New Music: Post Paper/Test Week Edition

First up, is a Justice on Justice remix of DVNO. I'm not sure if this is new, but I hadn't heard it until two days ago. The remix is not as dancefloor-friendly as the original, but it's an interesting take on a song that I've definitely played out after the new video was released. So Me is the shit!

Justice - DVNO (Justice Remix) [fast download]

Cool track from Steed Lord with some help from Crookers.

Steed Lord - Take My Hand ft. Crookers [fast download]

I love these guys, they have some of the most fun mixes on the internet hands down. Check out their myspace page for more remixes. DJs, please go pick up their vinyl here, cause I have to hear/dance to this shit at some club/bar in Houston in the near future.

Top Billin' - Do You Want To Party [fast download]

This is approximately the 62nd remix of the HEARTSREVOLUTION song CYOA, but this one actually spikes the Kool-Aid. Halfway through the mix, you will swear that Kate has taken up rappin' ala MIA. Badass remix.

HEARTSREVOLUTION - CYOA (Flosstradamus Remix) [fast download]

First off, a large part of the reason this track is on this blog is because it is a Diplo remix. I'm sorry, I just love any song this guy touches. Gold Jerry, Gold! But an equally important reason is PGRZ, the record label that Hood Headlinez and other artists are a part of. I first heard the original track about 4-5 months ago and I was blown away. Being from Houston, I immediately identified with the laid back sound, but the PRGz tracks are better than anything that's come out of Houston in a long while. Seriously, give Wood Grain and Rollin a listen and tell me you don't get that warm fuzzy feeling you got when you first heard Sittin Sidewayz (and I don't mean the after effects of sippin' "lean").

PRGz - Bama Gettin Money (Diplo Remix) [fast download]

Damn School Work!

Sorry folks, still no new music this week. Not because I can’t find any, I have not even been able to look for new shit for myself. I haven’t put any new music on my Dell Pocket DJ in 3 days (the tyranny of the Apple Ipod must be stopped, power to the Dell Pocket DJ!). This hiatus is due to the fact that I have a test and a 3 page paper due tomorrow which I neglected to study for or work on during Spring Break. While music is one of the top 5 things in my life (1.finishing school, 2. status of the Pootie Tang sequel, Pootie Tang 2: Mo’ Pootie, 3. looking cool while trying not to look like I’m trying to look cool, 4. new music, 5. finding the most authentic international food in Houston), I still have to finish these last two semesters before I totally devote all my time to music. New music tomorrow for sure though. Holla!

Get Down On It

Time to boogie. Best wishes to all your party seeking endeavors. Me and my peeps will be hitting up Boondocks for the Shake and Pop event then heading to the warehouse to party til we can't stand anymore. Come out for a good time. Later.

Kool and the Gang - Get Down On It [quick download]

Heatwave - Boogie Nights [quick download]
George Clinton and the P Funk - Jungle Boogie [quick download]

Quick Post

No talking today, just gonna post some music. I have places to be and people to see. (Your house, your mom)

The Sword - Fire Lances of the Hyperzephyrians [quick download] *Not electro, just some badass stoner metal, catch the new album, Gods of the Earth, on April 1st

The Bloody Beetroots - We Are From Venice (La Serenissima) [quick download]

Automatic Panic - Hot Pink [quick download]

Chemical Brothers - Salmon Dance (Crookers Mix) Crookers Myspace [quick download]

Kill The Noise - Hey You (Le Castle Vania Remix) Le Castle Vania Myspace [quick download]

Yeak Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (Diplo Remix) Diplo Myspace [quick download]

Busy P - Chop Suey [quick download] *This is old but I been banging this a lot lately in the car.

ED BANGER Videos! Yippppeeee!!!

I’ve been watching a lot of Ed Banger Records artists lately. Now I know Ed Banger Records has its haters and to them I say, “F U!” I can listen to what I want, yes even the occasional Gwen Stefani or Fergie song, I don’t have to answer to no one. Now that that act of lashing out to mask my own embarrassment is over, here is a list. You know you like it.



First up is DVNO, the latest from Justice. I’m pretty sure you’ve already seen and heard this one but I’m gonna put it anyway cause it helped me learn the lyrics of the song. I never knew what the hell was going on in this song; I actually thought he was saying “DVNO, Fuck a capital letter”. At least I got most of it right.




Next it’s a cool video from the Token Black Guy in the Ed Banger group. Just kidding, DJ Medhi is cool dude. I saw him opening up for Justice in Austin, he is a good DJ/ cheerleader. He would walk away from the tables periodically dancing or leading the crowd with the now standard electro fist pump, which I patented (it’s the truth, do your research). This video for I Am Somebody shows Medhi doing some more dancing and unexplained fighting. (Peep the Dave 1 cameo at the end)




Rainbow Man from Busy P is a lackluster song, so you’re probably wondering why I included it. Its because this video has the laziest gay dancer I’ve ever seen. I’m not being homophobic, I’m cool with gay people (living with one for two years in the dorms), but come on this dude has got to “BRING IT”. Gay men are known worldwide for their flamboyant dance moves in dance clubs and this dude just treads into the color-changing room and half-asses it.



D.A.N.C.E. the video that spawned a million slim-fit t-shirts. This video was so badass it prompted Kanye West to go out and get So Me to direct the exact same video for Good Life, except a little Blacker.



Another video from DJ Medhi for the track Signatune. This song is so hard I thought for sure this swole-ass Russian(?) dude was preparing to do some hard-core whacking, and not the kind you do while listening to Christopher Cross and watching reruns of Mork and Mindy alone in your room (I can’t be the only that does this). Enough of about me just watch the video, the ending is cool.

Myspace Crawl

Been trolling through the expansive, perilous landscape called Myspace today, here's what I found. Enjoy. . . . I barely made it out alive.

LMFAO - Yes [fast download]

LMFAO - Leaving You For The Groove [fast download]


Love this group out of California. They have a hipster friendly rap style that reminds me of a present-day Cool Kids and their production is the shit. There is a badass electro-dance-hiphop aura surrounding there songs. Keep your eyes on their Myspace page for new songs and possible touring dates.






I Haunt Wizards are a group of teens out of England that are so good I'm less pissed at all the kids aged 13 to 18 (everyone knows I hate those darn teenagers with their bippity-boppity and hippity hoppity). They have a cool, gloomy, 8-bit sounds like Crystal Castles except with more singing. According to their Myspace page, they "wish it was the 80s again", presumably so they can still piss their own pants without being ridiculed, but you can't hold their facile nostalgia against them. They are just kids after all.

I Haunt Wizards - Vampire Aids [fast download]

I Haunt Wizards - Thats a Nice Dress [fast download] (This song is practically a Crystal Castles cover, still cool though)

*Both songs are demos , so sound quality is a little bad.




New song from one of my favorite groups, Glass Candy. In my weightless opinion, not their best song but I'll take anything from Glass Candy with a smile.

Glass Candy - Nite Nurses [fast download]






And finally, just cause everyone else in the blogosphere is doing it, I'm posting this new music video from Yelle. France must be the most colorful place in the world.

Quick Hits from My SXSW Weekend

Digitalism is good in concert when the crowd stays off the stage and on the floor dancing. There wasn’t much dancing going on Saturday though, since it was bright and hot outside of Stubbs (people don’t dance in the light out of the rightful fear of ridicule). Digitalism’s Austin performance almost made me forget about the crowd surfing 18yr olds that ruined their Wednesday night show in Houston.

Chromeo is about 34 better live than in studio. Dave 1 has great stage presence and crowd interaction that made for a fun show and extra points to P-Thugg for the wardrobe change from a streetwear version of a male NY Knicks cheerleader to a two-piece African dashiki that put my affirmations of Black pride to shame. Chromeo hit all their best songs during the show, plus squeezed in the Journey song Any Way You Want It which, based on the number of people singing along in the crowd, must be mandatory learning for every White child in America.

With a light show on stage that resembled Lite-Brite on cocaine, the performance from Simian Mobile Disco was able to be boring and cause epileptic seizures all at the same time. I literally saw a dude on the ground shaking and frothing at the mouth (not really). I’ll give them some slack though, by that time I was operating on only 2-3 hours of sleep in 24 hours, two cans of Red Bull and pure sexiness alone.

The MSTRFRFT concert in Houston on Friday was not a performance, it was a DJ set (they only “performed” about 4 songs off The Looks). The set became hype after 2 though after all of Rich’s regular spiky haired, overly tanned and steroid injected patrons left for the night, leaving us MSTRKRFT fans room to enjoy an almost hour-long encore. Not enough room however, as I was still elbowed in the eye by a reveler performing a mixture of the electro fist pump and the Point to the Lord.

Quote of the Weekend: “Damn hipsters!” – Greg Kohlhof, referring to every person he saw wearing skinny fit jeans, including me

MSTRKRFT / Bloody Beetroots / L.A. RIOTS / Lazaro Casanova

MSTRKRFT, Bloody Beetroots, Lazora Casanova and LA Riots in the house tonight at Richs. I don’t think this one needs much hyping, so I’m gonna just post some good shit to get yall ready for what promises to be one of the best concerts of 2008.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)

MSTRKRFT - Paris

The Bloody Beetroots - Butter (Demo)

Timbaland - Miscommunication (Bloody Beetroots Remix)
Toxic Avenger - Escape (LA Riots Remix)

Lazaro Casanova - Vengaza

P.S. – Leaving for Austin right after the concert tonight, so a review and pics of the concert won’t be up until Sunday. (Not that you care anyway)

Digitalism Live Review

The Digitalism concert last night at Engine Room was one of my worst concert experiences ever. And it was not all because of Digitalism. This was 85% Engine Room’s fault for a couple of reasons. First off, according to the tickets the show was supposed to start at 8:00pm but I guess this was more of a suggestion because, after a lengthy “sound check”, the doors were not opened until 9:40. I got my wristband then sped home so I could drink before Digitalism came on (I live about 6 minutes from downtown). I get back about 10 minutes before Digitalism starts their performance a full 3 hours late around 11:00. When the show starts, about 10 kids hop on some speakers that were placed directly in front of the stage, blocking the view for the rest of the crowd, dancing, and twirling shirts around as if the rest of the crowd and me had paid 12 dollars to see their live rendition of High School Musical: Scenester Edition. The truly amazing thing is that no one from Engine Room came to get these kids off the speakers at any point during the whole show. The most the crowd could do was hurl profanities, empty cups or ice, but nothing got these kids out of the way (at least they were persistent with their pestery). I'm not letting Digitalism off the hook either, they had their part in this debacle too. Their live performance just wasn’t that good. I love their album but I realize now that “solid” is a synonym for “flat”. The album is pretty even throughout, there aren’t many variations and no big finale. This showed in the performance, the most high energy song they played was Home Zone and they didn’t have a strong song to end on. They kept it short but not so sweet, playing most of the songs the way they were on the album. The whole thing was over in little over an hour. In contrast, Justice had numerous remixes of their tracks to pull from and extended 5 minute songs to 7-8 minutes songs during their live performance last week in Austin. I get another chance to see Digitalism on Saturday in Austin, hopefully in between now and then they will learn the art of the extended dance break.

By the Numbers
3 – Drinks spilled on me in an hour
5 – Price of cheapest mixed drink
10 – Punk ass kids on stage the whole show
15% - Percentage of blame allocated to Digitalism
85% - Percentage of blame allocated to the Engine Room

Digitalism Live: Tonight @ Engine Room

I don’t know what it was about Digitalism’s debut album but it somehow got lost in the busy year that was 2007. Justice and Simian Mobile Disco released their albums into the already crowded “two-man electronic group” genre in 2007 and pushed Digitalism’s album to the side. I thought Digitalism’s debut had carved a niche for itself as an electro-dance-rock album that could have garnered more blog loving. While Justice and MSTRKRFT force there listeners to move with hard kicks and distortion, Digitalism asks its listeners to dance like LCD’s Sound of Silver or The Rapture Echoes. From Zdarlight, to Digitalism in Cairo, to the near perfect Pogo, to Home Zone, their debut album was one of the most solid electronic albums of the year. With Digitalism delivering these tracks and more tonight, this concert is a must see event. Some Digitalism tracks below to get the party started.

Digitalism - Pogo [link for fast download]

Digitalism - Digitalism in Cairo [link for fast download]

Digitalism - Idealistic (A-Trak Remix) [link for fast download]

Digitalism - Home Zone [link for fast download]

Magistrates

The Magistrates are fresh unsigned hype out of Essex, England and they’re fucking dope. Their picture might remind some listeners of their countrymen, the Klaxons, they shouldn’t be written off as “a band that sounds like the Klaxons” though. The songs on their 3-song demo sound like the Klaxons mixed with Prince - no the futuristic sci-fi lyrics, the Magistrates sing about straight lovin’ - sung with the smooth white soul of Michael McDonald (the white Barry White). That might be a little overboard but they have this R&B-dance rock (kinda like Maroon 5, except better) feel that’s both fun and funky. Favorite new band of 2008 so far.

Magistrates - Inbetweens

Magistrates - Make This Work

Magistrates - Color Co Ordination

Posting Music Again

First off, the Risky Bizniss party was fucking incredible on Saturday night. I didn't leave the warehouse unitl 5:30 in the morning and there was still a sizable crowd inside. Back when people were going to raves in the US, I was like 12 or 13, so I don't know what they are like apart from depictions in movies. But I would have to say that the Risky Bizniss party felt as close to a rave as any party I've ever attended. Watch out for the Manifesto Party at the same spot March 22. Mark your calenders.



I haven't posted any music in like a week so I'm about to throw a lot of shit up here. No explanations either cause thats how I roll.



You can tell by the tracklisting that the Twelves have put together one cool laid back mix. Its good soundtrack for all those groovy sexy times. Ladies, you know what I mean.



30 Minutes of Twelves


Intro - Title Music from A Clockwork Orange
1 - Revolte - Weak Generation
2 - Michael Jackson - Thriller (instrumental)
3 - Chromatics - In The City (The Twelves Replay)
4 - Datarock - I Used to Dance with my Daddy (Metal on Metal Remake)
5 - Lifelike - So Electric
6 - Theatre of Disco - YOA (The Twelves Remix)
7 - Boys Noize - Feel Good (TV Off)
8 - Thieves Like Us - Drugs in my Body (The Twelves Replay)
9 - Le Knight Club - Rhumba
10 - Les Rhythmes Digitales - Hypnotize
11 - Black Kids - I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (The Twelves Replay)
12 - M.I.A. - Boyz (The Twelves Replay)

Here are a couple more Twelves remixes just cause they rock so damn much.

Yelle - Ce Jeu (Twelves Remix)

New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (Twelves Remix)


Unrelated kickass Johnatron remix.

Squarepusher - My Red Hot Car (Johnatron Remix)





I don't know what made Diplo think about putting Lou Reed with Spank Rock but it fucking works.



Spank Rock - Put That Pussy On Me (Diplo Tonight Remix)

Gonna Be Drunk After This One

There is like a million parties floating around for tonight on the houstonbeats forum, but I think this one will be the best choice for the night. Kegs, free Sparks, a cash bar, Floukids, about 12 badass DJs, and some bangin dance music, this party has got it all. Check this shit out if you can. You'll see my there, I'll be the drunk black dude dancin by myself in the middle of the dancefloor. Holla!

Samual Jackson Beer (Bmore Edit)

As I previously stated I fucking love bmore beats, its like when I hear that shit a demon possesses my body and starts dances. I can't stop it. So when I saw this video that combines four of my favorite things Dave Chappelle, Samual Jackson (Mmm Mmm Bitch!), and bmore music, and gratuitous swearing, I damn near shit a squirrel. LOOK AT THE VIDEO BITCH, YOU'LL BE FUCKING FAT GIRLS IN NO TIME!!

HOLY GHOST! / Fatboy Slim / Uffie

New track by Holy Ghost produced by none other than Mr. LCD himself, James Murphy. I think everything James Murphy touches is, "gold, Jerry, GOLD!"(Old quote, I know.) Just give Hold On a listen, you like it.

Holy Ghost! - Hold On

Other funky shit - Haven't given Fatboy Slim a listen in a while, but this remix is Justice, so of course I like it. The other is a Curtis Vodka remix of Uffie's Pop the Glock. No explanantion, I just think its cool.



Fatboy Slim - Don't Let the Man Get You Down (Justice Remix)



Uffie - Pop The Glock (Curtis Vodka Remix)

Justice - Live in Austin 03-04-08

Went to Austin last night to see Justice live. In one word, epic. In several words, an audio assault. Justice delivered a bruising hour and thirty minute set with a coolness and confidence that just made it look too easy. Holding a cigarette with one hand throughout most of the night, they kept the crowd jumping, screaming, fist-pumping, and crowd surfing. Their dj setup resembled a large electronic block with the occasional blinking lights. The setup hid their hands from the crowd, building the crowd’s suspense even more as everyone thought, “I don’t know what the hell they are doing behind there, but it sounds badass”. Justice also used twin towers made up of 16 Marshall Amps each. This was there more for show than for sound. It drove home the fact that, while some of their tracks might remind you of early 80s Michael Jackson, they were also influenced metal bands of the 80s such as Metallica (they actually performed a mix of Master of Puppets and The Party as an encore).

Every track was made heavier, gone was the sing-along single version D.A.N.C.E., instead they used the harder (and just as good as the original) MSTRKRFT remix. Once the set started, there was hardly any time to worry about the 30 degree weather and even less time to rest your eardrums. Plus I won a poster autographed by Justice. For electro concerts in the Houston area, this one will be hard to top.

PNAU - Cutest Group of 2008?

From PNAU comes Baby, possibly the cutest track of 2008. This song is so precious, I'm willing to bet that Hannah Montana, Elmo, and that Black kid from High School Musical are all part of the childern's chorus. Check out the Breakbot remix here.

Les Petits Pilous / Get Shakes / Hatchmatik

I went to the library today with the intention of studying but I ended up just spending an hour or so downloading. At least you can benefit from my lack of self control. Les Petits Pilous, which, in English, translates to The Small Pillows (I'm pretty sure this is false), is a pretty cool group from France. Get more Les Petits Pilous info here.

Les Petits Pilous - Housi Preview

Les Petits Pilous - Elise

Get Shakes is back on it, posting some new tracks onto their myspace page. Some good shit. Add them to Great Pantheon of Two Men Groups including OutKast, Daft Punk, and the dynamic duo of Detective James Carter and Chief Inspector Lee.

Get Shakes - Back On It

Get Shakes - Day Like Today

Plus I'm a sucker for anything with a b-more beat, so I fucking love this new Hatchmatik remix of the Chromeo track Bonafide Lovin. Not in love with the rapping in the middle of the song, but its still a hot track.

Chromeo - Bonafide Lovin (Hatchmatik Remix ft. Teki Latex)