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Popscene @ 330 Ritch November 30, 2001 To: Graham Mitchell Subject: The Avalanches / Dan the Automator Dear Graham, HOW were the Lift to Experience shows? HOW is the missus? HOW is my little prince? WHY did Daz have to get her nice pair of trousers dry cleaned? Oh, wait! I know the answer to the last one! Is it because we got incredibly, stupidly, incomprehensibly bladdered at The Avalanches show? Yes, that was it! Oh, I don't know...something about the venue being a block away from where Squid works, and Squid going there with a mate first and doing some preliminary background drinking. Please take note that the venue, 330 Ritch, is actually a sleek wood trimmed bar as opposed to a "pub", so that one never really feels right drinking beers there. Hence, the savvy decision to drink...hard liquor! Chocolate martinis! Oh, and because the waitress is our pal, we all did...a shot of Jaegermeister! Yes! The foul smelling liquor better suited for floor cleaning than imbimbing! Did I mention that I had not even picked up Daz yet? So I go home for a few hours and sober up. Eat some food. Think about those yummy martinis. Yes. Then I go pick up the Daz, raving about the drinks I've had, and say "We should just drink cocktails this evening!" This should have been the first clue to her, really, since she can drink gin and tonics but I can barely look at one without becoming violently ill. But, being a good friend and thinking the most of me, she decides to go along with the fun. By the time we get back to 330, the place is full of people, and it's hot. After another chocolate martini, I decide that it's time for something lighter...Red Bull and Vodka! Do I like Red Bull and Vodka?! No! But it seems like the hip thing to do, and I do like being hip...so I decide I should have three of those, too! Life is GREAT. The whole thing was kicked off by local legend Dan the Automator, which was such a treat, as he's rarely home and never performs here. (You prolly know him better a member of Gorillaz, no?) Anyhow, he was fantastic, dropping various selections from the Deltron 3030 album like the great thumper 'Positive Contact'. I've said it before, we don't get to hit DJed shows that often, and watching everyone bob their heads made me wistful for similar gigs like Lazydog. Our Aussie pals The Avalanches were also great, but they tested the patience of people who had been drawn by Dan who wanted to dance. It's weird. Unlike the Basement Jaxx, who do a similar thing but keep a steady tempo, The Avalanches actually seem to relish throwing an audience off. Challenging stuff to get across to a room teaming with sweaty drunk dancers, but totally worth it. Most Ingenious Segueway of All Time That Should Receive A Nobel Prize: Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" in to Snoop Dogg/Dr. Dre's "Next Episode". Daz had a moment of surrealism when John Coltrane's version of 'My Favorites Things' was miraculously worked into their splice'n'dice showcase and the entire audience sang the lyrics as if we were actually living 'The Sound of Music'. Yes, it was so great! So great that I was stealing glassware. No really! And we were some of the last people out when the house lights went on! "Whasss..whass happening?" On the way out, I was walking ahead of Daz when I heard a muffled yell. I looked back to discover that she had indeed fallen ass over teakettle into what had to have been The World's Largest Puddle. I mean, there were border guards and vacationing families on this thing. The best bit was the look on her face, as though, while she was sleeping, someone had lifted her up and dumped her into this cesspool. She bruised her hip, but not her ego, since it happened in the alley way and no one saw. I think. Then we stumbled back to my place of work where I sat behind the wheel giggling about how I would Never, NEVER drive and why did we come to the car? So we stumbled back to the street, grabbed a cab and crashed at Daz' place. Oh, and chucked up like very sick little bunnies indeed! Puke-o-rama! I think the reason this evening stands out is because things don't end up like this very often anymore. I just couldn't have you thinking that we're out being insane every night of the week. Although, we hardly need liquor for that. ;-) Smoochies, Squid-lo ©2001 playinginfog.com |