On Mar 3, 2004, at 12:50 AM, Adam H wrote:
Spastik(94) and Transcendence(95). The shows were _incredible_ Both
were "plastikman" tracks live followed by 4-6 hour dj sets.
I wonder if he will play any of the goo*cough* I mean old plastikman
tracks.. :D
hi Adam-
I also caught him live for the 1st time in 94 at Spastik in Detroit too
(was it really 10 years ago? holy shi*t), but missed Transcendence,
which may have been even bigger? Pre-mp3, pre-Traktor, pre-Ableton,
it was nearly pre-Clinton for god sake. I gotta give him credit it
was a mindblower of a party, the complete experience. I mean at the
time it was about as literally as 'techno' as you could get in the US,
I still may even have the flyer somewhere (how sad am I). There was a
pile of live gear / rack / PA stuff and then if i recall he played
some records. There really aren't parties like that anymore in the US,
at that scale (and venue and volume) in Detroit, that still have a very
underground feel with that level of talent and almost fetishistic
overwhelmingly huge sound systems. I remember his parents were in the
crowd, and there were some contorting +8 dancers up on speakers peeling
off layers of lycra clothing? (do i have the right party here??
yikes, it's all a blur, hahh)
I kept thinking we're all gonna spontaneously combust it was so hot,
packed in, everything was covered in black plastic and dripping in
human perspiration. The sounds themselves felt like they were dripping,
it was intense. I'm sure whatever he'll do now from a performance
standpoint will be completely unique and innovative as that's just his
style, he's not one for nostalgia just for the sake of it. Especially
with the near-freakish control he usually has over every element of the
parties, from technology, audio/visual setups, wanting the latest of
everything, etc.
I haven't cared for his last couple of albums (or straight
jackhammer-like direction of his DJ sets in recent years) as much as
his earlier more sparse material. The first 2 Plastikman albums (Sheet
One and Musik) I think are still much better than the new ones IMHO..
but frankly i'm still glad he brought back the whole Plastikman concept
to life. It's interesting and makes you think, whether you love it or
hate it. It probably all depends on if/when you got into his music
and what tracks you got into (or out of) first... But anyone who can
go to this live set will probably be in for the 'total experience' --
it's no slouchy organization, every detail matters.
peace
--
Matt MacQueen
http://SonicSunset.com
