Disco Demolition

Welcome to the *DISCO DEMOLITION* edition of the BUSHING AROUND THE BEAT newsletter. The picture in the Banner above was taken on the infamous COMISKEY PARK DISCO DEMOLITION NIGHT which happened on July 12, 1979 and supposedly marked the death of disco. WLUP rock jock Steve Dahl devised a promotion scheme that invited each fan to bring one disco record in exchange for a discounted admission of .98$ (The station's position on the dial). The records were dumped into a large bin and placed in center field during the White Sox vs Tigers game intermission, and then blown to bits by some explosives placed underneath the records. The explosion tore a huge hole in the field and immediately afterward a near-riot ensued, with about 20,000 rabid spectators rushing the field with some folks literally stealing the bases. According to the media, this event marked the death of disco in North America. But did it really die? For the US at large, yes it did mark the public demise of disco but for underground clubs such as the Paradise Garage, the Music Box, and the Warehouse it was business as usual.

This week's feature is the Chicago acid house label, TRAX. What does the disco demolition in Comiskey park have to do with the TRAX label? Answer: everything! Let's just say if it weren't for this event we wouldn't have labels like TRAX, artists like LARRY HEARD, or clubs like the MUSIC BOX. Let me explain my theory - Steve Dahl's disco demolition lead to the de-popularization of disco music in the US at large, which ultimately forced it to go back underground and reinvent itself. One of disco's later incarnations was Acid House, pioneered by Chicago labels such as DJ International and TRAX Records.If disco had remained overground it wouldn't have picked up the dark textures of the underground scene, and house and acid house as we know it may have never been born. Not saying that disco totally sucked at that time but perhaps it just needed a good kick in the pants which is what it got on July 12, 1979. So thank you Steve Dahl for giving us acid house!

Death From Abroad

Greetings Groovers,

People that write off DFA as being another indie dance/ electro label need to take a much closer listen. The thing that makes this label so unique is that the music goes beyond the confines of what is supposed to be house/techno. In other words there's something for everyone on this label. We are also excited to inform y'all they they have decided to launch a new label dedicated to releasing tunes from their friends from overseas. The label is aptly called "Death From Abroad" and we have the first 3 releases available for your consumption. Check the "features" on this newsletter for more details.

In addition the their new label they have 2 new releases on their DFA label. The first one, "Still Going" is a retro house groover by Eric Duncan (Rub n Tug) & Oliver Spencer (How & Why, Mr Negative, Manthrax) and is getting heavy plays from James Murphy & Force Of Nature. FON licensed it for a forthcoming mix CD for Mule Musiq.

The second release is from New Zealand's indie rock outfit, The Shocking Pinks. I'm not sure what the original track sounds like seeing as this release has 2 Glimmers mixes and nothing else. But let me tell you, the Glimmers "Twelve Inches And A Bit More" remix is the business. Reminds me of an updated version of Liquid Liquid's "Bell Head".

Lot's of other solid goods this week. Here's a short list of some of my favorites - call it a top 5 if you will.

1) 40 THIEVES - BUZZ CITY
2) TOBY TOBIAS - STEEL BELLS
3) FLORIAN KRUSE - THOUGHTS
4) BLACK MUSTANG - BLACKOUT REMIXES *KERRIER DISTRICT*
5) SCOTTY COATS & WES THE MES - DOUBLE FISTED *very limited!!!*

Kind Regards,
Spasticus