AUGUST 5, 2008 PARTY BEN ALIVE: THE HOME EDITION! So easy even grandma can play! Boy, was it only six months ago that I put together a special set for Bootie featuring video accompaniment to a bunch of my goofball tracks, with a cheeky nod to Daft Punk's ground-breaking tour? Well, yes, yes it was. Since then not only has San Francisco enjoyed the multimedia experience, but also Los Angeles and New York, uh, did. Pretty soon, I'll be taking the show to Boston for the Bootie outpost there, but for some reason, I decided it might be time to show the rest of the world what the fuss is about. So, I've mixed together some of the tracks and videos into a few easy-to-digest segments, which, when listed here together with some of the videos I've already posted, can give you a good idea of what Party Ben Alive was all about. Now, of course, this stuff was put together specifically for a live club setting where I had three big video screens going, so big flashes of color and stuff were a little more "atmosphereic." On your home computer, it may seem a little goofy. But hey, like I care what you think.
Before we begin, let me point out that many of these clips incorporate work by VJ Brewski, VJ Jaren, and , FL1PB01T4M1DL35, although I rearranged a lot of their stuff after they gave it to me, since I can't leave well enough alone. Either way, though, their contributions were invaluable and many thanks for their assistance.
PARTY BEN ALIVE: THE VIDEOS
Party Ben Alive Part 1:
Party Ben vs. Daft Punk & Destiny's Child - "Robot Ben"
Okay, case in point. If you use the extra-long Daft Punk-inspired intro to walk out on stage in an imitation robot helmet, it kind of makes sense, but watching at home, you may want to go get a snack.
Party Ben Alive Part 2:
House of Queen, Galvanize the Empire
House of Queen is something I've never released, since it's pretty silly, and also since it also utilizes an oldie-but-goodie from GHP, which I like to think of as an acknowledgement of its status as the standard-bearer for "We Will Rock You" mashups. Hey, if Divide and Kreate can muck around with Snow Police, then I can steal Mark's stuff.
Party Ben Alive Part 3:
Led Snooppelin
This has already been on YouTube for a while... since I put it there in January. It's racked up a few views since then, but more amusing are the comments, which have degenerated to a battle over whether mashups ruin songs or don't ruin songs. What is this, 2003?
Party Ben Alive Part 4:
Pump Up the Doorbell (VJ Jaren video)
You've seen it, you love it. I've always thought this was a pretty interesting mashup video since the Eric B & Rakim video is already kind of collage art. Anyway, nicely done, Jaren.
Party Ben Alive Part 5:
Callin' Up the Pieces (Bmore remix), Star Guitar Stand Up, The Way I Keep Me Hangin' On
Okay, here's where things get a little goofy. There's no video for Lyrics Born's "Callin' Out," so I just used some goofy vintage dance footage and big red words; the rest is pretty standard, although it's highly amusing to see how stoned Diana Ross is.
Party Ben Alive Part 6:
Pump Up the Beat
Boy, that Technotronic video sure looks prescient, with its fluorescent colors and stuff, doesn't it.
Party Ben Alive Part 7:
D.A.N.C.E. (Like a Record)
Party Ben Alive Part 7b:
Smells Stronger
Party Ben Alive Part 8:
Rocky Done Gun, Clash Killers, Rehab (Can't Help Myself)
An unreleased M.I.A. remix plus the classic (?)"Somebody Rock Me" and good old Amy Winehouse.
Party Ben Alive Part 9:
Country Boy (City Boy remix)
This wasn't a part of the show in San Francisco but I added it for LA and NYC.
Anyway, thanks again of course to A+D as well as the staff of DNA Lounge in SF, The Echo in LA, and The Vault in NYC for their help, and to everybody who came out to watch me spin DVD. See you soon, Boston.
In other news, if this web site doesn't provide enough Party Ben blather for you, click on over to BartCop E! where DJ Useo has posted a far-too-indulgent interview with me. Boy, I talk a lot.
And finally, don't miss the Bootie 5-year anniversary party this Saturday night, where I'll be doing a "Bootie Greatest Hits" set around 11:30 and then spinning some new stuff after A+D's show. Can you believe we've been doing this for five years? Oh, Bootie; you don't look a day over 3.
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 BOOTIE
5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY HOLY CRAP, WE'RE OLD! Featuring Adrian & Mysterious D and a cast of thousands in Revenge of the A+D Show. Plus regulars Smash-up Derby, Dada and myself, and Earworm & Throat Yogurt in the upstairs covers lounge.
DNA LOUNGE
375 11th @ Harrison, SF 9pm-after hours / 21+
$15 / $10 before 10:30
THURSDAY AUG 21 CALL IN SICK NEW THIRD THURSDAY SHINDIG! Featuring myself and DJ MyKill of French Kiss fame. Electro, Bmore, fidget, bassline, retro-rave, remixes, cutups, crazy crap with laser bass noises.
BEAUTY BAR
2299 Mission St @ 19th
San Francisco
10p-2a / 21+ / FREE!
SATURDAY AUG 23 BOOTIE SF NOW TWICE MONTHLY! Featuring Smash-Up Derby, regulars Adrian, Mysterious D, Dada.
Me and DJ MyKill bring Call In Sick flavor to the upstairs Electro-Bootie lounge!
DNA LOUNGE
375 11th @ Harrison, SF 9pm-after hours / 21+
$12 / $8 before 10:30
SUNDAY AUGUST 24 RADIO CHAOS HEY YO SAN DIEGO! W/ DJ Riko