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Review of Max Graham at Sole
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| drewfactor |
Well, providing that the meet up kinda failed, it was a great night! I turned up at Gown and Gavel approx 9:30 or so and no one at the pub seemed to have any idea about any reservation or anything. Which was fine, cuz no one was there. So I decided to get a beer and chill out for a bit to see if anyone else would turn up..which was kinda wierd because I didn't know what anyone would look like! Finally at about 10:00 I overheard Magnetorium asking about a reservation and I randomly bumped into him, which was cool. We stuck around for a bit to see if anyone else would turn up and it wasn't until we decided to head to the club at around quarter to 11 that a few guys turned up who were also going to see Max.
Baby Joel Smye warmed us up with his nice brew of funky house/techno. Max hit the decks at around 1230 I think, and the place went off. It was great, everybody was having lots of fun. He played alot of proggy stuff but moved into lots of techy stuff too. Mixing was spot on.
Sole isn't he best club by any stretch of the imagination. The sound is sub-par, the staff aren't particularily friendly, and the layout is wierd. However, it was great to see Max spin in such an intimate environment. He's such a cool guy, just chillin on the dance floor, chatting with fans etc...I got his Shine cd last night and he even signed it too. Nonetheless, a very down to earth guy.
Nice meeting a few TAs at the party, Mr. Rogers and Magnetorium are the only names I can remember. You other guys (the two guys who go to mac and brother from London), it was nice meeting you too. I split real quick at the end of the night cuz these guys were catching a cab who were going my way. Hope to get a better organized meet up sorted in the near future to hit up more events in the Hammer!! |
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| tomeboy |
| Sole needs to have someone take a look at there sound system. When I went to see mark oliver it didnt sound to great. I think the lighting could use some work to, would just give the club a better atmosphere. However, when i went the staff seemed friendly. I just wish they had better djs on saturday nights because I work every saturday morning. Hope everyone who went had a good time. I also hope to see some better organized events in hamilton sooner to. :D Mr. Rogers... we need to organize a Hamilton event this spring, talk to ya soon. |
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| drewfactor |
| quote: | Originally posted by tomeboy
Sole needs to have someone take a look at there sound system. When I went to see mark oliver it didnt sound to great. I think the lighting could use some work to, would just give the club a better atmosphere. However, when i went the staff seemed friendly. I just wish they had better djs on saturday nights because I work every saturday morning. Hope everyone who went had a good time. I also hope to see some better organized events in hamilton sooner to. :D Mr. Rogers... we need to organize a Hamilton event this spring, talk to ya soon. |
I agree. The sound system didn't do justice for Max. I wonder what he thought. The Bass is way too thin sounding and the acoustics are terrible with all the trebles bouncing off brick walls. I mean seriously, how can you have brick wall in a club. I guess I'm just an audiophile. |
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| Mr Rogers |
ya man....nice to seeya the new faces. Sad that lotta u guys haven't even been to toronto to meet up with the other TA's yet ( transportatoin problems), but hopefully that kink gets worked out. U guys are cool . And for max man....he played some sick ass tech man...wow!. I was think'n he was gonna play more mellow but boy was i wrong, its exactly what i needed and for being in hamilton...i had a good time. And like everyone else said about the sound system, i think i have a better setup in my car, maybe even in my alarm clock...but hey, as long as it shoots out toons i guess. Seeya all soon, and Tommy....we gotta get runn'n in Hamilton....we gotta live'n up this town....
keep in touch and we can try and work something out.
Lates |
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| Magnetonium |
| quote: | Originally posted by tomeboy
Sole needs to have someone take a look at there sound system. When I went to see mark oliver it didnt sound to great. I think the lighting could use some work to, would just give the club a better atmosphere. However, when i went the staff seemed friendly. |
Haha ... "friendly bouncers"? Well, they sure were, but holy , anyone could've sneaked in a f----ing gun or drugs in there with no problem. There was absolutely no checking! As the for the club itself - I met one of the owners of the club, I went with the guy to the same high school, good buddies. Sound system was terrible, but I guess since it's mainly a hip-hop club, that system is fine for that junk, but for electronica its absolutely terrible. Lighting system is virtually inexistent, brick walls were a problem (with sound). One huge discoball was pretty much the highlight of the club, even it was hidden behind by the wires. Max Graham himself was probably so disgusted by the lighting system, he asked for it to be turned off, which made the place even crappier. The air was smoke-filled, and the fact that the venue was so bad, that certainly resulted in many deductions in my rating system of the party (see below). Preparations were a bit botched, as the coat check wasn't ready until almost 2 hours after the club opened.
DJ sets - the opening DJs had some fine sets, I really enjoyed several great house tracks. Max Graham was a TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT. Even though I got his CD bought for 20 bucks and autographed (the girl who sold it to several people probably just made some money there, cause I betcha she got them for free). The CD made me ill ... I only liked the first 3 or so tracks, and track #6. The rest of the CD is total prog junk, and I finally got sick of prog. Max Graham surely changed A LOT, and sounds pretty much NOTHING like I've heard him on Transport 4 or on his livesets 2 years back. I wonder if all the fame and riches got him as well, like it got to the likes of Tiesto, PVD and Oakenfold this past year. I met several TAs (thanks for bringing in the vibe), Mr. Rogers, drewfactor, and couple guys from Mac, as well as Sarah, the girl who was making a documentary on electronica music. Very nice ladies in the crowd too :eyespop:. This venue is nothing compared to places like Viva and Guv/Kool Haus. overall, this event overall racked up a total of 76.0 points using my comprehensive rating system, which makes it the second worst, just ahead of the horrible Robbie Rivera @ Sound Emporium on Dec 12/03 (59.7 points), and way short of the best experience, at #1, Edgar V, Mark Oliver and Walter Rosati @ Viva on August 8, 2003 with 106.8 points.
After the party, I had this really disappointing feeling, and I now think maybe nightclubbing is not my thing. I haven't really enjoyed much of electronica as of the past couple years as I have in greater volumes in the past. So don't expect to see me at any parties anytime soon, if not never again, at least probably not this year. And if I am coming back, then it will be most likely to Viva, cause all events I've been to there have grabbed 4 of the 5 spots in my top 5 clubbing experiences. Need time off, I have enough problems ... the last thing I want is to lose the taste for the (electronica) music that is the reason why I am here today. |
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| kevM |
I came up to Hamilton from London to visit my brother at Mac and see Max Graham.
Max played in London on the Thursday night. I ended up taking a nap and missing the first half-hour of his set. So I had a great time in London ... but it might have been better if I had some time to warm up a bit more befor Max played. I talked with him a bit after the show and told him I'd see him in Hamilton...
I have to say I had a lot of fun in Hamilton. Me, my brother and his friend met up with a drew and Magnetonium just as they were leaving the Gown and Gavel. It was nice to meet some other TAs, but I'm not sure when I'll be in Hamilton again (maybe if another of my favorite DJs is spinning there)
The sound may not have been the best, but once Max started his set I didn't really notice. The DJ booth at sole is really high up, and I was dancing at the front most of the time. I couldn't see Max from there, but there was lots of room to dance and it was very close to the bar :crazy: so it wasn't too bad ... besides I'd seen Max spinning the night befor.
Max played alot of good stuff and an aswome remix of U2's With or Without You, I didn't pickup the Shine CD .. kinda whish I had, but I did nick a Shine poster from the door :D |
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| drewfactor |
| quote: | Originally posted by Magnetonium
Haha ... "friendly bouncers"? Well, they sure were, but holy , anyone could've sneaked in a f----ing gun or drugs in there with no problem. There was absolutely no checking! As the for the club itself - I met one of the owners of the club, I went with the guy to the same high school, good buddies. Sound system was terrible, but I guess since it's mainly a hip-hop club, that system is fine for that junk, but for electronica its absolutely terrible. Lighting system is virtually inexistent, brick walls were a problem (with sound). One huge discoball was pretty much the highlight of the club, even it was hidden behind by the wires. Max Graham himself was probably so disgusted by the lighting system, he asked for it to be turned off, which made the place even crappier. The air was smoke-filled, and the fact that the venue was so bad, that certainly resulted in many deductions in my rating system of the party (see below). Preparations were a bit botched, as the coat check wasn't ready until almost 2 hours after the club opened.
DJ sets - the opening DJs had some fine sets, I really enjoyed several great house tracks. Max Graham was a TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT. Even though I got his CD bought for 20 bucks and autographed (the girl who sold it to several people probably just made some money there, cause I betcha she got them for free). The CD made me ill ... I only liked the first 3 or so tracks, and track #6. The rest of the CD is total prog junk, and I finally got sick of prog. Max Graham surely changed A LOT, and sounds pretty much NOTHING like I've heard him on Transport 4 or on his livesets 2 years back. I wonder if all the fame and riches got him as well, like it got to the likes of Tiesto, PVD and Oakenfold this past year. I met several TAs (thanks for bringing in the vibe), Mr. Rogers, drewfactor, and couple guys from Mac, as well as Sarah, the girl who was making a documentary on electronica music. Very nice ladies in the crowd too :eyespop:. This venue is nothing compared to places like Viva and Guv/Kool Haus. overall, this event overall racked up a total of 76.0 points using my comprehensive rating system, which makes it the second worst, just ahead of the horrible Robbie Rivera @ Sound Emporium on Dec 12/03 (59.7 points), and way short of the best experience, at #1, Edgar V, Mark Oliver and Walter Rosati @ Viva on August 8, 2003 with 106.8 points.
After the party, I had this really disappointing feeling, and I now think maybe nightclubbing is not my thing. I haven't really enjoyed much of electronica as of the past couple years as I have in greater volumes in the past. So don't expect to see me at any parties anytime soon, if not never again, at least probably not this year. And if I am coming back, then it will be most likely to Viva, cause all events I've been to there have grabbed 4 of the 5 spots in my top 5 clubbing experiences. Need time off, I have enough problems ... the last thing I want is to lose the taste for the (electronica) music that is the reason why I am here today. |
Aww c'mon, it wasn't that bad was it? I saw you having lots of fun that night. I can agree with some of your points though. YOu did seem bummed out to begin with though. I think if you bring a bummed out attitude to a party, then it only causes you to emphasize the negative aspects of everything. I hope things are good for you right now!:) |
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| Magnetonium |
You're right. Maybe I was a bit too negative. The party was alright, but I just expected more, I guess ... Still the same rating, as the second worst party I've been to. And probably one of the most expensive ones, too, LOL! (Spent close to 60 bucks altogether).
I forgot to mention the tracks that I remember clearly were spun that night ...
Everything But The Girl - Missing (Max's new MIX!)
U2 - Without Or Without You (another new prog remix)
Prodigy - No Good (Start The Dance) [some Max Remix]
Piece Process - Solar Myth; and New Driver
Red And Blue - Quintos (Nowhere Mix)
Ultravision - Inner Earth
opening DJ played some excellent house tracks, including a Robbie Rivera track, and a classic track Armand Van Helden used to put on his sets (never got to know the name) back in the Golden Energy 108 friday/satuday nights era ... I MISS IT SOO MUCH!!!
Basically, a bunch of his latest spun tracks, and some classic tracks remixed. He also played one classic track of his, but I just cant seem to remember the name ... ugh.
Dam, cant & wont be able to make it to see Ferry and Frankie Knuckles this month, son of a gun ... not only do I not wanna go, but these DJs are gonna have some really nice sets, I know it. I have tight monetary situation.! :( And pretty much no time. |
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| max graham |
Everything But The Girl - Missing (Max's new MIX!) - monkz mix actually
U2 - Without Or Without You (another new prog remix) - not sure who did it
Prodigy - No Good (Start The Dance) [some Max Remix] - didnt play it
Piece Process - Solar Myth; and New Driver - didnt play solar myth
Red And Blue - Quintos (Nowhere Mix) - haven't played it in months
Ultravision - Inner Earth - also haven't played it in months.
it seems you have my mix cd in your head not what was actually played that night
are you sure you were at the right party?
maxg |
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| Magnetonium |
| quote: | Originally posted by max graham
Everything But The Girl - Missing (Max's new MIX!) - monkz mix actually
U2 - Without Or Without You (another new prog remix) - not sure who did it
Prodigy - No Good (Start The Dance) [some Max Remix] - didnt play it
Piece Process - Solar Myth; and New Driver - didnt play solar myth
Red And Blue - Quintos (Nowhere Mix) - haven't played it in months
Ultravision - Inner Earth - also haven't played it in months.
it seems you have my mix cd in your head not what was actually played that night
are you sure you were at the right party?
maxg |
Hey Max! (I was the guy at the party @ Sole who passed you that note to play some classics - I WAS THERE!). First to say, your set was fine, I was a bit angry in my first post on this thread, but I never thought your style changed so much, as I read in VIEW magazine about you and your upcoming GIG at Sole, just like clothing styles shift with every new item added to the closet ...
That's the thing about progressive - it's so hard to distinguish one track from another, and they all sound very annoying and don't really stick into your mind. Thats why I am right now pretty embarassed about those tracks, cause I could almost swear I heard you play a Piece Process track. Additionally, the sound system at Sole was TERRIBLE. I was really hoping you'd play stuff like on Transport 4 compilation, which is absolutely fantastic, I'd say! I was disappointed, but you know, as my roots are in retro/disco, so I don't really like tracks that don't stand out and don't stick in your mind, like prog ... I love trance, but it's stuff like Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, System F, Armin, etc. I know you got a great fan base, as I read on the insert of the Shine CD (I sooo hoped you'd play Luke Chable's Ride!), and I am proud to know there's a well-known Canadian EDM (Electronic Dance Music) DJ, "prince of progressive", who had a track nominated for a Juno do so well, "with a slick cell phone", hehe ... Good luck! BTW, fine CD, but I just like 5 of the first 6 tracks, I really don't like Sander's style). |
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