Duke Shin

It was a minute past the golden age of nineties alt-rock when legendary bassist and alternative nation godfather Mike Watt had Eddie Vedder issue a stern warning that "the kids of today should defend themselves against the seventies." ("Against the 70s," from 1995’s "Ballhog or Tugboat.")

Fortunately for Le Tigre’s mustachioed bassist-gone-DJ JD Samson, and NYC cool merchant Lauren Flax, Watt issued no such warning against the nineties. And now, after cranking up Peabody’s WABAC Machine for the very successful U.N.I.T.Y. 90s Dance Party in Brooklyn, the duo are set to take their recent-yet-retro party on the road, with their Chicago appearance at Buddha being the first outside of New York. And no, there was no typo, we are talking about a party that honors the nineties—the era that ushered in cuffed jeans, Cross Colors and Color Me Badd.

"The party is so unpretentious because people are embarrassed, usually…but we embrace it," explains Samson. Flax agrees.

"I actually used to hate some of these songs when they came out, like Chumbawumba or [Semisonic’s] ‘Closing Time.’ God, they really used to play it at closing time when it came out—and now we do," laughs Flax. "I love it."

The theme of the night is a decade, not a genre, and Samson describes the game plan so far. "I feel like we start off with slow jams and move to R&B, and then hip-hop and dance."

"New jack swing," Flax interjects, "[then] alternative."

"Hole and Rage [Against the Machine] are a big hit late in the night," agrees Samson.

The very mention of the word "alternative" brings up more musical acts and a discussion about nineties MTV VJs like Matt Pinfield, Dr. Dre & Ed Lover, Kennedy, Jesse—hell, even Adam Curry. Getting back on track, we talk about Samson’s continued activity as a DJ (proving her motivations are more than just another rockstart-turned-DJ dalliance) and her love for pleasing and entertaining her fans and community.

"I won’t stop making people enjoy themselves as long as I live," she says. Yet it was Flax’s idea to join her in doing a night honoring perhaps un-coolest decade in the hippest of NYC neighborhoods in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Populist playlists trumped chin-stroking elitism—and it worked. "I just think it’s time people didn’t think about the coolness factor to their dancing and singing. If we all know the words and feel them, then we all win," Samson continues, citing "Rhythm Is A Dancer" as a guilty favorite.

So is there anything that the duo won’t play?

"‘Black Velvet,’" chimes in Flax. "I will NOT play that. I might play ‘I Touch Myself.’"

"I’ve been known to play that horrible ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ song," adds Samson.

The U.N.I.T.Y. 90s Dance Party feat. JD Samson & Lauren Flax drops in on Outdanced! at Funky Buddha, 728 West Grand, (312)666-1695, on February 12, 10pm-2am. $5, rsvp to outdanced@yahoo.com for free admission before 11pm.

(2008-02-06)

Also by Duke Shin

A Farewell to Ohms
A relatively nondescript building with a red ornamental door gives way to a stairwell leading to a walk-up loft. And the building is moving. Literally. The wooden floor in the front room alternates between the gentle reverberations of the bass, and the alarming bounce of dancing feet. It’s only a paltry 12:30am, but the party—celebrating local DJ Lee Foss’ departure to Los Angeles—already resembles an urban menagerie
(2008-01-29)

Tip of the Week
Friday nights at Smart Bar have taken on a bit of an identity crisis of late, irking some members of the techno community used to seeing weekly Friday offerings for unadulterated techno bliss. While we like seeing new talent and different formats get a fair shake in the increasingly narrow world of weekend Chicago club offerings, tonight’s lineup marks the return of weekend techno to Smart Bar in the form of a Detroit originator, a Chicago-by-way-of-France label head, one of Chicago’s more abstract techno DJs and a live performance from an up-and-comer
(2008-01-08)

Tip of the Week
So you wanna ring in the New Year at Smart Bar? Ah…historic. In its twenty-five years (and counting), God only knows how many beads of sweat have hit the floor, how many signature bendy straws have been curled over a drink with a clutching hand desperate to imbibe while dancing or how many crumbled up bar bills were hastily smoothed out and jammed into the photo-booth
(2007-12-26)

May the Schwarz Be With You
It’s not surprising that Alexander "Ali" Schwarz has fond memories of Chicago. As the elder half of fraternal electro-house duo Tiefschwarz (along with brother Sebastian "Basti" Schwarz), Ali’s first love as a DJ was the American deep house coming out of New York and Chicago
(2007-12-04)

Tip of the Week
(2007-11-27)

The Outer Limits
(2007-09-18)

In Our House
(2007-08-07)

Q and Not U
(2007-07-10)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-10)

Spin Control
(2007-06-05)

Tip of the Week
(2007-05-29)

Spin Control
(2007-05-15)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment