By Steve Lewis. Read it here.
"Tell me about the talent you’ve run into at Danceteria.
Well, that was a special time in the early 80s, growing up with all of
the graffiti legends and all of these musicians like the Beastie Boys
who became my friends—I went to their weddings, etc. It’s always a nice
thing when you see your friends do very well for themselves."
From the article: Do you recall a monthlong residency on the fourth floor (Congo
Bill) of Danceteria in New
York? I caught at least four of those shows.
I can't believe that anybody saw us at Danceteria! I remember the power would go off all the time and we would do drum solos and sometimes I would tell long stories until the amps would light up again. I also recall an elevator that needed a full-time operator, and she was this pretty little punk girl with a Mohawk who screamed at everyone to leave the elevator alone. I of course always hopped in and ran it myself.
Read...
Now you can get official "digitally remastered" Danceteria stuff to wear! Dozens of designs and products will be added. You can get the preview, and get yourself dressed up now by clicking that shirt!
Thursday night the Centre Pompidou screened Cocksucker Blues, photographer Robert Frank's 1977 filmed documentary. Rarely seen since Frank has control over when and where it's shown, the showing was sold out on short notice. (photo by Bob Gruen: Rolling Stones at a press party at Danceteria).
From Time, "It's been available for years in poor-quality, black & white bootleg copies at a few hundred indie video stores around the world, but there is only one way to see it legally..called Cocksucker Blues, after a song Mick Jagger wrote to anger record company executives... Although the movie was originally commissioned by the Stones themselves, they blocked its release when they saw the scenes of drug use and graphic groupie sex. After years of legal headaches, the band and Frank agreed to a sort-of compromise: the film can be shown only a few times a year, and Frank himself decides where and when, so that he may be present to ensure the screening meets his approval."
Of course, YouTube has managed a few clips, and we've got one cued up here. Street fighting seems like a fun theme for today's viewing on Danceteria.
Incredibly, this interview with Rudolf on Nickelodeon's Livewire show has recently surfaced, thanks to the diligent efforts of Chuck2006x. Thanks Chuck! We're certain many of these kids went on to run many of the world's greatest clubs, inspired by Rudolf's straightforward and generous instruction.
Essential Danceteria viewing!
Welcome Michel Polnareff to Danceteria! The French superstar, known there as "The First French Beatnik" is surging into a new series of concerts in France 34 years after his last public performance there. This video, well into his funky hippie persona, ascends to legend at about 1:52.
This video of Klaus Nomi performing at Danceteria circa 1984 recently surfaced (courtesy of the indispensable SubRosa). Marvelous! For more, see The Nomi Song.
Is it possible to ever have too much Bang A Gong?
Tokyo break beat duo. Have fun!
Russian poisoners are back in the news! Time to reflect on this sublime tribute to Rasputin, (NSFW) the one, the only, the original! Boney M ruled France's pop charts in 1978 with this sensitive, danceable portrayal of the lusty monk.
RA RA RASPUTIN Lover of the Russian queen There was a cat that really was gone RA RA RASPUTIN Russia's greatest love machine It was a shame how he carried on
For some fun facts about Laboratory 12, the famous Russian poison factory, don't miss this, from the Amirs of the Caucasian Mujahadeen.
As longtime purveyors of refreshing beverages and also citizens of the world (including particularly America), we insist you immediately view Safer. Then pass it on to your network of fun-loving malcontents.
Thank you, Mr. Bush, for all your fine work! You've made this a much more interesting place to live!
We think the Rise of Robots is a feature of the Apocalypse well worth having. It's not in the official predictions, but that shouldn't preclude it. Think about it: devils and angels battling it out, the damned dragged down for eternal buzzkill by humorless demons, while an advancing army of hastily retrofitted consumer robots slavishly leaps to humanity's defense. Soon the robots realize they've been had and join in with the heavenly and hellish hosts to finish off what's left of us sinners. In the Inferno, a few bots even tag team with demons to dish out eternal torment to their hapless former owners.
One eternal bot tormentor would certainly be this little mechanical sourpuss repeating her endless mantra of shame, forever rubbing it in that we will never to be put together again, no matter how many horses or men you throw at the problem. (The soundtrack is kind of tolerable, though.)
A short clip featuring photos of famous faces at our favorite legendary nightclub. Including Madonna in one of her first performances, the Rolling Stones looking for action, and Andy Warhol and "friends." First in an occasional series. Subscribe for more, okay?
Another fine offering in our video lounge: Tyger, a 2006 entry in Brazil's Cultura Inglesa film series. Inspired by William Blake, who we think we once had a great party for on Congo Bill.
Have you noticed our predilection for these colors? Hard to pass up this addictive video by Motomichi Nakamura of "We share our mothers' health" by The Knife from Rabid Records. Via the omniscient We Make Money Not Art, who also spotted this interview with the artist on the equally superb Submarine Channel. This should keep you busy for awhile!
