Remember (Sebastian remix)" (YSI link)

Bloc Party, "I Still Remember (Speak Junk Bassbin remix)" (YSI link)

Bloc Party, "I Still Remember (Gavron Yes Boss remix)" (YSI link)

I'm a big Bloc Party fan. Their first album, Silent Alarm, still gets listens on the iPod, a few of the songs on that one still strike a chord years later when I hear them they are that good. Their second and most recent one, A Weekend In The City, unfortunately, didn't reach the same heights for me, didn't have quite as memorable and/or dance-y and/or intense songs imo.

"I Still Remember" was one of my favorite tracks from the album, nothing amazing, just one of those emo-y, anthemic tracks that these guys can put out and not make you feel like a 15 year old girl for liking. Like all Bloc Party singles, it's gotten the full treatment, being reworked by various producers. The main draw here is the SebastiAn remix, as the Frenchman has put together another amazing remix, one of his best in fact. He takes the original and strips the emo away with beats and bass. Add in some gorgeous, swirly synths, a fragile opening minute, a nice use of vocal snippets and you have yourself an epic remix. Not sure if this one's for the dance floor or what, but I do know that this one's made for headphone listening on the L (or F or Septa bus or whatever)

I was hesitant about the Speak Junk remix (it's the Speaker Junk bols sans the -er), as I kinda felt like it was a cool choice, but maybe not the best choice. The fidgety, bass heavy sound is a favorite, but wasn't sure it would translate to the indie song without feeling forced. I was happily wrong, as this is an excellent remix too. It's definitely more dancefloor-ready to my ears, a rubbery, snaking bassline kills me. Joshua Harvey and Trevor Loveys chop the shit out of the vocals, slicing and dicing them nicely, taking it completely out of the indie song world. Finally, I know little about Gavron or his Yes Boss duo, other than what I can read on the Internet. I do know that they are the ones who retain that epic, emotional sound, with repetitive, slow-building keys and synths. It's the incessant beat that does the trick most for me, brings some needed urgency to the original.

Grab a copy of the new(ish) Bloc Party album here and if you don't already own the debut, wtf!?! Grab that immediately as well or face the consequences.

Fucking Awesome LA, DJ Funk Club Genre LA and Muscles/NYPC SF

It's a West Coast night to the fullest, as LA and SF aren't waitin' for Halloween night. These are all excellent choices I feel like, so let's give some props to an amazingly-named new weekly from Franki Chan and the IHeartComix crew, Fucking Awesome. I should say that it's more of a remix or edit of a party that used to go down awhile back, it's being dusted off and updated. Each Monday, Franki and Har Mar Superstar are going to take over the Beauty Bar (1638 Cahuenga Blvd) and bring in special guests and start your week off right. Tonight, Fab of The Strokes will be there, but the main reason you're gonna wanna make it out is to catch Philly's own Adam Sparkles spin. Dude deserves a much bigger audience, part of the Making Time/RVNG crew, he will melt blow your mind for real. Free Sparks from 10-11, photos by Red Slurpee, no cover,

-Of course, it's Monday in LA, so Club Genre goes down at Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd). This one's extra special though for real. First off, it's Genre Goes Monster, a Halloween dance party, a great chance to get dressed up and get all of that out of your system. More dear to this blog, the special guest DJ is Chicago booty house legend DJ Funk, making his only stop in LA, a one-night only thing, i.e. do not miss this. Residents S!n and Luv Tek will hold down the main room with Funk, while Zendo, Joaquin, Billy Noorlag and Jimmy Boy keep the Living Room area jumping. Free before 10:30, $5 all night with a costume, free candy, 18+, prizes for best costume. I mean, DJ Funk, for g-dsakes!



-San Francisco will not be outdone in the battle of California tonight, as Robot Rock has teamed up with Modular Records for a rad concert/dance party at Mezzanine (444 Jessie St.@Mint). New Young Pony Club and Muscles are both playing live, while resident DJs Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac spin all night. Grab advanced tickets for $15 at ticketweb or $18 ones at the door (and there should be tickets available). 21+, doors at 9 pm, this is gonna be an amazing night and you don't even have to put together some crappy last-minute costume to enjoy it! Yeah!

Interpol & Arthur Baker - Obstacle 1

Photo by Jelle Wagenaar (2005)

Interpol, "Obstacle 1 (Arthur Baker's Return To NY mix)" (YSI link) 320

Interpol, "Obstacle 1 (Arthur Baker's Return To NY mix - edit)" (YSI link) 320

I love bringing it all together and this post, featuring electro legend Arthur Baker re-doing Interpol's "Obstacle 1" ties in our recent look at indie and electro. This one originally came out in 2003, when Interpol burst on the scene with their debut LP, Turn On The Bright Lights, and the post-punk sound made its return. It was very cool that the band chose and got Arthur Baker to do his own mix of this track, a nice nod to one of the legendary figures from that period that influenced the band. We've mentioned him many times here, a Mount Rushmore figure for us, from his pioneering electro tracks to his production work with bands like New Order to remixes of everyone from Joy Division to Le Tigre, dude is a stone cold legend.

Anyway, I can't say I was floored by the Return To NY mix the first few times I heard it. I think that you kind of expect this to be some crazy reinterpretation, like Interpol doing "Breaker's Revenge" or something. It's not, it's a really subtle edit that makes the original a litlte dancefloor friendlier with some effects, busier drums and extending a few parts (I assume, since it's a minute longer). It's one of my favorite Interpol tracks, so I guess it's nice that Baker didn't do too much.

We're gonna keep going down these two paths this week, I think, definitely gonna look at some more indie band remix stuff, possibly some classic electro tunes too. Yeah!

Whitey & Rory Phillips Tour America

Motor, "Bleep #1 (Whitey 'Clean Machines' mix)" (YSI link)

Kleerup featuring Robyn, "With Every Heartbeat (Rory Phillips remix)" (YSI link)

Late update: It's definitely at the DUMBO spot (65 Jay Street), not the West Village.



It's always great to get a chance to check out some of the great DJs from outside when they come to the US, even greater when it's a Halloween party in a sick DUMBO loft. I figured that I'd let everyone know that UK DJs Whitey and Rory Phillips are starting a mini-North American tour starting tonight in New York City. There's a bit of confusion on where they are spinning tonight, as the PR people originally sent out info for a party at a new place in the West Village 7th and Leroy. However, the Cheeky Bastard/GBH guys sent out an email for a loft party in DUMBO tonight (65 Jay Street), plus an email to RSVP, so I'm gonna assume that this is the place to see two of the UK's best indie dancers. RSVP to List@GBH.tv, give your name and the number of guests, then say that you are on the GBH list when you get there. $20, open bar, 10-4 am, 21+.

For the rest of y'all, check the flier for the rest of the tour dates: Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Newport Beach CA, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Calgary. For the rest of y'all who aren't in any of those places, enjoy two of their most recent remixes and don't be sad.

Lose Your Shit BK, Nightmare On S. 1st St. BK, Bliss D.C., Are Friends Electric? SF, Blow Up Halloween Ball LA and more

As a kid growing up in Philly, Halloween went from being a holiday for the night of October 31st only to daylight the day of to a day before, all in the name of safety or something. Not really sure what this has to do with anything, but basically it appears that the closest weekend night to the 31st has now become the official night to dress up and freak out like a crazy person. Lots going on in my current home of Brooklyn, what with the White/Rory Phillips party in the other post, and the two in this one. First up, the Lose Your Shit goes down in a loft in Bed-Stuy (172 Classen Ave.) and features a ton of great DJs, like Tim Sweeney of Beats In Space/DFA fame, Ron Morelli, Lloydski of Turntable Lab and Peter Gunn, $mall Change and Reagonomics of Broklyn Beats/Pure Fire! Whoa, those names may not be the biggest in the game, but trust me, this should be an amazing night of dance and debauchery. $10, starts at 10 pm, presented by Mean Red Productions.

-On the southside of Williamsburg, my bol Project Matt is back and he's spinning at the grand opening of a new spot called the Southside Speakeasy (245 S. 1st St.) Nightmare On South First Street could turn into one if you utilize the drink specials, $1 PBRs, $3 well drinks, $4 PBRs and a special shot (I think). It starts around 10, prizes for best costumes, Matt and guests dropping rap, reggae and bangers, head there after the KCDC Halloween Party at the skate shop on N. 11th btwn Berry & Whythe, which has art, skating and a tribute to metal music. Yeah! Williamsburg!



-A late addition, for those who don't wanna leave the L train world, McKibbin Lofts (255 McKibbin St.) are doing their thing for Halloween, which means an insane, packed party in various lofts. Amazingly, I feel like people being dressed up in make-up and masks and slutty costumes won't really be a huge change of pace. Lots of bands, art and DJs will be there, but you're gonna wanna find the room on the first floor that Lauren Flax and Dances With White Girls are spinning and camp out there.



-

-Down in D.C., that dude DJ Will Eastman (check back for an exclusive remix from our dude early this week) is doing a Bliss Halloween party at the Black Cat Backstage (1811 14th Street@S Street). He's promising ghouls, sexy robots, dead rockstars, Crunkenstein and most of all, pure, simple bliss! There's also guest DJ Pogo, costume contests. Please watch this video flier (!!!) and you will feel a little better about the world:




-Columbus Ohio, stand up! While many believe that Pound for Pound has never left the East Coast, I did have a great time in Columbus hanging with an old friend who went to Ohio State. I know that this isn't a football game, it's better! It's Nick Catchdubs and D.C.'s Dave Nada spinning at Skully's Music Diner (1151 N. High Street) for the 5th Annual Halloween Party with a $500 costume contest and haunted house. This should be a cool event, good to see Ohio doing big things. Shout out to my bol DR.



-Hell, I've also been to Chicago, shout out to SS. Tonight, Club Jamz and UR Chicago do their Halloween bash, Monster Mash-Up. Residents Mother Hubbard of Life During Wartime and Mister Wolf have brought in guests Miss Gab of Club Jamz, Willy Joy of Fly By Night, Vyle of Flosstradamus and Beatkids for a huge party at Mix Lakeview Lounge (2843 N. Halstead). Free before 12, free all night with a costume, $2 Jello shots, $2.50 PBRs, a Wii set-up in the bar for video game playing, giveaways from Rock Star Games, 9-3 am.



-Or how about a Dark Wave Disco Halloween with Tommie Sunshine? The NYC trancerock DJ is the special guest at Sonotheque (1444 W. Chicago Ave.), along with Big Stereo's Rchrd Oh!?, joining residents Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner for a night of dance music from all over the spectrum. Hosted by Paul In Chicago and CK Couture, it's $10 before 11, $15 after, $3 Goose Islands and Halloween drink specials. RSVP at going.com, then go get crazy.



-Let's keep pushing further north and west, into Minneapolis. If we are talking about that city, you know we are going to mention Soviet Panda and the Too Much Love party. Panda, Jonathan Ackerman and Million$ Billion$ will spin all night at 1st Avenue (701 First Avenue North), you should wear a costume, pay your $3, then dance like crazy people. Sounds good, doesn't it?



Oh, and there's an afterparty, Late Night Creepin', at Defi with Soviet Panda and many more. I'm not sure if that's the name of a bar or house or what. How can you find out more info? Go to Too Much Love, they'll tell you there!



-In the actual middle of the country, Nomathematics and Thunderous Olympian are doing a pre-Halloween bash at the Embassy Bar (3945 Main St.) in Kansas City, Missouri. Costumes are encouraged, so put some fake blood on or a mask, don't be that guy.



Lovin' the Midwest kids doing it big with afterparties til dawn, nice to see the spirit lives on in the heartland or something like that. West Bottoms Collective host, Thunderous Olympian and Ben from Tactic spin, 1409 W. 11th St., 2nd Fl, rave on.



-It's the eternal question, one which Plato himself wondered: Are Friends Electric? Thankfully, the people of San Francisco can come up with an answer once and for all tonight at Fat City (314 11th St.). Or else you can just go have the time of your life with MSTRKRFT playing a live set at this Halloween Monster Mash!!!! This one is the event of the night, no doubt, as Al P and JFK will melt your faces, then Sleazmore and Shane King will take you over the edge. Okay, advanced tickets are gone, but there will be some tickets at the door. Get there early if you want to guarantee entry, doors are at 9, I'd suggest being there in advance of that for real. $20, costumes recommended, there will be treats, candy, surprises, Blasthaus have given you a chance to have an unforgettable Halloween. Oh, sick flier, btw, best of the night.




-Last but not certainly not least, Blow Up LA have put together a huge party, check the DJs at this all-night rager. A few highlights: The Juan MacLean DJ set, Le Castle Vania, Philly's JHN RDN and Adam Sparkles (do not miss these dudes, LA!), lots of LA and SF's best, three rooms, haunted house. Costumes required, Shadowscene will take your picture in said costume, $2 vodka monsters from 10-11. RSVP to blowup@princehouserecords.com ASAP and get on the reduced list of $15 before midnight, $20 otherwise, 18+, doors at 10 pm, goes until it can't go no more. Brought to you by Anne Lee, Shadowscene and Double Fisted Underground, it's Blow Up Halloween Ball LA. Yeah!

Craig Murphey Memorial Fundraiser Royal Oak WBurg BK Tonight

I wanted to take tonight's party post and dedicate it to an event happening in my current home, Williamsburg Brooklyn. It's the First Annual Craig Murphey Memorial Fundraiser, happening at Royal Oak (11th and Union Ave.) tonight from 11-4am, dedicated to remembering and honoring the life of this young man who was taken far too soon in a bike accident not far from here. I never met him, but I've been incredibly moved by the story and the outpouring of love for him, he has clearly touched the lives of many many people, including some who are friends of Pound for Pound. I am going to repost the message that organizers Finger On The Pulse sent out for the event, as well as a letter from the director of the West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty that includes info on donating money to the group. I hope that all readers will send a few dollars to WHANAP, a wonderful organization fighting to make this city fairer and more just. For those in Brooklyn, head to Royal Oak for a celebration of CM's life with the Finger On The Pulse bols and Lauren Flax from White Lightning, all proceeds go to WHANAP, no cover.

-As many of you know, one of our close friends Craig Murphey was killed early last Thursday morning on his bike. He was one of the most passionate, devoted and caring human beings we have ever met. He lived each day to its fullest and would take time for his best friend or a perfect stranger if they needed someone to talk to.

While we are still dealing with the loss of one of the most amazing people we have ever met, we know that Craig would not want us crying about him, but instead celebrating his life (with our arms and fists waving wildly above our heads!) This Friday night at Royal Oak, we are going to celebrate the man we remember with his unique dance moves and his joy for being around the people he loved.

We will be holding the first annual Craig Murphey Memorial Party Fund Raiser to raise money for Craig’s charity work, West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty. Below the flyer we have attached a letter from the Cathedral Craig worked out of which has more information on his life work and on how to donate if you cannot attend the memorial.

Craig was one of the best of us and, as someone put it this weekend, he was just too good for this world. We miss him so much and look forward to celebrating his life this Friday and for many years to come.

Craig Murphey Memorial Fundraiser
Friday Oct 26 @ Royal Oak
All proceeds go to WHANAP

-Craig started working at the Cathedral in November of 2003 as a VISTA volunteer for CCC. He was 22 years old, just out of college, and excited about the chance to live in the very “heart” where everything happens. His task was to strengthen the work of the Upper West Side Colloquium Against Poverty, which consisted of about 5 emergency food providers in the Morningside Heights/West Harlem area. The group wanted to have a VISTA volunteer coordinate its efforts. It was important that the group met regularly, that there were minutes, and an agenda, not just a lot of discussion about poverty. As soon as Craig started his work with the group, membership expanded and the group was able to accomplish a number of projects: a membership agreement and mission statement (as well as the changing of the group’s name to “West Harlem Action Network Against Poverty, or WHANAP), the publication of a resource guide, the sharing of a web database, and a Community Supported Agriculture Project, better known as the “West Harlem CSA.”

Through his ability to build relationships as an organizer and using his creativity and intelligence he fundraised for the continued coordination of WHANAP and stayed on as the Cathedral’s Community Organizer after his VISTA year was completed.

Just this week, we ended the first West Harlem CSA growing season. This collaborative initiative ensured that fresh produce would reach low-income families and the emergency food programs he worked with through WHANAP. This project was close to his heart. He was passionate about the issues of hunger. He understood that combating this issue was not just about feeding people but that it involved getting the freshest and best nutrition to everyone regardless of one’s income.

He ran the WHANAP meetings as if he was an experienced organizer for 20 years. He knew that his job was not to tell people what to do, but to listen and connect folks, pull resources together and make things happen. The CSA project alone involved 5 different organizations and 7 WHANAP members. Somehow he was able to juggle all of this at the same time.

Each week Craig also sent out the “Feed the Solution” newsletter. This newsletter informed church leaders, program heads and volunteers what was going on with social policy issues on hunger and the advocacy work needed to change the systemic issues that lead to hunger. He participated in lobby days in Albany and Washington DC, speaking directly to elected state and federal officials. He testified about his own experience with the Food Stamp program in front of the City Council’s welfare committee. He was in constant communication with the City Council office, working on setting up meetings for WHANAP members so that they had an opportunity to talk about what was wrong with the food distribution system and how to make it better.

He worked tirelessly to make sure that these small emergency food programs had the tools necessary to do their job as best as possible. This included sending out pleas on “Craigslist” for things like computers, volunteers and materials.

Although to many his dress screamed hipster, youth and rebellion his demeanor was completely adult and self-assured. The CCC staff sometimes poked fun at his vegan lifestyle. However his lifestyle was consistent with his personal convictions. He was passionate about ending cruelty to animals, changing the food systems in this country, and was critical about how things were made and produced. Craig talked about the problem with sweatshops and labor and then unlike many others, he only purchased “non-sweat” items. He inspired us every day.

He served as a mentor to many VISTA volunteers at the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. He always took the time to explain to them the projects he was working on and how they could create similar opportunities for others. In his free time he even started a volunteer service, Right Rides for Women’s Safety, to make sure that someone was available to walk women home late at night in his Williamsburg neighborhood.

An active listener who would let you know that he understood when he gave his beautiful smile and someone who was the embodiment of what social justice means at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine….this is why Craig Murphey will be sorely missed.

Regards,

Raquel Granda, Director

Cathedral Community Cares
1047 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
212-316-7583
fax-316-7582
rgranda@cathedralcares.org
The World is as you dream it-- Message of the Shuar People, Ecuador

Newcleus - Jam On It

Newcleus, "Jam On It (original 12" mix)" (YSI link)

Newcleus, "Jam On It (DJ T remix)" (YSI link)

Newcleus, "Jam On It (Claude VonStroke & Galen Disco Kryptonite remix)" (YSI link)

Yeah, we're back where we need to be, back in the heart of electro darkness. It's sad that I haven't put this one up before, as Newcleus' "Jam On It" is a classic slab of 80s electro goodness. Originally released in 1984, this is actually the follow-up to "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)," just as classic, just as essential. Newcleus was born in Brooklyn, originally more of a DJ outfit in the late 70s, they would become a band in the early 80s and release 2 albums, have a little success and then fade away as so often happens. From the first plucked bass notes, you will immediately recognize this one. "Jam On It" sits on the electro/rap border, as each member puts on a rhyme over a great synth/drum machine track. There's not much to add this one, it still sounds fresh 2+decades later.

The Swedish label Deeplay Soultec dropped a cool vinyl featuring 4 remixes from some of the best in the house music world today. We have discussed Claude VonStroke as much as anyone here, always good to see his name on a remix, especially for a song so dear to me. However, I can't say that this is one of his better ones, it sounds like he just sort of upped everything, sped it up and made it busier without making it a better song. DJ T of Get Physical does a better job, although his sounds more like an edit than a remix. Both utilize the vocals, but only a little. They both make the original more dancefloor friendly, but for the dancefloor of my mind, the original is peak time shit. Believe dat!

Interpol Remixes (Erol Alkan & Phones)

Photo by Jelle Wagenaar (2005)

Interpol, "Mammoth (Erol Alkan remix)" (YSI link)

Interpol, "Heinrich Maneuver (Phones remix)" (YSI link) 320

This seems like a good follow-up to the Crystal Castles mix, something more for the indie kids who like to dance. I always feel a little removed from this music and scene, not really sure if Interpol hold as lofty a position as they once did or if they are sell-outs now or whatever. But, who gives a shit if they are going to keep releasing dope remixes of their tracks?!?

All I really know is that Erol Alkan and Paul Epworth hold lofty positions here at Pound for Pound and these remixes do nothing to undermine their positions. Y'all know Alkan, the DJ who came through last weekend and destroyed Philly and Brooklyn, the dude behind the Trash party, producer of Mystery Jets, Late of the Pier, remixer of Daft Punk, Hot Chip, Death From Above 1979 and everyone else. He seems to have been listening to some heavy metal lately, as this remix turns the drums up to 11. Banging, heavy drums that will knock a new hole in your head, in a good way. That focus only makes the addition of guitars that much more effective

Y'all know Paul Epworth too, mainly through his production work with bands like Bloc Party, Future Heads, White Rose Movement, but also through his remix later ego Phones. Under that guise, he's had big impact on the indie dance scene, remixing Annie, New ORder, Bloc Party and more. This one's my choice of the two, an excellent remix that perfectly utilizes the original's vocals in my opinion. It probably won't surprise you that this one is much more about the bass, a real wicked one that eats alive the lovely piano from the beginning and the vocals that bubble up later. He adds some vocodored vocals just to take this one completely into the stratosphere, one of the best remixes I've heard in a minute.

Go buy the most recent Interpol album, Our Love To Admire. You can grab the vinyl for this at Phonica, grab it fast as it will not be around for long.

Howler Monkey - Crystal Castles Mix

Howler Monkey, Crystal Castles Omnibus Mix (YSI link) tracklist in comments

I wanted to take a break from the mixes the past two weeks, as I know it's a lot of music to constantly being throw at you. This mix was sent to me around the beginning of this break by the man himself, finally got around to giving it a listen this week and knew immediately I needed to return from mix hiatus.

A DJ by the name of Howler Monkey straight outta Pittsburgh put together this 30+ minute mix using all of the material from electropunk band Crystal Castles, touching on all of their output, originals and remixes (except for "Excuse Me" from a 7" split release). There's 12 tracks total, all seamlessly mixed, hyped by Pitchfork. I'm sure a lot of people are kinda turned off by what they just read: a mix for a band that barely has its own discography, one that has gotten more than its share of blog hype already, now getting its own mix. Well, get over it, this one's both a great mix and a great idea, never coming across as gimmicky or forced, a great intro to one of the more interesting up and coming bands. I'll let you check out the music, let me just quickly add how much I love this concept; many of my favorite mixes focus on one band/artist, give me a chance to hear their music in a sustained way. These type of mixes definitely cut through the glut of mixes out there and make me take notice of the DJs behind them.

Normally, I'd write a paragraph about the DJ and his/her past, their other stuff, upcoming parties, the whole works. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no clue who Howler Monkey is, as he has made his myspace page private and can only receive messages from friends. I like the mystery, always great to not know everything about someone like , but in this case, hopefully we'll be able to remedy that and let you know who the dude is and what's coming up. Write in if you can add some details to the picture, especially if you are Howler Monkey!

Okay, I'm gonna begin a diagonostic GRE test, wish me luck, more music later today. Yeah! That's a Yeah! to the mix, not the test.

Bass Cadets BSTN, High Voltage NYC, Modest Hustle CHI and more

I mean, how could this not be the featured event of the night? The Bass Cadets are in Cambridge, ready to destroy with a arsenal of booty music and dance bangers. Who are the Bass Cadets? I'm glad you asked. They are some of New England's best DJs - Knowlton Walsh, Scott Bliss and the Savant brothers, Michael & Matthew. They are behind the Hot Pink party and Volume and Sonar and A-Kult, holding it down in New England. It sounds like this one will become regular thing and the crew will add a few more DJs to the army, but for now get to the Shine Lounge (One Kendall Square) and dance your asses off and feel the BASS. No cover, 19+ (love screwing over the 18 year olds), good

-It's Wednesday night in New York City, that means it's High Voltage time. Dimitry's party keeps holding it up each Wednesday at 200 Orchard, tonight's might be the best one yet. Junior Sanchez is the guest DJ, a really great move, a chance for everyone to hear a bona fide house music DJ spin dance music. While that should be more than enough to get you out, there's also two Zygo open bars, one starting at 11 until its gone, the second at 3 until its gone. Not even sure how this works or when the second shipment comes, but I'll leave that to the professionals. I'll just say that this is one of the best weeklies in NYC and this could be the best one yet tonight.



-Not far away, the Hopchank/Ninja Sonik party takes over Happy Ending (302 Broome St.) for the night, as they do every second and fourth Wednesday each month. DJs Reverend McFly, Morsy and Teenwolf bring you just the right mix, lots of rap classics, new stuff, fun stuff, no filler. There's also no cover, 21+.



-I'm conflicted on this one, as it seems like a cool event, especially for the rock kids. Live music from Team Facelift, Semi Precious Weapons and Darkroom, Michael T of Motherfucker, Twig the Wonderkid, Lady Starlight plus resident DJ Nellee Dii spinning, burlesque with the World Famous BOB, Dirti Martini and Darl'in Amber Carr, no cover, open bar from 9:30-10:30. But, yet, it's at the Delancey (168 Delancey St.), which is like a giant -1000. Ugh, worst night in NYC was there, whatever, don't let my ghosts haunt you. Go out and have a blast, be glam at BackSeat Honey.



-In Philly, first there's a new party for me called Shing-a-ling a go-go that looks like a lot of fun. DJ Papa Deux Fois will spin all sorts of music including psychedelic, funk, soul and more, the Peek-a-Boo Revue will provide the go-go dancing. All you have to do is show up at Silk City (425 Spring Garden St.) and provide yourself and it's a go! No cover, 21+, 9 pm.



-There's also an old party at a new spot, as the 90s Party has set up upstairs at the Khyber (52 S. 2nd St.) and rebranded as Come As You Are. This looks like it's the new weekly that will replace Driz Horse. Those are big shoes to fill, but I'm sure that Crystal Steph, DJ Tanner, Mista Seever and Dr. Beard are up to the task. No cover, $2.50 well drinks + $1 PBR & High Lifes until 11, starts at 9 pm, grunge, rap, alternative, relive those



-Finally, The Gold Party takes over at Sal's on 12th and they really mean it. Deck yourself out in your best gold clothing and jewelry, there's free "bling" for the first 50 people and a prize for the person who does gold the best. DJs Scotty Too Dope and Joe Licht will play the music, hopefully not golden oldies stuff. Hosted by Jess K., free PBR from 10-11, no cover, 21+, another great stop tonight in the 215.


-Not surprisingly, there's something cool going on Chicago tonight. It's the Modest Hustle party which also serves as the Aesthetic Response launch party. What's Aesthetic Response? Good question. It's "an arts and culture magazine that represents a collective of visual artists and writers, intent on solidifying roots and providing a unique creative outlet for the Chicago creative community - they very community that made them." Sounds good, doesn't it? It makes sense than to have some of the best local musical talent like When Eagle Met The Wolf, J SKWR, DJ Chris Mix and DJ BJ provide the stuff to listen and dance to, while artists like Peabe, James Beckman, Aga, Conor Dempsey, Paul Pater, Santi Khairassame and Ryan Jiloca provide the stuff to look at. All of it happens at the Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago Ave.) for free, as long as you are 21+. This is a great party and great project, show support.



-Ahh, Miami, it's always to nice to hear from you. It's fitting that a huge event would go down as we discuss BASS music, very fitting. Anyway, Finger Lickin and IHeartComix bring the latest stop on the Toxic Avenger/Franki Chan world tour, a live show by the former, a DJ set by the latter. They join with the local Deuce Crew, who will also spin, for a big night at PS 14 (28 NE 14th St.) in downtown. $5, 21+, 2 for 1 drinks from 10-11, I hope that someone will play Clay D.



-It's pretty quiet out West, for the most part. If it's Wednesday in LA, you know Club Moscow is going down. Keith 2.0, Mr. Sleep, Daniel Le Disko and Marshall Barnes bring you a night of indie/dance at Boardners (1652 N. Cherokee) in the heart of Hollywood. It's 18+, free til 10:30 with a flier, new party from these guys starts this Friday, fyi.


-The Ruff Gemz party is going down in Seattle sans flier. Fucking In The Streets and Sam Rousso Sound System take over the Baltic Room (1207 Pine St.) every Wednesday with dance and indie dance and indie music galore. This one seems extra special as the guest DJ is known simply as Jack. It is not me, for the record, but all Jacks are one in this world, a secret brotherhood so it might as well be me. Free before 11, $3 after that, $1 PBRs and $3 well drinks (not sure the time frame, so get there early just in case), 21+.

DJ Milton - Back Stroke

DJ Milton, "Playground" (YSI link)

DJ Milton, "Under A Spell" (YSI link)

DJ Milton, "Funky Bitch" (YSI link)

Ahhh, it's so good to be home, back in the realm of ghetto house and bass music. It's like returning to womb for Pound for Pound. Not sure why we got away from it, but who cares? We're back, back in Chicago with DJ Milton and Dance Mania and the world is right again.

Here's the A side to the 1995 Back Stroke EP, another sick piece of house music from the city where it all began. "Playground" leads off with a pounding drum, a 909 (?) comes in and away we go. This one's all about the drums for me, those kick and bass drums are so driving, yet so sparse. "Under The Spell" is similar, another vocal-less track dominated by the percussion. It's a little more than 2 minutes, so not really a whole lot say. This one's a lot busier, with drum claps and a bouncy bass, but in a similar vein to the opener. Finally, "Funky Bitch" brings those longed-for vocals, a great back and forth that turns Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three's "The Roof Is On Fire" into something nasty and filthy. This one has a really warm, elastic bass sound, just a great track to kill th dancefloor and get everyone going crazy. "Burn mothafucka, burn mothafucka!"

Tes La Rok - Mental Break

Tes La Rok, "Mental Break" (YSI link)

Tes La Rok, "Roll Out" (YSI link)

I can't think of a better title right now to describe my state of mind, having spent the past two hours going through my email. I've come to realize that lots of stuff has been going into my spam folder, including ones from people I want to hear from. So, if you feel like you've written and not heard back, feel free to re-send as I try to reply to every that isn't a mass one. I love all of you, forever.

Anyway, we're gonna keep the focus on the BASS, which also allows us to keep our focus on dubstep. Yeah! Tes La Rok has had a huge 2007, with at least 8 releases so far and a remix or two. Surprisingly (not really, but I still expect everyone to be British for some reason), he's from Finland, where he has been an integral part of the underground music scene, putting on raves and now a monthly dubstep party called Step Ahead.

"Mental Break" (Mode Recordings) is sick, do not play this while walking down a dark street late at night. Seriously, after a few listens on the headphones, I am now writing this on the floor of the tub, with all lights on, the bathroom door locked and a stuffed animal. Tes La Rok uses the same wobbly bass that Speaker Junk does, but he sloooooowwwwwws it down to where you think you might be able to hear each wobble. It gives way occasionally to a big blast of subbass that sounds like a ship's horns. Underneath this, you have drums that sound like a clock ticking (down?) with little creepy effects thrown in just in case you hadn't already pissed your pants. Amazing stuff, you're gonna wanna grab the 12" vinyl for the excellent B side, "Warehouse." I'll update this if I can find a place to cop this one still.

"Roll Out" (Contagious Recordings) shows how versatile Tes La Rok is and the genre can be, as this one has none of the creepy, paranoid, druggishness of "Mental Break." Rather, it's almost bouncy and catchy, with much warmer synths than I ever expected. The drums have a staggered sound, retaining that unsettling effect that dubstep effortlessly trades in. This one will appeal to fans of Skream, those who love that guy's ability to create hooks in a music not know for them. You can still grab a copy of this one at Boom Kat, a rare chance to get one of these on vinyl and get that full bass effect.

P.S. Just to make this an extra sweet listening session, Tesla's "Signs" came on the ole iTunes as I listened to these songs. Yeah! " Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs/Fuckin' up the scenery, breakin' my mind/Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign." Have there ever been truer words spoken?

Heartthrob BSTN and Booty Bassment NYC

Hmm, it's a little quiet tonight, I sense that everyone is still recovering from the CMJ Festival and are laying low until the madness of Halloween descends upon this weekend. Not Boston, though, a city that seems to dance to the beat of its own drummer. Tonight, the Heartthrob party goes off in Cambridge at the Middlesex Lounge (315 Mass Ave) and it is no joke. Ottawa & Fool's Gold's Jokers of the Scene join up with Australia & Modular's Muscles for a huge night of electro and indie and rap. It's also the latest stop on the Shadowscene US tour, so get your photo taken and be famous. 21+, $5, Boston, stand up! Do not miss this one!

-If only you could see the upcoming music posts..until I post them, those of you in NYC should head to the Knitting Factory (74 Leonard St.) for the Booty Bassment party featuring bands Ninja Sonik, Nanachill, Benny Blanco, Anamanaguchi and Anton Glamb. Here's a chance to see some up and comers who aren't afraid of the booty and the rocking of said booty. No cover, starts early at 8:30 PM, mistress of ceremony Rosemary will take care of the rest.

Blogger's Delight NYC, Dance Party Magic CHI and more

Ugh, what a fucking day! Nothing quite like another pathetic communication with one's ex, Fittingly, I will now be heading to see Mr.Stephen Morrissey perform at Hammerstein Ballroom. Some of you are heading to Justice at Terminal 5. Might I suggest heading to Tribeca to catch the Blogger's Delight party at the Knitting Factory (74 Leonard St.)?

-Of course, many of you don't live in NYC and could care less what goes down in this self-absorbed metropolis and/or don't know me and could care less what happens in my self-absorbed life. Chicago, tonight's the 1 year anniversary of the Empire Liquors bar/club (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave.) and they've brought in DJ Benzi to destroy the place, risking . The dude behind the Clipse mixtapes and so much more is joined by residents E6 and Roan for the Dance Party Magic party.



-Club Genre looks to be going off tonight, as Dave Gahan's CD release party happens at the weekly tonight. More importantly, residents Luv Tek, S!n, Zendo and Joaquin are joined by Shaun Slaughter of Sacramento's Fuck Friday and Lipstick parties, expect real dance music and only the best stuff. It all goes down at Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd), 18+, free before 10:30, get there early and dress nice.



-Finally, tune into East Village Radio tonight from 10-midnight to hear Pound for Pound favorite DJ Dimitry spin. I'm putting in an early request for either "Let Me Love You Down" or anything from The Queen Is Dead. Tune in and hear what transpires.

Felix Da Housecat - Like Something 4 Porno

Felix Da Housecat, "Like Something 4 Porno (Armand Van Helden remix)" (YSI link)

Felix Da Housecat, "Like Something 4 Porno (Teenage Bad Girl remix)" (YSI link)

Felix Da Housecat, "Like Something 4 Porno (Kris Menace remix)" (YSI link)

I love a theme, y'all know that. We can't take a look at the return of dance music legends this year without mentioning house/electroclash star Felix Da Housecat, who dropped a new album, Virgo Blaktro & The Movie Disco this month. In spite of the title, it's a good one, nice to see someone take a few years off and come back with a vengeance.

The first single, "Like Something 4 Porno," immediately evened out the lame album title. Interestingly, for such a song with this title, it's a surprisingly un-dirty, un-filthy song. In fact, it's downright sweet compared to the jackin' house that Felix's hometown of Chicago specializes in. It's just a nice, catchy dance tune with female vocals. Leave it to Armand Van Helden to bring a little nastiness to the mix, with a pounding beat, chopped up female "uh" vocals and a ridiculously sick bassline. He even throws in some drilling drums every so often, this one's relentless, balls-to-the-wall shit, highly recommended. The Teenage Bad Girl remix is excellent too, something for the Ed Banger-style electro fan in all of us. The Kris Menace remix might be my favorite, although it's a little more for home listening than club destruction. Beautiful keys/synths create an atmospheric sound that you kinda never want to end. The beats keep things moving forward, a really excellent remix from a name to keep an eye on.

Buy the new album here, we'll try to take a closer look this week. You can buy the 12" single at Turntable Lab, a must for the B-side single, "Pretty Girls Don't Dance (What Should I Do)".

Making Time PHILA, FUN BK, Ruff Club vs Blow Up NYC, Blow UP SF, Death By Pop BRLN and more

Okay, I'm heading home to Philly this minute, so tonight's party list is concise for the first time ever. It's Making Time in the place of my birth tonight and Erol Alkan is guest DJ. Yes, Erol fucking Alkan. I'm going to leave the hype for this party to its founder and main DJ Dave P in his email to me: "yoman...this pretty much sums up how i feel...EROL ALKAN IS THE REASON WHY MAKING TIME EXISTS. YES!!! EROL ALKAN IS THE MAIN INFLUENCE ON WHAT I DO NOW AND WAS THE MAIN INFLUENCE ON AND INSPIRATION FOR ME STARTING MAKING TIME. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BRING EROL ALKAN TO PLAY MAKING TIME FOR JUST ABOUT 7 YEARS NOW...BASICALLY SINCE THE PARTY STARTED...AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED TO HAVE SOMEONE PLAY MAKING TIME AS I AM ABOUT FINALLY HAVING EROL DJ. HIS PARTY TRASH WAS THE BEST PARTY IN THE WORLD FOR 10 YEARS, HIS DJ SETS ARE THE RADDEST AND MOST INSPIRING DJ SETS I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE AND HIS REMIXES HAVE BEEN MAKING YOU, AND ME, FREAKOUT LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE FOR YEARS. THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR OVER 7 YEARS. NOW...YOU CAN FINIALLY EXPERIENCE EROL ALKAN LIVE AT MAKING TIME AND I AM SO FUCKING STOKED FOR YOU!!!" Jack again, quick details: Pure, 9-3:30, free if you have the ticket from last week's MT with Digitalism, $10 for the rest of us, free PBR and Red Bull & vodka open bar from 9-11.

-Erol, Dave and crew heads to Studio B in Brooklyn tomorrow. Get started tonight with the amazng FUN CMJ party, crazy cool bill with MSTRKRFT, Z-Trip, Lazaro Casanova, Troublemaker, Eamon Harkin, Rok One of The Bangers, 18+, $11 advance, $13 door, doors at 10, 2 for 1 drinks from 2-3 am. Yeah!



-Sadly, I think Manhattan might win tonight, as Ruff Club takes on LA/SF party Blow Up in a night too jam packed to be specific. We Are Wolves, Walter Meego and The Films live, like every DJ on both coasts including Le Castle Vania, Richie Panic, Blake Miller, Spencer Prodiuct, Denny Le Nimh, Micprobes, Shadowscene and Brad Lee taking photos, Anne Lee and Sophia Lamar hosting, you partying and dancing and drinking. Doors at 9 at The Annex (152 Orchard St.)



-Right up the street, Modular follows up their Brooklyn bash with something for the LES, as they take over 200 Orchard (btwn Houston & Stanton). They're bringing with them Muscles, the Trouble & Bass DJs and their own Modular DJs for a free with RSVP party at one of my favorite spots. Oh and since his set got cut short at the Digitalism jawn, DJ Alexander Technique of DJs Are Not Rockstars will also spin.



-For the indie fans here, head up to Rififi (332 E. 11th St.) and catch Voxtrot doing a guest DJ set at this week's Trash party. DJ Jess and Alex Malfunction look to have a huge edition of their weekly party tonight, free before midnight, $5 after, 2 for 1 drinks from 3-4 am, live performance by The Gaskets at 2 am, pace yourself.



-For those reading this and looking to hit up a CMJ live show, head to Crash Mansion where MGMT and Foreign Islands are playing, get tehre by 11 and you should be good.

-Man, no one is skimping tonight. Chicago gets Digitalism live with Trancid and Mark Gertz of the Dark Wave Disco spinning at Smartbar. $10 before midnight, $15 after midnight, doors at 10pm.



-San Fran, don't feel left out with that whole Blow Up vs Ruff Club thing. There's a Blow Up tonight in your city too! Not just any Blow Up, this one has Steve Aoki as the guest DJ with Jefrodisiac and LXNDR of Dotclub. It's at The Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell), 18+ $12, 21+ $10, 9-2, it'll be like CMJ without the lame indie rock writers. Yeah!



-I saved the best for last - Death By Pop goes down tonight at Bastard Club (Kastanienallee 7-9, next to U2 Eberswalder station) in Berlin, one of the last nights that this bar will exist. Here's hoping this party finds a new home, as it looks like a great one dedicated to postpunk, britpop, dirty rock'n'roll and more. I can't think of a better way to go out than with DJ Almost Tropical spinning a set, so go out, dance, cry a little, dance some more and realize that you are living in the capital of dance music, stop being so damn unhappy.

Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler

Simian Mobile Disco, "Hustler (Armand Van Helden remix)" (YSI link) 320

Simian Mobile Disco, "Hustler (Extended Club mix)" (YSI link)

Okay, I'm heading back to the motherland of Philadelphia today, but wanted to drop a quick post to get the weekend started right. Best of all, this one allows us to continue our Armand Van Helden focus! He's dropped a remix of Simian Mobile Disco's "Hustler," my favorite track that the UK duo have made. This one's awesome, imo, paradise for squealing synths and dirty basslines, a nearly 6-minute rager that sounds so good to me today (and every other day). Dude even gets the original vocals in, a key. I mean, download, listen, freak out, repeat. I've also thrown in the extended club version, which gives you nearly 7 minutes of the original, one of the best songs going. Less filthy and minimal than Armand's remix, these two complement each other quite well. This is a dance arsenal right here, use it wisely.

Pinch - Qawwali

Pinch, "Qawwali" (YSI link)

Pinch, "Qawwali V.I.P." (YSI link)

Dubstep isn't exactly the most maximalist music, so when a tune is called out for its minimalist approach you know you are in for some a serious sound redux. Pinch is the alias of Rob Ellis, the Bristol based DJ/producer, this is . One of the craziest things about this release is that it came on the Planet Mu label, home to such minimal talents as Soundmurderer, Venetian Snares and Shitmat.

This music is just as much for the late night as the Skream/Digital Mystikz stuff, it just seems more appropriate for the last few hours of darkness after an amazing night out, when that beautiful bliss comes over you and you just want something that lives and breathes and slows things down. There's space in this music, space to think that doesn't often come in dance music especially the bass-heavy stuff. Unlike anything else we've put up, "Qawalli" seems to almost look East (and no, I'm not referring to Bushwick). The subbass and are still there, but so are

The VIP version is my favorite, proof that deep down I'm just a paranoid, dark-hearted robot. It's all about the organs on this one, so ominous and creepy that they made me pee my pants just a little the first time I heard it when they came in for their first stab. For real, this is essential music, one of the best slabs of vinyl in a long time.

Heist NYC, Modular BK, An Uprising of Glamorous Outsiders PHILA, Fly By Night CHI and more

Okay, I've been trying to not jerk off the whole CMJ thing too much, but tonight's the night to get out there. Some huge events, last night before the weekend crowd comes in and lots of Pound for Pound favorites are out and about. Yeah! First up, the Heist party at Rebel (251 W. 30th St.) is on some next level shit, for real. I'm just gonna give a list of people performing - Deerhunter, Kissy Sellout, Le Castle Vania, Lauren Flax, Franki Chan, Toxic Avenger, Blake Miller of the Moving Units, The Loose Cannons, The Glamour, Oxy Cottontail, DJ Klever, Brandon Reilly and Rob Hitt. It's actually overwhelming. The best news is that with so much talent and so big of a space this party has the best chance of avoiding the CMJ curse, i.e. huge crowds of people coming and going all night, creating huge swings in vibe. There's three floors, a stage for the bands, places to sit, hide, etc. RSVP right this second, as the list closes at 6 pm. Even if you miss, it's only $5 to get in, which is a steal.

-Damn, here's another huge line-up at a nice, big space. Cheeky Bastard presents the AM Only showcase at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.) and it's jampacked with favorites. Let's see, live sets from Shout Out Out Out Out Out, Foreign Islands and Project Jenny Project Jan, DJ sets by Freeform Five, LA Riots, Dave P and JDH and Lazaro Casanova, plus residents Alex English and Peter Makebish. Whew, I'm actually tired after writing about these two parties. This one is definitely the perfect early night plan, as things kick off at 8 pm, there's a Lucky Beer open bar from 8-9, 2 for 1 well drinks from 10-11 and 2-3. It's all free with an RSVP at the going.com site, and it's a beautiful night, maybe take a walk to/from the previous party and see how the better half lives above 14th St.




-Okay, I feel like sometimes you get caught up during these festival weeks in catching the craziest shit and forget that it's about having fun. I really can't recommend more highly tonight edition of Common Folk at Home Sweet Home. Residents Johnsville and Lucas Walters of Sweatshop Labor and Rage Mountain of Pizza & Piano have invited Robot Blair of Music For Robots blog as guest DJ tonight, and I really can't think of a better way to spend your night than here, listening to cold, dead electronic music, contemplating how similar you are to Joe Kavalier and what a great call it was to choose this party and get sucked into a party with a bunch of indie writers. Free Zygo vodka from 11-12, no cover, 21+. P.S. These guys are killing the flier game, recognize!



-Here's a new party at Pound for Pound called Manifesto that I found doing a little research; it was a Francoise Hardy song that came up on the going.com listing that got my attention for the record. This one goes down at The Skinny (174 Orchard St.) every first and third Thursday, and features Lady Byrd of Who Needs Radio? on the decks. Tonight's a great night to check this one out, as it's Miss Byrd's birthday and who doesn't love a birthday party? This looks like it will be a great respite from the CMJ madness, great eclectic music, $2 PBRs and $3 Jack and Cuervo shots all night long, 21+, no cover.

-Close by, The Musebox and Paper TV do their monthly party at 200 Orchard, giving CMJers another option. This one has a ton of bands playing, Morning State, Stone Figs, Semi Precious Weapons, Bloodcat Love and Stylofone. Even better, you get DJ sets from June D of White Dove, Julie Twinkle, DJ Select from Dallas and Omar from San Fran's Popscene. Lots of free stuff, including giveaways from Williamsburg's coolest label Love Brigade! and Sesac, free PBR at the start until it's gone, free Dewar's from 1-2. Best of all, rsvp at rsvp@themusebox.net and you get in for free to enjoy all of these goodies. Hosted by Genevalentine, this is another good option for my LESers.



-Ahh, one close to home. One of our favorite labels, Modular, is doing their first CMJ event tonight at Studio B, making it hard to leave the borough.The main draw should be a chance to check out New Young Pony Club live, along with Muscles, plus The Cool Kids and Modular DJs are in the house to give you a healthy dose of indie dance music. I believe that there's also a DJ set by Simian Mobile Disco set (after their show at Williamsburg Music Hall), but it seems weirdly small-print on the flier so don't hold me to that. It's $12 at the door, dvance tickets are gone, 18+. Oh and it's also a chance to check out the next stop on the Shadowscene photo tour, as she'll be taking flicks here.



-Super cool event at Transit (600 Spring Garden St.) in Philly tonight, presumably in anticipation of my return to the homeland. This one's a hair/fashion show that will morph into a dance party late night, it's called An Uprising of Glamorous Outsiders and it's being put on by Razor & Blade salon. There's




-It's time for another edition of Fly By Night in Chicago, the sixth it looks like to be exact, brought to you by CrossFaderKing and Fly By Night. Tonight's features a DJ set William Russell of Jokers of the Scene, a live set by Mic Terror and resident DJs Willy Joy and Capcom. This one's also an early starter, as things kick off at 8 pm. If you can get to Empire Liquors (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave) that early, it'll be worth it, as there's $1 PBRs while supplies last. RSVP and let them know you're coming, 21+, no cover, looks like a short hop to the next party btw.



-Speaking of Modular, Debonair Thursday is hosting the Muscles album release party at the always excellent weekly party with Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner of Dark Wave Disco. Go for the album giveaways, stay for the amazing DJs spinning the best in dance music and the $3 PBRs and $3 Effen Vodka cocktails. Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave) plays host, 10-2, 21+.



-West Coast comes alive tonight. First up, the Electropolis party jumps off again, as it will every first and third Thursday. This one looks so good to me, I mean it's an "electro-centric night"!!!!!! Tonight's a good one, as Lights Down Low's Sleazemore is in the house as guest DJ along with Playdoughboy of Elektro Love. They join up with resident Kid Hack and lighting guru Pete for a great night of dance music and some free vodka from 9-10:30 at Etiquette (1108 Market St.). 21+, $5, 9-2, rsvp at the going.com site.


-What are the odds of two parties being called Heist happening on the same night? I check and it's one in 174,000. The Heist is a new LA party that happens every Thursday at The Airliner (2419 N. Broadway), tonight you get guest DJ sets by John Bourke, Dj B and Luv Tek in the main room with DJ Score, there's actually 3 rooms with different music genres in each, so something for everyone. 18+,



-Finally, it's a special night in San Jose, as DJ AM is making his first appearance tonight in the city. Creme de la Creme has brought him to town and it looks like it's gonna be a special night at Angels (400 S. 1st St.) AM is joined by Frisco Disco's Jefrodisiac and DJs Solarz and Guzie, a.k.a. Rock-It! Scientists for this one, rsvp and you get all of this for free. Woah, a thousand people are signed up, this one should be crazy, don't sleep.

Prime Time of Your Life CHI, Big Stereo BK, High Voltage NYC, Fool's Gold NYC and more

Much more CMJ happenings tonight, but all things considered, I'd rather be in Chicago. Just a fucking massive night of electroindiedanciness at the Metro complex (3730 N. Clark St.), starting with the Justice show upstairs at The Metro with the Midnight Juggernauts, 9 pm. Aftewards, you head downstairs to SmartBar (3730 N. Clark St.) where the one and only Erol Alkan is spinning along with the amazing Prime Time of Your Life DJs, Bald Eagle, Popstatic and Konsept. I mean, are you psyched Chicago? Are you fucking psyched? The show is sold out, so you do not want to sleep on the afterparty. Buy a $5 ticket now in advance and guarantee entry. I know it seems stupid or unnecessary for a dance party, but who cares? Are you willing to take the chance? I wouldn't either, go here and grab a ticket and then enjoy the prime time of your life. Yeah!

-There's a ton going on in Philly tonight so let me recommend checking out this post at the always on-point FiftyOne:FiftyOne blog. I do want to highlight this Jazzanova/Rob Paine night at Fluid (613 S. 4th St.), which should be deep, house-y, dubby and good. RSVP here to get on the list for $5 reduced admission before midnight ($10 otherwise all night) Also, sadly there's no flier, but I still want to tell everyone to hit up the Khyber for the final Driz Horse, a great weekly party upstairs that's been going on for awhile now. They'll be tough shoes to fill, we'll let you know what's next in this space.

-I can't think of a better follow-up to a Philly listing than by mentioning its inferior cousin, Brooklyn. Blog Big Stereo is putting on their first East Coast party at Studio B (2590 Banker St.) tonight and it looks like a doozy. First up, the bands: Dandi Wind, Thunderheist, Purple Crush, The Glamour and Miss TK & the Revenge. Next, the DJs: Bigstereo dude Rchrd Oh?!, Ruff Club-ers Spencer Product and Denny Le Nimh, Finger On The Pulse's DJ Never Forget, Baron Von Luxxury and late addition Junior Sanchez. Also, photos: LA's Shadowscene continues her tour and will be snapping shots of you and your pretty face all night. Finally, the details: tickets $8, 18+, doors at 9, goes til 4, free t-shirts to the first 50 in the door, a Brooklyn Beer open bar from 9-10 (whoa! atz nice!), 2 for 1 beer and well drinks from 2-3. Pretty awesome, right?



-For those of you in Manhattan for CMJ shows, tonight's your chance to hit up one of my favorite parties and a regular here on Pound for Pound, High Voltage. Dimitry and birthday boy Jason Hates You are putting on the Run-Roc CMJ showcase, which means lots of live bands (Taigaa, Freddie Ma and the unfortunately named Retarted Kittens), but I'm most excited for guest DJ Richie Panic of Frisco Disco being in the house. I expect my dude from San Fran to absolutely kill it and I expect it to be packed. Zygo open from 11 until its gone, free t-shirts, photos by NickyDigital, an essential stop on your late-night CMJ tour.



-Not too far away, the Wednesday Happy Ending (302 Broome St.) parties have combined tonight for one massive two-floor CMJ extravaganza. Hopchank, Nanachill and War & Moon are hosting the See MJ party, which is also the official afterparty for The Black Kids show. This one is jampacked for real, with live performances by Bay Area rap crew The Pack, Hollywood Holt and Vyle, upstairs Eliot Lipp, Dre Skull, Panda Jones, Cousin Cole and Rezound are spinning, while downstairs you get Million $ Mano, Rev McFly, DJ Morsy and Teenwolf. Whew. Hosted by Kitten Crew, you get all of this for free, yeah free! and an open bar from 11-12.



-A little further uptown (right near the L!) is possibly the event of the night, as A-Trak and Nick Catchdub's Fool's Gold label does it showcase at Hiro Ballroom (363 W. 16th St.). All of the label people - Kid Sister, A-Trak, Catchdubs - will be there along with Ed Banger's DJ Medhi (doing a tag team set with A-Trak) and Kavinsky to bring that French cool that always impresses me, plus The Cool Kids. It's $12, a steal for so much talent, not sure about drink specials or age limits, sorry. The flier is for the tour that is currently happening but not much help on tonight's info. But who cares? It's a dope flier, love the Grateful Dead window sticker!

Armand Van Helden - I Want Your Soul

Armand Van Helden, "I Want Your Soul (Crookers remix)" (YSI link)

Armand Van Helden, "I Want Your Soul (Fake Blood remix)" (YSI link)

Armand Van Helden, "I Want Your Soul (TV Rock remix)" (YSI link)

Hmm, let's keep taking a look at some of the dance music legends coming back this year, 6131. Armand Van Helden released a new album, Ghettoblaster, and has been dropping singles left and right from it. I'm not gonna lie, I associated Van Helden with that superstar DJ, Tiesto, Pacha kind of world, big clubs, B+Ters, etc. Not sure if he's had a change of heart, change of influence or he just really really wanted to get coverage at Pound for Pound. Well, well played Mr. Van Helden, you've made it to the real big time now.

"I Want Your Soul" is the first single we're gonna look at, it has grown on me with each listen. It definitely sounds like it would fit perfectly on some 80s dance pop compilation and that ain't a bad thing around these parts. Especially love that looped vocal. There's so many remixes of this one, so I'm gonna return to this song at some point. I wanted to look at the Crookers remix first, cause you know I love a good segue. The duo do again, this one gives the original some balls (or ovaries for our female readers) in the form of a sick bassline. Fake Blood deliver a chopped up, breakbeat-y remix that nods in the direction of Justice. It's good, feel like it would be a great addition for any DJ looking to add something new to the French stuff. Finally, TV Rock bring another dope version, a lot more in line with the Crookers jawn. It adds these claps throughout that work so well, a jaggedy bass that plays off the claps and hi-hats galore. I really like this one too,

The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance Remixes

Photograph by Mick Rock

The Chemical Brothers, "The Salmon Dance (Herve remix)" (YSI link) 320

The Chemical Brothers, "The Salmon Dance (Glimmers Heavily Smoked mix)" (YSI link)

The Chemical Brothers, "The Salmon Dance (Crookers Wow mix)" (YSI link) 320

Let's take a look at another legendary name that's making a return this year, The Chemical Brothers. They actually released a new album this year, featuring all new material. "The Salmon Dance" is the second single from We Are The Night and one look at the remixers proves that the guys were clearly keeping tabs of some of the most interesting names in the electronic music scene. I guess I'm a little surprised that this one got released as a single, as it just doesn't do it for me at all. My main gripe is the weak rap by Fatlip of Pharcyde fame; maybe it's because I've been feeling disconnected to rap lately, but this rap about a salmon dance is just awful. I mean, as the kids say, "WTF!?!" The Chemical Brothers probably couldn't do a lot to save this one, but they sure didn't put anything together that demands attention. Buy the CD here and see if I'm completely crazy about this one.

The remixes are a marked improvement over the original, the more the remixers cut the rap down the better the remix imo. Shockingly, the Crookers Wow remix is my pick of the lot; shocking when you consider that there's a Herve remix on the disc. Don't worry, Herve didn't drop the ball nor are my tastes changing; Crookers just killed this one, plain and simple. They've whittled the rap down to a line or two repeated throughout, the key step, concentrating on one which the remix's name should give away. From there, they lay down a jackin' house track, complete with synth effects and an edgy bass.

Herve does his thing, bringing that Dubsided fidgety sound to bear with a ton of crazy little squeaks and chirps and wicked bassline. Again, another great vocal sample is chopped up, for a nice dirty vibe. I really love the interlude halfway through, when the bass drops out and keys and vocals come up, check it out. I'm a big fan of the Glimmers and I'm an even bigger fan of the fact that they named this the Heavily Smoked mix, but their choice to use the entire rap kills it for me. They lay down a rock sound behind, complete with a guitar solo, but again it's nothing amazing and pretty much gets drowned out.

Loefah - Disko Rekah

Loefah, "Disko Rekah" (YSI link)

Loefah, "System" (YSI link)

Man, I've been dragging lately, trying to fight my way through this blog slump. I was wondering if it's too much creepy music, bringing me down, but basically just thinking too much i.e. being me. In a sign of the growing maturity in your rapidly aging bol, tonight I was like, "Get over yourself, dick." Or in the words of the Baal Shem Tov, "The world is new to us every morning - this is G-d's gift; and every man should believe he is reborn each day."

We haven't hit the morning yet though; it's still dark out, the light hasn't come yet. It's dubstep time in other words, so let's keep digging. I'm not even sure I want to post these tracks from Loefah, as I know that I'm just gonna rave about these two massive tunes and that's got to be uncool to dubsteppers. Both are split affairs with Loefah holding down the A sides (Digital Mystikz have the B side of "System," the Mystikz' Coki on "Disko Rekah") First up, "System" is my personal favorite, this one's not for the faint of heart (or ears). This one's got that amazing half-time feel, like bass music on codeine or something, screwed to within an inch of its life. There's also some cool bird chirp sounds, synth sirens and the obligatory huge, deep bass, a much more overt electro influence than anything else I've heard. However, what caught my ear most (or at least the most for any dubstep tune to date) was the percussion, especially the one type that sounds like someone beating on a tree or something. It's amazing stuff, gives it an almost tribal sound buried down deep. You're gonna wanna cop the 10" for the Digital Mystikz jawn asap from Forced Exposure, as this stuff flies off the shelves everywhere in the US.

"Disko Rekah" is one of the most recent things I've gotten and it sees the sound continuing to move. For those who like some vocals, this one uses an MC sample (is it Busta?) to great effect throughout. This one's all about the bass for me, Forced Exposure to the rescue again, as they've got the Deep Medi Musik 12" from and you will def wanna hear the flipside with Loki's hypnotic bass rumbler.

Sweating, Banging and Lightning NYC, James Murphy NYC, Dark Wave Disco in LA and more

It's that time of year here in New York City, when CMJ rolls around and douchebag writers like me make this city even more intolerable. I've been feeling a little down lately, so I'm hoping that these next few nights can put that jump back in my step. I can't think of three things I like more than sweating, banging and lightning. Amazingly, there's a party tonight called that and it features like all of my favorites in one awesome bar. 'Sup Magazine is putting on a CMJ Kick-off Dance party and it features one of the best new groups around, The Black Ghosts, almost all of my favorite NYC DJs - Lauren Flax, Sweatshop Labor and The Bangers - plus Mr. Headphones. It all goes down at 200 Orchard, free, 21+, free Svedka Vodka from 10:30-11:30, then free Sparks from 12:30-1:30. Damn, this might the kick-off and end of your CMJ week! Pace yourself or go all out, just make sure to be there.

-I can't think of a person in music today who is more able to do that than Mr. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and DFA fame. I mean, what is there to say? He's made two of my all-time favorite records, many of my favorite remixes, blah blah blah. However, I'm not sure how many people have gotten to hear or check out his DJ skill, which are profound. His sets dig deep into the dance music catalogue, from disco to house to early techno to no wave-y stuff, amazingly devoid of the current stuff that seems to follow one around. I really can't recommend checking this one out more, and that's without mentioning that BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac is also going to be spinning, this should be an incredibly electic and dance-y night at Hiro Ballroom (363 W. 16th St.@9th Ave), just what the doctor ordered. RSVP at the going.com site, which gets you in free before midnight, $5 after midnight. There's also a Bass Ale open bar from 10:30-11:30, making this a good night to get your ass in gear early. Cheeky Bastard has done it again, I'm feeling better already.

-Downtown, the good folks of dubFrequency and iMeem are putting on a great two-floor party at 205 (Chrystie and Stanton). Check the flier, then RSVP immediately before they close the list, as it's invite only. Okay, now that that's taken care of, let's look at the festivities. Live performances by The Cool Kids, Hollywood Holt and Vyle of Trouble&Bass, DJ sets by Cosmo Baker of The Rub, Craze and Klever and JM. It's all free, there's gonna be giftbags, in other words, you're gonna be taken care of.

-Ugh, I'm worried about being totally NYC-centric this week, so call me out if I am. I'm super-psyched that one of my favorite Chicago entities, the Dark Wave Disco, is taking over LA for a few days to show them what's up. Tonight, they are at The Rooftop Bar at The Standard (550 S. Flower St.), battling the NYC Misshapes crew, with LA I guess as a neutral ground. Blake Miller of Moving Units is also spinning, should be a really great night and a chance to check out some of the best from outside of LA for no cost. You do need to RSVP at the going.com site to make sure you get in for free, so take a second and do that. Wow, dubFrequency flexes its bicoastal power, as they are presenting this one with Urb Magazine.



-Back in Chicago, who needs CMJ when you have Outdanced throwing massive parties like this one? They welcome the Franki Chan/Toxic Avenger tour to the city, along with JD Samson of Le Tigre and Spinderella of Salt'n'Pepa, free Bass Ale from 9-10, free before midnight, presented by Avant Trill, hosted by Vyle from Flosstradamus, lots of birthdays. It looks like Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave) is the place to be tonight.

Wink - Higher State of Consciousness Part 1

Josh Wink, "Higher State of Consciousness (Original Tweekin' Acid Funk mix)" (YSI link)

Josh Wink, "Higher State of Consciousness (Dirty South and TV Rock remix)" (YSI link)

I figurd that this would be a good time to look at the Josh Wink acid classic, "Higher State of Consciousness," that ZZT alluded to with their song we posted on Saturday, "Lower State of Consciousness." I mean, I'm not sure that there's a lot left for me to say for this one, which has been around for more than a decade and still kills dancefloors all of these years later. How relevant is it still? Well, people are still doing remixes and edits of the song in the year 2007, pretty good evidence that you've created a monster and a classic. We're gonna showcase the many versions of this track over the years this week, as everyone needs a little acid in their life.

There's only one place to start: the Original Tweekin' Acid Funk mix. This one's my favorite, the one that dominated clubs and warehouses in the 90s and a great example of the acid sound. No matter how many times I hear this one, I'm never quite prepared for how sick that squiggly synths that turn this into a raging, acid monster. I mean, can you imagine hearing this on a massive system? Wink just hits all of the right notes, I love love love that ominous opening, when you hear those drums and the slow pace and the beginnings of the synth and the mutated voice. Add this one to "Don't Laugh" and I feel like Wink stands in pretty exalted company, making some of the darkest, most ominous dance music ever. It's amazing to think that this song, albeit the radio edit, was able to reach #8 on the UK singles chart.

On the more contemporary tip, electro house dons Dirty South and TV Rock decided to get in on the action this year with their remix. It's not on the level of the original, but it's a nice job updating for the current scene, hopefully giving it another life. They've added a lot more bass, taken out the buildup and that breakbeat sound, making this one much more ready for today's dancefloor. It's clearly worked, as this one made it to #1 on the UK Dance chart this summer. Highly recommended for anyone who loves the electro club stuff coming out or who'd like to find a link to the classic acid days.

Juju -Punks

Juju, "Punks" (YSI link)

Juju, "Punks (Komonazmuk remix)" (YSI link)

G-d, it's been a crazy, panic-y time lately, as if my life has decided to mirror the dubstep tunes we've been posting. I think that there's some sort of story about the chicken and the egg or something, but I don't remember how it goes or if it applies here. Whatever.

Dubstep, like grime, is synomous with the London area that gave birth to it. But, dubstep has begun to make its mark around the world, thanks to the Internet and magazines and radio. Most of all, I imagine it's the lyric-less aspect that has allowed it to surpass grime in its worldwide movement and adoption. Juju (real name: Neil Zarama) is an American, San Francisco to be precise, who has released a few dubstep 12"s over the past year or two on the NarcoHz label. Interestingly, he made his name in the drum'n'bass scene during the 90s and early part of this decade with some residencies, numerous releases and his own label, Phuturo Recordings. I say interesting, as I definitely hear a distinct d'n'b/jungle influence in this music, although it rarely gets listed as a major influence in the history.

I think you'll hear some of that d'n'b influence on this track, "Punks." This one's massive, having featured on the Dubstep All-Stars Volume 5 mix CD, it's a much more upbeat and banging track than say, the Skream stuff. Best of all, hearkening back to the d'n'b days, you get a wicked Method Man sample on the break, which touched my dark, conflicted hip-hop heart. Unlike the dnb sound, the music here isn't punishing; in fact, Juju plays with tension throughout, letting the bass fade out at times. Oh boy, when it comes in, it comes in, all wobbly and warbly and big! I feel like this would be an excellent starting point for people looking to get into this music, as the Meth vocals provide something to grab onto. The Komonazmuk remix is much busier and upbeat, possibly more dancefloor friendly yet ulitmately less succesful. The quickened pace takes away that dread that comes in the original, that ominous feeling that comes when the bass goes away and you are left with Meth's mumblings and the itchy drums.

Check out Juju's myspace page for more info, as this is clearly a dude to keep an eye on (or ear out for?). Cop the Punks 12" at Turntable Lab, as you're gonna want to grab the vocoderd sick B side, "Mogera."

Fixed BK, Philadelphyinz PHILA, Jefrodisiac's Bachelor Party SF and more

Okay, Making Time was gonna be the event of the night last night, but I dropped the ball. Luckily for Brooklynites, Dave P is bringing the party to us as he and JDH do another Fixed at Studio B (259 Banker St.). This one's a special one, as the guests are Alan Braxe and DJ Falcon, who have been tearing up the dancefloors of the US this week. Braxe is playing live, DJ Falcon is in the booth, joining Dave P and JDH, housenitemusic to make you realize how beautiful the world is. $10 advance tickets, $12 at the door, huge dancefloor that is begging to be filled tonight. In the words of Mr. Pianka, "can we all freak out like crazy people tonite!?!" Can we?

-Before or after, stop by Royal Oak (594 Union Ave.) in Williamsburg for the latest edition of the Hi-Tops and Hearts party. DJs Tiny Pants and Kelly Green of the Glamour will spin the music you want to hear in the back room, lots of great drink specials up front. 21+, no cover, brought to you by the amazing Love Brigade fashion label.



-Another option, closer to the Bedford stop, is the Sound Advice party at Supreme Trading (213 N. 8th St.). I never really know what's going on at that place, so it's good to see that there's a nice Saturday night weekly party with resident DJs Teenwolf and Elsewhere. Tonight's a good night to check it out, as Pound for Pound favorite Rezound of Rezound and Workweek is the guest DJ; expect a great night of great music regardless of genre, good drink prices, no cover.



-For those in Manhattan, there's a cool event going down at Don Hill's (511 Greenwich St.) tonight. It's called Style Wars, which involves battles between fashion designers as they attempt to craft looks in a few minutes through ripping, tearing, painting, adding objects, whatever it takes. Not sure how this will play out, but at the very least it's a great chance to check out The Rapture guys, Mattie and Druzzi, and the Ruff Kids spin. Check out the going.com page for more info and a chance to buy $8 advance tickets ($12 at the door). Brought to you by the House of Diehl and a who's who of NYC party life, it's nice to see something a little different go down.



-I know, I know, the Meatpacking District. It sucks, douchebags everywhere, blah blah blah. Well, I feel like you got to know the right time to head into that area, when you have one destination where you can stay the whole night and not have to expose yourself to the elements. The Saturday night weekly Changez Le Beat downstairs at Lotus (409 W. 14th St.) is just that kind of destination, as DJs Marc-Alan Grey, Sujinho, June D and Deryck Todd will drop baile, dance, hip-hop and rock that will make you never want to leave. Bring a good crew, get there when things start at midnight and have fun.



-Down in the greatest city, Philadelphyinz return to Medusa (21st & Chestnut) for their monthly jam. Apt One and Skinny Friedman are taking over the dark basement bar for the night, expect the unexpected. Disco, Bmore club, remixes, edits, pop, rap, crunk, hyphy, house, there are no boundaries. 21+, no cover, Philadelphyinz!



-A little more center in Center City, the 80s party at Sal's celebrates its first anniversary tonight. Congrats to DJ Solobuns for holding it down for an entire year with this bi-monthly, 2nd and 4th Saturdays jawn. Celebrate with free Sparks from 9-11, then dance the night away to music from the decade you barely remember. No cover, 21+.



-A special Frisco Disco tonight, as one-half of the resident duo, Jefrodisiac, is turning this into his bachelor party. First off, congrats on the upcoming wedding, mazel tov! Second off, having seen the pics from their normal weekly outings, I cannot even begin to guess the depravity and debauchery that will go down at The Transfer (198 Church) I am picturing strippers, hookers, a horse eating amphetamines, Tawny Kittaen and Tom hanks, wait, sorry, I'm acutally picturing the highly underrated 80s flick, Bachelor Party. I guess that everyone in San Fran is going to have to head there and find out what Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac have in store. Thankfully, for the rest of us, Shadowscene will be in the house to preserve it all for posterity. Amazing surprise guest DJs, not sure what else I can say.



-I'm gonna promise this party no references to The OC, The Hills or Laguna Beach. With that out of the way, the Trust party at Proof Bar (215 N. Broadway) in Santa Ana looks like a good one tonight. LA and SF are in the house, with guest DJ Luv Tek from Genre and Era, The One from Tekdbz and Sound Spoliate join resident Sonic D for a night of electronic music and all of the genres that entails. It's nice to see a party willing to mix it up, as that's a rarity with this type of music. $10 cover, $5 if you get on the guestlist at the myspace page, 21+.



-Finally, I have begun my slow but steady process for a move to Paris, hard to not wanna be over there. Sadly, I'm not there yet, as the Institubes Express 999 is pulling back into town tonight for a massive party at Elysee Montmartre (72 Blvd de Rochechouart). Curses! and Para One live, Bobmo, Surkin, Das Glow, Tacteel, Orgasmic, Teki Latex and Jean Nipon DJing. 15 euros in advance, 20 at the door, presented by On Air Prods and Open House.

ZZT - Lower State of Consciousness

ZZT, "Lower State of Consciousness (Justice remix)" (YSI link)

Okay, not our best week here at Pound for Pound, sorry. I actually have a ton of shit ready to post, have just been running around quite a bit and falling asleep, possibly After listening to that Digital Mystikz track more, I needed more synth in my life, but party synths if you know what I mean, club-storming synths, not drug-paranoia synths. Not hard to predict that I would turn to my Parisian Justice bols to satiate that need. Here's their remix of ZZT's "Lower State of Consciousness" on the Turbo label, one of the best for current dance music. ZZT features label head Tiga and Zombie Nation and this, their first single, is everything I hoped for. The guys let some abrasiveness into the mix, something that's lacking in the electro-house scene, with some synth squeals that go right up to that dog-whistle border. The rumbling bass on this one is massive, would love to hear it on a big system. arcade game sounds are the rest of the picture. You're gonna wanna buy this 12" to hear this one, or even better, perhaps we will get to hear more from these guys with an album.

I've put up the Justice remix, where the guys turn in a more-dancefloor friendly version. The original's still there, including the great buildup part with the video game sounds, but it's been cut and pasted into a more maximalist, banging track with insistent drums and smeared synths and that slightly off-kilter beat the guys utilize. This one's got that classic Justice sound, pretty essential.

Degenerates NYC, Art After Midnight NYC, Digitalism BK, Felix Da Houscat CHI and more

I grew up in a house that was greatly influenced by socialist ideals, which should help explain why we always stress the importance of the party, not the individual DJ. The party and the crowd, not the superstar DJ. But Lenin never had a chance to party with three of the best DJs like New Yorkers can tonight at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.@9th Ave). Moby, Juan MacLean and Stretch Armstrong are the Degenerates, I presume, this week's edition of the Cheeky Bastard Thursday night party. I mean, those are just legends, all doing their things tonight on the same stage, just an incredible opportunity for real. Amazingly, it's only $5 with advance tickets, $10 at the door. 21+, doors at 10:30, complimentary Svedka vodka drinks from 10:30-11:30, so don't dilly dally. I mean, Moby! Stretch Armstron! Juan MacLean! Shout out to all the kibbutzim, Pound for Pound still believes in the collective.

-Ahh, but my beloved Lower East Side don't need no stars. It's just lots of good parties and good DJs and free booze, just like our forefathers used to do when they lived in the nearby tenements. First up, a new party that will hopefully be a regular thing called Art After Midnight. The Gallery Bar (120 Orchard St.) is a gallery by day and a bar (now) by night. They've made the wise choice of bringing in a DJ with impeccable skills and eye, DJ Tiny Pants of the Love Brigade. This one's hosted by Sushi Steve and Chris Alker, RSVP at the going.com site, doors at 10 pm, no cover, 21+. New party, art, yeah!



-Not to far away, one of my favorite parties in the city goes down again, as Unstoppable Perfect takes over the upstairs of Happy Ending (302 Broome St.) DJs rekLES & SeanmuthafukkinRoberts and hosts Julius O and Antwan of ithinkyoureswell.com do this once a month and it's always a good scene, girls, people dancing, the tunes that Pound for Pound likes and uploads, great DJs, and girls. No cover, 21+, 2 for 1 drinks from 11-12, a guaranteed good time.



-Okay, you know the Sweatshop Labor bols, Johnsville and Lucas Walters, will be ready for you at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie) with their Common Folks party. They've brought in special guest DJs $elect from TX and DJ Kevy of Integrated Radio for this edition of the weekly party, plus the Rage Mountain crew will be there as they seem to be regulars now. Oh, and bestill my cold, jaded, black hipster heart, they have free Sparks from 11-12. No cover, 21+, this needs to be a part of your Thursday nights.



-Over the river and through the subway tunnel, Brooklyn goes off as the Modular Monthly goes off with a live set by the one and only Digitalism. Album of the year contender, these dudes will destroy Studio B (259 Banker St.), and they will be helped in that destruction by DJ Alexander Technique and the Modular DJs. This one's 18+, $15 at the door, a great chance to see one of the best bands around in a great venue, don't sleep.



-For those down South, i.e. south of Williamsburg and the L or JMZ, hang with the Brooklyn Art Collective tonight. They've got a show early in the night from 7-10 callled Selling The Shadow at their space (20 Jay St, 11th floor), then the afterparty at Rebar (Front & Jay Sts) from 10-4 with DJs Rev McFly and Code-D plus live sets by Ninja Sonik, Rocket Surgery and Lady Radiator. FYI, this is all in DUMBO, just FYI. It's $5 at the bar, $4 if you go to the exhibition. Art, music, dancing, that sounds like the ingredients for a revolution.



-Mang, here's a really nice event in Chicago, imo. Felix da Housecat is back in his hometown, hitting up Debonair Thursday to spin at this weekly Dark Wave Disco jawn, that's serving as the official Shiny Toy Guns afterparty tonight. One of the second wave of Chicago house producers and one of electroclash's leading lights is back with a new album, dude should be primed to kill it in front of the home crowd. You're gonna wanna get out for this one, hit Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave.), 21+, no cover, Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner, a.k.a. the residents, are not to be fucked with either.



-You can also head over to nearby Empire Liquors (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for the Bottle Service party with special guest DJ Mister Joshua. Another great local DJ, he joins resident Mr. Hiroki for a night of house, afrobeat, disco and much more. Check the early start time with doors at 8, free PBR at 9 pm until it runs out, no cover. I mean, seriously, these two are a nice night all planned out with a bow on top.



-I've been doing an awful job keeping up with Philly happenings, but it's nice when I get a softball like this. The new Thursday night weekly at Upstairs at Sal's (200 S. 12th St.) is gonna be run by one of my favorite labels, Seclusiasis, the grime-dubstep-bass-etc label/crew/radioshow. Tonight, you get DJs Ghost and Breakdown for a night of club bangers, street bass and classic anthems. No cover, $1 PBRs and $3 mixed drinks until 11, filthy, filthy music until 2 am. This one's gonna be a weekly, get in on the ground floor.




-Another great weekly in Philly, Mo Money No Problems, Steven Bloodbath's jawn at Silk City (425 Spring Garden St.) has a special guest tonight, the legendary DJ Skipmode of Electric City and the Ill Vibe Collective. This party's a 90s theme, so expect lots of hip-hop from when you were a teenager and singalongs and fun. 21+, I believe no cover, Silk City!



-Late Edition, West Coast: Swerve Thursdays goes down tonight like it does every week with resident DJ Daniel Le Disko of LA Riots. I'm not even gonna get started about basically missing the LA Riots set last night at Studio B. So, you, you get there early to Scorpion (6679 Hollywood Blvd) and have no regrets, see Daniel kill for every single second of the night. Assuming you are 21+, that is. No cover, brought to you by Tapatio de la Noche and Collin Thalken. Can I just say, I love the black on black flier, very late Rothko, love it love it love it.



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Bob Dylan - Theme Time Radio Hour #4 & 10

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #4 (Baseball) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #10 (Summer) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

Okay, I'm working on some new Dylan posts, non-Theme Time Radio Hour stuff. But, no reason to stop chronicling the first season of the XM Radio show. I've clearly abandoned doing this in numerical order, now I'm relying on my natural wit in combining shows.

Episode 4 is a bittersweet one, as we are less than a week out from the elimination of the Philadelphia Phillies from the NL Playoffs. It was an amazing season for the team, appearing down and out in early September, then putting together one of the greatest comebacks in league history. It was kinda sad that they went so quickly in the first round of the playoffs, kinda took a little off of such an amazing season. But, it was a great run and hopefully a sign of a great season ahead. Sadly, I can't say that this is one of the better episode of Theme Time Radio Hour. There's a lot of cool novelty items, great pop tunes from the 50s featuring Willie Mays and about Don Newcombe, but nothing that really made me sit and take notice. There is a hilarious taped interview with Charlie Sheen that needs to be heard for the sheer ridiculousness of this guy talking down to people who don't love to watch baseball ("the game within a game").

Episode 10, Summer, is one of the best on the musical selection front. Lots of classic tunes, all-time favorites like Eddie Cochran's "Summertime" and Martha and the Vandellas' "Heat Wave" (quite a one-two punch early in the show), favorite artists like Van Morrison and favorites that I had never know the artist or name like Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime," plus new ones like Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." There's also a great mix of music, from samba and rocksteady to the more typical folk and early rock stuff, which I've come to feel is a necessary ingredient to best episodes. This one's highly recommened. Hope everyone is enjoying, more Dylan to come.

Awesometown LA, Alan Braxe LA, GSPA NYC and more

Big night in LA, yowza. Let's start off with Awesometown, presented by Anne Lee and Shadowscene. This one might be the best one they've ever thrown, as they have special guest DJ AM (real name: Adam Goldstein!) in the house. For real, everyone I've known who has caught him spin considers him one of the best DJs they've ever experienced, consummate party rocker. You also get DJs Paparazzi, Skeet Skeet and Cosmic Kids, plus a special surprise guest who is a surprise to me as well. Shadowscene will be taking the photos, Dewards ($3 all night!) will be getting you drunks and AM and crew will get you laid (and the Dewars too). Head to The Short Stop (1455 W. Sunset Blvd), 21+, free, 10-2am.

-This one is pretty much a co-headliner tonight, the fact that Scion is putting it on took it down a notch. But, seriously, Alan Braxe and DJ Falcon have landed in the States and this is the first night of their mini-tour. These dudes are house legends and from Paris, so you know I have a man-crush on them. Head to the Viper Room (8852 W. Sunset Blvd) to see if you have one too, once you've RSVP'd to rsvp@beyondmg.com, 21+, get there early to make sure you get in, for real. Whoa whoa, the Viper Room still exists!?! Isn't that where River Phoenix died from a speedball?




-Finally, there's the V.I.M.B.Y. (Video In My Backyard) launch party at Safari Sam's (5214 W. Sunset Blvd) First off, love the reference to early 80s suburbanite political movements. Second, Shadowscene is a fucking grinder. Third, The Willowz, Wounded Cougar and Bedtime For Toys play live. Fourth, DJs Sean Patrick and City West spin. Fifth, all three of these parties are on Sunset Blvd, this one starts at 8, can you do all three? Go for it. Also, go rent the movie, shout out to Billy Wilder. Sixth, RSVP is required for this all ages, free party. Seventh, numbering is the new bullet point.



-LA's rival, New York City, carries the rest of the weight tonight. I've mentioned this GSPA party before, but this one seems to have taken it all up a notch. First, the flier game is next level. Secondly, the DJs are top-notch tonight with Prince Klassen (midnight on) and Project Matt (10-midnight), making it the perfect night to get to the Gansevoort Hotel (18 W. 9th Ave@13th St.) and check out one of the poshest places you will ever party and do it with dope DJs. 21+, no cover, doors at 11 pm.



-It's Wednesday night, it's High Voltage night. FYI, it was named best new party in NYC by L Magazine, voted on by readers, best in the whole city. Just FYI. Tonight, Dimitry and Jason Hates You is joined by Defedelity 6-5000 and Alex English at 200 Orchard. The regular Zygo open bar from 11-it's gone, RSVP and let them know you're coming, then go party with award winners. 21+, no cover, yeah!



-Finally, you can also hit up the Hopchank/Ninja Sonik jawn at Happy Ending (302 Broome btwn Forsythe & Eldridge) for a nice downtown night. DJs Reverend McFly, Morsy and Teenwolf hold it down upstairs all night every second and fourth Wednesday with rap and pop and rappop and other good music. No cover, 21+, a good look.

Digital Mystikz - Ancient Memories

Digital Mystikz, "Ancient Memories" (YSI link)

Digital Mystikz, "Ancient Memories (Skream remix)" (YSI link)

Hmm, I actually kinda think I'm gonna stick to doing these dubstep posts late at night, which seems like the optimal time for listening to this shit. When the ghosts are out and the insomniacs and crazies and lost souls are all out and taking care of the city while the rest sleep, dubstep seems like the soundtrack for that.

This one, "Ancient Memories," brings two of the scene's best and most innovative (plus two from our first dubstep post) to one piece of wax. Digital Mystikz are Mark Lawrence and D. Harris a.k.a. Mala and Coki, hailing from the South London suburb of Norwood. This is probably the best thing I've heard from them, the eight release on the DMZ label. I feel like you can almost see the weed smoke on this one, as if it's clouding the music coming out of the speakers, slowing it down, making it warbly and woozy. I guess the rasta jungle musings don't hurt on that front either. It's interesting, as the DM guys are famous for their Brixton monthly parties; yet, this music sounds so made for headphones and solo listening, it's hard for me to picture how it plays in the clubs. Listen to the drums on this original, so off-kilter and semi-distant, amazing. The Skream remix is all about the bass for me, so wobbly and deep and massive, I feel like it's some sort whale call. It starts out similar to the "Midnight Request Line" sound, but then a little past the halfway point the pace picks up like someone took an upper, the synths start to go crazy (like an acid song on cough syrup) and you have a sick sick remix. Whoa.

L.A. Riots in NYC! Studio B! Open Bar!

LA Riots, LA Riots Volume 2 (YSI link)

Okay, here's a special stand-alone party announcement, so you know it's a special. It is, as it's the NYC debut of one of Pound for Pound's favorite new music group/DJ/awesome dudes, L.A. Riots. The boys are headlining tonight's Final Tales Of Colt 45 party, which is bring put on by going.com, the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest and Colt 45, obviously, going on at about 1 AM. I hope that everyone in Pound for Pound Brooklyn/NYC land can make it out and show some love for the guys. I feel like you are going to be hearing so much about these guys in the next year or so, here's your chance to tell everyone that you caught their first NYC show and rub in the faces of your friends. I've uploaded their LA Riots Volume 2 mix, will put up some of their amazing remixes and edits and originals next week. Purple Crush is also playing live and there will be DJ sets from some of our absolute favorites in the world, Lauren Flax, David Bruno and Robot Blair. Still not sold, alcoholic? Well, there's 2 one hour open bars on Colt 45.

It's all free, free I tell ya!, but you have to go and RSVP right now at the going.com site. Once you've done that, you're all set to show up, drink for free and hear some of our favorite bands and DJs melt your face. Yeah! It's gonna be riot, Dave!

Ballers Eve NYC, L Magazine Awards NYC, Klaxons PHILA, See You Next Tuesday MPLS

It's a shame that tonight's so shitty out here in New York City, as there's something great going down. Ballers Eve, the amazing Dirty South rap radio show on East Village Radio, celebrates its fourth anniversary tonight by throwing a party at the China 1 Lounge (50 Avenue B@4th St.) DJs Kat Daddy Slim, Minski Walker, Dirrty and Sergio Vega will throw down all night with the nastiest, filthiest bangers, as they do on every week on the show. 21+, no cover, there's gonna be t-shirt giveaways! Oooh I want one!

-Or if you are more into people-watching and L Magazine presents their first ever Nightlife Awards. This is actually a real awards show, with two emcees, Michael T and Michael Formika Jones, there's presenters and performers, DJ sets by Michael Cavadias (Lily of the Valley), DJ Jess, Brendon James and Alex Malfunction of Trash, DJ Merritt of sugar babies, Antonio of glamdammit and others. Let me congratulate some Pound for Pound favorites on their much-deserved victories - rekLES for best DJ, Lauren Flax and Dimitry runner-ups for best DJs, High Voltage for best new party (and runner-up for best party!), FUN at Studio B for best party. RSVP here for free entry, get to Lotus Lounge (409 W. 14th St.), complimentary cocktails 10-11, tons of



-For those in Philly, I recommend highly hitting up the Klaxons show, which is in the basement of the Church (22nd & Chestnut). R5 Productions squeezed this one in last minuteish, an amazing chance to hear these guys in a small space. Best of all, rad dude Dave P is spinning during the night, hopefully this one will break into a dance party, just don't call it a new rave! Philly, I know you have it in you, grab your tickets in advance or grab them at the door. $15, all ages, doors at 8:30. Yeah!

-See You Next Tuesday isn't just a great name for a party, it's a great weekly in Minneapolis hosted by Jonathan Ackerman. Tonight's DJ line-up is stacked, headlined by that dude Soviet Panda, plus Mike the 2600 King, Millions Billions and Matt Englund. Man cannot live on music alone, he also needs good food and drink as well and the happy hour menu of $3 draft specials and $5 appetizers covers you on that end. Get to the Catepillar Lounge at Azia (2550 Nicollet Ave), 21+, eat, drink and be merry.



-Okay, one more time, as the Ballers Eve guys put up two sick fliers that I fucking love, so I'm doing an unprecedented double flier-ing. Call the Guiness people! China 1 Lounge (50 Ave. B@4th St.)

Skream - Midnight Request Line

Skream, "Midnight Request Line (album version)" (YSI link)

Skream, "Midnight Request Line (DJ Zinc remix)" (YSI link)

Skream, "Midnight Request Line (Digital Mystikz remix)" (YSI link)

Skream, "Midnight Request Line (Switch remix)" (YSI link)

As promised, we're gonna try to jump in to the dubstep pool, starting off in the shallow end with one of, if not the, most famous track to come out of the genre so far, "Midnight Request Line." Skream actually put this out in 2005 on the Tempa label, changing the game immensely by crossing over into the mainstream (or as mainstream as this stuff gets). What struck me first is much slower and deliberate the tempo is than I ever expected. I think that I had in mind the uptempo sounds of UK Garage or even drum and bass in mind, the complete opposite really of what's going on here. Skream has basically made a track at half speed that still bounces, that still has a monstrous bass that gets you moving despite its relatively glacial pace for dance music. On top of that you also get some gorgeous synth melodies that any electro pop band would be glad to come up with, these sounds stick in your head for days, for real. Also, make sure to pay attention to the gunshot/bomb/snare percussion throughout, lending the song a brutal, almost buried edge. I've upped the album version, which is a minute shorter than the original 12" single.

The remixes come from a who's who of the UK, I would say. First, you get fellow dubstepper Digital Mystikz, a.k.a. Mala and Cofi, who keep things in a similar vein as the original. They speed things up a touch More interesting is the Zinc remix, as the junglist is still doing his thing all of these years after "Super Star Shooter." The first 2 minutes or so have more of a , but then bang bang come the drums and you've got a whole new tempo and step, classic Bingo Beats drums, plus some extra bass down low, turn this one into a great new look for the original. It's predictable, but the Switch remix is my favorite. What can I say, those jackin' beats and fuzzy, mutating bass make my life better and more happy? This one is a rager, for real, the only one to totally flip the script and rework the original completely. Thanks to Diplo's Mad Decent blog for upping this one a month ago.

Damaged CHI, Justice LA, Club Genre LA

I figured that we would start in Chicago tonight, as this Damaged Tuesdays is a new one for us. In typical me fashion, this party is coming to an end tonight as a weekly; always on top of things! It will reemerge as a monthly in November, so this is a good chance to stop by, see what's up, say goodbye, listen to some darker, electronic stuff. Resident DJs Eddie Riot and Mr. S put this one on, dedicated to synthpop, industrial, new wave and electro, which sounds damn good to me. I can't think of a better guest DJ than Dark Wave Disco-er Trancid, who will send this party out right. It's at Lava (1270 N. Milwaukee Ave), 21+, no cover, will let you know when this one returns.

-It's a big night in LA, starting off with the first of two nights for Justice at the Music Box at the Henry Fonda () Tomorrow night's show sold out quickly, so here's a chance for those of you who slept to catch one of the biggest tours of the year. Xavier and Gaspard are joined by Midnight Juggernauts, another great indielectro band from Australia. Both nights are presented by Golden Voice and IHeartComix, tickets are still available for tonight's gig only. Grab them here and after the show, stop by...



-Club Genre at Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd). This is the remix to last night's Toxic Avenger/Franki Chan outing, as those two are in the main room with residents DJ S!n and Luv Tek. The front room is held down by Zendo, Joaquin and Billy N and special guest Hyphy Crunk. It's Sophie's Choice on where to go. 18+, doors at 9:30, free until 10, women $5 all night, men $10 after 10 I believe.

Chromeo - Tenderoni Remixes

Chromeo, "Tenderoni (Sinden remix)" (YSI link)

Chromeo, "Tenderoni (MSTRKRFT remix)" (YSI link)

Okay, while you're digesting that massive slab of dark dubstep, I'm gonna upload a funky, fun track for y'all. Chromeo pretty much specializes in that kind of music, the 80s influenced, synth+vocodored baby-making funk that they've done over two albums now. "Tenderoni" is one of the best things I've heard from them, the first song on and second single from their recent album for Vice, Fancy Footwork. It's a perfect slice of electro-fied funk complete with great vocals by Dave 1, that warm bass, amazing synths, great percussion (although it never really takes center stage) and effects. I've heard it on a few mixes recently and it always stand out and not just because a guy is singing "You're my tenderoni" repeatedly.

The remixes come from Back Yard Recordings and they've invited some of our favorites in to have a go at the original. MSTRKRFT deliver, not surprisingly, the rocking-est version, putting their trademark crunchy, distorted bass to work on top of much heavier drums than the original. My favorite part comes around the two minute mark, when they let things calm down for a brief moment; the bass drops down in intensity and it adds so much to the song. Generally, it's nothing extraordinary, but I tend to like the MSTRKRFT sound and it will definitely work perfectly for DJs working more in a heavier vein. The Sinden mix is what you'd expect to, jackin' up the original with the chopped up vocals, stuttering beats and twisted bass. G-d, even when I know that bass is coming, it still melts my face. Recommended.

For me, nothing equals the original, so I highly recommend copping the album first. You can grab the 12" from Turntable Lab, but you are gonna want to track down the Etienne de Crecy remix most, the best of the bunch imo.

Skream - Essential Mix 6.17.2007

Skream, BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix June 17, 2007 (YSI link) (Sendspace link) tracklist in comments

I lied. I said that I was taking a break from the Essential Mix posts, in order to throw up some longer mixes that don't come from the BBC Radio One show. But, I had a crappy incident Saturday night and I've been listening to more and more of the dark shit recently anyway, so it seemed like a good time to throw up this Essential Mix by one of the leading figures in the dubstep movement, Skream. We're gonna be digging in a little deeper into this genre and a some related stuff over the next week or so, long overdue.

Skream was the first name to come to me in regards to the dubstep movement, which seemed to emerge from the grime scene but most people seem to see it as another splinter of the UK garage scene of the early part of this decade. Whatever, it's one of the most exciting things going today, its sparse rhythms, massive bass and dark vibe fit today's world a lot better than most of the stuff I put up (and LOVE!). Skream, amazingly, is only 21-year old, based in the Croydon area of South London, who has been producing tracks since he was a teenager. He found himself working at the Big Apple Records shop, which was an early epicenter of dubstep. We'll have more to say about him as we put up some of his tracks, but for now, it seems important to note that Skream was perhaps the first to bring a melodic sense to the genre in 2005 and 2006, while maintaing its distinctive syncopated rhythms and dark basslines.

You get a great chance to hear this on the 2-hour mix he did for Pete Tong's radio show. Amazingly, dude almost exclusively uses tracks by himself or his mix of someone else's song, as he clearly does not lack for confidence. Why shouldn't he, though, if he's responsible for so many excellent tunes? A few quick observations, before you download - I had never realized how much dancehall/reggae influenced and overlapped with dubstep, it's one of the few genres that works just as well without vocals as with and the basslines, oh the basslines you will hear. More to come on this front, this is a good intro if you'd like to jump in and a really great mix for those of you who've been following this scene closely.

Ed Banger TJ, Club ERA, Slingback NYC and more

I normally take Sundays off, but since I was negligent this past week with parties and there's so much going on, I had to check in. Hard to know where to begin, as both coasts are alive with the sound of dance music. Let's throw a curveball and start out of the country in Tijuana Mexico, which I believe is a doable trip for Los Angelenos. Kimika and Tony Tee are putting on the Justice afterparty, as the duo has a show in San Diego tonight. Cross the border to hang with more Frenchman in the guise of Busy P and DJ Medhi at Tijuana Tilly's (Calle 7 & Revolucion) The Ed Banger dudes are joined by LoudNoises, Sleazy V and Don Carlitos for a night of electrohiphophouseindiesmileyrave music. Shadowscene will be in the house as well, photographing YOU if you make it out. Doors open at 8, tickets are $15 at the door, you may never want to go home. Late Update: Holy shit, Le Castle Vania will also be spinning, the disco meter just went through the roof, do not sleep on this one.

-For those of you who don't want to make the trek to Tijuana, or are scared after hearing the stories about the horse and the woman, there's plenty going on back in the city of LA. The main event is Club ERA, one of the regulars here at Pound for Pound. DJs Luv and S!n Tek have put together a huge one tonight, as they host the Franki Chan/The Toxic Avenger tour tonight. You get a live set by The Toxic Avenger, a DJ set by Mr. Chan, not to mention you get DJ sets from two other Pound for Pound favorites from out of town, SF's Sleazemore of Lights Down Low and NYC's Nick Hook from Men, Women and Children. Whoa. It also goes down at Sevilla Nightclub (3252 Mission Inn) in Riverside, California, as it does every Sunday. Doors at 9:30 pm, only $5 before 10:30, $10 after that. Get at the guys on their myspace page for reduced list info before 11:30, dress nice as there is a dress code, 18+, most of all, have fun!



-In the city, Plus+ Sundays presents a night of XLR8R with some of the magazine's DJs in the house, including Hours of Worship and Lazer Sword of B.E.A.R. Recordings. Those two join with resident DJ Mr. White, and guests DJ Legit and Tarek Antabi. It agoes down at Goldfingers (6423 Yucca St.), hosted by Chris White, Ryan Jaso, Cottrell Brandon, Brad Hoss and Ashleigh James. RSVP at PlusSundays@gmail.com for free admission, 21+, doors at 9pm.



-Finaly, there's Le Disko, one of the first parties I mentioned, still going strong at the Spider Club (1735 Vine St.) in Hollywood. Tonight's an especially good edition, as the three OG residents will be there - Keith 2.0, Daniel of LA Riots and Steve(n). Plus, special guest Red Foxxworth is in from Boston to destroy the dancefloor with a mix of electro, indie and rap. 18+, free before 11 with a flier, 5 measly bucks after that.



-Upstate in San Francisco, the weekly Propaganda party goes down at Laszlo (2536 Mission). This one is hosted by Meleksah every Sunday night, with Jefrodisiac on the decks spinning disco, house, some MC Hammer, just good music to help you dance your way into another week. No cover, it goes til 2am.




-There's not many fashion items I love more than a gorgeous woman's shoe, maybe a trenchcoat, a tweed skirt, a giant bra. So it's nice to see a party dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the stiletto, the shoe that has made men's lives better and women's lives more painful. Slingback is presented by Deryck Todd and features a packed DJ line-up with JD Samson and Johanna Fateman from Le Tigre, Princess Superstar, Michael T of Motherfucker, June D of White Dove, DJ Sandra from Misshapes and DJ Fembot. It's at Don Hill's (511 Greenwich@Spring St.), hosted by half of NYC including AmyLulita of Shaw Promotions, Roxy Cottontail, Justin Hyte, Patrick McDonald and others. There will be a raffle, giveaways, a shoe fashion contest, some crazy outfits and serious neckbreakers. $10 with RSVP at slingbacknyc@gmail.com, costume or shoe donation, $15 without, portion of proceeds go to Soles 4 Souls.



-If you are looking for something a little less intense, I'd highly recommend hitting up Darkroom tonight where Andy Pry and Dances With White Girls will be spinning all night. A great LES spot and since it's Sunday night it should be a good time to venture back into that area. Before I start to describe what downtown looked like last night, I'm just gonna stop, tell you that there's no cover, sadly no flier, two great DJs, great bar, nuf said.

Dance Invasion BK, Paper Boston, Hurrah Philly and more

How did I choose the top pick tonight? Two words: Arthur Baker. Arthur fucking Baker my friends, one of the figures on the Pound for Pound Mount Rushmore is spinning tonight at the Dance Party Invasion at Studio B (259 Banker St.) in Brooklyn. It's almost too hard to begin with the man's resume, let's just say that he was a pivotal figure in early electro and has remixed bands like New Order and Joy Division, he's a stone-cold legend. This is the main event for Larry Tee's Dance Music Invasion 07 festival and the clear highlight. The rest of the line-up ain't too shabby either, as Princess Superstar, Christopher Just and Larry Tee will all be spinning. $8 in advance, $10 at the door, things start at 11, RSVP at going.com.

-Before you head to Greenpoint, make a stop at Macri Park (462 Union Ave.) to hang with the Sweatshop Labor bols, Johnsville and Lucas Walters. They'll take good care of you, assuming you are 21+, get you feeling nice and happy, so nice in fact you may not make it to Studio B. Oh well, thems the breaks.




-For the Brooklyn southsiders, Even Further brings you Disorder at The Royale (506 Fifth Ave.@12th Street) in Park Slope. Carmine P. Filthy, Rudy M., LeLe of Remaxx and dGZRa will spin all night, from 9-4, no cover, 21+, Park Slopers, put away the baby carriages and stand the fuck up!



-I'm super psyched about this one, as I don't hear a lot from Boston people or hear much going on partywise, so it's always good to tune in. Even better, when it's a party featuring NYC favs Dimitry from High Voltage and Paris from Ruff Club! These guys are the guest DJs for the Paper party with resident DJ E-Marce at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge (480 Massachusetts Ave.), I belive this is a monthly party, but I need to confirm that. 18+, indie dance and/or bangers, great DJs, all in the People's Republic of Cambridge. Boston people, get at me and let me know what else is good, yeah!



-Ahh, I've been slipping on Philly lately, can't think of a better party to jump back in than Hurrah. This one used to be at Upstairs at Sal's, but it has decided to move north and west and literally down, down into the basement bar of Medusa's (21st and Chestnut). One of my favorite spots in the city for parties, it's the perfect spot for this party that plays dance music. Like acid house, italodisco, electro, all the sleazy stuff that works best in a darkened space where there's no room to stand on the wall. Residents Shawn Ryan, Chris Rogy and Stereofaith are joined tonight by Dominique O Aury of Two Spartans, 21+, no cover, 9-2 am. Remember, new venue, new night (1st Saturday of the month), same old rager. P.S. Awesome flier, love the massive amount of writing and words, plus the use of "fuckin'", phenomenal.



-Tonight's a Trancid night in Chicago. Our boy is pulling a doubleheader, starting out the night at the Blackout Society party with Kill Crash Memory doing a special DJ set. Our boy is doing a tag team set with Jdub, Zebo and De La Mota are also on the decks. There's live sets by Menowah and CopHandz. You're gonna need to RSVP at blackoutsociety@gmail.com ASAP for reduced admission and directions to the party, as it's a secret location jawn. Or you can call 773.337.1535 for directions and pay the full $10 admission. [LATE UPDATE: the address is 2106 S. Kedzie, 3rd floor, front door.] This one will take you to the regualr end of the night, but for those of you not ready to call it night...



You're gonna want to head to the Electronika party, which is going late. This one looks to be on the darker, more hardcore side of things, although I'm really just saying that because the gas mask image on the flier reminds me of a Lenny Dee CD I own. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, should be a great time with industrial, techno, hardcore and more. Trancid is joined by Echonine, Eddie Riot and Akira Smith at another secret location jawn presented by Hot Jams and Blacklisted. This one goes down 4814 S. Pulaski, which I'm gonna assume is not in the normal party zones of Chicago. Take a chance, you know these are the nights and events you will always be talking about.



-The Too Much Love people are right back at it after the massive LCD Soundsystem night. If they aren't taking a break, you shouldn't either. Head out to First Avenue in Minneapolis for the return of Joe Cruse in the DJ booth, joining up with Soviet Panda and Mike 2600 for a night of dance music. 18+, $3 or student ID,



-It's a big week for LA Riots as they head to NYC this week for the first time. But, let's not get a head of ourselves, as they are still in CA, spinning tonight at the Discoteca party in Costa Mesa. They're joined by Colossal KNXN, Tea Long and XTRA Small for this monthly party that is new to me, it looks good, expect crunchy electro, indie dancers, bangers, remixes, or just expect the unexpected, it's your choice. It happens at the Detroit Bar (843 W. 19th St.), the same spot that hosted Datarock early in the week, some nice things happening in Costa Mesa for sure. 21+, $10, RSVP at discotecaparty@gmail.com for reduced list.






-It's Saturday night in San Francisco, you already know it's Frisco Disco time. Every Saturday at The Transfer (198 Church St. & Market), 21+, debauchery, dance and disco. I wanted to send out word that one-half of the duo, Richie Panic, has lost one of his DJ bags with a good amount of valuable vinyl. If you have seen it, please holler at the dude on myspace and put his mind at ease. Good luck, Richie.

Happy Birthday Lauren Flax!

Lauren Flax feat. Chantal Claret of Morningwood, "Dark Somewhere" (YSI link)

Le Tigre, "Much Finer (Flaxdatass remix)" (YSI link)

More happy posts. I've been meaning to do a post on Lauren Flax and her music, as we've been mention her parties pretty much since Go. My lack of organization and tardiness pays off, as I'm able to put up some her music and wish her a Happy Birthday and hype her bday party tonight at 200 Orchard. First, her music. The first one is a Flax original, "Dark Somewhere," featuring Chantal Claret of Morningwood on vocals. It's a great song, it was on the second or third listen where it just clicked. I absolutely love the fuzzy guitars, those arcade game synths and unhurried pace. It's funny, as I always listen to Flax's tunes and expect to hear some filthy, ghetto bass tune, the first listen catches me off guard and then subsequent listens show me that she's giving me what I need, not what I want. The Le Tigre remix is even better, Flax gives the great vocals a lot of room, adds some wicked guitars, especially love how she paces the song, gives it breathing room, it's got a bounce to it, a rarity in the indie dance scene. I've got some more goodies coming up from Lauren, maybe we can even talk her into doing a mix.

Lauren is celebrating her birthday tonight and all she wanted was a legendary electronic music producer. What do you know? She's got it, as the legendary Juan Atkins is the special guest tonight for her bi-weekly Secrets Kill! party. People, it's fucking Cybotron! Dude has been at forefront of techno for two decades, this is a rare NYC appearance, you are not gonna wanna miss out. The birthday girl is also going to be spinning, which is our present, as I consider her to be one of the best DJs in NYC, bar none. Holler at her and bring her to a city near you, for real. Harry Sprout of Bugged Out! is also in the house, along with Alex English, E Frank, Kimyon, DJ Marta and Pow Wow, all graciously brought to you by White Lightning and Working Class Magazine. RSVP at going.com to get on the guest list for free admission, it'll be $10 without; I highly recommend getting there early, as there are nearly a 1000 people expressing interest already. Open vodka bar from 11-12, 21+, 200 Orchard. Yeah! Happy birthday Lauren! Yeah!

Piano&Scene! New York Times! Modern Love! Yeah!

Today's all about happy thoughts and nothing makes me happier than telling the amazing news that Pound for Pound favorite Piano&Scene had an essay published in the New York Times two Sundays ago. The New York fucking Times! The paper of record, bitches! Honestly, I am so proud of Jen, I can't think of anyone who deserves this attention and props more. I hope that everyone (especially publishers and editors, hint hint) take the time to read "A Painful Reminder Of My Ex," as it pretty much sums up why I think she's a great writer and deserves an audience. While some people blab on about this new song or that party, the good ones are unafraid, unafraid to let readers in, to CONNECT. Like Emily Haines or Bob Dylan or Joan Didion or whoever, great writers are fearless, not afraid to be embarassed or hurt or weak, wiling to let us in to help us know more about ourselves. This is a great story about the past, memories, love, identity, told eloquently. It's also the beginning of great things, I know it.

I'm re-upping my OG post about her blog, her business and the goal of 20 button orders. If you slept before, now's your chance to make up for that mistake. Take the time to buy some of her amazing buttons for an insanely low price, be her friend on myspace, say hi, thank her, ask her when her hair got curly or find out what she's got coming up next, check our her booklog to figure out what to read, hell just click on her article a few times and see if we can make it one of the most viewed on the Times site. Old post starts now:

Since I'm hyping up all the up-and-comers grindin', I wanted to mention one of the coolest sites/businesses I've come across on the Internets. Piano&Scene is a one-woman enterprise devoted to making reading a fashion statement. Ms. Jennifer Cacicio makes buttons to celebrate your favorite authors, a cool tribute to those writers who've made your life better and a great way to put a little style into your look. You can also go with magnets to spruce up the fridge, a nice reminder to get back to your book and stop eating.

Head over to Piano&Scene and order your pack of 4 for $12. That's 12 bucks, people! That's two beers or 1 CD or 1 record or whatever. Here's the goal: 20 readers cop 1 pack each. Think of it as your way of giving back for all of the free music here. Or a way to support an independent grinder. Or an artist. Or a city person. Here's the 3 simple steps it takes to make this happen. I'm working on my 4 choices as we speak. I think that I'm gonna go with Samuel Beckett definitely, lots of maybes like Pelecanos, Chandler, Hammett, Malamud, Bashevis Singer, Auster, Camus, Ellison, Richard Wright, Dos Passos, Dostoevsky, Kafka. Yes, that's more than 4, I said I'm working on it. How about everyone leave their 4 choices and let us know that we reached the goal. Go here for a look at some samples to help with the selection.



Yeah yeah yeah, Piano&Scene! Let's do this people! 20 people!

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton - Knives Don't Have Your Back

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, "Our Hell" (YSI link)

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, "Nothing & Nowhere" (YSI link)

So, I've tried to slow down on the whole female-centric posting, as I didn't want to give the sense that these were just another genre I focus on like Madchester or Miami bass. I feel like there's so many talented female performers, but it's offensive for me to highlight the female aspect when they can stand with any guy. So, yeah, hopefully no one was offended as it wasn't my attention to be ignorant, I'm working on it.

Emily Haines and the Skeleton Key have released an album, Knives Don't Have Your Back, that could stand with anything of 2007, if only it had come out this year. It dropped late last year, but I didn't get hip to it until months later. No worries, I turned in my indie cred card a few weeks ago, in light of this lapse and my complete disgust for Craig Finn. It's ashame, as I wish I had been hyping this one from jump street. Haines is the lead singer of Canadian indie band Metric, who have always straddled that indie/dance line we love so much. This album, however, is as far from that as possible. The immediate comparison I came up with was to Cat Power, especially her pre-The Greatest albums. For those longtime readers, you know that's a serious comparison at Pound for Pound. I'm not ready to put on her on that level, but this is an amazing record (she has one prior called , but it's out of print and doesn't register on Discogs)

The songs above are two of the best I've heard in a long time, regardless of genre. They give you a good sense of the album, which essentially features Haines on piano singing, with the occasional accompaniment. I don't even know what to say about "Our Hell" and "Nothing & Nowhere," they are that special to my ears. Listen, I like sad music. I can't lie, I can't pretend that I'm a happy-go-lucky guy. Listening to Haines' beautiful voice nearly cracking, singing "All of our scars are permanent, permanent/There's no replacement for places. I'll always love you, you're mine/ Nor is the new high, all memories die out, until nothing is nowhere is golden," I just wanna cry and tell people that I love them and lay in bed and remember and that's all I can ask for from any song ever. It's so rare today to hear (or see or feel) an artist lay themselves open, to dig in a time of surfaces and fashion. Haines does it without making you feel like she's doing anything special, which makes it all the more awe-inspiring. This is fragile, wonderful, sad, honest music, the perfect antidote when the robot rock and glittery pop isn't making sense. More of this, please.

Obviously, I highly, highly recommend this album, buy your copy ASAP. I'm realizing that everyone is going to be downloading this in the morning and that this is not exactly start your day off with a smile music. I promise to make it up to you in the late morning/early afternoon with music that makes you wanna dance and kiss and smile. Yeah!

Electropolis SF, Common Folk NYC, Dance Party Magic CHI, Fuck Yeah! ATL and more

Sorry for the lack of party posts, but I had to take this week off from all of that, only way I can keep my focus. As my bol Michael Corleone said, "Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in." It's amazing shit like this new party in San Fran called Electropolis that make me come back excited. This one should be dope, hosted by DJ KidHack and VJ Pete, it features DJ sets by some of the city's best - White Girl Lust, Johnatron of Beeper City and Intoner of Death Guild. This one goes down at Etiquette (1108 Market St.@7th St.) the first and third Thursdays of the month, but here';s your chance to get in on the ground floor, the opening night! RSVP at going.com for free admission before 11, $5 otherwise. Black and white dress is encouraged, not sure why. I do nkow that you'll get a great night in a beautiful space, prizes and surprises and most importantly, "the best of electro rock, dance punk, hyphy booty hop, death disco, techno crunk, acid house, indie rock remixes, 80's mashups, and 70's re-edits."

-LA, actually Costa Mesa, Datarock is in town and you'll want to catch this show. They're joined by Foreign Born for a night of the indie dance that the kids love so much, and by kids I mean me. There's also DJ sets by Dan Sena and GMO of Busywork, photos by Shadowscene, all for the low, low price of $10. It happens at the Detroit Bar (843 W. 19th St.), only for 21+.



-It's always nice to check back in and see the bulletins and flier for the Common Folk party at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie). The bols Johnsville and Lucas Walters continue to make this one of the best weeklies in the city and put up the funniest myspace bulletins ever. I highly recommend being their myspace friend, but even moreso, head out to this party. Tonight should be a good one, with special guest DJs Willy Joy from Chicago's Fly By Night and Kelly Green of The Glamour. Oh, and Rage Mountain will be there as well, everyone celebrating with free Sparks from 10:30-11:30. No cover, birthday party action, make it happen.



-Nearby, another great weekly goes down at Happy Ending in the basement, as Even Further goes even further. Carmine P. Filthy and Rudy Mungi keep doing a great dance music party at one of my favorite spots during the week

-You know you have a pretty big-time party when special guest James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco cancels the week of the party and you replace him with guest sets by members of Bloc Party. The boys are coming through after their show to drop some tunes, but I'd highly recommend getting in early to hear The Glass play live and a DJ set from fellow Plant Musicer Kaspar Bjorke. RSVP at going.com, open bar from 10-11



-Okay, I'm saving the best for last in NYC, The Wurst Monthly at APT (419 W. 13th St.) It's gonna be a disco, Frisco! The Wurst DJs, Lee Douglas and Runaway (Jacques Renault & Marcos Cabral) and My Cousin Roy are joined tonight by the amazing Pilooski of Paris' D.I.R.T.Y. Sound System fame. $10, 21+, this is an essential for grown folks. Do not sleep.

-Another great night in Chicago, headlined by Crossfader King's DPM party at Empire Liquors (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave.) This one's headlined by Paul Devro of Diplo's Mad Decent label, who's joined by The Cornrowz and E6 & Matt Roan. Hosted by Erica, it's also the 2 year anniversary of Good Night TV, should be a big night. RSVP to dpm@crossfaderking.com ASAP for free admission, then get there for the free Red Stripe from 9-10. That's a plan, people.



-Also, stop by the Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave) nearby for the weekly Thursday jawn with Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner. Tonight's a She Wants Revenge album release event, no cover, great DJs, always a good call.



-Fuck yes, it's Fuck Yesss. It's that time of month, Atlanta, when local stars Le Castle Vania and Treasure Fingers do their filthyelectrodanceindie night at The Drunken Unicorn at the MJQ Concourse (736 Ponce De Leon Place) There's a special guest from La La Land, DJ Paparazzi, who seems to be involved in everything going on that city. This should be an amazing night, starting at midnight, $5 for 18+, free for the 21+, awesome flier, great DJs, props to me for not referencing Hotlanta!

Bob Dylan - Theme Time Radio Hours #s 23 and 24

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #23 (Water) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #24 (Time) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

I feel like we've slacked this week on the music, so I'm going to deluge you with more than you'll ever need to assuage my guilt. Actually, these three episodes were requested by Paul a few weeks ago and I wanted to make sure that I filled that finally and let everyone enjoy the tunes. Two more episodes of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour, from right around the midpoint, episodes 23 and 24.

Episode 23 deals with water and the many songs that discuss that natural resource that can do so much harm and benefit. This show focuses the most on the old stuff, lots of blues and early roots music from the likes of Charley Patton, Howlin' Wolf and Tommy Johnson. In other words, lots of crackling vinyl pops. Dylan tells an interesting story about Patton's "High Water Everywhere Part 1," which got the Part 1 tag because any song that was more than 3 minutes had to be put onto both sides of the 45. Only the most important songs got this treatment, when someone had something to say. Most of the songs here were completely new to me, as Mr. Dylan continues to push me to check out the pre-50s American musical world.

Episode 24 discusses an even more valuable resource, time. So much good music, starting off with Irma Thomas' "Time Is On My Side," which you may remember from a version done by a UK band called The Rolling Stones, after they heard her version. From there, you get a great Kurt Weill cover from Lou Reed, a Dr. John classic, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and much more. So many great stories too and little tidbits, won't give any of those away.

I tend to describe these episodes and go on tangent with them, usually don't rate them as an episode. It's not that I don't find some better than others; it's more that I can always find something great, so much music I haven't heard of, that I forget to rate them as a radio show. Well, these two are the perfect chance to do so; this one on Time is one of the best I've heard, an hour and 20 minutes, a great mix of music covering everything from r&b to jazz to rockabilly to ska to rock, Dylan is talkative and adds great details and the whole thing flows. Episode 23, on the other hand, ends up being one of my least favorites, as the music covers too little ground. For me, that's the key, a good mix, as it gives the show more of an entertaining feel as opposed to an educational one. Someone commented previously that Dylan only sounds great in the first episode, that he becomes more scripted and less spontaneous. I'd be curious to hear what others think; I don't disagree, but feel like it's not quite that black and white. I feel like Dylan has toned down the humor and quirkiness, but he has stepped up the storytelling and cool quotes and facts.

Ricardo Villalobos - DJ Set

Ricardo Villalobos, DJ set at Essenza Club Siena, Italy March 3, 2007 (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

I think that I'd like to continue to put up some long mixes from celeb DJs, but without the sole focus on the BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix program. Sound good? Good. Let's start off with a three-hour set from the minimal superstar, Ricardo Villalobos. Villalobos is Chilean-born, German-raised DJ who has been one of the driving forces behind the minimal techno and microhouse genres. He's dropped releases on seminal labels like Perlon and Playhouse, has remixed everyone from Depeche Mode and Beck to Alter Ego and Rhythm & Sound and has a mix about to drop in the Fabric series. We're gonna get more into his music in the coming week and months, but I did want to put up one of his DJ sets to help people get a feel for this music and to ROCK YOUR WORLD MINIMALLY!

Villalobos delivers a three-hour set here from the Essenza Club in Siena, Italy on March 3, 2007. It's an excellent chance to experience a night out with the man in the club, known for his sets in Ibiza, London (Fabric) and his hometown Berlin. I think that you'll notice that this isn't a whole lot different from many of the mixes we post - an exploration of dance music. What strikes me most is how easily Villalobos keeps my attention despite the stripped down sound. This isn't bleeps and blips music, but rather this is a patient, trippy music, late-night music when things are getting darker and weirder. There's no Diplo genre-hopping, just house and techno.

I know that there's something overwhelming about dance music at times, the inability to know the songs, the lack of hooks and lyrics. As someone who spends many nights trying to get people into this kind of music, my recommendation is to listen for 20 or 30 minutes. Start from the beginning, or maybe at the 20 minute mark, then another day skip ahead to the midway mark at an hour and a half. For fans of Villalobos, minimal stuff or just great electronic music, what the hell are you waiting for!?! Download and enjoy.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E. remixes

Justice, "D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT remix)" (YSI link) DJ friendly

Justice, "D.A.N.C.E. (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke remix)" (YSI link)

It's a new month, we're gonna try to get back to more current dance music stuff, so let's start off with a bang, with possibly the song of the year, Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." You've heard the song, whether you go to big clubs or dive bars, it seems to be everywhere. Rightfully so, as the French bols have put together a dance classic, catchy yet banging, one of the rare tracks that an stick in the mind of everyone, luring them to the dark side of house, techno and the clubs.

Not surprisingly, two of the biggest names in the remix game, MSTRKRFT and the Alan Braxe/Fred Falke combo, were invited to re-work the original. My favorite is the one by by Alan Braxe and Fred Falke, as the guys bring their gorgeous synth sounds to make "D.A.N.C.E." a gorgeous, lush track. At times, I feel like this one would have worked perfectly as an instrumental interlude during an 80s movie, during a scene when the nerdy guy and hot girl start to connect. Other times, it seems like it would fit perfectly in the midst of a disco set, around 2:15, when the bliss and drugs and smiles are at their peak. MSTRKRFT do their thing, bringing some harder drums, a rattle and an edgy bass, turning this one into more of a rocker. The vocals are more of another instrument here, less of a focal point like they are in the original; the music never really drops off, feel like this one will have maximum impact on the dancefloor.

Okay, I know that these are a little old, but want to start slow as we dig back into the dance music world. Much more to come.

Question Mark and the Mysterions - 96 Tears

Question Mark and the Mysterions, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Aretha Franklin, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Suicide, "96 Tears (live)" (YSI link)

Primal Scream, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Modern Lovers, "96 Tears (live)" (YSI link)

The Stranglers, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Eddie and the Hot Rods, "96 Tears (live)" (YSI link)

Garland Jeffreys, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Big Maybelle, "96 Tears" (YSI link)

Every so often, I become obsessed with a song and pretty much take it to its limits. The song "96 Tears" is the latest example of this process, the focus of the past week or so for me. For those who read my Dylan posts, the song was brought back to my attention on Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour #39 Tears. I had head the song before, but had never heard it, if you know what I'm sayin'. It's a fucking doozy, a sad and twisted song about love, broken hearts and revenge, where the singer plots revenge on the woman who broke his heart and now laughs at him as her life has moved on. Yes, please. Hearing Question Mark sing, "I wanna hear you night and day, yeah all night long, 96 tears, c'mon baby, let me hear you cry now," I knew that this was something different, pop music for the ugly, the hurt, the sad and the wicked and that was good.

The original version was written and recorded by ? and the Mysterions, just your typical Mexican-American band from Michigan fronted by a man who went by the symbol for the question mark, never gave his real name and always wore sunglasses. They would make their only real impact with their first single, "96 Tears," but really, what more was there to do? The song is as simple as gets, a three-note rock song that features Farfisa and Vox organs. It's the organ sound that takes this from a great song to one of the greatest, ominous and haunting, the song that comes to mind is The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun," which has a similarly dark and brooding organ-led sound. It fits perfectly the lyrics, never quite letting you feel comfortable. It's Question Mark's show, giving an almost James Brown-level vocal performance, check the little screams at the end and the falsetto "96 tears" shouts and try not to get chills. You can hear the rest of the music the band put out with this best-of compilation that covers their short career.

The covers are actually damn good, although none comes to the level of the original. Garland Jeffrey got a minor hit out of it, it's clearly a beloved live show cover staple and artists from every genre have found something great in it. Not surprisingly, the best version to my ears is one by NYC synthpunkers Suicide. It's the perfect vehicle for the duo, minimal and vocally improved, the boys make it even more brutal and electronic and cold. I could honestly listen to this one forever. Another favorite which fits Pound for Pound perfectly is the version that Primal Scream did on their Kowalski EP. It's a bit dancier, with that guitars mixed with acid-y basslines and synths sound that they pioneered.

The band considers the Aretha Franklin version their favorite, which isn't a shock. I mean, it's Aretha Franklin! Her version is good, but almost too warm for the lyrics. A sleeper here is Big Maybelle's, which brings horns into the mix and lets Maybelle do what's necessary, putting out what sounds to me like something Motown would have got behind. Beyond that, it's mainly rock versions with Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers' live version my favorite.

Let me leave you with the words of Alan Vega at the end of Suicide's version: "Question Mark and the Mysterions, 1965. Your national anthem, whether you know it or not."