Started with a average day at work. What followed was brilliant show by Ghostland Observatory.
Thanks to Ultra 8201 for the pic source.
I didn't bring a camera as I thought it would be too packed to take pictures. It was for the most part. The opener was Dr. Jack. I couldn't find any info on him before or after the show. I liked what he spun. Mostly Daft Punk, Justice, MSTRKRFT, and the likes. Nothing that made my head explode into turntable ecstasy but it warmed up the crowd. SDave for the last 5-10 minutes of his set. I don't know if he was stalling for time or if he thought his droning beats were a good close to a varied and lively set. The crowd started booing. It was very much like making a pie feeding it to us and then waving a poo finger under our collective noses at the end. No bueno. No poo finger action next time Dr. Jack. He wore a Doc's mask and was set way back from the front so I fear I shall never know who this mystery man is.
In about 10 minutes or less we had Ghostland ignition. Starting with the opening track from Robotique Majestique. I already had the new cd in the back pocket. The bass was at a real sweet spot and it put the ants in my pants. I went into this show without having allowed myself a listen to any new tracks. It worked well. Heavy Heart struck me hard and set the tone. I had only seen these guys once before at ACL and now they were in complete control of their environment. A laser show that John Woo could have choreographed and smoke to make it easier to see. Every sone worked and the audience ate it up like a deeeelicious custard of musical musicality. I swear, when "The Band Marches on" started I have no idea that they were going to bust out the UT Band.
Thanks to tyculver for the vid.
I didn't need any euphoria inducing drugs to make me feel like I was in a spiritual domain. I saw lights, colors and sounds in those few moments that I can only home to duplicate through illegal complex chemical combinations that will leave me damaged in new ways. I left straight for home afterwards. Legs were tired and I didn't feel like drinking. I actually didn't drink the whole show so I didn't have to break for bodily functions or new adult drinks to slake my thirst. I had something with me to help with the show though.
Sat was bland, if I recall. So, pretend I didn't just mention it.
Sunday was spent trying to get a girl to leave my place after she didn't serve the purpose she came over for. I officially wrote her off my books after that. A little time at Jo's and then it was out to the Drafthouse Ritz for their Howard the Duck showing. Ivan and Matt were a bit let down from what they remembered it as a kid. See what you think from the finale.
I forgot how good the effects and animatronics were for 1986.
Monday was Justice! I was ready for this for a while. It was cold and windy. I was semi- prepped for this but the wind is a bastard bitch that takes no lovers. I took a camera for this one so here are a few pics for your stupid eyes that weren't there. Stupid eyes, I say!
Messy photo...but oddly pretty.
Opener was DJ Mendhi. He spun some lovely things and really got us jazzed without the actual application of Jazz music. He went a bit to House for me a few times but all and all he was on point and tossing some fun stuff down.
I had met up with Rhett from work just before Mendhi came on. We were a group of 5 or 6 and even though we got scattered when Justice came on we still stayed within proximity and regrouped mid show. All the clustering had made it easy to keep warm.
Of course, Justice hit the decks with full force like a man hitting something at full force. Much like that. They spun everything I had already heard but with enough variations that it felt right. Unlike DJ Shadow who will spin his catalog without much variation save for what he will play in what order. I love you Shadow but unless it's a special project like what you rolled through a month or so ago with Cut Chemist, I probably won't go. All 45s on 8 tables was worth it, though.
The final song closed and Justice walked off on and left the bass on. Like a couple in a hurry to catch their tropical flight leaving the iron on. We all stood there trapped by this epic bass on 10-12 Marshalls stacked. Our bodies vibrating and causing some of us to worry we may never be released from this sonic trap. I think this was on an old episode of Star Trek. After 2-3 minutes of vibrating at speeds unknown to the common man Justice strode back out to remind us who our friends were. In a way they have really highjacked Simian's "We are your friends" for their own. The audience chanted the refrain in waves until the bass and yelling made us collapse onto each other.
I recall a second encore but I was too burnt and tired to remember what it was. My body wasn't and it responded to the beats and I just rode it out.
After, Rhett and crew tried to wait for the crowd to pass by but got caught up in an exiting tide of fans. I got turned around and walked backwards for a bit until a kindly soul forcibly faced me the right way. Long walk back to the ride but I need the cool off.
Next blog is about this last weekend. Lots of goodness to share.
