Wednesday 8 September 2010

The Party Formerly Known as Bananas


First, there were no fun parties in Shanghai... then there was Bananas, and that was rad... then Bananas kinda started to suck, and that sucked... so NOW there's "The Party Formerly Known As Bananas" which is rad again.


Androgenous Disco, Naked Hip Hop, Gender Bending Electro, Freaky Deaky House
&
Pop Pop Pop!!!

Featuring the Dj's previously considered respectable:
Dj “Raspberry Beret” Razor, Dan "Purple Rain" Battle, Irresistible Trix
Visuals by ArtError

Plus extra special "All the Critics Love U in New York" guest:
Michna (the aritst formerly known as Eggfooyoung... seriously)

What: The Party Formerly Known as Bananas
When: Friday, Sept 17th 10pm-late
Where: The Shelter 5 Yongfu Lu near Fuxing Xi Lu
Cost: 50rmb

Let's Go Crazy!!!

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Grandmaster Flash in the Pan


Been a while. I've been wanting to post about my experience opening for Grandmaster Flash (in April) for a while now, finally getting around to doing it. The basic statement I want to make is "Grandmaster Flash is a washed up jerk face." Ok, ok, dude like invented djing and shit, is now 60 years old and I guess deserves some respect for his contributions to hip hop, but that doesn't mean homie has to be a total prima donna punk. From what the promoters told me, their whole experience with him focused around his complete lack of respect for them and outlandish demands for superstar treatment. So not keeping it real. I was told two weeks before the show that I was only allowed to play house music, so I tried to prepare a total mind-blowing house set for the night... then an hour before getting to sound check the promoter told me that I could play hip hop, but just not the songs on GMF's "Do Not Play List" (see picture above). Seriously?!... I would think after 40 plus years in the game he'd be comfortable enough with himself and his accomplishments that he wouldn't be fazed by anyone playing anything before him. Like I'm going to steal his thunder or some shit. Whatever. Anyways, I played a pretty sloppy unprepared set of hip hop and disco that wasn't on his list, and half way through my set his entourage of two dudes (there to set up his equipment) came into the dj booth and basically just acted like they had good reason to hate me. Awesome. Finally I was told to finish playing, and while helping to do the switch over these two dudes (who's claim to fame is being Flash's roadies/cousins or whatever) gave me much attitude about breaking down my gear quickly so that Flash could get on. After clearing out the booth for him, they proceeded to play Gangstarr's "Take it Personal" on loop for like twenty minutes while the man of the hour was busy relaxing in his tour bus outside the club and everyone in the club lost interest. Boring. Finally, finally finally, Flash got on the decks and proceeded to rock it pretty much like any frat party I've ever been to (except his scratching was worse and he did a lot more obnoxious yelling at the crowd). I know ten dj's in Shanghai alone who could have played a better set than he did. Dude didn't even mix two records together once. Every transition was him yelling over his baby scratches and then bang, into the next Naughty by Nature song. What a disappointment to find someone who's earlier musical contributions to hip hop were so inspiring is now so washed up, plateaued out, grumpy and simply bad by modern day standards. Did anyone out there hear his latest album? Terrible. This guy has not pushed the envelope at all since the 80's. Meanwhile, here are a few tracks by a few people who continue to rep it (and if I had to guess, would be a lot more fun to hang out with than Mr. Grandmaster).

Thursday 1 April 2010

This is also happening soon!

Bananas is back from the afterlife and dishing up all the platers that matter...

Try out specials!
From Kung Pao Pop to Egg Foo Funk, 1000 Year-Old Hip Hop, Eight Treasure Electro, Diced Disco Delicacies, Sweet & Sour Soul and Braised Spicy Breaks our menu has something to delight every palate.

Please to enjoy the mysterious local feast from the comfort of your own Shelter (5 Yongfu lu near Fuxing Xi lu). 30rmb delivery (entrance) fee.

On the Woks and Twos:
Kamikaze - Stinky Tofu
elnomo - The Drunken Shrimp
Choyce Kutz - Chop Sticks

Ten minutes after it's over, you'll be hungry for more!

And here's a song we'll play:

This is happening soon!

Yeah, that's right, me and Mr. Tsang acting our age on the turntables, playing wacky Funk Disco and Hip Hop from when most internet users weren't even born yet.
Like this one:

Thursday 18 March 2010

Oh yeah, hip hop's still good.

I've recently hit a wall with blog house, fidget electro and all that stuff the kids are into these days. If you ask me, Crookers can bite it man. I'm over it. I feel like the genre peaked like a week after I heard my first Justice song and now it's a bunch of people trying to cop that style and not doing it very well. Sure, the Ed Banger phenomenon was interesting and there's a lot of talented cats putting out electro records, but is that really what I want to listen to in my headphones on the subway? No. Meanwhile, I had the realization that people are still making dope hip hop records.
Case in point:

Saturday 13 March 2010

Another Rainy Day


I recently returned from nearly two months in sunny, friendly, fun, beautiful and tropical Thailand to cold, rainy, mean, stressful and generally unpleasant Shanghai... and I've been wondering why I subject myself to life here. Today's another rainy one. Fortunately I have a pile of records to listen to that Onra dug up in Guangzhou and left at my place in Shanghai after his show here at the Shelter last year. This joint from Singapore has been particularly helpful in me accepting my fate of living in a huge city with crappy weather, many unpleasant locals who spit on your shoes and a complete lack of awesome curries.