On September 14 Fischerspooner, the greatest band in the whole wide world, will be performing songs from their latest album (Odyssey the best CD to come out this year, just make sure you play it loud because that is key to understanding how genius they are) and if the kids are lucky Peanut Butter Express (I seriously almost passed out when I heard the first few bars) at the Astoria. That show is so going to rock.
But you and I both know that the after-party is always better than the party. And in this case the after-party is right behind the Astoria. Among the trash and rats and under the orange-hued street lamps is Ghetto. If you're from Vancouver you can compare it to The Lotus. If not, just think of it as that dive that always comes through with the greatest music and best vibe of your life. Chances are, though, that your cornerstone club is not as cool as Ghetto. Ghetto was opened out of disillusion with the predictable, stuffy and overpriced London club scene. The owners decided to create a club that was fun, friendly and affordable. Cover and drinks are cheap (the former starts at zero and drinks are no more than 3). Considering they're located in the heart of Soho that's insane.
On Wednesdays, the day of the FS concert, Ghetto hosts Nag Nag Nag. If you you consider yourself learned in the sound of electro then you surely know that this is the most important electro night in the world. This is where the 21st century's electro was cultivated, degraded and savoured. It's been running since New Year's 2001 so when I went in June I thought that I would be visiting the remnants of a phenomenon. Add to the fact that my friend Wil told me that English people do not talk to strangers, I wasn't expecting much.
It turned out to be the funnest and most amicable night in Europe. Everyone (except for the chick behind us in line who muttered to her friend that today is American Student night when she saw me walk towards the doorman - it must have really smarted to see me beckon over my date and pass the completely stationary line-up) was super ultra nice. The doorman was the most demure doorman I had ever encountered in all my life and the owner (who was actually there!), Simon was just as sweet. He let us pass without cover but asked for a donation for cancer research. In the past four years they've raised more than 19,000 for the Macmillan Cancer research. Ever see another club night do that type of consistent altruism?
Inside was spectacular. The actual space was small and lackluster but the people that filled it were of the highest quality. Everyone was dancing, the music was awesome and current and the people were so friendly (and gay friendly as it is a gay venue). So many of them were decked out in electro outfits or bizarre costumes (i.e. plastic bag over the head with holes and fake blood and a furry animal, a badger perhaps, sticking out from underneath it) but none of the pretension that usually accompanies big productions was present.
Right when we got there the DJ stopped and a band started up. The lead singer looked just like a young Iggy Pop and his music was loud and kind of crappy. But it was all good! I had the chance to walk around and snap photos of the clubbers. The DJ who came on afterwards made up for lost time and we partied to some dope electro 'til 03.00.
So, this is where Fischerspooner will most probably head after they've sung and danced and crowd-surfed their hearts out. If you live in London definitely take the Thursday off and make me jealous. And if you're anywhere in the vicinity it is worth making the trek. And, if you have enough of a fever for this kind of debauchery then I'd suggest taking an afternoon flight to Berlin the next day so you can catch Fischerspooner (live show and DJ set by Warren), DJ Hell, Tiga, John Selway and Jor-Eel at WMF. Those forty-eight hours sound too good to be true and I hope there is someone out there that pulls it off.
And if anyone reading this knows Emi (Swiss chick with blonde dreadlocks), won't you ask her to email me??? Please???
http://www.ghetto-london.co.uk
http://www.gigolo-records.de
