Saturday, November 06, 2004

cK Goes To Underground Rave!

What actually was supposed to be a night out to a special drum/bass music event, turned out to be an underground party in LA!


My roomate Dan was searching online for a cool party to hit out in Los Angeles. He stumbled across this special party that advertised drum/bass from the 90's. It had some special Dj's and 2 special rooms. Sounded good. So Dan took the address down and we headed there. Our friend, Roberto tagged along too.

When we drove into the area, we noticed that the neighborhood wasn't exactly... touristy. It was in an industrial block, on a very empty street. We could see a homeless person actually picking new boxes that were discarded earlier that day. If the event was being held around here, there sure wasn't a lot of parked cars here hinting other party goers. But there were still cars nonetheless.


The lonely street where a party was supposed to be happening
So we travelled all this way, we might as well see what's going on. We got out of the car, and followed the address to a gate where people were going in and out.. one at a time. When it was our turn, we went in. We met a guy who asked us for the $10 cover charge. Upon paying him, he gave us wristbands and then DIRECTIONS on a piece of paper to where the event is actually taking place! Wow.... so now we move on to where the party REALLY is!

After following the directions, we ended up in downtown LA at what looked like an abandoned (or rarely used) electronics warehouse. When we got to the door, we showed our wristbands to the bouncer at the door and was granted entry. Going in, it had a nice vibe. The first room was where the bar and a dj was playing. It was a smaller more lounge like room. The room after that was like where the main stage was. Complete with video screen and full towering concert speakers blasting drum/bass while a dj pumped the crowd with his chats to the music.

The place was filled with smoke, but there was no smoke machine. It was from the smokers who found the freedom away from certified LA establishments that abide by the LA city laws of no smoking.

The crowd itself was mixed. There wasn't much of an ID check anywhere, so there were some young drum/bass heads present. Everyone seemed to be pretty cool. I happened to talk to some girls while going to and from the bar. Some who were there made it seem like it was their first time.

Dan and Roberto seemed to have a good time. Roberto chilled more in the corner with his foamy beer, while Dan danced up a little to the heavy beats. I was sipping on my vodka that had some cola for coloring. The bartender really hooked me up.

We stayed in the main room for a while until it was a little too much. We preferred the smaller crowd and more intimate vibe. So we went to the first room. Not much of dancing, but just chillin, listening to the music as the dj threw on some older tunes - - all on vinyl.


The DJ in the first room spinning some old drum/bass

Dan, Roberto and I then left the party around 12:30 - 1am. It was good, a little shady at first, but it worked out fine. I hope to go to another one of those soon. Hopefully for reggae!!

I can dream, can't I??