Disco Horror

Hello hello!!! My dudes, it has been too long.  My tables were in boxes for the past month or so, but now I have released them from their cages and set to ripping records again!  But first, as Erik posted, we have an EXCITING NEW NIGHT!!! One reason it is soooooo exciting is that we have a DANCE FLOOR!  That’s right, a dance floor all to ourselves to make you thrive and jive to the best in beardo entertainment… in San Francisco… on a Wednesday.  But the main reason for the excitement is that we have radical dude Sorcerer coming to open things up for the night!  So check out the FB event for details!

I’ll also take this time to inform you of our new mailing list.  Simply join by clicking the link below and entering your email address, it’s that simple!  We promise not to spam you with anything except details on upcoming shows and new exclusives, edits and mixes!  So join! What have you got to loose?

JOIN THE DISCO HORROR MAILING LIST!

And for the music for my momentous return to posting, the new release off of Golf Channel Records that Harvey played one side of on BIS last February.  Finally seeing the light of day, this is the label’s newest release since the incredible Try And Find Me Vol 1.  It features two reworkings, the first of Chris Munoz’s “Liza” and the other of Dr Hook and the Medicine Show’s “Penicillin Penny”.  Both of these are incredible , Liza is the long-lost secret weapon now turned commercial success, but today I will share  “Penicillin Penny” because that’s my favorite on the release. Check out the jammy vid for the OG as well. Enjoy!

Dr Hook – Penny (Galleon Trade’s Hooked On Penicillin Version)

Yet another night of DiscoHorror debauchery is upon us just next Wednesday, October 21st when we welcome our special guest DJ Dan Judd A.K.A. Sorcerer to our new night at the amazing 222 Club in the Tenderloin. We’re keeping it simple this time and calling the night ‘Beardo Disco’, as that will be exactly we’re playing there, because we love it so. You can undoubtedly expect some curveballs from Judd, as evidenced on his recent ‘Midnight Mixx‘ which runs the gamut from eccentric indie like Stereolab and Yura Yura Teikoku to laid back gangsta rap from Compton’s Most Wanted and even a few balearic tunes for good measure. The mix has been posted on Soundcloud for a month or two now, but take a listen anyways and be SURE to check out the event on Facebook!

Next we will finally share some much-needed new music, a fresh remix of Grackle A.K.A. Speculator‘s “Desert Acid” by German duo Musiccargo. The vinyl release is being handled by reliable European imprint Supersoul Recordings, and features another excellent cosmic/new-age version by Sombrero Galaxy aka Tako and Johnny Nash (of current DH-faves Discossession). But the Musiccargo remix is another thing entirely- a vaguely kraut-influenced slow-burner of a dance track with some lovely bell tones and catchy German-language vocals that I haven’t stopped playing since I got the 12″ in the mail a few weeks back. You may recognize Musiccargo from a track featured on Prins Thomas’ epochal ‘Cosmo Galactic Prism’ mix- which is a very esteemed honor around here- and the group also released their debut LP ‘Hand in Hand’ in July on Düsseldorf-based Amontillado Music. I’ve yet to track down a copy of the full-length but this remix is more than enough to hold anyone over in the meantime.

Grackle – Desert Acid (Musiccargo Version)

We have been inexcusably neglectful to this dear blog in the last few weeks, and to somehow make up for this we offer you a new, crazy night of Discohorror DJ madness – ‘I FEEL GOOD, PUT YOUR PANTS ON’ (Check it out HERE on F-book).  We’re sticking with the Poleng Lounge again for this shindig, but the night has changed to Tuesday – TONIGHT! – September 22, and we’re kinda ditching the whole ‘Acid Test’ psychedelic theme for a more all-encompassing, free-your-ass-and-your-mind-will-follow-type vibe. Festivities will kick off at around 10, hope to see some of you there!

In other news, tons of great music has been released in the last few weeks- and I guess it’s my job to share it with y’all. Tirk Records has long been a reliable source of well-crafted nu-disco and nu-balearic jams, with a roster including DH faves Sorcerer and The Time and Space Machine. This time around however, it’s new signee Son of Sound who is blowing my mind with a well-rounded beardy dance-rock sound not unlike the Laughing Light of Plenty or even the Talking Heads. Son of Sound consists of one Henry Maldonado, a dude who has been active in the New York City house scene since the early 90s, releasing stuff on labels like Strictly Rhythm in their heyday. His robust male-diva vocals are the perfect counterpart to the percussive onslaughts and funky guitar licks of “Life Under Bridges,” the first track on the ‘No Retribution’ EP, released last month.

Son Of Sound – Life Under Bridges

The next track is another immaculate remix coming from our favorite musical Motherland, this time from Norwegian Joachim Dyrdahl, aka diskJokke. Dyrdahl recently released a collection of his remixes between 2007 and 2008 on the Smalltown Supersound label, but his take on Social Disco Club & Maia’s “The Way You Move” from earlier this year is a more recent testament to his producing abilities. Starting off with a couple plaintive piano notes and drum kicks, the tune unfolds for several minutes, slowly revealing layers of analog synth beauty before the original song’s vocal sample even begins to kick in. The remix is included on the ‘Way You Move’ 12″ single, out now on Bear Funk.

Social Disco Club & Maia – The Way You Move (diskJokke Retromix)

Runaway has been roaming the dark realm between house, techno, and disco for a while now, pillaging the countryside and spreading general dance chaos. Releasing on everything from Wurst to REKIDS to I’m a Cliche, Jacques Renault and Marcos Cabral are redefining the NY dance scene. They make new music that references the old sleaze of disco and repackages it into dark beardy club anthems. They have a new release out that I have been quite into and I have to say that their “Shadows” release that showed up on L&PT’s BBC Essential mix is truly incredible.

So normally I write some more and tell you how great the release is, but I’m drunk and my mac n cheese is almost done so I’m just gonna give you the trax. Here they are, tonight’s a two-fer.  The new track off of the new label On The Prowl and the classic from the aforementioned release, dig dig dig it.

Runaway – The Poltergeist

Runaway – Ain’t Afraid to Beg

Dudes of the Disco Horror movement: A year ago I started this blog with a mix and so I figured it only appropriate to share a second Sunset Stands Still Mix to commemorate the year marker. It is meant for prolonging those summer nights as they grow shorter in the coming months of Fall.  I think the site has come quite a ways from its blogspot origins and I would like to thank Max and Erik for all their hard work helping with the site and sharing rad tracks, mixes and other media of interest.

But most of all I would like to thank YOU the FANZ and FOLLOWERZ! Without you, the strung-out nights snorting heroin off of Thai prostitutes would not have been worth it!  No but seriously, we appreciate the moments you take out of your day to read our posts, it’s what keeps Max from cutting off his ponytail, getting a real job, and slipping further into the “depressing” reality that is the working world.

So again, thank you for reading and don’t think that we will let all this fame and attention go to our heads.  We have top scientists in the Disco Horror laboratory vigilantly genetically engineering apes to come up with new ways to improve the blog and make it more appealing and addictive.  Expect more rad tunes, more rad interviews, more rad mixes, and hopefully if the stars align a guest DJ mix or two from our intergalactic network of music makers.

Maybe if you’re lucky, in another two years I’ll make a montage of our times spent together staring at a computer screen but for now you must settle for my latest mix of tracks I’ve been playing out a lot recently.  I broke a few of my own rules of diversifying labels and artists on this one, but I think it works pretty well.  This is more along the disco house vibe, but there’s some good new and old on here, hope you dig!

Tracklist:
Smith & Mudd – Wem // Claremont 56
Mari Boine v. Mungolian Jetset – It Ain’t Necessarily Evil… // Luna Flicks
Atlantic Conveyor – You Got Me // Untracked
Mudd & Ahmed Fakroun – Drago (Mudd’s Teriwala Mix) // Claremont 56
JJ Cale – Ride Me High (Joakim Edit) // Discograph
Mark E – Scared // Jiscomusic
Kool & The Gang – Spirit of the Boogie // De-Lite
The Revenge – Heavy Love // Instruments of Rapture
KRL – Recession Beat // Wolf Music
Eddie C – Let Your Mind Be Free // Jiscomusic
The Mole – There’s Hope // Internasjonal
Ahmed Fakroun – Yo Son (Prince Language Edit) // Editions Disco
The Revenge – Just A Memory // Instruments of Rapture
Tony Sylvester – Pazuzu (Prins Thomas Edit) // Skylax

Sunset Stands Still Mix II

Ash:
Glass Candy – Geto Boys
Desire – Under Your Spell
Lugnet – Lokomotiv
Discosession feat. Rie Lambdoll – TV Scene (Soft Rocks Remix)
El Perro Del Mar – L is For Love
Soft Rocks – Spank
RüF Dug – Dirty
KRL – Recession Beat
A Mountain Of One – Bones (Thomas’ Way of the Ancients Remix)
Stoned Green Apples – Sugar K (Yura Yura Teikoku Remix)

Max:
Still Going – Untitled Love
El Perro Del Mar – Change of Heart
Montée – Isle of Now
Lindstrøm – Disturbing the Perfect Symmetry
Mutron – Alone (Ronny & Renzo Mix)
Nite Jewel – Want You Back
Music Go Music – Warm in the Shadows
A Mountain of One – Ride (Fontän Rework)
Patrick Kosmos – Trance Neutral Zone
Night Plane – Wave Haze

Erik:
One Dove – Fallen
Mark E – Freakin and Shriekin
Musical Youth – Youth of Today
Canyons – Dancing On Silk
Happy Mondays – Loose FIt
Guy Cuevas – Obsession (The Nassau Mix)
Taken By Trees – To Lose Someone
Sade – Give It Up (Kenny Larkin Remix)
Black Sabbath – Planet Caravan (DJ Steef Remix)
Holger Czukay – Fragrance

Are these "blackbelts" "cool"?

I am so confused, you guys, about, like, criticism, and what is “good” and what is “bad,” and also, what is “cool,” and “uncool.” When I was in high school, basically anything that my dad listened to, like Peter Gabriel and King Crimson was “uncool,” and “rap music” and “hardcore punk music” was “cool.” Then I started listening to “dance music,” which was “cool” because my “dad” didn’t “listen to it.” But then I discovered “Balearic music” and “Beardo Disco” which is not even a real kind of music, but is “cool” (because people with beards who live in Williamsburg listen to it), but, guys, it is basically composed of music that my dad listens to, like Peter Gabriel and King Crimson.

So basically what I have done up to this point is stop “judging” things or “having opinions,” because it seems like a waste of time, if ultimately I am going to just end up listening to whatever comes out on certain record labels, plus my dad’s CDs. This is easy, now that I live with my parents, and don’t ever go out, or talk to people, except on the internet.

But the thing is: I don’t actually like the Blackbelt Andersen CD very much. No, really. I have listened to it like, eight times now, and it’s kind of… boring. I mean, I don’t think I could hum any of the tracks to you. Or even, like, tell you what it sounds like (I think there are synths? Probably some kind of… drumbeat). And this makes me feel funny inside, like when I see a man naked. The whole point of the music I listen to is that it is totally boring! And inoffensive! I don’t really even like this “ironically.” I mean, I don’t dislike the album. I just… it’s just… what is going on. RIP my taste.

What I do like, though, is this remix that Blackbelt Andersen did of the Skanken track “Mental Overdrive.” I think it might also be “boring,” but it’s “boring” in a way that I can relate to. Or even dance to! I don’t know if I’ll every be able to figure out “what’s cool,” and probably, this is not “cool,” because it is, like, “deep house,” or something. But I still like it! And I think/hope that that’s “cool.”

UPDATE: YALL I ADDED THE JJ CALE VERSION IN ORDER TO BE ‘COMPLETE’–THANKS TO GROOVYPANDA FOR THE HEDZ UP

This is what I would wear if I hung out with A Mountain of One

Guys, when you’re lying awake at night, trying not to think about how your life is a crushing disappointment, do you ever wonder what it would be like to hang out with your favorite bands, like Nickelback, or A Mountain Of One? Sometimes I will write little “fanfics” in my head, about meeting up with famous musicians, and then maybe act out small plays, alone, in my room, where I play all the parts, sometimes in costume.

I bet if you “kicked it” with A Mountain Of One, you would probably start calling them “A Mountain Of Fun,” because they would be fun, to hang out with. First of all, based on the YouTube videos I can find, there seem to be about sixty people in this band, including some women:

This means that hanging out with them is kind of like being in a gang, but less dangerous, probably, and you don’t have to only wear one color. Secondly, as you can see in the video above, the band plays acoustic guitar, which means they definitely smoke pot. Probably, they would even let you smoke some of their pot. Thirdly, if you listen to their songs, they are definitely “deep thinkers,” so you could probably have some really great conversations, about how, like, society is just an illusion, and how we should tear down all prisons, and also, how great does, like, your hair, feel.

So, in summary, A Mountain Of “Fun” is probably the best band to hang out with, besides Amy Winehouse. I am even more convinced of this due to this excellent “Rework” (that’s British slang for “Remix”) of the world-famous Dr. Hook song “Clyde,” called “Bonnie and Clyde.” The song is a “Ballad,” which is a kind of song that tells a story, about a man named Clyde, who plays “electric bass,” which is a four-stringed guitar, and probably does some other things. It has a “stomping riff,” including a bass line that plays at least two different notes, or possibly the same note, at two different octaves (the Dr. Hook version is its self a cover of a JJ Cale song, though note that JJ Cale is not a doctor, and Dr. Hook is.)

It rules.

JJ Cale – Clyde

Dr. Hook – Clyde

A Mountain of One – Bonnie and Clyde

DFA Records has been on a crazy awesome rampage of releasing outstanding 12″ singles these past few years, as Max confusingly proved just a few days ago with that excellent new Still Going jam. A ridiculous proportion of my favorite recent tracks have been released by or affiliated with the label- Tiedye’s remix of DJ Kaos, the Holy Ghost single/Classixx remix, Walter Jones, Altair Noveau, Rub-N-Tug’s remix of Capracara, tons more. Their hit-to-miss ratio is getting better with each new release, so I was a little worried when I heard that they were putting out a remix bundle for LCD Soundystem‘s 2006 album and ode-to-Nikes ’45:33′. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the album/loooong-ass-song, or even LCD Soundsystem for that matter- quite the contrary. I just always wonder why it takes 3 or more years to gather up a release of any kind, especially since parts of the album were already revisited on 2007′s ‘Sound of Silver’ and I DUNO IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS GUYS.

They at least gathered up a pretty impressive crew of remixers, including Prins Thomas and Prince Language but sadly not, y’know, Prince. Out of the eight (!) total remixes of the album/track provided on the release, Padded Cell‘s ecstatic remix deserves top honors in my opinion (The mp3s had been mislabeled btw, and apparently I was digging this Padded Cell mix all along lol, way more than the Theo Parrish mix). There’s nothing not to love about these eight minutes of wigged out modern italo complete with James Murphy’s spacey ramblings, jammy bongos and a lovably-appropriate hook; I’m not sure it was worth years of waiting and hyping but I am sure you’ll have a nice little voyage regardless.

LCD Soundsystem – 45:33 (Padded Cell Remix)