I had heard that these guys put on some amazing sets so we made it a point to go see them live for the first time. And I heard some of the tracks from a few years ago and I remember really liking them.

We got in to the club around 12:30. They had a solid set going on. Each track they dropped was super high energy with driving bass lines. There were a few problems however. Even though each track on its own was great there seemed to be a lack of continuity in the flow of the set. Not enough mixing. The live act part was initially incredible with the drums and electric guitars but eventually just became repetetive.

We had to go outside to get some fresh air. I don't remember Vanguard being this packed even when PVD spun there. It took about 20 minutes to get some drinks. All of the bars were overwhelmed with thirsty patrons. When we eventually did get our drinks the bartender didn't even charge us. He said "keep your money." That was kind of cool and unexpected.

We really wanted to stay for K Sky but around 2am our battery just ran out. I think IM just overdrived the audience. Maybe I'm getting older or maybe I like more of the uplifting trance that K Sky spins. Btw- I think I saw her at the outside bar trying to order 6 champagnes but was having a hard time getting the bartender's attention just like the rest of us. In retrospect I should have said "hi". But was too annoyed with the line at the moment and didn't want to contaminate her with my negative energy right before her set. So I'll say it now. Hi, Kristina!

I have been to Vanguard several times and after each time I say "Never again." I just prefer the atmosphere of Circus better I guess. And, no I don't work for them. Anyway, I'm rambling now...I just didn't feel like the experience touched us like the hype had led me to believe it would. I hope others had a better time and I'm sure they did as the floor was still packed at 2am.

Cheers,
Errol "DJ Taz"

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Originally posted by etazbaz I had heard that these guys put on some amazing sets so we made it a point to go see them live for the first time.

Yes, their live set and Daft Punk's live set are the best I've ever seen. They can put energy into an audience like woah!

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Originally posted by etazbaz We got in to the club around 12:30. They had a solid set going on. Each track they dropped was super high energy with driving bass lines.

Their set started at 1:15am, so they weren't yet performing when you arrived - and yes, each track did have high energy and driving bass lines, I agree!!!!

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Originally posted by etazbaz There were a few problems however. Even though each track on its own was great there seemed to be a lack of continuity in the flow of the set. Not enough mixing. The live act part was initially incredible with the drums and electric guitars but eventually just became repetetive.

Maybe I am confused...and I definitely respect your point, but isn't electronic music repetitive by nature (ergo its attraction to inebriated individuals)? Which means your qualm would be with the continuity. Did you notice the old man with the guitar? That was Robby Krieger of the Doors making a guest appearance with the band. How change it up is that shit!?!?! Gangster is what I say...THAT DUDE WROTE MOST OF THE DOORS HITS AND HE WAS JAMMING WITH INFECTED!!! DOPE! .

Not to mention, continuity for a rock show is different from continuity for a DJ set, so mixing should be interpreted differently as well.

quote:

Originally posted by etazbaz We had to go outside to get some fresh air. I don't remember Vanguard being this packed even when PVD spun there. It took about 20 minutes to get some drinks. All of the bars were overwhelmed with thirsty patrons. When we eventually did get our drinks the bartender didn't even charge us. He said "keep your money." That was kind of cool and unexpected.

I heard they moved the booths on the floor out of the way for PVD, maybe that would have been a good idea for this show as well since it was predicted to hit capacity (too bad drew wasn't there to take pics)! Thats cool, what the bartender did for you.

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Originally posted by etazbaz We really wanted to stay for K Sky but around 2am our battery just ran out. I think IM just overdrived the audience. Maybe I'm getting older or maybe I like more of the uplifting trance that K Sky spins.

Ksky's set was off the hook - she kept the floor slamming until 4-in-da-mornin' . As for your "battery" - try energizer, I hear it's good because running on empty at 2am (after only 45 minutes of their set) probably means that you are getting old, rather than Infected overdriving the audience, the audience knew what Infected was going to do to them

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Originally posted by etazbaz I have been to Vanguard several times and after each time I say "Never again." I just prefer the atmosphere of Circus better I guess. And, no I don't work for them.

Do you mind if I ask which shows, specifically, you have attended? That might have influenced your opinion. Vanguard is pretty general. They have a hip hop night, bassrush, deep, funktion, etc - they all have their own 'atmosphere'. So if you are speaking about Giant in particular, I'd like to know the several occasions you did not enjoy, because imo 9.8/10 times, Giant brings it to the house.

I totally understand how a crowded night can be frustrating but you have made 2 blanket judgments in your review, one about Infected and one about Giant, and I think your frustration was actually rooted in something external to the club, whether it be your age, taste in music, blood sugar level, or love for the atmosphere of Circus as you put it. Now I want you to know though, I do not have a problem with you or anything of the sort - you are TOTALLLLYYY entitled to your opinion, and so am I .

and yes...Ksky FTW.

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Just can't imagine how someone could possibly have problem having fun at the IM show last nite!?!? The crowd was the best, so cute and so much fun partyin with just anyone in there. Always love seeing beautiful Israeli ladies stomping the ground with their shoes off, just awesome and make me go crazy About IM set, there was more rock in their music last nite than any of their show I've seen so far. And that explains the discontinuity in the flowin and mixnig if you ever ask yourself. Ever been to a rock show? Then you'll know. Personally I like IM set at Vanguard in January or maybe Feb better. Feel more psytrance to me that set than the one last nite. But hey, as long as I have so much fun, I dont really give a damn. IM FTW

This review is really hard for me to leave. If you understand the meaning of "the vibe" then you will get it.. if not I will sound insane.

Note to self try not to sound insane...

The vibe in the VIP room was incredible, the DJ's up there were playing some great music.

Outside The vibe was pretty chill, good times, good people.

Down stairs the DJ was playing HARD, HARD, HARD bass lines... I thought it was a great set (a few people in our group disagreed with me, but I loved it)

....then about 11:30 came around .....

and the place was so F'n packed you couldn't move anywhere. It took like 15 minutes to get from VIP to outside. You couldn't Dance upstairs because it was too hot. You couldn't dance downstairs because it was over sold. When you went outside you couldn't get air, because even that area was too packed.

Infected Mushroom: I thought they were going on 87 hours earlier then they did, so that was my only gripe on them. When they actually played I have to be honest "The Vibe" from being so damb over crowded scuewd my judgment of them. This pissed me off because I normall love seeing them.

I have seen IM apx 4 times now, so I know how they do it live... So I blame Vanguard.... I will see IM again at a different venue.

on a side note... Ran into Randy S. and friends.... like always an awesome dude... really nice and friendly. If you haven't had a chance to hang with him... 4 out of 5 Dentists agree, he is good for your health.

p.s. What the F was that music in the back room. That could be why it was sooooo crowded, everyone was running from the back room to insure they didn't get any wiff of that music.

p.p.s. Ks = Nice set as always

I got to say, even though I wasnt there... The Mush are amazing! They rock the show every time! Hands down my fav live act! I had the privileged to hand out with them for a couple days in SF and they are hilarious to be around! You never stop laughing!

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Heard there were problems with the guestlists, not only Giant's but some of the other (DJ's) lists as well. People who had signed up for the guestlist were told they weren't on any list.

quote:

Originally posted by BLOWZO on a side note... Ran into Randy S. and friends.... like always an awesome dude... really nice and friendly. If you haven't had a chance to hang with him... 4 out of 5 Dentists agree, he is good for your health.

Thanks!!

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i ended up going to avalon where the music was terrible and now i am kicking myself for not going there!! sounds like they rocked!

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days are in time, and life is a rhyme, be with me.

I heard the music was good at avalon...but yes you missed a rockin' good time at vanguard too.

Next time!

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