Even though the recent unpredictable weather led to the cancellation of several much-anticipated open-air parties last weekend, sometimes you just gotta party when you wanna party. So, I clicked open TaiwanNights (www.taiwannights.com) on my browser for help. The profusion of flashy flyers on the front page does a fabulous job of making it seem like there's so much happening in Taipei on any given weekend. Quantity-wise that may be true, but not so if you're just in the mood for some quality, non-mainstream dance music or a party that's got an underground vibe. The new monthly drum 'n' bass installment called Gensis (put together by Bassment Productions) at The Wall falls into that category. I've always had a thing for drum 'n' bass, so without a second thought me and my "equally-picky" friend went to check it out.
There were only a handful of people when we arrived around midnight. Nevertheless, Amber was laying down some vicious jungle tracks with the volume turned up high. Thankfully, it wasn't too long before he switched to a more mellow groove as the venue began filling up. Next up was Spykee, who "just returned from two-years in the military," according to MC Beemer. It's not entirely clear what kind of training the military offers these days as Spykee's skillful and precise mixing of raga, jump-up and progressive melodic drum 'n' bass with Beemer was totally off the hook and reminiscent of LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad. The other two DJs Zeon and Chin, impressed with their choices of music and techniques, which even some of the DJs who regularly play at the big clubs in Taipei lack.
A girl in the crowd, wearing Daisy Dukes and high-heels, shook her booty on stage like a pole-dancer who just got off work from a street-side wedding banquet and seemed a bit out-of-place. Technical problems with the speakers failed to spoil the show, and, hopefully, those gremlins will be banished for the next installment.
PHOTO: QUEEN BEE
Good news for drum 'n' bass heads: the new Web site Versatility II (new.united-bass.com) has the lowdown on upcoming gigs, forums for members to discuss the underrated genre and the latest tracks.
Meanwhile, Play at Paulina's on Anhe Road, Taipei, is on pause for the next two weeks. The popular midweek house night is scheduled to return on June 27 after the bar has undergone renovations.
For the week ahead, it's easy to make a big splash as several pool parties are in the offing. Sunday Breeze, which was rained off last week, will go ahead this Sunday between 1pm and 8pm with Hooker, Fratzuki, JR and Megan and Gore Juice in the mix. The party is located at TKFarm Natural Springs Pool (96 Peitouzih Rd, Tamsui, Taipei County, 台北縣淡水96北投子路). On Tuesday, from 1pm to 7pm, some of the Sunday Breeze crew — JR and Megan, Fratzuki, and Marcus Aurelius — will be ripping it up along with Elements at Taipei Country Club, 1 Qingyun St, Taipei (台北市青雲街1號).
To sort the men from the boys, Gaydays presents Mega Weekend 07 with a series of bashes today through Monday. DJs CoolFunk, F*Daniel, Jimmy Chen, Kenplus, M@rio and Stone, to name just a few, will cover the tunes. Highlights include what is touted as Taiwan's first gay cruise, on a boat that is. Tomorrow from 3pm to 9pm, the Grand Hotel's pool (1 Zhongshan S Rd Sec 4, Taipei, 台北市中山北路四段1號) is the venue for the Official Sanctuary Cruise Launch Party. The dress code is speedos, presumably as small as possible judging by Gayday's previous quality events, which always draw an international crowd from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan.
More information on tickets, parking, venues and accommodation in English and Chinese can be found at www.gaydays-taipei.com.
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