After a (not so brief) hiatus, we're BACK. TRU Radio + Beauty Bar(Dallas)

Okay, okay, I know we've been quiet(to say the least) but after a bit of a sojourn  and "disconnection"(pun intended) from the local scene, we're here(like poltergeists) to bring down the walls  with a couple of things to get everyone's disco juice flowing as we head toward the fall.

First things first - we're doing part 2(of a 2 part feature) internet radio show Monday August 20th on Disco's  Revenge's resident Gavin Guthrie's label based channel T.R.U. RADIO  featuring Disco's Revenge residents Rick Simpson and Mr. Daishiki Jones with interviews, music, music mixes and all sorts of  tomfoolery.

Tune in  HERE  starting at 6PM(US-CDT) or if you are local, we are streaming live from the cozy environs of Dallas' historical Deep Ellum district at Off The Record.  Last show was a blast and this edition promises the same warm fuzzy vibe.

Then on the 28th(August), we are doing a little POP UP type event at Beauty Bar Dallas for their renowned "Turnstile Tuesday"  weekly event.

Past Beauty Bar Dallas guests have included such  legendary DJ/producers such as The Juan Mclean, JT Donaldson, Mystic Bill, Convextion and Mariel Ito(Maceo Plex), along with rising local Dallas luminous and rising stars -  Cygnus and Blixaboy(Wanz Dover), making noise on the international  electro scene.

Expect our unique brand of  "call & response" funk infused,  electronic fortified, analog fueled, discotized, dirty and raw beats and rhythms.


We'll see you on the dance floor.

Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram or Facebook.

Local Jocks Spark A Return to the Roots of Underground Dance Music Culture in Dallas.

Ricky Simpson, Gavin Guthrie aka TX Connect and Mr. Daishiki Jones 

BENDING and breaking, re-conceptualizing, remolding   and rebuilding upon pre-conceived notion of how underground dance music  is defined,  while staying true and focused to the universal  ethos of dance floor harmony since 2010, we are continuing our journey in 2016, dedicated to preserving the culture with our special blend of House, Techno and Disco.

"Back in 2009, as the new year was fast approaching, I was wondering about what was going on on New Year's Eve and I was shocked that there were zero — yes, zero — house or techno-themed events planned for Dallas..."

- Mr Daishiki Jones  

Holding court every 3rd Saturday, at our current home at The Crown & Harp in Dallas for the past year,  we've  slowly but surely,  creating a organic and holistic environment for the music and culture unique to Dallas and the metroplex - there's nothing quite like it in the entire state of Texas.

Our current roster are avid collectors, talented producer, promoters, deejays  who are extremely passionate about preserving  the music and culture along with  it's  history by  building upon it's legacy - always moving forward, while acknowledging the importance of the traditions which were the blueprints and foundation for the culture.

Both Ricky Simpson and Mr. Daishiki Jones have been a  integral part of helping to shape the local underground dance music landscape for the past 20+ years and  newest member, Gavin Guthrie is Dallas' "wunderkind" who is taking the world by storm with his highly regarded releases on acclaimed labels such as L.I.E.S. and Creme Organization and his new label, T.R.U.(Texas Recordings Underground), under his guise as TX Connect.


For your listening enjoyment, here are mixes and interviews in the DALLAS OBSERVER featuring our resident manipulators of the groove.

Ricky Simpson ( here )
Gavin Guthrie ( here )
Mr. Daishiki Jones ( here )

Join us for our next excursion Saturday May 21st at The Crown and Harp.  21+.  No Cover.

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Chicago Techno & House Legend NEAL HOWARD

While having a late night Facebook chat with fellow Dallas jock, Scottie "Redeye" Canfield on the subject of Chicago House and Detroit techno, I became intrigued by the "where are they now" aspect of one of the "unsung" hero's" of the early Chicago scene.  The conversation was centered around a artist whose body of work was minimal, but whose releases were highly influential in ushering in the UK phenomenon that became known as the  "Summer of Love".

If the statement "Quality over Quantity" stands true, than the work of Neal Howard is it's template.  On the strength of 2 EP's, "To Be Or Not To Be" and "Indulge", Neal's music became synonymous with the "Acid House" cultural revolution with his songs inspiring a entire generation of music fans in the U.K. His body of work has long been considered "legendary" by the curators of dance music culture, and his tracks are mainstays in numerous Acid House compilations...most notably "Hacienda Acid House Classics", compiled by club owner and New Order/Joy Division bassist, Peter Hook.   Influenced equally by the nascent Detroit sound, as well as, at the time, the better known Chicago scene.  Neal's music was a template for a then unknown sub-genre, "tech-house" having brought in Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson  to remix his 1st release.  And  add to the fact that  U.K. labels such as  Warp were a direct descendant of Mr. Howards' unique sound, helping to spawn the "bleeps & blips" techno craze of the early '90's.

DISCO'S REVENGE decided to track down Mr. Howard and ask him a few questions about the past, present and future.

enjoy.

Before we begin in earnest, can you fill us in on how did you get started in the music business? Who were some of your early influences while you were learning your craft? (Specific people, places, events, etc.)

Born & raised in Rockford, Ill, I moved to the Chicago area after I graduated high school.  I basically got started in the music business when I met Terry "Housemaster" Baldwin & played him some tracks I was working on. From there he signed me to his label Future Sound records. Some of my early influences back then were my longtime friend Dave Merritt, who was in the group No Name ("Jason's Revenge), who took me under his wing & showed me the ins & outs of dj'ing & producing tracks. Larry Heard & Derrick May were huge influences as well. I wanted to be them both, lol! Ron Hardy, Lil' Louis & Mike "Hitman" Wilson were all huge influences djin' wise, even though I wasn't djing back then. I knew all the music, bought  all of the records and I could mix!

 At what point did you decide to begin producing music?

Pretty much since high school. I was raised on r&b & early hip-hop & discovered house from the Hot Mix 5 on WBMX. Rockford had no black radio stations, so everyone would hook up the cable from their TVs to their radios or receivers to listen to Chicago stations! Through formal music training all during middle & high school (some piano lessons & playing drums in school and neighborhood  bands), I had knowledge of basic music theory. So when I first started seeing the Roland drum machines & sequencers, I could kind of see how they worked just by looking at them. Since I had no equipment of my own, I would borrow from friends. A keyboard here, a drum machine there, a sequencer from whomever & I was good to go!

What was the inspiration behind your first EP, "To Be or Not To Be?"

I just a kid who wanted to make a record! Hanging out with my friend Dave Merritt, through him I would meet other djs & artists around Chicago. Everyone was making records back then, either on their own labels or through labels like DJ International or Trax. You had the hot mixes on the radio & you had clubs everywhere, from the mainstream  to the underground, with cats like Ron Hardy &  Lil' Louis. Also, you had different styles (such as techno, acid, hip-house, etc) all developing within a short period of time. It was really a special moment in music!

How did Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson become involved in the project?

That was through Terry Baldwin. He knew pretty much everybody. So I had Bad Boy Bill, Derrick May & Kevin Saunderson all on one record! That was huge for a nobody debut artist, lol! I had to pick them up from the airport when they came to Chicago. When I picked up Derrick, he had just released "Strings Of Life" & on the way to the studio he played me tracks for what would become his next EP "It Is What It Is". It was a blessing to have him do a mix on "To Be or Not To Be", being that I was so blatantly  trying to sound like him. When I picked up Kevin, I remember he had Blake Baxter with him. I was definitely in good company!

Your release, "Indulge" was picked up by early U.K. dance label Network, how did that relationship begin?

Again, that was through Terry. I'm guessing he had developed a relationship with Neil Rushton (Network, Kool Kat) through Kevin & Derrick, since he was pretty tight with them. So he ended up licensing the song to Network.

Your music was a prototype for what has become known as "tech-house", with many people aligning your sound more along the Detroit ethos than Chicago, was it your plan to create a hybrid sound that fit into both worlds?

I didn't have any grand designs, but I did consider them techno records, even though I was from the Chicago area. I was really impressionable back then, so I wanted to be like Derrick May & Larry Heard.

 Your releases are synonymous with the "Summer of Love" and the entire Acid House revolution in the U.K., with your songs hailed as legendary and have appeared in countless compilations and Top 25 lists. Did you ever think that your music would impact an entire generation of music lovers on a global scale?

Of course I had no idea. I wish I had the checks to reflect it, lol! I had no clue to what I was doing, so I didn't know anything about the business end, things such as publishing! But, I'm very thankful. I still have people contacting me from all over telling me about how they remember the music. Very humbling, because they didn't have to take the time to do that.

Did you have the chance to experience the UK Acid House Revolution first hand? What moments stand at the forefront of your memories from touring during the height of the madness?

I never got the chance to travel back then, so I never toured or anything. Terry & I were supposed to go to UK, but the trip fell through. I was heartbroken.

With the recent resurgence of interest in the classic sounds of Techno & House and the renaissance of the careers of artists such as Virgo Four; are there any plans to have your material remixed or re-edited by the current crop of dance music producers?

I know that Joey Negro did an the re-edit of "The Gathering" from the EP. I don't know of any others though. I welcome it all, lol!

During the '90's it seems that you backed away from the music business and fell out of the public eye, did you abandon the music industry 100% or did you maintain a presence?

I abandoned being an artist. I then had hooked up with Mike "Hitman" Wilson & worked with him on a variety of different projects, most notably Shawn Christopher "Another Sleepless Night" & "Don't Lose The Magic". A few years after that, I retreated from dance music altogether, moved back to my hometown of Rockford & opened up a studio out of my basement. Also at this time I started djing regularly, which I had never done before. It was a smooth transition because I had been around a lot djs, I knew how to mix & how to arrange & program music for a whole night. I wasn't playing house, but I could apply the same principles to hip-hop/r&b music.

I mentioned Virgo Four earlier, do you have any unreleased material laying around on reel to reel or cassette that you plan on releasing?

I might have a couple of  tracks laying around on cassette, but nothing that I would release. I have been getting the itch back to start making some music again. Just trying to find the right music making app right now!

What are your views on the dance music scene today, and what are some differences that you see from the '80's in comparison to the present?

I do think that it is over-saturated, but that is to be expected because of the technology today. I also think that there are too many sub-genres, label & categories. The volume of music coming out today is way greater that it was back in the day, so I know there's a lot of good music that gets lost & overlooked.

Which artists, if any, do you follow currently, and do you still dj?

Don't really follow any artists. I need to start getting more in tune to what's going on now. I know a lot of the older names, but I would like to find out about the things the younger guys are doing. I still dj, although I don't play much house as i would like & when I do, it's mostly old school stuff. If I hear something new that I like, I'll definitely go on Traxsource or wherever & purchase it.

Five tracks that never leave your box?

1. Lil Louis - Video Clash

2. Think Twice (Remix) - The Detroit Experiment

3. Shake Your Body - Jeanette "JT" Thomas

4. Ain't Gonna Bump No More - Joe Tex

5. Hey Hey - Dennis Ferrer (instant crowd pleaser, lol)

Italian Beef...wet or dry?

Wet, with cheese & hot peppers!

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Chicago DJ LADY D (D'lectable Music)

Darlene Jackson aka DJ Lady D, has been a fixture on the dance music scene for some time now. Besides being a dj, she can stake claim to being one of the hardest working people in the biz. Producer, label owner, vocalist and A&R are just a few of the hats she wears in a days work.

DISCO'S REVENGE had the chance to chat with her on various topics including her start, the changes in the dance music scene and her recent performance at the Lollapalooza festival.

Hey, D for the sake of brevity,can you give us a bit of background as to how you got started as a dj and who were some of your major influences?

I was playing records for fun in a shoestore one Saturday when Chicago's biggest party promoter came in watched me a while and told me to call him. He began to book me almost immediately and it took off from there. I used to watch and listen to Derrick Carter, Diz, Sneak, Ralphi Rosario & Teri Bristol & Psychobitch (they played together back then) for my influences. They are still my favorites to this day.

You were a part of the groundbreaking "SuperJane" collective, how did that relationship develop?

I had been playing for a couple years already when I was approached by Dayhota (Shannon Ialongo) about an idea she said she and Colette and Heather had and was considering starting a collective and they were looking for a fourth member to keep it balanced. I told her I would be down. I already had a collective I had started that was me and six other guys (Jevon Jackson, Mel Hammond, Frique, Matty, E Smoove & Mark Grant) called FSO - For Soul Only, but the idea of a collective of girls was appealing, since I was friends with them already and you know girl power and everything.

It seems that with the advances in technology there are more dj's then ever before. What makes a Lady D set stand out from everyone else?

You're right! So many out there! I think a Lady D stands apart for a few reasons. My playlist being the first as I don't play things most other DJ's are playing. I dig deep to find music that is amazing that no one else is up on yet--why not? There is so much music out there. I shouldn't have to play anything someone else is playing-at least not for the sake of it being popular. I throw in some familiar elements but my music is pretty unique and current! The other thing is my performance level. When I get on the decks it's pure energy and I don't let up until I get off so my performance is dynamic and stands out. Finally, it's what I can do instinctively as well as technically behind the decks. I have enough experience to pump up any room I play.

What changes have you noticed in the underground music scene from when you started to the current state of the biz...both positive and negative?

The underground music scene has undergone some changes in the vibrancy and age of people. I do see younger people coming into the scene now more than a few years ago so that's a good sign. As people get older they get more mature musically. Some of the scene has become more resistant to change or to partying with younger kids. The flipside of that is that there are lots of burgeoning underground scenes with newer people doing newer things. I'm happy that I've stayed relevant with some of these new undergrounds that have been popping up. I make it a point to be open to checking out their parties and getting to know some of the new promoters and party kids.

You recently performed at the recent Lollapalooza festival in Chicago alongside such diverse acts as Scrillex, Kid Cudi, Cee Lo, Eminem, Glitch Mob, Coldplay, Afrojack, Girl Talk and Collie Buddz and one of your songs was included in their annual remix contest. How did your participation in such a prestigious event develop and how was it performing in front of over 20,000 dance music fans?

I went to Lolla in 2009 and was blown away by the whole thing. I was a guest of Thievery Corporation so I had all access and it made me want to be a part of it. I wrote myself an email to find out about playing Lolla. I wanted it to be the next year but as Lolla approached I realized it may not happen in 2010. What did happen was I was invited to a party with the Lolla organizers from Austin based C3 where we met and hit it off. They had heard good things about me and said they were interested in having me play in 2011. In January they kept their word and I got a phone call. That email served as a visualization that manifested itself into the actual thing.

Once I was at Lolla, it was incredible to be an artist. The stage was absolutely massive and the sound was phenomenal and I got a real education on advancing a show as big as that one. I put together a team (production manager, tour manager, PR point person) so I could handle everything that was coming in for the show. I began rehearsing a set so I would be on point and believe me--it was! The feeling was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Your label, D'lectable was re-launched in 2009. What do you have in store in the near future?

D'lectable is distributed digitally by a company in Germany called Finetunes. They have relationships with over 140 different download sites. My last release was in June with an artist from NYC named Baghdaddy and because of my summer schedule the next two won't be out until September and October. One is a release by a production partnership called Adam & Jackson. The other release will be my first fully licensed mixed compilation for sale since Naked Kaleidoscope. The tracks will be of the future sound of Chicago with cuts from the house and techno community both of which I work intimately with; including such names as Colette, Green Velvet, Kate Simko, Tevo Howard, Ron Carroll, Gurtz and a whole lot more. I will be touring around the release both domestically and internationally.


Top 5 tracks that are working your dancefloors?

The Return of Disco (Gramaphonedzie Remix) Gene Farris
Muzzaik & Dave Martin - Black Day
Chicago Tribute (MFR Classic Mix) - Mr. V & Julius Papp
Millie Vanillie - Green Velvet feat Russoul
Funky (Obando remix) - Denis Nicola


Best place(s) to find an Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago?

Hahaha! Portillos or Mr. Beef. Please don't even think about Al's. It says No.1 but it will make you no.2. Sorry! :(

Special guest NEKSTONE at the Absinthe Lounge Saturday July 9th

In case you've been hiding in a bomb shelter awaiting the apocolypse, you've probably noticed that Dallas temperatures have been sweltering lately. Most people would ascribe "global warming" or "greenhouse gases" or something to that effect. But recently conducted surveys and studies by these very same scientists have concluded that the friction created by the frenzied dancing at DISCO'S REVENGE is the proximate cause to strange weather phenomenon such as the polar ice caps melting...

With that being said, we are going to attempt to go one further and cause the nightlife in the metroplex to explode into so many subatomic particles with our special guest, NEKSTONE. Brandon Ayala(Nekstone) has been a fixture on the underground scene in El Paso and Dallas for a number of years, playing host to his acclaimed event, "The Get Right" and djing alongside diverse artists such as Lee Foss, DJ Heather, M3, Brett Johnson, DJ Cocoe and JT Donaldson just to name a few.

SERIOUSLY....you don't want to miss this...

Music from Mr. Daishiki Jones and Israel Marcano NYE 2011 @ Absinthe Lounge

Here is the link to the music from NYE @ Absinthe Lounge. The first hour is Mr. Daishiki Jones and the second 1/2 is Israel Marcano. Hope you enjoy the music. click here