Masters of the Universe BK, One Step Beyond NYC, Daft Crunk BloomingtonIN and more

Don't ask me why, but I have a feeling tonight is going to be a great night. It's hard not to think that way when you see what's on tap, especially in NYC. I'm gonna give the top spot to the Masters of the Universe II party at Studio B (259 Banker St.) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York. Cut and Trouble & Bass have brought in two of my favorite DJs in the world from two favorite cities, Philly's Diplo and Paris' Surkin, and that's about all you need to know. You also get Trouble&Bass, South Rakkas Crew and Drums of Death for an amazing line-up, such a nice mix. $18 at the door, 18+, 10-4am, Diplo & Surkin.

-Damn, Williamsburg is comin' alive. A few other options for either pre- or post-Studio B or for those who want something a little more intimate. First, Sweatshop Labor takes over Hugs (108 N. 6th St) for their weekly Friday night dance party, where you will dance, drink and debauch. 21+, starts at 10, ends at 4, drink specials. Stop by, thank these guys for bringing Williamsburg back.



-For those of you looking for something a little more chill and downtempo-y, head to the Ottoman Bar (318 Grand St) to catch Studio !k7's Boozoo Bajou of Germany and Giant Step's Erik The Reed from New York. This is presented by Bastard Jazz Recordings, so the Bastard Jazz Soundsystem - DJ Sema4, DJ DRM and Paul Digs - will also spin tonight. No cover, 10-4 am, 21+, try something and someplace new tonight. Yeah!



-Speaking of a new place to party, this would have been the pick of the night. Flavorpill presents the One Step Beyond party tonight at the super-rad Rose Center For Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History. It's a night of amazing dance music spun by DFA's Juan Maclean and Dave P & JDH of the Fixed party, plus cool visuals, a screening of a mvoie and a chance to hang out under the stars. I'm super psyched for this! Alas, there's no flier, but you can get all the info at the AMNH site. $2o before 10, $35 after, doors at 9 pm, so leave now if you wanna save some money, party goes til 1am. The Upper West Side is gonna be a rave tonight! Afterparty at Zabar's? Please?

-After that, head back downtown and check out the Top Billin' weekly that Project Matt, Ms. Nelch, Pegleg NYC and a ton of other great NYC people have going at Lotus (409 W. 14th St.) Tonight, The Rub's Cosmo Baker is spinning, one of the best anywhere, take advantage of living in the same city and hear the man teach you about funk, soul, house, hip-hop, life. RSVP at topbillinrsvp@mac.com to get on the list, 21+.


-If Brooklyn seems a little less great tonight, it's because DJ Lauren Flax isn't here. Instead, she's in Bloomington, Indiana for the Daft Crunk party tonight at Jake's Nightclub. What a party it's gonna be, I mean, seriously. Flax is joined by one of the godfathers of Baltimore club music, Scottie B of Unruly Records. There's also residents Flufftronix and Action Jackson, I'm worried taht Indiana isn't ready for this much bass and filthiness. Oh well, too late now. Free with promo ticket, $5 otherwise I believe, 21+.



-Over in Chicago, there's another NYC invasion as the Nacotheque party comes to the Windy City. DJs Marcelo Cunning and Amylulita spin the best of Spanish music from all over the world, their Fontana's party gets bigger and bigger each time out. Spot 6 (4433 N. Clark) plays host tonight. Make sure to check out the basement where the dark electro can be had. Dark Wave Disco's Trancid, Victor Lula and DJ Cedeno will spin the underground under ground. $10, 21+.



-I always love a good battle between cities, always nice to see someone take on the overrarated NYC. Seattle's Comeback party is doing just that, as resident DJs Fucking In The Streets, Colby B and DJ Porq have brought in special guest from the Big Apple, DJ Sammy Jo, the Scissors Sisters official tour DJ. Chop Suey is the site of the battle, who will win? You will, as there's going to be great music, dancing, prizes, go-go girls and lots more. $5 before midnight, 21+.



-Let's end this post across the ocean in a land called Europe. One of my favorite bands/remixers, South Central, are spinning tonight at the Alwayz Frydaze party at Egg (200 York Way) in London. Presented by Deadly Rhythm and Temba, this one looks to be a blast. Doors at 9:30, things end at 6:30 am, 6 pounds before 11, 8 pounds after with flier, cheap vodka, Red Stripe and draughts all night.



-In the land where raves never stopped happening, Berlin, Death By Pop goes off tonight at the Bang Bang Club (Neue Promenade 10).

Bloc Party - Flux

Bloc Party, "Flux (12 inch version)" (YSI link)

Bloc Party, "Flux (JFK Remix)" (YSI link)

Bloc Party, "Flux (Punx Soundcheck "Tenebrae" Remix)" (YSI link)

Sorry, sorry everyone, I've been working on a job application and haven't had a chance to spend much time here. Anyway, I'm going to make it up to y'all in the next few weeks, as I've got lots of stuff ready to go.

Anyway, I was going to say that I chose this to pick up the dance reinterpretations of dance-y rock music ball and run a little further with it, but really I just went with it because the song's called flux and fits perfectly with the state of my life, i.e. the job applications, the GRE studying, the blog announcements coming up. Fuck a parade, we love a theme at Pound for Pound!!! Here's another single from the band, although this one didn't make it onto the last Bloc Party album, A Weekend In The City. It's a shame, as this 12" extended version is one of the best things I've heard from the band since the first album. The band has traded that bigger, fuller sound from the album for something more subtle and slow-moving. With an almost oscillating synth sound dominating and rapid, flittering drums, you get a less hook-laden track. If you haven't done so, make sure to buy a copy of the CD, which grows on me with each passing month more and more.

The biggest news on the remix EP is that one-half of MSTRKRFT, Jesse F. Keeler, has done a remix under the alias JFK. He has stripped things down, added a cool piano and sharp, stuttering drums that focus the original. This one grooves a little more than the usual MSTRKRFT stuff, but it should appeal to their fans. I actually prefer the Punx Soundcheck "Tenebrae" remix, which brings in a nice, massive bass to make me happy. It also chops up the original, which works really well.

BPM Holiday Party SF, Get Low LA, Cobra Kai One Night Stand NYC and more

Tonight's on some LA vs. SF for event of the night, battle of California, I decided to lead with the San Fran jawn cos I think I may move there. BPM Magazine, Blow Up SF, L Star and Harlot have decided to beat the holiday party rush by throwing before December even starts! Okay, RSVP right now to Linda@overamerica.com, before you even read who's gonna be at this party, you trust me, right? The BPM Holiday Party is guest list only, so it's the only way to get the chance to go to an amazing party, so send the email! Okay, with that out the way, it's time to tell you that the special guest DJs tonight are actually from Los Angeles, which hopefully alleviate some of the intra-city tension. LA Riots and Them Jeans join up with San Fran's own Jeffrey Paradise (a.k.a. Jefrodisiac from the Frisco Disco) for an amazing night of dance music at Harlot (46 Minna St.) Hosted by The Rachels, Rachel Esterline & Rachel Mann, photos by Silke Labson, it doesn't get much better than this San Fran.

-Here's the other great Cali party, again featuring lots of Pound for Pound favorites. It's called Get Low and it's a new Wednesday night party for everyone in LA. The resident DJs - Luv Tek, Joaquin and Hyphy Crunk - are rising local stars , although I feel like they've already kinda risen a lot. For tonight's grand opening, you get a special, late-addition set from the Tronik Youth duo, along with local stars DJ Paul V. of 103.1 Neon Noise, Royal Rumble and Classixx (formerly known as Young Americans) It all happens at Crash Mansion (1024 S. Grand Ave), which features 2 stages with dance floors, 5 bars (!!!), outdoor terrace, the place fits 1500 so it's up to you to fill it up! RSVP here and get in for free before 10:30 or for $5 before 11, 18+. 500+ people already signed up, don't be left out!



-For those of you caught in the crossfire, I recommend the Databass party in San Jose tonight. The Missingtoof.com guys, Basura and Disaster, will be bringing you the best of indie electronic music, expect to hear lots of the stuff they post up at their excellent site, but instead of listening to it in your room on your shitty headphones, you get to hear it a bar on a nice system with friends. Win win. Doors at 9pm, $2 cover, 21+.



-This Wednesday party with the Tactic guys at NARA in Kansas City, Missouri serves as a nice segue from West to East, love a good segue. Anyway, they say that this is "officially the most fun thing to do in KC on wednesdays." I'm not one to argue and I like the confidence. The duo will be spinning disco, funk, electro, new and old. The place features a reverse happy hour which lasts from 10-12. I have no idea what a reverse happy hour is, but how bad could it be when they promise drink and food specials? Doors at 9:30, goes til 1:30am, 21+.



-Yeah! The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave) parties finally have fliers! Yeah! The new venue in Philly has been putting together all kinds of nice-looking stuff and now they are adding nice-looking fliers and the world seems right. Tonight is Doyle and Devore featuring Chris Doyle of the A-Sides and Don Devore of Souls She Said and Ink & Dagger, who will alternate between DJing and bartending, the equivalent of running a triathlon in the nightlife olympics.



-The grind don't stop for DJ Scotty Ack (TooDope), as he's back at Sal's (200 S. 12th St.) for his Riot! party with Ryan Todd. You know I love exclamation points, you know I love free PBR and while I don't love Scotty, I think that he is an excellent DJ who is another great addition to the Philly scene. No cover, 21+, the free beer is from 11-12.



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-You know I love me some High Voltage! Well, I'm super psyched tonight as Dimitry!!! has brought in guest DJ Sam Sam from the Dance Robot, Dance crew of Oklahoma City. I've recently caught on to the good stuff these guys are up to, nice work by Dimitry to bring them to New York City. Again, this party moved to The Annex (152 Orchard St), but everything else still goes - open Zygo vodka bar from 11 until its gone, great music, people actually dancing, young, beautiful people being young and beautiful. RSVP at the going.com site, don't sleep on this one, have a feeling this one's gonna be a good one.

Disco Down NYC, Rebel Rebel NYC, Girls Rule Boys Drool PHILA, Dolce Grand Opening DLS TX and more

Hard to believe, but it's nice to be back in New York City. Clearly, people wanted to celebrate my return, as there seems to be more going on tonight than there has been in a while. Let's start off with the Disco Down party at Happy Ending. I must apologize to Jeremy first, the man behind this party, i.e. DJ Bastard. I mistakenly attributed it to his DJ partner for the NC-17 parties at Lit, DJ Jess. I was wrong, but I wasn't wrong in recommending this as a necessary stop for your Tuesday night. DJ Bastard and host Marika a.k.a. Sparkle Nation do this one every Tuesday night at one of my favorite spots in NYC, expect lots of good music from the genres of Britpop, disco, indie, and new wave. Sounds good doesn't it? No cover, 21+, doors at 10pm, open bar from 11-12. The Six Six Sick party is in the basement too, this has the potential to be a really amazing event, so get behind. And me, I need to get my facts straight.

-Speaking of Lit (93 Second Ave) sadly tonight is the final ever Rebel Rebel party there, the night dedicated to the music of David Bowie.

-A lot of people don't know this, but post-crunk was actually my concentration for my English major. Think of tonight's party at the Southside Speakeasy (245 S. First St.) in Williamsburg as a 6-hour recitation with the coolest, most talented professors/TAs in the city, Lauren Flax and Social Work. They will take you to school all night on the various party tunes that have come out in the last few years. No cover, 21+, $1 PBRs.



-Close by in the hood, a new Tuesday night weekly at Hugs is getting started called Do It. I'm not gonna lie, I love the name of this party, I feel like I use that exact phrase here often at Pound for Pound (I'm actually not sure, since I don't read this blog, just a hunch I guess). Resident DJs Supervixen of Now That's What I Call A Party! and Carrie White[noise] will bring you a night dedicated to dancing and getting drunk and making Hump Day a real struggle. You're only young once, though, so stop complaining! Expect a great night of music of electronic and punk music and everything in between. They've brought in a special guest for this one all the way from London, DJ Squideyes. Don't let the name scare you, the dude will fit in perfectly with the night, should be an excellent set. No cover, 21+, this is definitely going to be a great look on Tuesdays for Brooklyn.



-Back in the home city I just left, two nice weekly parties to choose from. First, another great-named party, Girls Rule Boys Drool takes over Sal's (200 S. 12th St). DJs Scotty Ack (nee Too Dope) and Diamond Girl will resolve the eternal battle between men and women tonight, or at the very least, throw a great dance party and make your Tuesday rad. No cover, 21+.




-A little further West in Center City, you can land on Sex Planet at Bar Noir (112 S. 18th St.) The Turbostation DJs - Steven Bloodbath, Strawberry Mansion, Jacci Stallone and Oh Murder Inc. - provide a world of slow jams, classic rap, indie, whatever pops into the heads of the many DJs in the house for this one. This one's each and every Tuesday as well, good to see Tuesday making a case for your weekday night out in Philly. Yeah!



-If it's Tuesday in Chicago, it's Outdanced time at the Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave) Tonight, Avant Trill and Odd Obsession Movies has brought in DJ Skyrka, a.k.a. Erika from the band Office, and Rene Gold Metal Romero to keep the dancefloor moving. The $1 drinks should keep said dancefloor swaying and spinning.



-In Dallas, Texas, a new club called Dolce is opening and they had the brilliant idea to bring in the LA Riots to destroy the place on the first night. Presented by Be Scene Productions, this



-Back in LA, the dANCE party at Arena (6655 Santa Monica Blvd) keeps on impressing with its DJ line-ups. This time, everyone in LA is gonna want to see this up to catch headliner Tronik Youth, another of the amazing DJ/producer/remixer working in London. This is the second stop of a mini-LA tour, catch him while you can as he will be leaving sweaty, tired dancers in his wake. He joins up with some of LA's best, Paparazzi, DJ Hyphy Crunk, Joaquin, Bip Jeffington, DJ Score and Bul!m!atron! for another huge Tuesday night. Doors at 9:30, 2 rooms, free parking, smoking patio. $5 before 10:30 with a flier (print out here), $10 after

-Finally, another great San Fran party jumps off tonight with the Hold Yr Horses party at Aunt Charlie's (133 Turk and Taylor) Brought to you by Bigstereo.net, Rchrd Oh?! brings you the best of new indiedanceelectronitemusic every second and fourth Tuesday, all for a measly $3! Yeah!

New Order - Acid House Mixes By 808 State (1988)

New Order, "Blue Monday (So Hot mix)" (YSI link) 320

Okay, I'm not ready to give up the whole acid house focus just yet, it's not completely out of my bloodstream despite drinking lots of water and listening to a steady diet of bland, sexless indie rock. I have a few more things that I want to get to this week, a nice mix of stuff from Chicago and the UK, you'll love it.

One of the main goals is to introduce the music of 808 State, an important group in the evolution of that sound, an important player at that pivotal moment in the late 80s, early 90s when this acid house sound was on the charts. I'm a really big fan of this release, the Acid House Mixes by 808 State, where the producers took on two of the biggest and best tracks from New Order. These were originally done in 1988 by the original line-up of 808 State, which included Gerald Simpson, otherwise known as A Guy Called Gerald. They were never intended for release, but Rephlex pressed them up a few years back in a limited pressing. I guess you could called this more of a proto-acid sound, taking the more rock sound of New Order and others and adding in the squelchy basslines that would be a hallmark of the next few years. Interestingly, this "Blue Monday (So Hot mix)" was the unofficial anthem at Jon Da Silva's Hot night at the Hacienda in 1988. This perfectly sums up where these songs stand, a bridge which helped take the UK from the Factory days to the rave world.

Just to be clear, these aren't just historical curiousities, they sound effing rad! I love the "Blue Monday" mix, a really great take on a classic that you've probably heard to death if you've ever gone to a club. The original seaps through occasionally, but for the most part this is something new and original.

Jack Master - Basement Trax Volume 1

Jack Master, "Bang The Box" (YSI link)

Jack Master, "One Trac Mind" (YSI link)

It's been a less-than-stellar trip back this weekend. As Mr. Dylan once sang, "I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough." While I'm in transit, I want to leave you with two songs that also look to another city, the birthplace of acid house, Chicago. While one might think that this is just another unheard masterpiece from Trax Records, what with the name of the artist, the song titles, the sounds and even the design, don't be fooled. Jack Master is actually an alias of Richie Hawtin, techno's Zelig, an ode to the jackin' style of Chicago done by a Canadian who I always thought was British. Originally released in 1993 on Jack Records, an offshoot of the Plus 8 label, this one is a phenomenal record, another example of the skill and diversity of Richie Hawtin and his music.

The songs may have sprung from a desire to pay respect to a classic sound, but they easily rise above simple homage, especially on the opening track, "Bang The Box." On this one, you get a male voice repeating the word "bang" over and over, a la so many classic Trax joints, but the heavy, static-y drums give it a less-stripped down sound than the originals. While "Bang The Box" has gotten the attention from this release, " the B side should not be overlooked. "One Trac Mind" is a nice mental

P.S. Richie, you named the label Jack, took the alias of Jack Master? I mean, we already love you! It's awesome that you want to make it onto Pound for Pound, I just don't think you need to be that obvious.

Bob Dylan - Theme Time Radio Hour Thanksgiving

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #30 (Thanksgiving Leftovers) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #26 (Halloween) (YSI link) (Sendspace link)

Thanksgiving is over, so why not put up the Theme Time Radio Hour devoted to that great American tradition, the Thanksgiving leftovers? I am right on the breaking point with this whole return home thing, so it's probably more about me needing some Dylan in my life now more than ever. I recently re-read the New York Times Magazine profile of Todd Haynes, the director of the newly released Dylan biopic I'm Not There, and this part stood out for me:

After "Velvet Goldmine," Haynes went into a deep funk that lasted a long while...And this is where the Dylan story begins, when Haynes is down. "I've heard this from other people, that he crops up in life, in times of crisis, " Haynes told me. By he, Haynes means Dylan.

I know it's nothing profound, but it was amazing to have such validation of my own relationship with Dylan's music like this, out of the blue. It does come to me in the darkest times, when things seem off, the dark clouds won't go away. I've been listening to a lot of his music recently, it's been especially effective this weekend for what has been a horrible time, from realizing what much things change when you leave to finding a gift from an ex, it seems like both the present is unmanageable and the past is inescapable. I don't quite have a good explanation as to why Dylan's music seems so right at these times, but I'm gonna try to figure out here by thinking aloud. I don't even have a good reason for wanting to figure this out, to be honest.

Of course, none of this has to do with anything related to the two episodes of Theme Time Radio Hour available below. The first one is a collection of leftovers from the previous 29 TTRHs, songs that didn't make it in to those broadcasts. I chose the other one because it had a holiday theme and I screwed up and didn't put it up last month. We may do one more Theme Time Radio post this week, but look for some new stuff on the Dylan front in December. We will be making a more concerted effort to post up some of the goodies and try to connect it with the usual, dance-oriented fare here.

"I haven't know peace and quiet for so long, I can't remember what it's like." I hear ya Bob. I hear ya.

Turkey Fever LA, Too Much Love MPLS, Life During Wartime CHI and more

Okay, we're gonna get back into the swing of things, as the Thanksgiving holiday comes to an end. Since I'd rather be anywhere tonight than where I am, let's start on the opposite side of the country in LA for our party update. You've got it, I've got it, now there's a party to celebrate it - Turkey Fever! Clearly, look at the line-up, people really love turkeys, as this one is jam-packed with amazing DJs like Pound for Pound favorites Franki Chan, Luv Tek, Anne Lee, Bul!m!atron! and Keith Wilson, plus bands and artists. It's happening at 314 Pico Blvd, no clue what the name of the place is, I'm guessing it's a warehouse-y kinda thing, you know that we love those. Things get start early (8pm) and end late (4am), 18+, $7 before 10:30, $10 after. Hosted by Frank Venada's The Hear Gallery and Scarlet Casanova's Hang The DJs, this is the one LA. Get turkey fever! Yeah!

-For those not in the city, there's always Trust at the Proof Bar (215 N. Broadway) in Santa Ana. Tonight, special guests Dan-O and Eli Smith join residents DJ_SHH, Mr_Peaches and DJ Quantum at one of those rare parties dedicated to any and all electronic music, regardless of genre. Hosted by Whiskey Pete, it's free before 10:30, $10 after, rsvp@thekatstep.com to get on the mailing list and find out about what's coming up and how to get in for cheap. 21+, just don't call the area The OC, for everyone's sake.



-Or how about you Lose Control in Oakland with DJ Basura of the most excellent blog Missingtoof.com. This one goes down every Saturday night at The Uptown (1928 Telegraph Ave), $5, doors at 9 pm, 21+, special guests and great music.



-Speaking of losing control, you will at the Frisco Disco. You will, don't fight it, just let it happen. Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac are joined tonight by Glass Candy, who are going to be playing a live set for everyone. San Fran, do not miss this duo, you will have your mind blown by this Italians Do It Better act. They go in around 11, get to The Transfer (198 Church St.) when the doors open at 10. Trust me. 21+, 10-2am, Frisco Disco + Glass Candy = your Saturday night.



-It's not all West Coast, as the Midwest has a big night ahead too. First up, the Too Much Love party in Minneapolis has imported one of the West Coast's best DJ/producer/band member, Blake Miller of Moving Units, to make this an extra-special version of the weekly. Soviet Panda and Dan Cruise are also going to hold court, this party just keeps on doing it. As always, First Avenue (701 First Avenue N), 18+, doors at 10 pm, $3 or free with student idea. What are you waiting for, it's Saturday night, you already knew you were going here.



-Ahhh, yes, the original Pound for Pound Midwest favorite, Life During Wartime in Chicago, Illinois. It seems like just yesterday this was a tiny, little soiree in this fledgling city that is windy, featuring two young kids known as Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard and now look at it. It's all grown up, taking over The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia Ave), featuring special guests The Republic Tigers and Ultra Sonic Edukators, the talk of the town. G-d, I'm very emotional this weekend, I'm sorry. Hell, this little preview of the party had me in tears, hearing about the beginning days of the party and how it came about. 21+, $8, $5 after midnight, awesome flier, help legalize freedom.



-Down in the city that figures in one of my favorite (but not the favorite) Counting Crows song, Omaha, DJ John Bourke of the Dance Robots, Dance crew spins at Lit Lounge (209 Flaming Lips Alley). I cannot say for sure, but the likelihood of hearing a song by Mr. Duritz and company is as close to zero as you can get. You will hear the best in electro, indie dance and robot rock, all for $5, plus $2.50 well drinks and free keg party, yes, you read that right, keg beer! "Omaha, somewhere in Middle America, get right to the heart of matters, It's the heart that matters more. I think you better turn your ticket in and get your money back." Wow, that don't look good on paper, let this party make up for that.



-All's quiet on the Eastern front tonight it appears, except in Providence where The Get Down gets down again at Local 121 (121 Washington Street) Knowlton Walsh is holding it down all night with the bassiest, bestest music around, all of which goes nicely with the $3 Naragansett pints and food menu til midnight. No cover, 21+, 11-2am, get down!



-In my two cities that I am thoroughly sick of, hit up the Beauty Bar in NYC where Dimitry!!! will be spinning as he does every Saturday, while Philly should not miss the Mad Pu$$y party at Transit where Spank Rock is playing live and the Taxlo DJs from Baltimore (Dave Nada, Cullen Stalin, Chris O and Simon Phoenix) are in the basement with Brendan Bring'em and the drink specials are insane (ciroc vodka and whatever $2 from 10-1). Buy a $5 ticket now for guaranteed admission, this will be crazy and fun and is probably just what I need.

-Finally, we go across the ocean where I most want to be, for the We Are Your Friends party in Berlin at the 103 Club (Falckensteinstrasse 47). Mr. Ed Banger Busy P is headlining, D.C.'s own DJ People's Champion is spinning too, along with residents Benji Hanoban and Emil Doesn't Drive and guest Schowi. G-d, someone please get me a job in Berlin and/or Paris and get me out of this country. Stat!

[click] PHILA, Family Affair NYC, Smartbar 25th Anniversary CHI, Robotic Thanksgiving OKC, Loose Joints SEATTLE, MUTE vs. Busywork LA

It's here, one of the three biggest parties nights of the year, or ratrher it is for the cousin you are going to see tomorrow and the douche-y lawyers back home in Jersey. For my dear readers, I know that this is just another night supporting all of the great DJs and party people, offering you the bizarre chance to pretend you are back in high school, waking up hungover in your childhood bed. Anyway, let's get right to business, short and sweet tonight,starting from where I am and expanding out. Oh, but wait, I'm not in Brooklyn! I'm in Philly! Dave P & Pink Skull are moving his [click.] party to Fishtown, taking up a spot in the monthly lineup at the new Barbary. They've got special guest David Gilmour Girls from Relish Records, the regular dose of nitemusic, they may have a special blogger in the house. 21+, $5, Philly, give thanks, freak out!

-The White Ts and White Belts guys - Emynd and Bo Bliz - are doing The Pre-Thanksgiving Jump Off at the RUBA club (414 Green St). This one goes late, until 3:30, but you know it's a small space and it fills up quick, so get there early to make sure you get in and enjoy cheap drinks and good music.




-For those who really dread tomorrow or who could care less how hungover you are when you do hang with the family, hit up the late-late night party at Frantic nightclub at Post 153 (24th & Passyunk) where dev79 and Darrell Asbury will give you a healthy dose of booty music that you can store away in your head and return to at dinner the next night. Free before 2 am, $10 after, party goes until 6 am.



-Near my current home, the FUN party does a special Wednesday version at Studio B (259 Banker St.) for the holiday. The Bangers are spinning with Devlin and Darko of Spank Rock fame, best of all you get a live performance by Kap10Kurt from the amazing NYC label Plant Music. RSVP at funrsvp@gmail.com for free entry, $5 otherwise, 2 for 1 drinks from 2-3, 21+, doors at 10 pm.



-LATE ADDITION: Sweatshop Labor comes through at the last minute with a party at Hugs (108 N. 6th St.) with DJ Kevy. Williamsburg, be thankful that these guys are around keeping things interesting in Brooklyn and that this place just opened and has brought the hood back to life. Yeah! 9-4am, no cover, 21+.



-We can't choose our families, but if I could it may very well be the people behind the Family Affair party - DJ Dances With White Girls, host and future NYC party empress Lorraine Sangre and bartender Nikki Sneakers. They will be holding down the basement at Lit (93 Second Ave), getting you drunk and happy and allowing you to forget that you have to hang with your real family tmrw or that your family didn't want to see your ass this year. BTW, if you can name where the image above DWWG's head comes from, you can request any song you want.



-It may be a big, special night for the amateurs, but for us, it's a Wednesday night. Therefore, it's High Voltage. The party's moved to The Annex (152 Orchard),a much bigger space, which means more people can check out one of the best weeklies in the city. My Brooklyn brother Dimitry and Jason Hates You have a live performance from Vampire For Hire, some special guests and the equivalent of turkey on Thanxgiving, Zygo open bar from 11 until its gone. I mean, you know the deal, let's do this people!

-Happy Ending keeps impressing me with their weekly party line-up. This Diabolik party looks to fit perfectly where Pound for Pound's head has been. Darkwave, electro and industrial, served up by DJ Patrick, Ian Fford and .DZGRA, no cover, free Bass Ale from 11-12, plus free Vitamin Water and energy drinks all night. Shout out to the Revive Fruit Punch Vitamin Water, best drink ever, get at me Vitamin Water people, glad to hype it for money and/or free drinks. Anyway, if you want some hip-hop, mash-ups and the like, head upstairs where...



-Cousin Cole, Rev McFly and DJ Morsy will give you just what you need. Open from 11-12, 21+, no cover for all of this funness in one space.



-For my NYCers looking for something big and massive and packed to the gills, I'd recommend the YoYo party at Love (169 MacDougall St.), which has a special live appearance by Mark Ronson himself and Rhymefest. Resident DJs at the London version of this party, Seb Chew and Leo G, are spinning with guest Aaron LaCrate, should be an insanely fun night, going from 9-4 am. $10 before 12, no clue about after, I'd recommend getting there early regardless as I imagine this will be a big draw with so few big name events going down.



-Cambridge, get ready for the big day and Bass Your Turkey. I mean, amazing flier and party name, love it! DJ Die Young, Knowlton Walsh and Matthew Savant take over Shine Lounge and will give thanks to BASS, just as the Pigrims did, not far away from here. 19+, no cover, 9-1 am, this is Boston.



-I give thanks for Chicago, as they have kept the party posts constantly supplied with amazing events this year. I also give thanks to Chicago house every day and therefore I give thanks to Green Velvet. If you are in Chicago tonight, say celebrating with your family, staying at your grandma's place, sleeping on an air mattress, get to this! Smartbar 25th Anniversary! Green Velvet live in Chicago for the first time in 5 years! Like whoa! DJs Sombionx and Dysqo are also there, you need to be at Smartbar (3730 N. Clark St.) too. RSVP at the going.com site, $15, 21+, 10-late. Yeah!



-Check out Mamby at Moonshine (1824 W. Division Ave) also, where Sativa, Hiroki, Trancid of Dark Wave Disco and Chris Santiago provide the perfect start to the night, as things kick off at 8pm. From 8-10, it's make your own margarita/mojito, which sounds like a dangerous concept, but I trust the party pros. 21+, this one goes down every Wednesday night.



-I dream of a Robotic Thanksgiving, passing the cranberry sauce to a mechanic being who thanks me with a vocodored voice. In the meantime, I'm happy to settle for the Robotic Thanksgiving at Electro Lounge (5929 N. May Ave) in Oklahoma City. The Dance Robots, Dance DJs and DJ Sam Sam will play robot music all night. $3 or free if you dress as a pilgrim or Indian, 21+w.

-Mang, Seattle might be the place to be tonight. I like everything about this Loose Joints party at Moe Bar (925 Pike St.) Amazing flier, amazing. "Italo Disco and Classic Dirtbag"? Yes, please. Great guest DJ, Rezound from NYC. Great resident in Pretty Titty. Party named for classic Arthur Russell project? Check. No cover? Thanks. Presented by Death of the Party every fourth Tuesday, we will definitely keep up on this one.



-You'll also want to check out Hot Mess, which returns to Neumos (925 E. Pike St.) Resident DJs Colby B and L.A. Kendall, special guest DJ Barbeau of Dirty Sanchez and D$ have prepared a dance feast that will have you giving thanks for 4/4 beats and remixes. No cover, 21+, doors at 9 pm. For the record, these two parties are right next together, no excuses Seattle!



-Lots going on in the LA area, let's start off in Riverside where the Liquid Wednesdays party happens at Sevilla's (3252 Mission Inn). Give thanks that Le Castle Vania is the special guest DJ, dude is one of the best in the game now and will melt your face. Damn, you also get Eli Smith and Mr. White, plus residents Mochee, Nineteen and M@rio, lots to be thankful for. 18+, 21+ to drink, doors at 9 pm.



-Like I said, it's a Wednesday night for us, so it's time in LA for Club Moscow at Boardner's (1652 N. Cherokee) Keith Wilson has put together a bigger-than-usual night this week, with DJs Keith 2.0, Mr Sleep and DJ (N) and guest Black Light Odyssey, plus bands Black Palms, Pink Enemy and The Mulhollands. Free before 10:30 with flier, everyone is young and beautiful and you will feel that way too for a night. Now, that's something to give thanks for!



-Finally, the pick of the night in the LA area is this MUTE vs. Busywork party at Detroit Bar (843 W. 18th St) in Costa Mesa. Tons of DJs - VNDLSM, Skeet Skeet, Luv Tek, Dan-O, Chris White, Dan Sena, GMO, Mr. Hands and Legit - plus a live show by Pony Boy Curtis. RSVP to muteoc@gmail.com for $5 admission, $10 otherwise. Shadowscene will be taking photos, you will be having fun, all will be right with the world.

DANCE LA, Excuses Excuses SF, Outdanced CHI, Disco Down NYC

Think of it as the calm before the storm, the night before the night before Thanksgiving. The new(ish) DANCE party in LA isn't waiting around for no stinkin' Wednesday night, this is that new mega-club jawn that we mentioned last week. They're stepping it up a notch this week by bringing in Kitsune's Guns'n'Bombs as headlining DJs this week, should be a huge indie dance rave with them and Paparazzi, Bip Jeffington, Joaquin, Bamaca and Dskotek. This is a great way to kick off the holiday week/end, Arena (6655 Santa Monica Blvd) has two rooms, two levels, plenty of room, so fill the place up and take advantage. $5 before 10:30 with flier, go here to print out the flier and also sign up for discount admission. Doors at 9:30, get to it.

-There's no excuses San Francisco to miss the No Excuses party at Pink (2925 16th St). Brought to you by Bigstereo.net the first, third and fifth Tuesday of every month, resident DJs and BigStereo bloggers Rchrd Oh?! and Miss Toats are joined by special guests Frankmusik and Eli Smith tonight for a rad dance party that won't be overrun by all of the Wednesday amateurs. $3 cover, 21+, doors at 10 pm.

-Is there any excuse for being outdanced? Yes, there are, as sometimes the other guy or girl is just a better dancer. There's no shame in doing your best and being outdone. There is shame in, however, in not trying and part of that effort includes going to parties like Outdanced! at the Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave.) in Chicago. Tonight's edition of the weekly features a live performance from Clique Talk and DJ sets from Jason Tyler and Rand Sevilla. You also get the usual $1 shots and $1 drinks, which should help you not remember being outdanced anyway. $3 cover, presented by Avant Trill, Chicago, be thankful for this great party! Yeah!



-Finally, New York City, this is such a great LES night, Tuesdays are the new Thursdays, I guess. I'm not sure why I haven't mentioned the Disco Down weekly at Happy Ending (302 Broome), but rather than flagellate myself about it, I will simply mention it now and break the pattern of silence. DJ Jess of NC-17 and hostess Marika of Sparkle Nation do this excellent party devoted to the more indie side of things, expect Britpop, indie, new wave, plus some straight dance music and a nice crowd. Tonight it looks like rekLES of Lewd and Unstoppable Perfect fame is a last-minute guest DJ, making this a great night to check this one out if you haven't already. Open bar from 11-12, doors at 10, 21+.



-Finally, on the non-flier side, it's 205 Tuesdays at 205 (205 Chrystie St.) (I believe using the numbers 205 three times in a row like that is an alternate way of calling Candyman), Jacques Renault and Justin Miller, which is my favorite party right now (shhhhhh). Andy Pry is spinning at Darkroom, lots of disco and funk and house and good music, three great stops in the LES, trust me, this is becoming rarer and rarer.

Black Strobe - Essential Mix 11.28.2004

Black Strobe, BBC Radio Essential Mix November 28, 2004 (YSI link) (Sendspace link) tracklisting in comments

Okay, I've been trying to get back into the BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix posts, think I finally have the perfect entry point. This is the real deal, death disco and haunted house, spun by the dudes who helped bring the underground back to dance music, Ivan Smagghe and Arnaud Rebotini, a.k.a. Black Strobe.

We've talked about them recently, but I don't think that their most recent work, which Smagghe doesn't seem to be involved in, doesn't hold a candle to the stuff that they were doing at the turn of this decade. You can get a good sense of that with this 2-hour mix, which moves effortlessly from twisted house and disco to electro and industrial, a journey into the darker side of dance music. Lots of familiar names like Depeche Mode, Metro Area, Ricardo Villalobos, Phuture, Front 242, Joey Beltram, Playgroup, Miss Kittin and Hacker, Ministry and Sisters of Mercy, plus lots more shit that will hopefully become more familiar. I cannot recommend this more highly, in many ways it's a primer course in many of the main threads of music at Pound for Pound.

Foundation NYC, Club Genre LA, Still Fucking Awesome LA and

It's a big week, what with everyone going home and the holiday and one of the biggest party nights of the year Wednesday. I feel like everyone needs to go out, have some fun and relax, as things could be a bit stressful as the days pass. I can't recommend more highly this party at Sway (305 Spring Street bwtn Greenwich and Hudson) tonight in New York City being presented by Oxy Cottontail. It's called Foundation and it's a benefit for City Harvest, the NYC organization dedicated to providing food for the city's less fortunate. This is an amazing holiday where we can all give thanks for everything we have, but it's all a great chance to try to make it as great as possible for everyone. Bring a can tonight (or a few) and help make that more of a reality. The flier has a list of the most needed donations, so it would be extra rad if you had something on that list. The party's free with a donation, The Bangers are going to be spinning all night, Peg Leg NYC and Melo X are hosting with Roxy, it goes until 4 am, this can be a rare chance that you feel better about yourself the morning after.

-Over in LA, Club Genre looks to be undermining that whole, Wednesday night is the big party night Thanksgiving week. The Acid Girls are back from Berlin, Hatchmatik is in from Montreal, while Frankmusik has come from London, all to spin to you the best dance music there is. They will join the resident DJs Luv Tek, S!n, Zendo and Joaquin, who haven't gone anywhere, for a great party at Cinespace (6356 Hollywood Blvd) that keeps getting better each week. Free before 10:30, $5 for women all night, $5 for guys until 11, doors at 9:30, 18+.



-You're also gonna wanna stop by Still Fucking Awesome at Beauty Bar LA (1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd) to catch the Young Love after-party, where Terry from the band will be spinning along with residents Franki Chan and Har Mar Superstar. That's not all, as you also get a live performance from Labwaste, all for the low, low price of zero dollars! There's also free Sparks from 10-11, making this a pretty amazing deal for anyone in LA looking for a night of drinking and dancing on the cheap.

Plastikman - Krakpot

Plastikman, "Krakpot" (YSI link) 256

Plastikman, "Elektrostatik" (YSI link) 256

Okay, I know you are thinking, "Didn't you say you were going to melt your face off with acid Friday?" One may think that I didn't achieve this because I was taking advantage of the weekend and livin' it up, but oh no, au contraire. Honestly, I was looking out for you, my dear reader, as I wanted you to be able to have a great, productive, fun weekend, the calm before the holiday storm in a sense. One listen to Plastikman's "Krakpot" and "Electrostatik" will melt your face and mind, leaving you incapable of traveling home for Thanksgiving, talking to relatives, going out on the big Wednesday night party scene, just generally trying to live your life day to day. The creeping, haunting acid line will burrow deep in your brain stem, it is not for the faint of heart.

Plastikman is better know to us as Richie Hawtin, the legendary Canadian producer who has made classic electronic music for the better part of two decades. We're going to say more about him in the coming weeks, from his own releases to stuff on the labels he founded Plus 8 and M_Nus, but for this blog, there's no better place to start than the music he put out under the Plastikman alias, especially as we take a look at acid house.

Above is his first release under that moniker, the Krakpot 12". Originally released in 1993 on the Nova Mute label, it's some of the best, most frightening music I've ever heard. The 11+ minute "Krakpot" returns acid to its minimal roots, featuring an acid-y bassline that snakes its way around your body in a slow, methodical way, combined with an insistent, heavy kick drum and some effects (blowing wind?). It's hard to believe that Hawtin could hold one's attention for so long with so little, but that's the magic of acid I guess (or more likely the amazing talents of Hawtin). While "Krakpot" may be better known, "Elektrostatik" is every bit as good and nasty. It all seems a little more frenetic, from the drums to the bass. You need to listen to these two on headphones, I seriously just want to freak out right now like a crazy person. You absolutely need this in your life, end of story.

A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray EP

A Guy Called Gerald, "Voodoo Ray" (YSI link) 320

A Guy Called Gerald, "Escape" (YSI link) 320

This seems like the perfect place to start, A Guy Called Gerald's "Voodoo Ray," the song that most consider the first UK acid house track, the song that would lead to one of the most amazing and productive periods in the history of dance music. Originally released in 1988 on Rham! Records, it would end up #12 on the UK singles chart, become a staple at the Hacienda and usher in the smiley-face, rave-y world to Europe.

A Guy Called Gerald is Gerald Simpson, another legendary figure born and raised in Manchester. He originally started out making freestyle hip hop tracks on a 303 and 808 that he bought cheap in the mid-80s. The first thing he would do in the studio was "Voodoo Ray," picking up on the sounds coming out of Chicago from the same period. Ironically, the song's title and main vocal segment wasn't quite intended; sampling a portion of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's "Bo Dudley" sketch from their album, Derek and Clive Live, the sampler accidentally cut short the whole quote due to a lack of memory, cutting "voodoo rage" into "voodoo ray." He went with it and no one would miss that -ge. One listen to the gorgeous acid melody, stabs of female vocals & giggles and dense percussion and you will forget all about that too. What I like most of all, though, is the tension between the genuinely nice bass & lighter female vocals and the dark-edged, distorted male ones, it has a nice feel sitting at the crossroads of the darker, bare-bones Chicago sound and the blissful, happy tunes that would soon follow.

Here is the A side to that original release (I actually have the subsequent Blow Your House Down 12" put out by Belgian label LD Records in 1989, but that's our little secret), which also featured "Escape." Not sure what sort of impact this one had, but it shouldn't be overlooked. This one actually has a darker feel to it, what with the sampled "Is there any escape?" vocal, an occasional growling voice, even squelchier bass and effects galore.

Blow Up LA, Stay Smooth CHI, Tech Support PHILA, U.N.I.T.Y. BK and more

I considered having last night's Blow Up San Francisco as the top billing, but I figured that I would wait a night, move it to LA, add The Glass live, James Fucking Friedman, Pink Skull and Acid Girls, bring it to a boil for 6 hours and voila! A rager. Anne Lee, Shadowscene and Metromix have put this one together and it really should be massive, what with The Glass performing live, the Throne Of Blood head honcho Friedman, the Acid Girls and Philly's own Pink Skull, Sleazy V, Bul!m!atron and Eli Smith all spinning. Thankfully, this one goes late (4 am), meaning everyone should get a chance to blow your mind with dance music. RSVP to BlowUp@princehouserecords.com, then head to the Pico Lofts (316 W Pico@Olive) to the spot (it doesn't appear to have a name), $5 before 11 with the RSVP, $10 after, 18+. Blow Up LA!

-Back in San Fran, there's no sleep for the wicked, as two cool parties go off. First, the Frisco Disco continues to serve as the perfect outlet for anyone looking to end the night, drunk, sweaty, half-naked and happy. To help achieve that, Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac have brought in two special guest DJs, Montreal's Hatchmatik and LA's Gina Turner, who will have The Transfer (198 Church St.) going crazy. It's free before 10:30, only $5 the rest of the night, 21+.



-You'll also want to the Beauty Bar (18th & Mission) for the Bad Habit happy hour party. Unfortunately, I don't know the details on this one, i.e. if it actually is going down right now, earlyish, or what. But, Rchrd Oh?! of Big Stereo is spinning, so it's definitely worth a stop, perfect lead-in to Frisco Disco. Big night, San Fran, have fun!



-Moving across this great country, it's time for another Too Much Love in Minneapolis and it looks to be massive. The Now That's What I Call A Party crew makes its last stop in their Midwest tonight, sure they'll want to end with a bang before heading back to Brooklyn. Who's they? Todosantos, DJs A:/, Supervixen, Purple Gold Pony, Pharaoh and Peach, that's who. Of course, Soviet Panda will hold it down for MPLS, get to First Avenue (701 First Avenue N) and see who comes out victorious. $3, 18+, doors at 10pm.



The party isn't stopping at 2 am, though, as Dance Fresh Inc. is presenting a special Minneapolis edition of Now! That's What I Call A Party, as all of those people will move to the 117 Studios (117 Washington Ave N) and party until the sun comes out.



-Chicago, there's always something cool going on, lots of dance parties and big DJs, it probably gets a little hectic and intense. Here's your chance to relax a little and stay smooth, as Stay Smooth VI: Last of the Smooth-icans takes over the main room at Schuba's (3159 N. Southport Ave.) for a night dedicated to yacht rock. My bol Bald Eagle and DJ Stv Slv are going to spinning music from the likes of Steely Dan, Toto, Michael MacDonald, ELO and much more. Listen, man cannot live on booty music, acid house and electro bangers alone. He needs a chance to relax and listen to 70s AM rock and 80s FM pop in order to feel complete. You also get a live performance by local band Bronze, who won't upset the smooth vibes. Smooth attire is recommended, i.e. ship captain's hats, tight pants, jean shorts, knee-high socks, sandals, you get the idea. 21+, the ship sets sail at 10:30, $5 to board.



-It's all about the 90s tonight in Williamsburg, as Lauren Flax has started a new party with Le Tigre's JD Samson called U.N.I.T.Y. dedicated to the music of that amazing decade when everything seemed easier. This one's gonna happen every other Saturday at Hugs (108 N. 6th St.), can you feel that? It's the rumblings of Brooklyn coming back, people! Get psyched for this! Lauren Flax! JD Samson! The 90s! U.N.I.T.Y.!



-There's also a new party going down in Providence, Rhode Island and it's called The Get Down. Knowlton Walsh is going to be spinning lots of music to make you dance, indie, electro, 80s at Local 121 (121 Washington St.) It may be the tiniest state, but that doesn't mean the parties are. No cover, 21+, look for me to finally get dudes mix up soon.



-Finally, it's a huge night in Philly, with three really great parties happening all over. First, a long-running party that we've never mentioned before for no good reason, Tech Support happens as it does monthly at the Bubble House (3404 Samson St.) on Penn's campus. Resident DJs Kenny Raw and Properganda are joined by Philadelphyinz APT One, a.k.a. Mikey Dreidels for a night of pure, unadulterated funk. Dock Street drink specials, 21+, no cover, a simply amazing flier.



-At Transit, Brooklyn invades Philly tonight in the form of The Rub. Cosmo Baker, DJ Eleven and DJ Ayres are headlining this week's edition of Paper Street and Simplefly's Mad Pu$y party. Representing the 6th Borough in the main room is the Broadzilla crew, who will open from 10-1, good to see those guys back with a vengeance. There's three floors, tons of bars, so much good music, RSVP for reduced entry, goes until 3:30, 21+.

-No flier for this one either, but you'll want to check out the first official monthly at The Barbary (951 Frankford St). It's called Bounce! and it's presented by Bo and Emil of White Ts and White Belts fame. You know how they do it, lots of hip-hop, Bmore club, dancehall, mash-ups, some surprises, they will definitely take advantage of the amazing soundsystem in the club and blow your ear drums out with bass. $5 to get, $1 well drinks and $3 citywides until 11, good new party Philly. Get into it!

-boys noize

Dub War NYC, Blow Up SF, Fuck Fridays SAC, Purple Loft Party LA and more

Super psyched to finally mention the Dub War party, especially as we've actually been posting some dubstep here lately. The Dub War party was one of, if not the, first party dedicated to the sounds of the UK and it's still going strong, many years and venues later. I can remember when it was at Rothko, remember Rothko? Anyway, this one is taking place at the amazing Love (179 MacDougall St.) space in the West Village; I know that the West Village is repulsive and MacDougall might be the worst of the worst on a weekend, but this place is like a hidden treasure that the NYU kids don't know about. It's got one of the best soundsystems of any NYC club, perfect for this music. Tonight's version is Dub War Meets Badawi At The Source Of Sound, which means that Raz Mesinai will be on the decks spinning his dub and noisy conconctions for the massive. You also get guest sets by Moldy and John Ask, plus residents Joe Nice and Dave Q, awesome. It's $10 before midnight, $15 after, it will go late late late.

-We've mentioned the Friday night thing at Lotus (409 W. 14th St.) before, but things are changing up with that and I see big things in store. Anyway, it's been renamed Top Billin' and is going to start bringing in some big name special guest DJs to spin alongside The Rub guys in the coming weeks. We'll have more to say on this one, for sure, but get a sneak preview of the goodness tonight as Pete Rock joins Frank White upstairs for some serious hip-hop. RSVP to topbillin@mac.com for reduced entry, doors at 11, 21+. New York, get behind this, so many good people are behind this night, really looking forward to seeing where this goes. Meatpacking District is the new Williamsburg, you heard it here first. Time Out NY, I'm trademarking that phrase, so don't steal it!



-Actually, thanks to Hugs and the Sweatshop Labor guys, Williamsburg is the new Williamsburg. Johnsville and Lucas Walters are throwing a Friday night dance party at the new spot called Hugs (108 N. 6th St.), bringing some life back to the neighborhood. Drink specials all night, 21+, 10-4 am, Williamsburg, this is the new thing, let's do it!



-In the sixth borough, which is better than the other 5, it's an old-school Making Time tonight at Pure (1221 St. James St.), no special guests. I really wish that I could have Dave P write all of my posts, to be honest. He's right up there with Lethem, Sante et al as a favorite writer. In lieu of him contributing here, I'm going to cut and paste his description of tonight's Making Time, because it makes me happy and want to be back in Philly more than anything in the world:

"This month we at MAKING TIME are going back to the days of olde. There once was a time long long ago, when we started MAKING TIME almost 8 years ago, when MAKING TIME was simply all about the DJs. That's right....no super rad special guest DJs, no bands that will change your life, no advance tickets....JUST US...it was all about Mike Z, Dave Pak and back then...I wasn't even djing the party....and it was totally fucking insane!!! Well...for one night we want to go back to that time...except I'm gonna DJ this time. We wanna go back to a time where we DJ'd for 5 and a 1/2 hours straight and played the raddest music you've ever heard or never heard and you freaked out like crazy people. We want to go back to a time when we didn't have to charge $10 or more, because we didn't have to pay that super rad special guest tons of money. We want to go back to the days of olde for one night so we have the time to play it ALL...ALL the hits, ALL the party train anthems, ALL the cocainsexjams, ALL the bangers and ALL those new tracks you've never heard that we know and you know will make you freak out like crazy people. Some of you were there when this was happening almost 8 years ago and some of you weren't but....Let's ALL do this Philadelphia...let's ALL experience MAKING TIME for one night like it was....1999!!! Yes Philadelpha, on Friday November 16th, we're ALL gonna party like it's 1999!!! And yes...we are ALL going to freak out like crazy people!!!

Oh, and this time we got Sparks back!!!

Not much to add, free PBR and Sparks from 9-11, Gregg Foreman is a late addition guest DJ in the main room, making this a real return to the old days, all the regulars on the three floors, amazing flier. Philly, it's Making Time! Yeah!



-Our boy Will Eastman is back at it with his Friday night weekly Le Freak at the Napoleon Lounge (1847 Columbia Rd.). Hosted by Remzi and Courtney, this one features a choice selection of booty, disco, pop, soca, rap, whatever Will's feeling, all in a classy setting. How classy? The drink special is half-priced champagne from 9-11, that's how classy. Look for a re-up on Will's recent remixes next week in time for the next edition of his Bliss party.




-Moving west, the Tactic bols from Lawrence, Kansas are taking on the Midwest's biggest city this weekend, Chicago. First up, the Booty Up party at Evil Olive (1551 W. Division St.) with resident DJ Zebo.



-Over at the Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave), DJ Mother Hubbard of Life During Wartime joins up with the Avant Trill hosts Jillian & Scott and Jenny Shah plus resident DJs Heather Doble and Ryan Paradise for the usual funness and dancing. The flier is a little confusing, as there's a few ones missing in the dates, but the rest of November is there. $2 Colt 45 and vodka drinks, 9-2 am, 21+.



-Another new party here, Daft Crunk in Bloomington, Indiana at Jake's Nightclub (419 N. Walnut St.). Residents Flufftronix and Action Jackson do this one weekly and looking at tonight and the next one, they've come to realize that Philly DJs are a necessary ingredient for a world-class party. Dirty South Joe, a.k.a. G-13's DJ Deluxxx, is special guest tonight, he'll be spinning the best rap, reggaeton, soca and more, while Philly label Flamin' Hotz artist Todosantos will destroy the club with a live performance. You also get guest DJ sets from DJs Supervixen and A:/ from New York City, the Hoosier State arrives in a big way here. $5, 21+, whoa 75 cent pitchers and margaritas, is that for real? Only one way to find out...

-Huge Left Coast night, have to start with the Blow Up party in San Fran. Crazy rad line-up, NYC's The Glass are playing live, one of the early indie dance bands who have been coming back to take back the crown recently. However, San Franciscans, you need to catch special guest DJ Pink Skull, who is in from Philly and gets our highest recommendation. He's joined by LA's Gina Turner and Frisco Disco-ers Richie Panic and Jefrodisiac for a night of dancefloor mayhem. Will the Rickshaw Stop blow up from a potent mix of acid, sexual energy and debauchery? Show up and find out, $12 for 18+, $10 for 21+, 9-2am. Oh, and don't forget to wish the amazing party photog Lady Meleksah a happy birthday! San Fran! Pink Skull! The Glass! Blow Up!



-The state's capital will not be outdone. It's time for Fuck Fridays, the weekly dance party at Townhouse (1517 21st St. btwn O & P St.) Tonight is resident DJ Shaun Slaughter's birthday, in honor of which, he's throwing a bash that may trim a few years off of your life. Live show by Wallpaper, guest DJ sets by White Girl Lust and DJ Omar, free whiskey, lazers, strobes, smoke and fun. What more can you ask for?





-Purple is the color of royalty. It's also the color of choice for a cool new party in LA, the Purple Loft Party. Yuka and Roger are presenting this one and they've invited along some of the best up and coming DJs in LA - Luv Tek, Joaquin, Hyphy Crunk, Billy Noorlag, DJ Score and Bulimiatron. This is for all of the people in Los Angeles looking for something a little DIY, cheap and non-clubby, Free before 11, $5 after, 18+, cash bar, indoor/outdoor areas. A few things they are stressing: it's not BYOB, they ask that you park in the designated parking lot (1451 E. 4th St. corner of 4th and Anderson) as you will be taken to the loft area, and don't hang out outside the place making noise. Clearly, this could be a cool, new event, so make sure you respect the situation, behave and freak out on the dancefloor. Sorry for the uptightness, to make it up for it, let me tell you that there's free Sparks from 9-10!



-I want to end by highlighting the Trouble & Bass UK tour that kicks off tonight in Oxford at Chunga Chunga. Drop the Lime, Mathhead and Star Eyes have four dates lined up including their first ever appearance at the legendary Fabric next weekend. This is one of the best crews anywhere, NYC's finest, expect massive bass. UK, don't sleep.

Josh Wink's Acid Classics

Josh Wink's Acid Classics (YSI link)

I warned you, I hope that you have proper protective gear as we are gonna be dealing with lots of acid today. I can't think of a better way to start this off than with this recent mix Josh Wink did for Mixmag. Josh Wink's Acid Classics is the perfect intro for anyone not familiar or looking to get more familiar with this music that began in Chicago in the mid 80s. While long-time fans will have heard all of these songs, it's still well-worth the download as it's an impeccable mix, filled with classics for one 70 minute journey into the Roland 303. Mixmag chose the right guy for this job, as not only was Wink a huge part of the original acid scene ("Don't Laugh"), but he has been involved in the resurgence of that sound in the past few years.

I want everyone to listen to this one until the end of the day, as I know no one is doing work on Friday afternoon. We're gonna start with opening track from this mix first, I have chills I'm so excited.

Okkervil River - The Stage Names Expanded

Okkervil River, "Plus Ones (demo)" (YSI link)

Okkervil River, "A Girl In Port (demo)" (YSI link)

Not sure if anyone guessed, but clearly I was alluding to Okkervil River when I referenced the only contemporary artist whose music has a similar impact on me. Recently, Jagjaguwar issued a limited edition version of this year's The Stage Names with a bonus disc, featuring the demos for all of the album's songs. What you get is Will Sheff on acoustic guitar singing the tracks from the album, stripped down and bare-bones. I normally find these sorts of kitchen sink approaches to an album overkill, as there's a reason that demos and outtakes didn't make it on an album. However, since I'm about as big a fan as Okkervil River has, I actually found these sketches wonderful, a chance to hear Sheff's lyrics and voice clearly and a further reminder of just how talented this dude is. This is probably more for fans, but I hope that everyone will give them a listen as I think they'll be surprised at how captivating Sheff can be with just a guitar and a microphone.

Honestly, this was really just a chance to mention The Stage Names again and implore you to buy this CD. End of year lists are coming up and this is one of the few that has come immediately to mind. This one gets my highest recommendation, read my earlier review if you'd like to see what I initially said and a more fleshed out take on the music.

P.S. Beware, the acid is going to melt your face off tomorrow. I'm not sure everyone's ready, but there's only one way to find out, right? It's aciiiiiiieeeeeeeeddddddd!

The Barbary Opening Night PHILA, Lauren Flax Dark Wave Disco + Elevated CHI, Art at Midnight NYC and more

Okay, this is a first. We're gonna lead off with a party that has no flier. What!?!?! That's right, in the blogosphere, rules are made to be broken, that's just how we do. Tonight is the (re)opening night of The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) under the new management of John Redden. I cannot tell you how cool a thing this is, as it's a club owned and operated by a DJ that will just be an amazing place to party and hear some of the best DJs in Philly and beyond. Tonight is the grand opening and to celebrate DJs Dave P, Ian St. Laurent, emynd and Bo Bliz of White Ts and White Belts, Gregg Foreman, Mike Z, Designer Drugs, Scotty Too Dope and the man himself, JHN RDN will all spin. You, you have to pay zero dollars. Philly, get psyched for this! This is a super rad development, but you need to go out and show some support early and make the potential live up to reality. Yeah!

-Okay, I lied, it was kind of scary not having the support of a flier. Ah, and such nice info on this flier. It's Thursday night Chicago and therefore it's time for another Thursday with Dark Wave Disco at Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave.) This is a special for two reasons. First, it's founding DWD member Mark Gertz's birthday, so make sure to wish him a happy birthday and thank him for starting one of hte best parties in your fair city. Secondly, Ms. Lauren Flax of White Lightning! is in town from NYC and she will make you dance and be happy. Seriously, Chicago, what are you waiting for? Lauren, Trancid, Mark Gertz, Greg Corner and guest C-Mass will make this a special night, I can just feel it. No cover, 21+, Dark Wave Disco and White Lightning! Yeah yeah yeah!



-Wow, our girl is on the fucking grind in the Windy City, as she's also going to be doing a 2 AM set at the Elevated party at Berlin (954 W. Belmont Ave.) This weekly features resident DJs Heather Doble of Sound Navigators and Zebo, another great dance party Chicago. 21+, $3 cover, this one is a great late-night choice as it goes til 4 am. Electro house, Chicago classics, old schoo, can't go wrong with this one. It'll be like Berlin in there!



-You're also gonna want to stop Empire Liquors (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for Fly By Night #7, as residents Willy Joy and Capcom are joined by more New Yorkers, in this case DJ A:/ and DJ Supervixen. More importantly, you have a chance to catch a live show by one of the next hyped bands, Todosantos, before the hype has gotten annoying. The Brooklyn via Venezuelan band has their first EP out on Flamin' Hotz Records, a great slab of hard-to-categorize punk dance music. The night is free and best of all starts at 8 PM, so make this the first stop of your night, head across the street for Lauren and DWD, then head home to bed. I should be a travel agent.



-"I'm going back to New York City...." I'd recommend making it a downtown night, as there are two nice parties, one classy, the other debaucherous. First, the weekly Art After Midnight party is happening at The Gallery Bar (120 Orchard St.), I've mentioned it once before, it's a dance party/gallery night, where you can check out the work of an artist, have some drinks, dance, meet boys and/or girls and talk about either art or dancing. Tonight you can check out the photos of Ashley Gilbertson and even better you can dance to the songs spun by the Finger On The Pulse DJs. Here's a chance to see them out of the natural Williamsburg environs, hopefully DJs Never Forget and Terry Diabolik won't get the bends before they have a chance to rock the proverbial Casbah. Presented by Chris Alker and Sushi Steve, no cover, 21+.



-Now, for the debauchery. Head to the basement bar Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie St.), the Sweatshop Labor guys await you. They have a Sunglasses at Night party happening, they are waiting with great music, guest DJ AC Slater, free Zygo open bar from 11-12 and a safe place to make a fool of fool of yourself when the music and vodka set in. No cover, 21+, wear your sunglasses!



-If you stay uptown (or uptown in my view), hit up the monthly Degenerates party that Moby has started with Cheeky Bastard at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.) Lots of big names tonight, something for every musical taste as well with Moby himself spinning, the Spank Rock DJs - Devlin and Darko + XXXchange - and Tommie Sunshine. There's a Svedka open bar from 10:30-11:30, then 2 for 1 vodka drinks from 2-3 am (yikes), so being drunk shouldn't be a challenge. $5 advanced tickets are available at GBH, 21+.



-Now, all the way over to the other coast, where the Alive and Direct party in Costa Mesa looks to be the class of the West Coast tonight. The main draw imo is DJ Spun and Scotty Coats of NYC label Rong Music, one of the best dance music labels anywhere. There's also a live set by Free Blood, featuring former !!! member John Pugh. In the back room, Ryan Esca, Tea Long, Jay $ and BB Gunz will spin as well, making this a jam-packed night at The Detroit Bar (843 W. 19th St.) It's only $5, 21+, make this happen Costa Mesa.



-Finally, tune into Beta Records from 11-12 EST tonight (okay, okay, 8-9 PM PST) to watch Daniel of LA Riots spin. After that, those in LA can see the man in person at the Swerve party rather than via a webcam. He's the resident DJ at that one, Don't Believe The Hype (DJs Obese and Sonuvagun) is the special guest. If the photos are any indication, this party features only cute girls in varying degrees of undress. If that's your thing, you may want to get to Scorpion (6679 Hollywood Blvd@Las Palmas) right now. No cover, 21+, 9-2 am.

Bob Dylan & Mark Ronson - Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)

Bob Dylan, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) [Mark Ronson Re-Version]" (YSI link) 320

Bob Dylan, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) [original version]" (YSI link)

Bob Dylan, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) [live Bonaroo 2004]" (YSI link)

Bob Dylan & The Band, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) [live 1974]" (YSI link)

I know, I know, it's been too long since I did a Dylan post. Well, it's been a tough time recently and I kinda wanted to give Bob a break from having to carry me through those periods. Well, we're getting back to full-strength and so it's time to get back to exploring the music of Mr. Robert Zimmerman. There aren't many more perfect posts for this blog than a remix of one of Dylan's classic tunes by a heavyweight of the rap/r&b production world, combining lots of the disparate parts of this blog up in one nice little package.

As you can see and have surely heard, Mark Ronson did an album of covers called Versions, re-doing songs by the likes of The Smiths, Radiohead and Britney Spears with his trademark soul/hip-hop sound. Well, he clearly wanted to get another post on Pound for Pound, so he released a 10" vinyl that featured his re-version of Bob Dylan's "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" from the Blonde On Blonde LP. I'm always a little leery of these things, to be honest, feel like they tend to be gimmicky. But Ronson is too talented to really mess this one up, I feel like the dude could drop a sick hip-hop/r&b beat in his sleep. On this aptly titled re-version, he puts the original vocals over horns galore, a nice bouncy beat and slow, anchoring bass. It sounds great, could almost even imagine this getting spun early in the night at a club, the thought of Dylan in the club makes me very happy, FYI. All in all, this is nice remix, nothing world-changing, but Ronson has updated Dylan and brought him closer to his current favorites like Alicia Keys. If this appeals to you (and it will), grab a copy of the official album as it won't disappoint. The song also comes as a part of the new Dylan deluxe boxed set, which you can get from Sony for a special price.

Ahh, the original. How nice is it to have an excuse to put on Blonde On Blonde? Very nice. This song almost pales in comparison to masterpieces like "Visions of Johanna" and "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands," but one listen and you will understand why I love this one. It's all about the biting, seething lyrics that are sung over a relatively light and bouncy instrumental. I have this picture of that young Dylan singing this in his black sunglasses and a sneer and it makes me happy. I'll take this Dylan over the folkie any day of the week. I would normally tell you to buy this album, but I know that you already have it and listen to it once a week as our elders taught us. It will make your life better.

I've also included the live version he did with The Band on their 1974 tour, which is found on two essential purchases, the Biograph boxed set and the Before The Flood LP. The Biograph boxed set is crazy cheap right now; Amazon has it for $23, the Virgin megastore in Union Square has tons of copies at a similar discount. I cannot recommend this one more for anyone who likes Dylan's music and doesn't think that he stopped making music in 1965. Before The Blood doesn't get enough attention, a chance to hear Dylan with his best live band sounding loud and raucous, a pre-Rolling Thunder signpost. Grab it for cheap too.
Finally, let me just end this with a bit of the lyrics and dedicate this to RV:

You say you're sorry
For tellin' stories
That you know I believe are true.
You say ya got some
Other kinda lover
And yes, I believe you do.
You say my kisses are not like his,
But this time I'm not gonna tell you why that is.
I'm just gonna let you pass,
Yes, and I'll go last.
Then time will tell who fell
And who's been left behind,
When you go your way and I go mine.

Next up is the only current rock artist who makes me think of Dylan. Can you guess who?

Black Strobe - I'm A Man

Black Strobe, "I'm A Man (Black Strobe remix)" (YSI link) 320

Black Strobe, "I'm A Man (Audion's Donation mix)" (YSI link) 320

More Paris, more essential music. I really can't believe that I've never mentioned Black Strobe here; it ranks as one of my greatest shames, right up there with wearing cargo pants from Abercrombie & Fitch and dating someone from Jersey. Black Strobe is a three-person group from a little city called Paris, France. They describe themselves as "gay biker house music" - although that does not describe the current group's sound - longtime readers will know that I can think of no greater compliment for a music.

On their recent album, Burn Your Own Church, the band finally released an LP of music after years of amazing singles and EPs. I'll hopefully discuss the album this weekend, but I will say that I haven't been as repulsed by the recent transformation of the band to an industrial rock band as most. However, it's definitely a disappointment. The Black Strobe remix here isn't bad, adding massive bass to the original; it's just not easy getting over the whole, Arnaud Rebotini as Nick Cave thing and accepting that this isn't the old Black Strobe. Buy the album here or the 2 LP here.

Leave it to Matthew Dear to come to the rescue. He does it this time in the guise of Audion, which is normally his jackin', bangin' alias. This time, however, he drops a masterful, extended take on the first single, "I'm A Man" (a cover of a Bo Diddly song), eschewing his filthy, dirty sound for something beautiful, haunting and atmospheric. This is 6am end of rave, sun coming up bliss mixed with a dose of dread or darkness (listen to those organs that act like a bed throughout the song, both gorgeous and spooky). He's taken the original's schlocky rock sound and splashed a little acid on it, built the tension up with keys and drums, stretched it out to 11+ minutes and put together something many probably wanted to hear from Black Strobe themselves. It's just amazing, me stop talking now.

Ed Banger ASTN TX, Awesometown LA, Aoki/Chromeo NYC,

It's Paris day here, gotta lead off with the Ed Banger party in Austin, Texas. Scion and Vice have brought a few of the electro label's talent to the Texan capital for what should be a sick party. For the record, Mr. Oizo is not going to be there, he has been replaced by Kavinsky, who joins with DJ Mehdi and Ocelot in the DJ department. RSVP at the scion site ASAP, as it's mandatory to get in. Once you are on the list, you will want to get to Antone's (213 W. 5th St.) sooner rather than later, as space is limited and you're gonna wanna get in line early to make sure you get in. Once inside, Ms. Shadowscene will take your picture (possibly) and the Parisian dudes will melt your face. 18+, RSVP right now if you ignored my first warning.

-She may be in LA, but Shadowscene hasn't forgotten about her hometown as she and Anne Lee are presenting Awesometown tonight at The Short Stop (1455 Sunset Blvd) in Echo Park. This one looks delectable, as James Fucking Friedman is the special guest from NYC. Feel like dude doesn't get anywhere near the attention he deserves, Throne of Blood mogul, Go Commando mix-maker, Club 205 resident, etc etc. LA, do not sleep on this one, He is joined by NO MSG and Anne Lee, 21+, 10-2, $3 Dewars all night long.



-One of LA's finest, Steve Aoki, is back in NYC to help celebrate the 21st birthday of designer Kesh at Room Service (35 E. 21st St.) along with Dave-1 of Chromeo. I mean, seriously, that's a pretty sick bill right there. Hosted by Roxy Cottontial and Damon, it's expected and possibly required that you wear the color purple. I happen to look fabulous in that color (shout out to the color plum), as does Cam'ron. I'm quite confident that my beautiful readers will be just as breathtaking. RSVP at keshmoneymoney@gmail.com for a special list, 21+, do it.



-If you are staying downtown tonight, it's Wednesday and therefore it's High Voltage time. DJ Dimitry!!! and host Jason Hates You are joined by guest DJ Daryl Palumbo of Head Automatica and guest host Nicky of Nickydigital.com for this week's edition of one of the city's best weeklies. I mean, you know the deal, open Zygo bar from 11 until its gone, 21+, 10-4am, people dancing and being young and exuberant. Oh wait, don't forget that the party has moved to The Annex (152 Orchard St.), down the street from its old home at 200 Orchard. RSVP at the going.com site and let them know that you're coming.

Teenage Bad Girl - Coquette

Teenage Bad Girl, "Break Out The Wheel" (YSI link)

Teenage Bad Girl, "Ghost House" (YSI link)

In one of the least surprising developments ever, Pound for Pound is going to focus on Paris for a day. Let's start off with the young duo of Guillaume Manbell and Greg Kazubski, i.e.called Teenage Bad Girl, who have already been well-covered in the blogosphere. Who gives a shit? This stuff is just massive, on repeat for like a week. How good is it? It cured my panic attacks that have been occuring for the past few weeks! This is better than Klonopin!

Their debut CD, Cocotte, is shockingly good from start to finish, another amazing entry in this year of electrorockindiedance (Justice, Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, etc.) This one blends that crunchy, computer-bit electrohouse sound that Justice perfected with a heavier, rock beat for something delicious. It's definitely hard not to notice the influence of Justice and Ed Banger crew, but it doesn't sound derivative to my ears. These guys don't have the same love or ability to write unforgettable melodic moments like Justice, but I don't really feel like that's what they are trying for. To me, it has a much more subdued feel, less for peak-time music, more for the come-down. Better yet, tracks like "Break Out The Wheel" shift during the 6+ minutes, a nice departure from the repetition of dance music. The album tracks alternate between longer, more varied tracks and shorter, more focused electro numbers, giving it a nice variety. Even better, check the gorgeous, Italo-discoish "Ghost House," which will hopefully get single status and some remixes.

Sadly, this one is pretty much import-only for people in the US. I'd recommend waiting this one out and pre-ordering the new version, Cocotte 2.0, that's about to drop abroad which features 2 discs and 8 remixes. If you can't wait or luckily live outside of this country, grab a copy at BoomKat as it's highly recommended. Check out their myspace page for tour dates and additional music and this nice interview for more background. Would someone in Paris please get me a job and apartment and let me live there already? Enough is enough.

Moby/Acid Girls LA, Dance LA, 205 Tuesdays and more

Two cool events in LA tonight, as that city continues to specializes in the early weekday jump-off. This Iheartcomix and Giant party looks to be the pick of the night, as they've brought in the man, the myth, the legend, Moby to remind you that he's actually a sick DJ. It looks like the bald one is getting back to work lately, what with this gig and the Hiro Ballroom monthly. I'm not gonna lie though, hope dude brings his A game, as the Acid Girls and Franki Chan will steal his thunder and redirect to the dancefloor and electrocute people. In a good way. It's going down at the Elevated Lounge (811 Cheshire Blvd), which is on the 21st floor, penthouse. The sick view is a nice bonus. This one's limited capactiy (400 people total), so grab a ticket in advance at Groove Tickets to make sure you get into for this one.

-There's also a new weekly party starting up in La La Land called Dance, taking place at a new mega-club Arena (6655 Santa Monica Blvd). Ok, I know what you're thinking, mega-club? Are you losing it, oh guy who writes Pound for Pound? Well, I'm losing it, but not in this instance. I can't say what the club is gonna be like, but I can assure you that the music will be top-notch, no joke. On the deck tonights are Le Castle Vania, Paparazzi and DJ Nineteen in the main room, Bip Jeffington and Joaquin in Room 2. The next few weeks are similarly packed with many of the best local indie/dance DJs and the occasional guest from out of town. The club is 2 levels, 2 rooms, one bar, smoking patio, sounds like a big place that could be a nice respite from the dive bars and small venues most stuff like this happens at. Free before 10:30 with flier, check the website and/or myspace page for discount admission, then check out tonight's grand opening. Yeah!



-Chicago, of course, has Outdanced on Tuesday nights at The Funky Buddha (728 W. Grand Ave.) Tonight, local electropunkers Parsley Flakes play live (check them out!) and DJ Rotten Milk, Beau Wanser and Sir spin tunes for you to prove that you won't be outdanced. Presented by Avant Trill and Odd Obsession Movies, no cover and crazy drink specials. It's parties like this that make me want to move to the Windy City.



-Finally, one of the few reasons that I would stay in NYC is 205 Tuesdays. One of the best parties in this metropolis, probably the world, dance music and people dancing, basement, Jacques Renault and Justin Miller every week. Tonight, Mike Simonetti from Italians Do It Better is the guest, stop reading and head to 205 Club (205 Chrystie@Stanton) and freak out like crazy people. I can't get the flier to work, just trust me.

Cool Out DallasTX, The Softlightes Residency LA and more

This is an odd night, as I'm sure some of you are rarin' to go after a boring day off from work, while the rest of you have jealous boots that you had to work and feigning interest in taking a job in the public sector. Lots of good things going on tonight, so everyone should be able to work off that boredom and/or anger. Let's start in the Lone Star State, Dallas to be specific, where the Cool Out party goes down upstairs at The Cavern (1914 Greenville) as it does every Monday. The Cool Out DJs are Schwa of the Hot Flash! party and Big J of the hip hop group The Clever Monkeys, this looks to have a nice mix of classic rap, funk, soul, booty. No cover, $2 well drinks and beers, don't forget everything's bigger in Texas. What does mean in this context? No idea, I just think that this will be a rad party and you should go. Yeah!

2 quick points: !) Thanks to Shadowscene, who has turned me onto a ton of new parties during her trek across the country, as she's been shooting at all of the major parties around the country for the past month. Go check out the results and see if you see yourself, then check out the blog she's keeping for URB magazine for the behind-the-scenes look. Also, check out her store for some cool tees, girl is grindin'. 2) You've probably noticed an increasing number of parties from new cities. Nothing makes me happier than hearing about cool new things going on, so get at me on email or myspace and let me know what's up.

-A big night in LA, figured I'd lead off with this cool chance to check out Modular Records band The Softlightes every Monday this November at Spaceland (1717 Silverlake Blvd) While you missed the first one, you still have three more chances to catch them, starting tonight. The set begins at 8:30 (and will each show), with We Barbarians, Dead Ponies and Asher opening. To make it even more rad, the concert is free! It's a really great chance to check out another great up and coming electro-rock band, and I love the concept of a residency where the band can get comfortable and try some new things out.




-Iheartcomix keep the heat on after the Check Yo Ponytail with the weekly Still Fucking Awesome! tonight at Beauty Bar LA (1638 Cahuenga Blvd). Resident DJs Franki Chan and Har Mar Superstar have brought in two special guests for this edition - a live set and a DJ set by NYC's Heartsrevolution, plus a guest DJ set by So Sweet Music's Frankmusik in from the UK. You know how fucking awesome this is? It's all free, plus you get free Sparks from 10-11. That's how fucking awesome! Photos by Red Slurpee, 21+.



-First off, let me just say that I love love love this flier. The Club Genre decided to cut back on the size and add to the awesomeness, check it out! Anyway, you know this one, one of the regulars and a good weekly stop in LA. This Monday massive features two rooms of partying and dancing and music, the main room features DJs Luv Tek, S!n, Bip Jeffington and Nytel, while the front room features the DJ stylings of Zendo, Billy Noorlag, The Colossal KNXN, Louisahhh!, Jimmy Boy and Bulimiatron. Expect lots of dance, electro, indie, club bangers, the works. Expect two bars providing you with refreshment and intoxication. Expect people dancing and looking good. Expect the best. Free before 10:30, $5 for guys before 11, $5 for girls all night, 18+, doors at 9:30. Lots of great up and coming LA talent, do not sleep on these kids.



-I always say that Sundays and Mondays seem bigger the further West you get from the East Coast. But, like much of what I write here, that's bullshit. The best example calling me out is the Monday Night at Sway party that Ms. Oxy Cottontail has been doing for, well forever I think. Tonight, she's introducing a new drink called the Oxy Cocktail and she has invited two-thirds of The Rub, Cosmo Baker and DJ Eleven, and DJ Iron Lyon of Takeover Theory to DJ the occasion. The Oxy Cocktails are complimentary from 10-11:30, there will be drink specials all night and there's no cover to get in. Hosted by Roxy, BiJules and Mastro of Takeover Theory, this one will be packed as it is every week. No cover, 21+, 10-4am.



-Down in Philly, Mondays look to be back in play, as a new club has opened and the Monday night weekly looks promising. The club is called Vango Lounge and Skybar (116 S. 18th St.), definitely not a grimy basement disco, this one's gonna be a lot more serious and filled with lawyers. But, it's got an amazing layout from what I've seen and their choice of Carl Michaels and Seclusiasis' dev79 as DJs for the this Blue Monday party bodes well. Other things that sound good are the no cover and the heated roof deck.

Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited

Franz Ferdinand & Jane Birkin, "A Song For Sorry Angel (Sorry Angel)" (YSI link)
Cat Power & Karen Elson, "I Love You Me Either (Je T'aime Moi Non Plus)" (YSI link)

Jarvis Cocker & Kid Loco, "I Just Came To Tell You That I'm Going (Je Suis Venu te Dire Que Je M'En Vais)" (YSI link)

Faultline,

Since we talked about cool in the last post, why not do one on one of the coolest men of all-time, Mr. Serge Gainsbourg? While most of my CDs from the man himself are back in Philly (find me a permanent apartment so I can bring all my music up!), I finally got a copy of this recent covers album by some of the biggest names in the indie world. I know what you are thinking, cover albums are always iffy, they never come close to equaling the original, always feeling like a bizarre hodgepodge. I'm not sure that this one completely escapes those problems, but it's far more successful than most. Best of all, it's a nice way to get into Gainbourg's music and spread the word, as most of the artists are well-known and each song translates the original French lyrics into English. I know, I know, that sounds like sacriledge. But, I'm as a big a Francophone whore as anyone and I didn't mind. It's cool to hear the lyrics in English and I think it leads to better interpretation by these UK and American artists.

Not surprisingly, the best interpretation for me features Ms. Chan Marshall a.k.a. Cat Power, Chanel spokesmodel and Pound for Pound muse. Here she does a duet with British supermodel Karen Elson on "I Love You Me Either" and it fucking rocks, in a sexy, perverse way that Serge would have loved. This was one of his most controversial songs when it came out in 1969, which sadly obscures how great it is. Franz Ferdinand join forces with French chanteuse, Serge's wife, mother of Charlotte, his duet partner on the above "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus," actress, model, icon, goddess Jane Birkin for a great, rocking version of "A Song For Sorry Angel." It's got a great give and take between Birkin and Alex Kapranos and loud and quiet parts. I could see this one working in a club or mix, good stuff. Finally, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker does the most faithful rendition of Serge, bringing a little of that cocky, swaggering attitude to "I Just Came To Tell You That I'm Going." It

There's also good covers by The Rakes, Portishead and Tricky and one of my favorites on the CD, Faultline, Brian Molko and Francoise Hardy's "Requiem For A Jerk." I'd recommend this one for anyone looking to get into Gainsbourg's music and/or long-time fans who aren't too uptight. You can grab this CD for less than $10, although I now realize that there's a domestic release with two extra tracks. [Must turn off music nerd part of brain, must not buy.] You, on the other hand, should give it a look, although it's 7 more dollars for those two songs. Or, might I recommend copping the gorgeous 2LP version Turntable Lab has for sale? You can never wrong with vinyl or Serge Gainsbourg.

Miles Davis - The Birth Of Cool

Miles Davis, "Jeru" (YSI link)

Miles Davis, "Boplicity" (YSI link)

Miles Davis, "Rouge" (YSI link)

It's been an rough week here at Pound for Pound HQ, we've been sick now for more than a week and it's getting old. It has been nice, though, chilling out for a weekend, attempting the dreaded stay-in on Saturday night home alone with only your thoughts and fears thing. I survived that; best of all, it gave me a chance to listen to lots of music, not just the newest of the new stuff but older stuff and genres that I've always listened to but haven't had a chance to recently. I felt like it would be a fun time to start introducing that stuff here, perhaps even make it a weekend thing or a regular in the weekday rotation.

I decided to start with jazz and one of its classic albums, Miles Davis' Birth Of Cool. No real reason for this starting point, other than the fact that it was one of a handful of records that made me fall in love with the music and I consider it to be one of the best places to start listening to jazz.

First, a little background. This is listed as a Miles Davis release, but it's a little more than that. While it features the band that Miles brought together in the late 1940s and led, Gil Evans played a pivotal role advising the group and writing music for it. Evans was one of the first to arrange be-bop songs for orchestras and would lead the way in the reaction away from the hyper sounds of be-bop to the 'cooler' sounds that this album initiated. I like to think of it as East Coast cool, as opposed to the West Coast cool movement that ran with this sound, it's a much more edgy sound than the stuff that Chet Baker et al would put out.

Anyway, why would I make this the first jazz post? Mainly because I feel like jazz is such a daunting thing to try to get into, it's nice to hear this album which features music that is so beautiful and swinging. The use of instruments like the French horns and tuba give it a unique and almost classical feel, the slower pacing and clean tones also make for an easy listening experience. Also, I feel like Miles Davis has always been the most interesting jazz man for me, one of those figures who stands out in musical history as an innovator. This album is his first as a leader and the first time he would help change the direction of the genre, something he would do many more times in the ensuing decades. Finally, there's so many amazing players on this album, guys like Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Max Roach and John Lewis to name a few who are pivotal figures that make for a great roadmap to tracing the history of jazz.

Give a listen to the above tracks from the original LP release and let me know what you think. I've chosen a song a piece for the three most famous composers on the album - Gerry Mulligan ("Jeru"), Gil Evans ("Boplicity") and John Lewis ("Rouge"). While the album always gets discussed for its historical significance, don't get it twisted. These are amazing tunes, the kind that you get stuck in your head and have you humming them on the subway, looking like a crazy person. Buy a copy of the The Complete Birth Of Cool, which gives the added bonus of the only known live recordings of the band. We'll try to do a post on those live versions later in the week and start adding more jazz into the mix in general. Yeah!

Confession Sundays OK CITY, Le Disko LA, Club Era RVRSDE

Okay, I normally wouldn't do a party post on Sunday, but we've been a little slack the past week with staying on top of things and I know y'all want to go out and celebrate that miraculous Eagles victory and/or the scheduling of elections in Pakistan for February (only 4 more months of martial law!) Plus, tomorrow's a holiday for lots of people, so you can go out and make sure the weekend doesn't die yet! Let's start off with a new party from a DJ crew that we first mentioned last week, the Dance Robots, Dance crew in Oklahoma City. Tonight, two of the guys, Joshua Distance and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, are gonna be at the Electro Lounge (5929 N. May Ave) for a cool, laid-back night of good music called Confession Sundays. Basically, they're spin lots of good music from all sorts of genres, whether The Clash or Daft Punk or whatever. In fact, they are more than happy to put on something good that you've brought, so bring your iPod or burn a CD of whatever it is that's been on repeat. There'll be places to sit and a mini-dancefloor, drink specials, 21+, no cover, 9-2 am. A great way to keep the weekend going in a relaxed and cool way, nice.

-From a new one to one of the first parties we ever mentioned here, Le Disko in LA. This one features lots of great LA DJs, including regulars Daniel of LA Riots, Keith 2.0, DJ (N) and Marshall Barnes, plus special guests for the night, DJs More Dillon and Ben N, a.k.a. Mr. Hands. They're taking over the Spider Club (1735 Vine St.) as they do every Sunday, bringing you lots of indie and indie dance and dance to start the week off right. Even better, tonight it can keep the weekend going one more night. Free before 11 for 18+ with a flier, free all night for 21+ with flier.



-Here's another ol' reliable, Club Era in Riverside, California. DJs S!n and Luv Tek have added another resident to the mix, Joaquin, creating a triumvirate as formiable as the one formed with Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. I can assure you that Caesar couldn't kill a dancefloor like these dudes. Head to Club Sevilla (3252 Mission Inn) to experience this for yourself, 18+, $5 to get in or become myspace friends and message them there to find out about guest list action. Dress nice, hail Caesar!



-Late update: tune into Gtownradio.com to hear the Seclusiasis Radio show from 11-1 tonight only. Normally they are on Radio Volta, but not tonight. It should be a good one, there'll be an interview with Vex'd of Planet Mu Records, a chat with Pavan of Sweden's Flogsta Danshall, plus Seclusiasis' Starkey and dev79 will spin the best of grime, dubstep, rap, the heavy, bass-y stuff. Seclusias Radio, every second Sunday of the month, 11-1, tonight on Gtownradio.com.

Philadelphyinz PHILA, Spaced Out MLWKEE, Dark Wave Disco CHI, Check Yo Ponytail LA and much more

So, I've been saying how much I loe hearing about new parties in places we don't normally discuss, your Albuquerques, your Seattles, etc. I must confess, there's something that makes me much more happy and that's a post filled with Philly parties, as it's where I left my heart (if I had had one to begin with). So much going on there, let's start with the special night at Medusa's (21st and Chestnut Sts), as the Philadelphyinz celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their monthly party at the basement rave cave. APT One and Skinny Friedman are two who deserve to be playing huge clubs, so appreciate the fact that you can still get sweaty and drunk and dance-y in an amazing, tiny little venue. No cover, 21+, as the fliers says "It's roller skate music rap about diamonds 80s jams for special ladies futuristic dance music by guys in tight pants spiced out thug club tracks bell biv devoe and probably a bunch of hip house." It sounds like the soundtrack in my head. Happy anniversary guys, mazel tov!

-There's also the Hip Replacement party upstairs at The Khyber, where resident DJs Mike T and Billy W also play the soundtrack in my head every month, a soundtrack of aciiiiieeeeeddddd, robot music, cocaine disco and so much more. They've brought in a guest DJ from SF, Niklas, and he too will destroy said dancefloor and/or your mind. No cover, 21+, $1 PBRs and High Lifes until midnight, it'll be a rave, Dave.

-Later, head down to Transit (6th and Spring Garden) where another amazing Philly DJ duo are spinning. Emynd and Bo Bliz, a.k.a. the White Ts and White Belts guys, are going to be taking over the main floor and will be every month for the new weekly Paper-Street jawn, Mad Pu$$y. Plastic Little DJ Si Begg opens up, Soul Traveler Brendan Bring'em will be in the basement space all night and DJ Dirty of the Sundae party will hold down the upstairs. Get on the list for $5, first 200 women get drink tickets, I'm predicting that this will be out of control. This one goes until 3:30, definitely your second stop no matter what.



-Finally, as only Philly does, go late late night at The Vacuum (1740 N. Tilghman St.), which hosts the Save the TAB party. This one's a benefit for Tabitha who had her car recently stolen and lots of great local electronic/dance DJs are going to be spinning until 6 am or so, including Hip Replacement's Mike T, Unfoundsound's Accidentally and Tleilaxu, Inciting's Pandemix and more. $10 suggested donation, BYOB, 21+. As the flier says, "Dance lose yr mind help Tabitha." Pretty simple, really.

-For my hip hop heads, ?uestlove will be spinning tonight at the Tasty Treats party at Fluid (613 S. 4th St.). Dude is always busy, so this is a super rare chance to catch him at the weekly he started with Mike Nyce. This party is packed every week, so I'd recommend getting there early if you decide to go. Women are free until 11, $7 otherwise, $3 drinks and $2 domestic beers from 10-12, just another legendary Philly party and DJs.



-Brooklyn, see the other post for the main event tonight, but make sure to make it to the Hi Tops and Hearts party at Royal Oak (594 Union Ave.) where the fashionable and stylish DJ Tiny Pants is joined by DJ Sexxxual Chocolate for a dance party that will feature people actually dancing!! Love Brigade is sponsoring this one, there's a ton of drink specials (see the bottom of the flier), no cover, 10-4am, 21+. P.S. I checked with Tiny and those are Hebrew National hot dogs, so everything's kosher, my dears. Yeah!



-On the southside of Williamsburg, Catchdubs and Jones of Caps & Jones are spinning all night at Savalas (285 Bedford Ave), this place can be hit or miss, but I have confidence that these two will bring out a big and rowdy crowd.



-Yeah! Another new city for Pound for Pound! Milwaukee! Fuck milk and honey, we want beer and sausage! This Spaced Out party looks to be a pretty dope event which is having a huge November with lots of special guests. I believe, and please correct me if I'm wrong, this is a weekly Saturday night jawn put on by The Glamour, a.k.a. Diamonds and Kelly Green. Tonight, the party is the latest host of Shadowscene's US tour, as she continues to cover every cool party from LA to NYC. You also get DJing from Futureboyfriend, Diamonds and Why B. It all goesd down at the Moct (240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.), doors at 9 pm, girls drink for free from 9-11 (!!!!), no cover.



-Wow, a massive Dark Wave Disco tonight at Sonotheque (1444 W. Chicago Ave.). This party just keeps bigger and better, this edition should set the bar high as Steve Aoki of Dim Mak and Todd from The Faint are the special guest DJs. It's also DWD-ers Mark Gertz birthday, so wish him a happy birthday and check out all of the amazing residents spin - Gertz, Trancid and Greg Corner. Hosted by Paul In Chicago and CK Couture, doors open at 9, things go until 3 am, assuming you are 21+, Svedka drink specials and $3 Goose Island 312s, do this Chicago!



-After you've got done with that party, head on over to Evil Olive (1551 W. Division St.) where the Kampfire Killaz are going late night until 5 am. Sadly, there's no flier, but I do know it's 21+, no cover and the perfect way to extend your night with Jay and Misa and the Crossfader Kings. RSVP at the going.com site and drink lots of Red Bull.

-It's so nice when I see some of my favorite DJs and parties get together and tonight's edition of Too Much Love is a great example. The Tactic duo from Lawrence, KS are the special guest at Soviet Panda's weekly jawn at First Avenue (701 First Avenue N) The guys are celebrating their recent remix of Blaqstarr's " that just came out on Mad Decent, so they should be in high spirits. 18+, $3, free with student ID, Midwest is taking over.



-Finally, we make it to the opposite coast. For San Fran's hip hop heads, the Freshcuts party looks like a hard one to pass up. This fifth edition features the Roots' DJ Scratch as the headliner, any time you can catch a Philly DJ, make you sure you to take advantage and notes. In the Underground Sweatshop room, DJs Platurn, Ren and Franchise will spin rap, while the Culture Suite has White Girl Lust and DJ Swayzee bringing a few more genres into the mix. It all happens at Club 6 (60 6th St.) Doors open at 9, party goes until 3 am, 21+. RSVP at the going.com site for free entry before 10:30, $10 advanced tickets can be bought at Digital Underground.



-I can't think of a better one to end on, to bring it all full circle than this edition of Check Yo Ponytail. This LA party turns to one of Philly's greatest, DJ Low Budget, to show y'all how it's done. Oh mang, I'm getting teary eyed thinking back to all of the amazing nights I spent with this guy providing the soundtrack. He's been touring with M.I.A., tonight he will spin along with Franki Chan and Paparazzi. That's not all, not by a long shot. There's also live performances by The Ponys, Chin Up Chin Up and Ting Ling. There's no other place to be tonight than The Echoplex (1154 Glendale Blvd). 10 pm, 18+, $10 advanced tickets.

M.A.N.D.Y. vs Damian Lazarus! Brooklyn! Tonight!

M.A.N.D.Y., Get Wild, Fabric (London) October 16, 2007 part 1 (YSI link) (File Mojo link)

M.A.N.D.Y., Get Wild, Fabric (London) October 16, 2007 part 2 (YSI link) (File Mojo link)

I wanted to give this super rad party its own post, as CUT and Made have brought M.A.N.D.Y. to Brooklyn. I have been waiting patiently for this one since I saw the listing a few weeks back, pretty hard to catch my attention like that, so you know this one's serious. I have been hinting at looking at more of the stuff being made by the likes of M.A.N.D.Y. and Booka Shade and the whole Get Physical label, tune in next week as this party has inspired me to put my mp3s where my mouth is. Anyway, for those that don't know, M.A.N.D.Y. are the Berlin-based duo of Patrick Bodmer and Phillipp Jung, responsible for some of the best remixes and tracks of the last 5 years. This is a rare chance to catch them DJing here in the US, especially at a cool, cheaper, non-club club like Studio B (259 Banker St.). You also get a set from Crosstown Rebels' label owner and excellent DJ in his own right, Damian Lazarus, who may just steal the show. Plus the Trouble & Bass DJs will be there to provide the low end. Advanced tickets are $15 at Made's site, I'm guessing about $20 at the door, 21+, 10-4am, this should be amazing.

Check the recent mix that aired on Proton Radio from M.A.N.D.Y., should be a good inspiration for those in NYC and a good consolation for those who aren't.

PalmsStop Progress NYC

Well, Pound for Pound is still on the DL, stuck inside on Friday night with jealous boots. Since I'm such a self-loathing masochist, I figured that we'd start with all of the amazing shit happening within blocks of my apartment and work my way out. First stop is a 2 Live Crew record's throw away and it's a good one. The most excellent blog Palms Out Sounds are putting on a little party at Hugs (108 N. 6th Street) that should be completely out of control in a good way. Bangers and Cash, Benny Blanco, Purple Crush, Todosantos, Sweatshop Labor DJs, Estaw, Chew Fu Phat, Mr. Johnson, Hubba Hubba, Boody B & Chaz and special guests will form like Voltron tonight and transform into a massive, sweaty drunken bash. Free before midnight, $3 after, doors at 10 pm, 21+ (or bring a good fake and none of that New Jersey shit everyone had in college).

-I also desperately want to hit up the People Don't Dance No More party at Studio B tonight. One of my favorite parties in the city is making its first foray into the Brooklyn territory, it comes in peace with disco, house, electro and dancing. Headliner tonight is Dan Selzer of Acute Records, an amazing producer who I feel like doesn't get anywhere the attention he deserves. Here's a chance to check him out at one of my favorite spots joined by three of my favorite DJs in NYC - Wurst Edits' Jacques Renault, Dave Bruno of Slap You In Public and Eamon Harkin of FUN. This is like a dance music version of the Yankees' 1927 line-up. RSVP at peopledontdancenomore@gmail.com, no cover, $4 beers all night, 2 for 1 drinks from 2-3 am, 21+, it's a disco Brooklyn!



-The final stop of the night is another favorite, the Finger On The Pulse party at Royal Oak. My bol DJ Never Forget and Terry Diabolik have invited Portland's Hoop Dreams to town to join their danceathon in the bar that kinda looks like a house when you pass it. Oh, but don't let that nice exterior fool you, dirty, filthy things are going on behind that door, you just need to take the blue pill and step forward. No cover, 21+, another amazing flier. Yeah! Williamsburg!



-Across the river, lots of good things are going down as well. Let's see, there's no flier, but I cannot recommend more highly the Stop Progress party in the basement of APT (419 W. 13th St.) Resident DJ Max Pask has invited the amazing DJ Naughty to come from Berlin and melt your faces. It's $10, take a chance as this is a special one.

-Okay, so you don't want to go to the Meatpacking District, understandable. Head down to the LES instead, where the Lewd bols will take care of you at The Skinny (172 Orchard Street). rekLES and Sean M'F'n Roberts will spin music that makes you want to do dirty things. This one happens every second and fourth Friday, no cover, 10pm-???, $3 well drinks from 11-12, take note of the ??? marks. Y'all know that I'm a big fan of this party, I can't think of a better spot for the latter part of the night. Or hell, for the early and middle parts too.



-Like a half a block away, the Ruff Club keeps on truckin' at The Annex (152 Orchard). This is a tough city to be a weekly, as everyone gets so bored here with cool things after so long. Spencer Product and Denny Le Nimh seem intent on not letting that happen by bringing in some great DJs week in and week out to the main room; tonight, Alexander Technique of DJs Are Not Rockstars headlines, but you're gonna want to make sure to catch Sleazemore of San Fran's Lights Down Low party (see below), as dude will make your Friday night so much better. Down in the basement, Japanster and Danzie are spinning, and the regulars will also be in the house. Free Svedka from 10 until it's gone, $10, hosted by Sophia Lamar.



-I'd also suggest checking out Club 205 (205 Chrystie@Stanton), where two of NYC's rising stars, Team Facelift and No Surrender, play live. Doors are at 9, so this should be a great start to the night.



-If you'd like to have a more relaxed night, head to the Stanton Public (17 Stanton St. btwn Bowery & Chrystie) where Frog, a.k.a. Dances With White Girls, is going to be spinning all night, expect lots of indie, britpop, punk, 80s tunes.



-Secretly, I just wish I was home home in Philly. The PiLam house (3914 Spruce St.) at my alma mater UPenn has been throwing some of the best parties in the city for the past few months, from the Bang Gang DJs to The Holy Ghost, this one doesn't have that sort of star power, but it'll give you a chance to realise what a great place this is to party and freak out. It's the Normal Love CD release, Yukon, Bad News Bats and Snowstorm also will play live, not sure about DJs. $5, presented with the radio station I once DJ'd at WQHS. Ahh, memories



-clapperjaw



-Okay, tonight was a great flier night, but this one for Lights Down Low is a work of art. I mean, whoever does these fliers should have an exhibit or something, as they are on some genius shit. Anyway, this party will be as good as the flier with the San Fran debut of Sleazy V. He joins resident DJ Rchrd Oh!? and guests Omar and Forever 21 for this rager at 222 Club (222 Hyde and Turk).



-brrokly berlin

Coki - Red Eye

Coki, "Red Eye" (YSI link) 320

Coki, "Bleep" (YSI link) 320

Well, I've got a doctor's appointment soon and since I'm human - and not yet the robot I want to be when I grow up - I'm filled with a nervousness and dread. All of which is to say, I love a good intro and that seems like as good as any for another look at dubstep. Here's some more dark and paranoid tunes for you, Coki's Red Eye EP, perfect title, conjuring up images of red-eyed pot smokers, bolting the door shut, pushing the dresser against it, quietly freaking out inside their heads.

Here's the A side of the 12," the title track starts off with some sub bass, itchy drums and effects, which sets the mood perfectly. You're just dying for that massive bass to come in and it does at about the 30 second mark. From there, it's all about the wobbly bassline that withstands a few attacks from an oscillating effect and various synths/keys to remain supreme throughout. "Beep" showcases the dancehall/reggae roots of the genre nicely, with some sampled deejay talk that brings back junglist memories. Again, things start off with a hesistant, nervous start, there's something very ominous about the whole track. There's a nice use of found samples here, with a liquid-y sound coming in intermittently, something I haven't heard much of from this genre. Both songs have much more upbeat, hard charging sound, but the sandpaper-y percussion leaves a wonderful uneasiness to the proceedings.

Cop the vinyl at Boomkat right now, as it won't be there much long. Another amazing release by one-half of the Digital Mystikz.

Club Pop Seattle, We Are Your Friends ALBQ, Unstoppable Perfect NYC and more

I'm feeling super inspired by the Oklahoma City party from last night's post, want to keep hyping parties going on in the cities less traveled here at Pound for Pound. Club Pop fits the bill perfectly, the bi-monthly in the land of coffee, rain and grunge, Seattle (assuming that you only know the city from the movie Singles) This edition looks to be an f'in monster, with Le Castle Vania and Drop The Lime, a.k.a. Institubes' Curses!, as the special guest DJs. That's some serious talent joining the resident DJs Colby and Gutterpants, should be an amazing night of dance floor mayhem. This one goes down tonight, and every second and fourth Thursday, at Chop Suey (1325 E. Madison), $10 before 11, $12 after, presented by Antartic, The Stranger and Shameless. P.S. We've mentioned a few things going on in Seattle, but definitely don't have a good sense of all the amazing stuff going on in the Northwest. Get at us if you can make the picture clearer.

-Mang, we are finna cover the whole country. Albuquerque, stand the fuck up! The We Are Your Friends party goes down tonight, and every Thursday for that matter, in the front room of Lotus (211 Gold Ave. SW, bwtn 2nd and 3rd), formerly known as OPM. It sounds like this is a test run for the club, to see what sort of interest there would be for this party, so don't wait around, head out tonight and show support to DJs Brandon, Ethan and Paul. $5 for under 21, no cover for 21+, no dress code, drink specials, the time of your life.



-Closer to home, my home anyway, one of my favorite NYC parties, Unstoppable Perfect, goes down in its monthly second Thursday of the month slot at Happy Ending (302 Broome St.). I've been hyping this for a while now, L Magazine has found the bandwagon, now it's your turn. DJs rekLES and Sean M'F'N Roberts, a.k.a. the Lewd DJs, will melt your faces with the various genres of music that one would find at an excellent mp3 blog, such as poundforpound.blogspot.com. Hosted by Julius O. and Antwan of ithinkyoureswell.com, this is seriously one of the nights in this city, it's that simple. For the boozers, there's two open, yes two, Bass Ale open bars: one from 11-12, the second from 2-3. What more do you need? Lovely flier, btw, great look and love having all the info right there. Yeah!




-You're other stop downtown tonight is Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie St.) for the Common Folk party. This is a special one, as it's the first time I think that there's going to be a live band, as Lismore will be playing a set at midnight. Of course, Sweatshop Labor and Rage Mountain will deliver the usual dance party destruction, as they do every single week here. There's free Zygo vodka from 11-12, this seems like a perfect early part of the night stop, but I'm not a dictator, do as you see fit. No cover, 21+, lovely flier as well.



-For those who want something bigger or a little closer to the L or further uptown, there's always the Cheeky Bastard Thursday party at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.@9th Ave). Tonight's another jammed packed line-up, definitely want to make sure to catch Ed Banger's Mr. Flash spinning later, one of the less heralded names from the amazing label and Paris scene. There's also going to be a live performance by hip-hop legend Masta Ace, plus DJ sets by Baltimore club-ers Aaron LaCrate and Samir. That's a really nice, eclectic bill, the GBH guys consistently impress with this night. On top of all that, it's a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of legendary label Delicious Vinyl and the 150th issue of Urb magazine, just in case you need something to celebrate. There's a Lucky Beer open from 10-11, 2 for 1 vodka drinks from 11-12 and 2-3, all for free if you RSVP at the going.com site. 21+, doors at 10 pm.



-Finally, in my heart's home Philadelphia, Seclusiasis Thursdays goes off at Sal's (200 S. 12th St.) tonight, as it does every Thursday. Tonight, resident DJ Ghost is joined by Isaac Jordan for a night of the heavy bass music, lots of grime, rap, dubstep, booty, you know the stuff. No cover, $1 PBRs and $3 mixed drinks until 11 pm, 9-2 am, check it out.

Matthew Dear - Don and Sherri

Photo by Will Calcutt

Matthew Dear, "Don and Sherri (MANDY remix radio edit)" (YSI link) 320

Matthew Dear, "Don and Sherri (Hot Chip version)" (YSI link) 320

Well, Pound for Pound is still struggling a bit; since the posts aren't coming fast and furious, I figured that we need to go with quality over quantity until we feel better. I can't think of a better or more interesting artists working in the dance/electronica field than Matthew Dear. The dude can do no wrong, whether releasing stuff under his real name or under aliases like Audion or False. His album for Ghostly International from earlier this year, Asa Breed, has been highly acclaimed, represents another shift in the man's music (or at least a more successful version of the more song-oriented, vocal dance-pop stuff he's been working on under his own name).

"Don and Sherri" is the first single dropped, one of the standout tracks from the original. Dear's version is fascinating; a dance floor number with neurotic, dark lyrics (How could I let you forget me/If you don't even know me already./My name doesn't change very often/but it's never been Don and Sherri.") He's got two of the biggest and best producers in the game on the remixes for this song. Get Physical's M.A.N.D.Y. delivers something for the dance floors, a jacked version that was not expected. The boys have made this one all about a nasty bassline that hits you in the belly and never lets you go. The vocals are tweaked and filtered, which may bother some people. Overall, the brilliant pacing and colder, more minimalist sound work for me. However, it's the Hot Chip version that I love most of all. That shouldn't be much of a surprise, since I've been a groupie for the band ever since The Warning made my life infinitely better. Here, they slow the pace of the original, use their own vocals and let a more heartbroken and bittersweet vibe into the original. They add these sort of choral "Ahhs" in the background, introduce a nice, shuffling drums/claps beat and great organ/keys that are amazing. Not sure if this one's club-ready, but it sure is ready for late at night, headphones listening, end-of-mixtape-for-someone-you-have-a-crush-on selection.

I recommend buying Asa Breed right now, it will surely factor in the best-of-the-year lists that are right around the corner. You can also grab this 12" at Turntable Lab right now, a fully stocked slab of vinyl. I'd also recommend inviting me as a friend on myspace, we're gonna start giving out some extras there. It's time to take over the social networking sites too.

High Voltage@The Annex NYC, Flosstradamus PHILA, Robotic Wednesday OKLA CTY and more

Still not feeling too hot, so everyone is gonna have to go out and rage extra hard tonight. Wednesdays are the new Fridays, the night when the douchebags are clogging up Murray Hill and the Upper East Side, so make it a downtown night. Lots to do in the LES, kicking off with the High Voltage party. There's some problems for the 200 Orchard Bar, it has been closed down due to liquor license shenanigans. We'll post about the petition tomorrow, tonight head to The Annex (152 Orchard St.) to get your fill of Dimitry and his epic weekly jawn. I'm super psyched about this one, as Pound for Pound favorite Sleazemore has come in from San Fran to destroy the Big Apple. Dude does the Lights Down Low party in SF, along with a ton of other stuff, do not miss his set. He's joined by another guest, Micprobes of Ruff Club fame, pretty much a night of great DJs and music to dance to. RSVP here, Zygo vodka open from 11 until its gone, Remember, head to The Annex for tonight's party.

-Okay, I actually thought this party wouldn't jump off again until next Wednesday, otherwise I would have given it more attention. The Moonwalk party at Happy Ending (302 Broome St.) seriously needs to get in your radar ASAP. I've had the good fortune of attending a few recently (including the crazy Halloween bash) and they've all been a blast - good music, lots of girls, good-sized crowds, decent drink prices. DJs Rezound and Cousin Cole are the residents, tonight they are joined by Soul Korea on the decks. Hosted by the Kitten Crew, 2 for 1 drinks, no cover, you need to check this one out.



-Here's a new party for Pound for Pound, don't know how long Hump Day's been going on or what. But, I took a look at the resident DJ Pumpkin Patch and was impressed. Dude spins a lot of Italo, ghettotech, electro, disco, let's called it Pound for Pound music. It's always good to hear new DJs, so I'm gonna even ignore the fact that this party is at The Delancey (168 Delancey St.), where I spent one of my worst nights in NYC. No cover, things get started at 9 pm, so get there early and make this the first stop of your night.



-No flier, but you're gonna want to hit up 205 tonight where Stretch Armstrong & Eli Escobar are joined by DJ AM and Junior Sanchez in the basement for the weekly Soundsystem Party. Yes, you read that right, all four of those dudes tearing up the 205 basement all night. RSVP to 205list@gmail.com to guarantee entry, as you know it ain't easy getting in there.

-The Bass Cadets are back! Knowlton Walsh, Michael Savant, Die Young, E-Heavy, Etan, Scott Bliss and Matthew Savant are taking over the Shine Lounge (1 Kendall Sq. Blvd) for a night of bass warfare. 19+, 9-1, drink specials and full kitchen, tons of different music coming at you from the various DJs. A fun night in Cambridge Mass, a.k.a. the People's Republic, shout out to my girl AW wherever she is now.



-Whoa, this one excites me. Oklahoma City, in the Pound for Pound house! Robotic Wednesdays thankfully came to my attention, allowing me to continue my steady takeover of the Midwest in an effort to get everyone to say sneakers, not gym shoes or tennis shoes or whatever. Anyway, this weekly party looks like it's designed just to blow away all of my East Coast snobbery with one filthy robotic dance song after the next. It's put on by the Dance Robots, Dance DJs - John Bourke, Ed Crunk and Joshua Distance. Tonight, they are joined by Prince William on the decks, while LA's Shadowscene continues her world tour snapping photos all night. It happens at the Electro Lounge (5259 N. May Ave), I mean it's at a place called the fucking Electro Lounge! We must show our support. 21+, $2, 9-2, more like this please.

The Blow - Parentheses

The Blow, "Parentheses (DAT Politics remix)" (YSI link)

The Blow, "Parentheses (Rory Phillips remix)" (YSI link)

Well, it's been kind of a crappy time of late, so I can't think of a better time to take a look at the recent 7" release for The Blow's "Parentheses." Long-time readers will know that I love love love The Blow and their last album, Paper Television. It's an album that always makes me happy, no matter what the circumstance and this song in particular is one of my all-time favorites. I mean, I could listen to this song forever and I feel like bad things would stay away at a safe distance. "If something in the deli aisle makes you cry, you know I’ll put my arm around you and I’ll walk you outside, through the sliding doors./ why would I mind? You're not a baby if you feel the world. All of the babies can feel the world. That's why they cry." Perfect.

It's always cool to see some noted producers take a stab at a favorite artist's song. On this 7" slab of vinly, you get Rory Phillips, the famed Trash DJ with Erol Alkan, stripping the original down, taking out the stuttery beats and smoothing out the rhythm in general. It sounds to me like he slows things down a fair amount, as it sounds like Khaela Maricich is singing through molasses or on valium. makes the wise decision to leave the vocals in

It's awesome to see the name DAT Politics, a group that I've heard from or listened to in a few years since I last checked in with the Mille Plateaux crowd. They're actually three French men and women from Lille who originally performed as a rock band called Tone Rec, which morphed into DAT Politics around 2000. They've had releases on Tigerbeat and Chicks On Speed, sitting most comfortably on the more experimental/spazzy side of the electronic spectrum. This remix is definitely more of a remix, as the group adds in a screaming vocal, speeds things up, tweaks the vocals a bit and best of all turns the BASS up. I actually like this one a lot, walks the line between being too different and too similar to the original.

I can't say that either version comes within a hundred miles of the original for me. What can I say? I fell in love and there's no one else for me. I cannot recommend more highly picking up a copy of the recent LP, Paper Television. It was one of my fav albums last year and it's one of those records that always gets a reaction out of people I play it for, no matter what their tastes. You just need to hear it and you'll love it, I promise. Buy it here, you can fall in love too.

Apology/Return To Posting

Sorry for the lack of posting, but we've been having a little health scare in Pound for Pound world, trying to get back to full strength. We should resume official postings tomorrow, lots of good stuff coming up from The Blow, Matthew Dear, recent remixes of electro classics, a Josh Wink acid house mix, we'll get back on the party train, maybe even some big boobs pictures to cheer me up. In other words, everything's cool, radness is just around the corner. I miss all of you, hope you are doing well. Yeah!

Life During Wartime CHI, White Ts and White Belts PHILA, Loaded SF and more

This one makes me extra happy. Two of my favorite party/DJ crews meet up in Chicago tonight, as Life During Wartime hosts the Sweatshop Labor bols in a Pound for Pound dream of match of sorts. I mean, I'm so psyched to see this one take go down, if you are in Chicago you really need to be there and go crazy. I mean, c'mon Chicago! Life During Wartime! Bald Eagle! Mother Hubbard! Sweatshop Labor! Johnsville! Lucas Walters!

-On the real, Chicago is just running this night, the rest of the country can barely compete. Let's see, there's The New Indie First Fridays at Sonotheque (1444 Chicago Ave), featuring special guest DJ Drop The Lime, a.k.a. Curses!, of Institubes and Trouble & Bass fame. He joins up with DJ Jordan Z and host Jillian Valentino for a night of bass-heavy music that'll have the indie kids dancing. RSVP at the.new.indie@gmail.com for $8 reduced admission, $10 without, 21+, $3



-Whoa, we're still not done. Smash and Crunch goes off againsmash crunch




-Finally, Fridays at Debonair (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave) looks to be a good spot all this month. They're starting things off nicely, as the Dark Wave Disco-ers Trancid and Mark Gertz join the residents Heather Doble and Ryan Paradise for a dance party, plain and simple. $2 Colt 45s and vodka drinks, might as well get your feet wet as you're gonna wanna be back at this party all November.



-Philly actually gives Chicago a run for its money tonight, with the main event being the return of the amazing White Ts and White Belts party. I feel like it's been a few months since the last time this one went down (ed. note: it's only been a month, time flies when you're not going to cool parties), but no complaining, as it's just nice to have Emynd and Bo Bliz and Dan the Swede back for one of the best parties anywhere anytime. This one's extra nice, as NYC's Rezound and Workweek are the special guests, dudes that need to be on your radar ASAP as the biweekly Wed. night Happy Ending party is essential. This one's a Halloween party, so dress up and freak out or just freak out in your regular outfit. The key is to freak out when you get to The Arts Garage (1520 Parrish St.). $10, free Sparks, PBR and vodka or BYOB, midnight to 4AM.



-Hit up Sal's early in the night for the First Friday at Sal's jawn with the Super Todd Bros and Oh Murder! Inc. and HTSHELL. Tonight, they've brought in the super special guest JHN RDN, who will melt your face with aciiiieeeeddddd (and electro and indiedance and edits), who will go on around midnight. They're bringing in better sound, lights, smoke machines, the whole nine yards, no cover, perfect start to the night.



-I went as a glow stick for Halloween. I mention this solely for its segue value, as it allows me to mention the new Friday night weekly at Glow in Kansas City starting tonight. It features the Tactic dudes, it was a monthly I believe and tonight's the first night that it's going weekly. There's no flier for this one, hopefully we'll have one for future editions, but for now head out and show some support to

-Finally, the other city besides Chicago that really has caught my attention, San Francisco, has an abolutely insane rager about to go off. The Loaded party takes over The Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell St. btwn Van Ness and Franklin) and the place may never be the same again. DJ CoOp is in from Berlin

The Black Ghosts - Some Way Through This

The Black Ghosts, "Some Way Through This" (YSI link) YSI link corrected

The Black Ghosts, "Some Way Through This (Plastician & Skream remix)" (YSI link)

I'm actually gonna try to get better over the next few weeks with just posting, without any sort of genre or artist focus. However, I couldn't pass up this chance to comine our recent focus on indie dance and dubstep, I mean, seriously, who was expecting that crossover? Okay, maybe some of y'all were, but I wasn't. One listen to this recent remix of The Black Ghosts by dubstep stars Skream and Plastician and it was clear that I wasn't looking hard enough for the meeting points.

I'm getting ahead of myself, as the original version of "Some Way Through This" is a fantastic song in its own right. The Black Ghosts have enjoyed a lot of buzz, mainly off of the strength of a ton of great remixes of their songs. This track, though, shows that this band has a huge upside, it's seriously one of the best things I've heard in a minute. So many nice things here, first off, love love love Simon Lord's voice, you know that I love a less-than-perfect, unique voice and this dude's got it. It's a little more than four minutes, standard rock song length, but it seems so much longer and stretched out and relaxed, unlike most of the indie dance stuff. From there, a gorgeous instrumental brings it home with perfectly placed strings, bass buzzes and bumps and a clicking drumtrack.

Skream and Plastician are two of the biggest names in the dubstep scene and this track seems perfect for that hazy, slowed-down sound. For the most part, they don't mess with the original too much. They add a lot of subbass, throw in some effects, quicken the beat. Most notably, they take the strings out (or bury them in the mix), using the bass and an Eastern-y sounding synth to drive the rhythm. It's a nice remix, but pales in comparison to the original for me.

Cheeky Bastard NYC,Fuck Yessss ATL, Dance Party Magic CHI, Heist LA and more

Okay, let's be honest. You woke up this morning feeling like shit, wondering who the hell you hooked up with, why did you leave that one party and where did you go after the one bar, did you really see 5 guys dressed as penises, what the hell is wrong with people. In other words, it was a great night. Well, the fun doesn't have to end. New York was a crazy place last night, it should be safe to go back in the Meatpacking/Chelsea area now. It's worth it, as this is one of my favorite Cheeky Bastard bills in a while. Steve Aoki of Dim Mak is spinning, which is rad, but I'm most excited by the other two names on the flier. First, Philly's own Plastic Little will be playing live, one of my favorite groups who really should be way more famous and hyped than they are. Also, Dimitry!!! of High Voltage will be spinning early, about time my dude destroyed this party. You know the details for this GBH weekly, Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.@9th Ave), Bass Ale open bar from 10-11, 2 for 1 vodka drinks from 10-11 and 2-3, $8 Tiger beer and whiskey combos all night, rsvp for free entry.

-Atlanta, we don't get to talk much, feel like I'm not well-versed in what's going on down there. What I do know is that you need to get the The Drunken Unicorn room at the MJQ Concoruse (736 Ponce de Leon Place) every first Thursday of the month for the amazingly named Fuck Yesss party. This one's put on by Le Castle Vania, a.k.a. dj dj Dylan, and Treasure Fingers, sadly Treasure Fingers won't be at this one, but you get special guest Preston Craig to melt your faces, along with Black Sunshine. LA's Shadow Scene will be in the building snapping photos, 18+ $5, 21+ free, things get started at midnight. Expect nothing less than a acid-y rave.



-Big night in Chicago, like always. First up, Crossfader King presents the latest edition of DPM at Empire Liquors (1566 Milwaukee Ave). They've brought in the Peer Pressure DJs (A-Rock and Hatchmatik) to keep that Halloween vibe going for one more night, joining residents E-Six and Roan for the night. RSVY to DPM@crossfaderking.com to get in for free, then get to the club and enjoy some $4 Red Stripe and Southern Comfort combos, although "enjoy" might be stretching it.



-It's Thursday in Chicago, do you know where the Dark Wave Disco DJs are? Of course you do, as you are a regular reader and know that they have a weekly at Debonair (1575 Milwaukee Ave) Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner hold it down all night, $3 Effen vodka cocktails and PBRs, no cover, 10-2 am.



-I mentioned this Heist party that was starting up in LA, it looks like it's hit the ground running. I mean, word to party promoters, bringing in LA Riots is a good way to assure that you will hit the ground running, just FYI. The boys hold down the main room with resident DJ Score, plus a live set by Drk-Music. There's three floors total, so there should be something for everyone musically. There's also two bars, so there should be drinks for everyone. It's at The Airliner (2419 N. Broadway), 18+ to enter, 21+ to drink, RSVP here for reduced admission before 11, $10 otherwise all night.



-Always love to put up some non-US stuff, as I need to get the hell out of this country and this is good motivation. Delete Yourself is a monthly at the newly renovated Amersham Arms (388 New Cross Rd), run by the people behind the similarly named label (Alt>Delete Recordings). From the looks of things, they are not fucking around, bringing in some serious DJ talent, including tonight's edition with Shadow Dancer from Boys Noize. There's also Genuine Guy, Thoughtless Hussies, Ricky Liars Club and the Dollop DJs, all for only 4 pounds, which i believe is 286 American dollars. London, get psyched!

Sexual Harassment - I Need A Freak

This is sexual harassment, dickhead.

Sexual Harrassment, "I Need A Freak" (YSI link) 320

Sexual Harrassment, "If I Gave You A Party" (YSI link) 320

Sexual Harrassment, "You Are My Sexual Connection" (YSI link) 320

This one seems like a fitting day-after Halloween post, a night where everyone seems to be competing for freakiest. Actually, having seen the level of ogling and catcalls last night, I'd even say the band name works perfectly too. Good stuff!

Sexual Harrassment are one of those names that make music so fun, a almost literal one-hit wonder, SH is actually a one-man enterprise, written and performed by Lynn Toliver, a.k.a. David Payton, and this is the only piece of vinyl ever officially put out under this name. [There are two other listings at Discogs, but they don't appear to have been released on any label] Why didn't he release anything else under this moniker? I have no idea, to be honest, but I like to think that he realized that "I Need A Freak" was unfuckwithable and he retired on top, like Sandy Koufax and Jim Brown. One listen should confirm this fact for you, it's all about those little bass bumps for me. Okay, it's actually all about the lyrics delivered in a great dirty talk voice, let's be honest. "I need a freak to treat me right, I need a freak every day and night." I'm not gonna drone on and on with this one, just download, listen, repeat, go to bed, wake up, listen, repeat. I believe that's called the circle of life, but not 100% on that.

I've also thrown up the other two songs on the A side of the self-titled LP from Heat. They are both essential tracks for those who love "I Need A Freak," electro-funk classics that haven't gotten much attention. "If I Gave You A Party" is the main draw, featured on the classic Anti NY album, it's a pure party track. Huge bass, super synths, a great rap, the last two minutes or so are amazing, with the various people just talking and yelling and having fun over the music. If this doesn't make you wanna dance and throw a party right this second, I feel bad. "You Are My Sexual Connection" isn't on the level of the previous two, but it's still good, more of a rock beat, amazingly the lyrics are more sexually explicit than the first two. There's an odd guitar solo towards the end of the song, might be the only misstep on the whole side. This is really essential stuff, the