Kavinsky - 1986

Kavinsky, "Dead Cruiser" (YSI link)

Kavinsky, "Testarossa Overdrive (SebastiAn remix)" (YSI link)

Ugh, I did a whole Thursday night post and then blogger had some outage and I lost it all. Apologies to the good parties last night and to DJ Technics whose songs I put up. We'll get back to them, but for right now, it's time for some Miami bass to kick off the weekend.

There is so much going on tonight, it's a little overwhelming. Big night for NYC, new party in Philly, Lights Down Low in SF and Lauren Flax in London and more.

-Let's kick it off with People Don't Dance No More, the monthly LES party that has been bringing in some of the best dance music DJs to NYC. Tonight's an extra special one to me, as David Bruno and Robot Blair turn their attention to my favorite city, Paris, and one of my favorite labels, Institubes. Institubes Paris Terror Club is taking over Element (Houston and Essex) with DJ sets from Das Glow and Curses! I spent the morning walking around the LES and my old haunts (shout out to Kossars and Delancey McDonalds, I have a big feeling about this one.



-The co-headliner tonight is going to be serious fun. The worst part about NYC is the fact that there' s no crazy parties in unique spots, it's always the same bars and clubs, it always costs a shitload to drink. Well, the Finger On The Pulse bols are back and trying to change that with a rager in the basment of The Charleston (174 Bedford Ave.) DJ Never Forget and Terry Diobolik are joined by Miss MK from the Hot Hens as they try to set Bedford Ave on fire. Figuratively speaking.



-I told you it's a big night in NYC. A little further north in Greenpoint, Fixed does its monthly thing at Studio B (259 Banker St.). Tonight the special guest is Zombie Nation from Modular doing a live set. Dave P and JDH will do their thing as well, and let me reiterate that these two have been putting on the best sets I've heard in a long time recently.



-Legendary New York party/DJ crewThe Rub have Brooklyn on lock, so it looks like they are going to try to make a surprise attack on the Meatpacking district and its beautiful people. It's nice to see the GBH folks are putting this on, good to see people going out of their boxes and just supporting good music. It's at Lotus (409 W. 14th St.) upstairs.



-I'm not sure if this flier arouses me or disturbs me but either way it's always good to have Stretch Armstrong out doing the damn thing. Another DJ who has floored me whenever I've had a chance to hear him spin, he's with the White Dove ladies tonight at Orchard Bar (200 Orchard St.), so stop by before or after you hit up PDDNM.



-Honestly, this could have been the event of the night. Fuck it, it is. Lights Down Low brings in the amazing Rub 'n' Tug for a guest DJ set. The NYC/Eskimo Records dudes join resident Sleazemore and DJ Omar and Richard Oh!? for a night of sick, dirty dance music. This is the best party in SF, get to 222 Club (222 Hyde and Turk) and find out for yourself.



-Yeah, Life During Wartime dance party is back for its bi-monthy spot. I'm gonna do some Chicago posts next week, as that city is not getting the love it deserves. Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard have put together a night that has me taking notice. Go to Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago Ave) and appreciate what you have Windy City-ers. More to come, fa sho.



-Let's cross the ocean to let you know that our girl Lauren Flax is in London this weekend. Catch her Bosh! tonight at The Fly (New Oxford St.) with a ton of bands and DJs including fellow New Yorkers Dreamburger. Whenever I see the shit going on in London with the massive lineups and band/DJ mixtures, I get very jealous.


-DJ Almost Tropical, a.k.a. my girl Elizabeth, is spinning tonight a new bar in Berlin called Kim (Burnnenstrasse 10). It sounds like they are christening a new bar inside the place, not sure what they did before about drinking and stuff. But, I do know that Almost Tropical will kill it and that there is a wolf in the flier. Good enough for me.



-There's nothing I love more than when other cities realize that the greatest DJs are in Philly and always will be. If you want to have a good party, find a Philly DJ. Pound for Pound favorites Tactic are putting on Tight Werk in Kansas City, MO and have brought in Philly's Starkey from the Seclusiasis crew. Expect lots of bass, grime, dubstep, crunk, Balancas (1809 Grand) might never be the same.



-Finally, Hands and Knees is dead. Long live Last Nite On Earth. The M Room (15 W. Girard Ave) has a new Friday night party with DJ Solobuns from Upstairs at Sal's fame. I know you're going to miss H&K, but don't let your sadness prevent you from missing out on a great new addition to the Philly scene. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe this amazing Philadelphia Weekly writer who did a preview. Great flier, btw.

Audion - Just Fucking

Audion, "Just Fucking (Roman Flugel's 23 Positions In A One-Night Stand remix)" (YSI link)

Hot Chip, "No Fit State (Audion remix)" (YSI link)

I've been meaning to talk about Matthew Dear, Ghostly International and that whole techno scene in Ann Arbor. I can't think of a better way to start than with Dear's alter ego, Audion. Audion seems to allow Dear to pursue the booty part of his mind, the more house-oriented side of things. I went with one of his best singles, "Just Fucking" to get things started and give people a taste of what to expect. Whoa Nelly, the original is fucking rager from the start. It has a bassline is like a car engine being played by Larry Levan or something, sick and twisted and unstoppable. The remix is by Roman Flugel is a more subdued affair, featuring some gorgeous keys throughout. It doesn't have that bassline, which gives it a more minimal sound to my ears. It's beautiful, well-worth the download.

You know I love me some Hot Chip and love white labels even more. Bring them together and I'mma happy boy. Here Audion takes on a track from The Warning, "No Fit State." This one's much different, a sort minimal glitch remix of the original, almost draining the heart out of the Hot Chip version. Give it a chance though, as it might not sound great at first but it will with repeated listens. Headphones are a great idea, btw.

-I'm so excited for this one, people. My bol Dimitry is celebrating his birthday tonight and he's doing it in style at his own weekly party, High Voltage. For those who've taken my advice and got their asses out to this party already, you know that this is the best midweek jawn in the city, good DJs, good crowds, the whole deal. This one's gonna be extra special with guest DJs Eli Escobar and Ultragrrrl, vodka open bar from 11-12, Dimitry completely wasted and dancing on the dancefloor. I'll be in the house, you need to be too.

-Also make sure to hit up the latest Project Matt blastoff, this time at Savalas with Turntable Lab's Egg Foo Young. I'm hoping for lots of Dirty South bangers to knock some sense into all of my fellow Williamsburg hipsters



-LA, get to Awesometown tonight and be awesome. Dirty Dave and Anne Lee's jawn features a guest set by one of my fav deejays, Daniel from Le Disko. You also get a guest set by High Speed Dub from Get Famous, photos by shadowscene.com, and a record release party for Sea Wolf. It all goes down at The Bus Stop (1455 W. Sunset Blvd).



-Between LA and NYC, the Kampfire Killaz and Jordan Z do it rill big with the We Love Chicago party. That's so funny, as I totally love Chicago too! Get to the Continental (2801 W. Chicago) and feel the love vibes.



-Summer's is almost here and that means partying outside and on rooftops and in parks. The good people of Montreal have another option the entire month of May with Patio Lanterns at Vinyl (2109 Bleury). Brought to you by the Lookout Crew, every Wednesday in the month of May you can hear Huggs and Dojo spin and start the summer of '07 off right.



-If you're in Minneapolis, check out the !!! show at the Fineline (318 1st Avenue North), where our bol Soviet Panda is spinning beforehand. Flosstradamus cancelled, but I'd rather hear SP anyway. Grab your tickets here and have a blast.

-Finally, if you are in Philly, tune into radio station WKDU tonight from 7-9 to hear dance music don John Redden spin.

Houston's Back

Slim Thug, "Problem Wit Dat" (YSI link)

Paul Wall feat. Jermaine Dupri, "I'm Throwed" (YSI link)

I am working on a lot of little pieces for papers this week and am damn near burned out on words. But, there's a few good parties going off, so I just need to suck it up and put my fingers to the keyboard. It seems like a good time to get up a few more of the tracks coming out of Houston.

Let me first say, I love Slim Thug. There's just something about the voice, it sounds like it was already chopped and screwed. His rhymes are dope, he's got a great flow to my ears. However, I got to say that this song, "Problem Wit Dat," isn't really doing it for me. I think that the instrumental just doesn't work for me, it so doesn't fit Slim and that drawled voice and gangster vibe. It's a horns laden jawn, something I could imagine Swizz Beats dropping (wait, did he produce this?).

More successful is the Paul Wall song, "I'm Throwed," which features Jermaine Dupri in his usual shapeshifting form, suddenly materializing as a H-town producer banging screw and sippin' syrup. I know people like to hate on dude, as he sort of follows the trend or whatever, but there's no denying that he drops bangers and this one is real good. Listen to the theremin horror movie sounds right below the surface, it sounds soooooo good. Other than that, it's pretty standard Paul Wall verse, it's got a good refrain and is another reason to look forward to the Paul Wall album and whatever else comes out of Houston in the next few months.

-Not hard to pick the event of the night, when two of my favorite labels come together in LA. Modular and Dim Mak are doing the damn thing at Cinespace, which means that you get a live set by Softlightes and Head Like A Kite and DJ sets by Steve Aoki, Them Jeans and Dan-O. Did I mention the vodka open bar from 10-11 and that cobrasnake will be there to take your photos when the alcohol sets in. Yeah, you know you need to be at this. Oh, and I absolutely love the flier, the colors and design make me happy. If you did this, take a bow.



-My girl DJ Almost Tropical continues to hold it down in the world capital of dance music, Berlin. Tonight she is joined by Maxx at the King Kong Klub for a night of good music and fun. Oh, and there will be a special guest, who is a soon-to-be subject of a Pound for Pound post and opened for LCD Soundsystem in NYC and goes by the initials PTR. Okay, it's PlanningtoRock, the amazing musician who is about to take over the world.



-Finally, I've been called a jealous guy by a few people, namely those I have dated. Well, I've become a new man on that front and to prove it, I hype this party put on by one of my blog superiors, BIG STEREO. Hold Yr Horses has a great name, DJ Rchard Oh ?!, $3 cover, lots of good genres. Get to Aunt Charlie's (133 Turk and Taylor) every second and fourth Tuesday. But always remember that this is the greatest blog or we're broken up. Jaykay.



-

Daft Punk Essential Mix 2.03.97

Daft Punk, Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 February 3, 1997 (Daft fucking Punk people!)

Okay, this is a new thing here at Pound for Pound. I'm gonna try to throw up some DJ sets by famous DJs, the kind that we've all heard of and get paid lots of money to spin and put out stuff on Fabric and things like that. You know what I'm sayin'. I figure that it could be an every Sunday thing or maybe an every other Sunday night thing. These are going to be much larger files, so I'm not sure if people are interested in downloading stuff like this. Please email me or leave comments and let me know what you think.

I can't think of a better set to kick things off with than an early DJ set by Daft Punk, patron saints of this blog. This one was done for Pete Tong's Essential Mix program on BBC Radio 1 back in 1997, when the duo were just beginning to blow up. It's a fucking dope set, 2 hours long, covering all sorts of musical ground. Listen in around the hour mark for some of the sickest, filthiest sounds you'll ever want to hear. Mang, download this!

-What do I love most? New parties! Here's the place to be tonight NYC, for the first Extended Play. Host Spencer and resident DJs Jermaine D. and Eric Tribs have started up a new weekly to take the weekend one more night. They're joined by guest DJs Nico XO and Gurj tonight, there'll be special guests every week, open vodka bar from 10-11, this is gonna be good. How good? It's going to end my boycott of The Delancey (168 Delancey St.), where I had a particularly nauseating experience involving, ugh, forget it, I don't even want to think about it. Fuck Murray Hill, btw. We'll be saying more about this party, a great addition to the scene.



-It looks like Sundays are the new Saturdays. San Fran gets into the action with Propaganda Intimate Discotheque. It happens every Sunday at Laszlo (2536 Mission), hosted by Meleksah, no cover, Jefrodisiac and Bertie P spinning tonight, see the flier for future May DJs. This sounds good.



-You know what else I love? Classic parties that do week after week, no excuses or letdowns. LA's Le Disko is the perfect example, doing the indie dance thing every Sunday night, making life better for all the beautiful people in Los Angeles. Tonight's edition is an LA vs ATL rumble, as Atlanta's Preston Craig drops by as a special guest, along with Dan Oh. Of course, Daniel, Paparazzi and Keith 2.0 hold it down as they do every week at the Spider Club at Avalon (1735 Vine St.). A true classic.



-What do I love most of all? Besides cute girls with bangs and boobs, that is. The Smiths! And Morrissey! Kyle M and Mike T have clearly

Visnadi - Racing Tracks

Visnadi, "Racing Tracks (Indianapolis drive mix)" (YSI link)

Since we did that old new rave thing yesterday, I wanted to throw up a little old rave, i.e. the actual music played at actual raves. This is a pretty crazy track here and it'll become apparent after a

-It feels like forever since Crimp Yr Hair bols dropped The Re-Up on Philly and so it deserves the top spot this Saturday night. One of the best parties in the city is joined by D.C.'s Stereo Faith of Sorted for a massive night of debauchery and dance. You know the details - Upstairs at Sal's, $1 beers 'til 11, the best music in the world. It's a monthly, don't miss it tonight or you have to wait til June!




-G-d, I love when my favorites come together to up the party ante. Project Matt brings in Nick Catchdubs as guest DJ for his weekly Saturday jawn at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie St.) You already know about Matt, you know about Nick, you know about Saturdazed, no excuses. I'll be in the house, so you know it's gonna be real.



-Skinny Friedman and Tres Gueros are clearly the perfect way to celebrate your Cinco de Mayo. Tres Gueros? That's Spanish, people. I think. Seriously, one of my fav dudes from the Philadelphyinz is in NYC and you should see what it's all about. Rififi (332 E. 11th St.)



-It's a rave, Dave. Well, a 21st Century club rave at least called Masters of the Universe. Stop your hipster complaining (talking to myself on that one) and appreciate the fact that you can hear Moby spin an old school set. Yes, Moby. The dude with that shitty cafe in the LES. Just as cool, there's a live set by Institubes' Curses and Knifehandchop and DJ sets by the Cut and Trouble + Bass crews. Get your glow sticks and get to Studio B (259 Banker St.)



-Oooh shit, stop by Love Bridgade (103 Havermeyer St.) in Williamsburg for its grand reopening today, from 4-midnight. Tiny Pants is spinning, free beer and deals on all of their dope clothing.




-Minneapolis, where you at? If you are in that city, there's no other place to be than Too Much Love with that kid Soviet Panda. Every Saturday at First Ave (701 1st Ave. North), you get the chance to hear the best in electro, dance, indie, new wave and all sorts of good stuff, as good as anything going on anywhere in the country. Juan MacLean rolled through recently, tonight you get guest sets by Karl D and Mike the 2600 King. This party is so good, it'll make you forget the North Stars left town.




-Over on the West Coast, Rockognized presents Number Three at 1640 N. Spring St. Why do I love this party so much, despite never having heard about it before? Because they've made a great flier that references Three Amigos the movie and puts all of the relevant info right there, especially the fact that there are 6 bathrooms at the place. You also get lots of DJs like the Royal Rumble cats, Damager, Dan Sena and others.



-Finally, San Fran might have the rave spirit most in effect tonight with Gentleman's Techno. I'm mean, shit goes down at a spot called The Cave (3201 3rd St.)! Lots of good music, live set by two Tigerbass artists, C.L.A.W.S. to celebrate his new 12" release and the first show for Miffy. Lots of DJs, including Jefrodisiac, OonceOonce from Tigerbeat6, the Jealous Lovers DJ team and others, all for "five fucking bucks." Sounds good.

Trash Fashion - It's A Rave Dave

Trash Fashion, "It's A Rave, Dave" (YSI link)

Trash Fashion, "It's A Rave Dave (JEZ Grade 8 remix)" (YSI link)

I can't believe that I haven't put up this song by Trash Fashion yet. What is wrong with me? Anyone who receives emails or texts from me has already heard this phrase ad nauseaum for months, for that I apologize. I don't apologize for loving this song, even though I can imagine it being shredded by many as a gimmick or whatever.

-It's actually a sad day for Pound for Pound, as one of our favorite parties in the world comes to an end tonight. John Redden and Ian St. Laurent's weekly dance party Hands and Knees at The M Room calls it quits with one final indie blowout. Not sure what's next for these guys, but I'll obviously hype that to death as well. Get to Fishtown, say goodbye and party your brains out.

-Not too far away, another of Philly's classic parties goes down and takes this monthly to classic status. White Ts and White Belts has moved to the Ukie Club for good, the former home of Hollertronix, which was huge. But, tonight, they've got a special live performance by one of the best rappers alive, Peedi Crack! Peedi is in the building! So is emynd, Bo Bliz and Dan the Swede with their usual mix of bangers, rap, mashups, slow jamz, which combined with the $5 Obolons will make this the best night of the month for you, guaranteed. Beautiful/Decay, Afficial and Moloko know what's up, as they are helping bring this night to you.

-There's also First Friday at Upstairs at Sal's, featuring the DJs duos of Super Todd Bros and Oh Murder Inc (props for the Meyer Lanskyish reference). They promise electro, italo, disco and hip-hop. You should promise to be there.



-Look for a big Chicago post or two coming soon, in the meantime, check out this new party called The New Indie, going every Friday at Sonotheque (1444 Chicago Ave). Tonight's a big one with special guests from NYC A Touch Of Class spinning, joining that dude Bald Eagle for the night. Residents Jordan Z and DJ Pho look like they have something real nice on their hands with this one.



-If my bol Dimitry says you should be somewhere, I listen and agree. Thank him for this recommendation, as the Stolen Transmission party is back. I didn't know it was gone, to be honest, but it's nice to see another dope party in the East Village. Hit up Angels and Kings (11th btwn Aves. A+B), expect lots of emo and punk music, I think.




-Nearby, Trash at Rififi (332 E. 11th St.) happens like it does every Friday. DJ Jess and Alex Malfunction bring you that indielectropopunkrock tunes, while lots of beautiful people in skimpy clothes dance and look beautiful.



-Have you been to The Pull-Out Method at Club Midway (25 Ave. B) yet? Why not, may I ask? The POM ladies have put together a great party every other Friday in the East Village, doing the DJ and band thing brilliantly. Tonight's edition features the bands Ava Luna and Say Hello To Symphony (compared to Morrissey!!!!), Headz and Tails DJ all night. Get up on this one people, it's the new thing.

-Here's a few players, Pants Down at 200 Orchard. I have not been to this newish spot in the LES yet, but I'm a big fan of James F*kn Friedman and he's doing this every other Friday jawn and that's good enough for me. He's joined by fellow resident DJ Wiz and tonight's guests Super Family (Jamal Ali and Saheer Umar)


-Ahhh, Brooklyn is a little quiet tonight. But, you can always count on FUN at Studio B (259 Banker St.) to do the damn thing. This edition's called Blackout, which is something a little too close to home. Live performances by Bellmer Dolls and Fresh Kills and DJ sets by Eamon Harkin, Alex Chow and Jeralyn. Love the 2 for 1 drink specials from 2-3AM, seperate the wheat from the chaff, i.e. the people doing something tomorrow afternoon and those sleeping til 3.



-The West Coast is getting back into the swing of things again with Shake and Pop, which makes Santa Monica proud. Tonight LA's Dirty Dave swings by to make this one even doper, I'm actually going to dedicate this post to him, as I imagine he's the Dave they're talking to. Resident DJs Valida and C Town are holding down Zanzibar now (1301 N. 5th St.), 10 bucks, no Lew Alcindor.



-Finally, a new addition to the mix comes from San Fran with Mazdaratti. Even if I didn't think this was gonna be a dope party I would post it simply for the music they say they will play. Blog prog? Awesome. DJ Design and Rev. Underpants will also throw in all of the music that you hear here, except you get cheap beer and drinks while you listen to it and possibly get laid. It goes down at Anu (43 6th St. @ Mission), every First Friday. Get up on this now.

Theo Parrish - Ugly Edits 4

The Dells, "Get On Down (Theo Parrish re-edit)" (YSI link)

Minnie Ripperton, "Stick Together (Theo Parrish re-edit)" (YSI link)

It's another beautiful day, the kind that makes you forget your troubles. I had a great night last night as well and so I had to put up some beautiful, uplifting tunes, the kind that I don't normally give you guys. LOL ROTFL :) BRB. Here's volume 4 of Theo Parrish's Ugly Edits series, which we looked at last week. Not much more to add this time, it's just more gorgeous soul and r&b flavored disco and house that you should have in your life. This is love music, people, plain and simple. Play it when you watch someone vomit in your subway car (true story) and you will forget all about that and smile. Play it for your girl and just lay in bed together.

-If I could be one place in the world tonight, it would have to be in Paris. Actually, that applies for any day of the year, but especially tonight as a massive party jumps off. I will simply list the names at Scala tonight - Diplo, Low Budget, Switch, Sinden, Teki Latex, Surkin, Das Glow and Bobmo. Brought to you by Institubes. I will be in Paris before the end of the year. Get at me Parisians.



-G-d damn, those in Philly need to get their asses to Paradise at Key West for the chance to hear music just like the stuff above. Mike T and Ron Morelli's party is one of my favorites in the city, an homage to the old days when clubs were dark and anything can happen and the music helped those things happen. They're joined by Apt One of the Philadelphyinz and Shawn Ryan of Hurrah for a night of sleazy disco, italo, electro and house in one of the coolest dancefloors in the city. Mirrors, people, mirrors.

-There's no better way to celebrate this beautiful May day than partying with the Broadzilla crew. It's their weekly Upstairs at Sal's jawn, insect themed tonight. You already know how I hype this, stop sleeping.



-Have you ever wanted to spend like 8 hours at the same spot with only a staircase taking you from one party to the next? Well, Carmine P. Filthy has heard these wishes, which probably don't exist, and made it happen tonight at Happy Ending (302 Broome St.). Early in the night (6-10pm), it's Hustle & Glow which is all about the great sounds of the 70s. Can I just say how necessary this is? Music is done by Louis Gorbea and Brad Lebeau, all brought to you by The Get Down. After that, hit the basement for Even Further with Mr. Filthy spinning.



-A little further up, that kid DJ Tiny Pants and Alyssa Key are doing a DJ set from 12-1 at Lit (93 2nd Ave) for Neu Berlin! They're joining DJ Ash, James the 808 and Paisley Longthrob (do better) for a night of new wave, acid. Not sure what the connection to Berlin is, but I do know that DJ TP and AK will kill it and you will order Sparks without shame and you will have a good time.



-Or spend your night with Dimitry, first at Rebel for a Theo and the Skyscrapers show, then our bol heads to Home Sweet Home to DJ with the Sweatshop Labor DJs from 11-12 and then finally he's hosting as always at the Thursday night Cheeky Bastard madness at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.). Tonight, 33HZ plays live, although I'm most excited about the DJ set from Ursala 1000. Oh and the Brazilian Girls are there too.



-Late Update: I thought the West Coast was catching up lost sleep from Coachella and Ed Banger and Check Yo Ponytail, but no siree. SF's Sleazemore is out, guest DJing at Voda (56 Belden Place), a swank looking lounge so you can get your sexy on. He joins residents and Polocorp and Nale for Voulez vous danser Darling?, which I think is the party name. FFR, being Parisian, French party names and sick fliers that look like Man Ray photos will guarantee you coverage on Pound for Pound. Just FFR.

Spektrum - May Day

Spektrum, "May Day" (YSI link)

Spektrum, "May Day (Tramp! remix)" (YSI link)

Spektrum, "May Day (DJ T remix)" (YSI link)

As I mentioned in the previous post, today is May Day, the rest of the world's Labor Day, to speak in hideously America-centric terms. It's a day for workers and unions, although it's really become synonymous as a time for protest and disobedience. The original reason for the day has been obscured over the years, but it first came about as a day to remember the Haymarket Riots of 1868 martyrs.

I think that one of the main complaints for a lot of people with dance and pop music is the lack of political commitment or protest. While I actually kinda like that fact, I think it tends to obscure the history of dance music and in particular how a music can be radical and world-changing without coming right out and saying so. Spektrum should appeal to fans looking for a more explicit political message in their music, as their song "May Day" celebrates this most radical of holidays. It's a good track, a sort electro-punk number that sounds great and angry at the same time. The key aspect is that it doesn't come across as preachy, instead conveying the excitement and energy of the situation.

Ironically, confirming my status as a pussy apolitical hipster, it's the remix with almost no lyrics that is the best of the bunch. DJ T puts on a sick sick reworking, turning the original into an electro-house burner that you never want to end. DJ T, a.k.a. Thomas Koch, is a big part of the Get Physical label and scene, and this reminds me that it's long overdue that I took a look at them.

-Some political links to come, it's been a long day.

Gang of Four - To Hell With Poverty

Gang of Four, "To Hell With Poverty" (YSI link) 256

Gang of Four, "Capital (It Fails Us Now)" (YSI link) 320

Gang of Four, "To Hell With Poverty (Go Home Productions remix)" (YSI link)

In case you didn't know it, today is May Day, the international celebration of labor for those not in the U.S. It's a day for protest and action, seen in the streets of most US cities today in the form of immigration rights marches. I couldn't think of a more perfect post for Pound for Pound today than a Gang of Four one. One of the great political acts of all-time, definers of the "post-punk' sound and a huge influence on this site and many of our favorite artists. Andy Gill, Jon King, Dave Allen and Hugo Burnham took the spirit and political of (most) punk and combined it with a more angular, jagged sound that sounds perfect to my ears.

"To Hell With Poverty" has always been the definitive Go4 song for me, maybe not their best, but the one I always think of first when I hear their name. There's something that sort of sums up the whole band right here - the political lyrics, the defiance ("To hell with poverty/We'll get drunk on cheap wine!"), the razor-edge guitars, the amazing, rhythmic bass and drums. It's like they knew what my criticisms of punk would be before I was even born, made them happen and gave birth to one of the most interesting periods in music history. I've thrown in the remix by Go Home Productions a.k.a. Mark Vidler. It might be a little more useful to DJs, as he takes the original, throwns in a dance beat and seems to sort of clear up the sound (reducing the feedback, the vocals sound clearer, etc.) Finally, I put up the B side to the original "To Hell With Poverty" 12", "Capital (It Fails Us Now)." This honestly could just as easily replace the A side, it's got a very similar feel and sound.

Go here and get started on the Gang of Four discography if you haven't already. I'd highly recommend grabbing A Brief History of the Twentieth Century, the compilation that collects all of their most highly regarded songs and chronicles the development of their sound.

-If you're LA, be here. Cinespace hosts one of the sickest parties ever, as Ed Banger, Dim Mak and Cobrasnake join forces again to blow your fucking minds. I mean, seriously, take a look at the line-up - Busy P, DJ Mehdi, So Me, Soulwax, Steve Aoki, Guns 'n' Bombs, Them Jeans, Le Castle Vania and more. I mean, I'm speechless. The revolution starts here.



-Or be here. This too is one of the sickest parties ever, a celebration of one of the best weeklies in the country, Check Yo' Ponytail. Spank Rock and Flosstradamus are the special anniversary guests, joining a live set by Muscles and resident DJs Franki Chan and Paparazzi for a bananas night. Congrats to Franki and all the people at Iheartcomix for what they've accomplished so far. It's only the beginning, as I know that they've got much bigger things coming down the road. Btw, sick, sick, sick flier. Take a bow if you made it.



-NYC holds up its end tonight with DJs Are Not Rockstars and Alexander Technique at Mr. Black (643 Broadway). It's a who's who of NYC royalty with guest DJs Lauren Flax, Denny Le Nimh, Pussy Cat and Van Scott, plus Last Night's Party will be there if you feel like getting naked in the bathroom. Oh and this is your last chance to say goodbye to Lauren Flax before she heads out for a European jaunt.



-The rest of you, go out and protest or read some Marx or support one of the good people runninh for office in Philly or get involved with Save Darfur or yell at people who go to Starbucks.