Shoot The DJ

Rip It Up, Issue 235, 1 March 1997, Page 25

Shoot The DJ

AUCKLAND March will prove to be a legendary, sleepless month in the history of Auckland’s dance scene. There is much happening so I’ll get straight to it... on the drum ’n’ bass front, Subtronix have dubbed this month Metalheadz March, due to the visit of three of the most respected drum ’n’ bass DJs in the world, whom are all members of the Metalheadz stable. First up was Doc Scott, who played at the Box on March 8. Scott co-founded the Metalheadz label with Goldie, and is renowned for his DJ skills. He was joined by another respected English DJ, ASides, who initiated Nathan Haines’ Metalheadz project and whose technical ability on the wheels of steel is second to none. Metalheadz stablemates Kemistry & Storm play at the Box on March 22, and will also be appearing at the all ages Phantasy event on March 21, at the Club on Queen Street (also featuring locals Gideon, D Rave, Andy Vann, 48 Sonic and Presha). Kemistry & Storm are a female duo who are two of the most indemand DJs on the English drum ’n’ bass circuit. It is a rare event for them to travel outside Europe, so don’t miss this chance to see them ... Detroit techno giant Jeff Mills has been confirmed to play in March — venue and date to be confirmed ... on the local DJ front, those into euphoric, energy-driven, English house nights, won’t want to miss Vision On at Squid on March 15, with Clarkee, G-Spot, and others — definitely not a night for the moody ... at the Box on March 20, Pop-Scene presents the exclusive pre-release launch of the Chemical Brothers' latest album ... the Soul Bar at 10 O’Connell Street in the city hosts Sparkle, a night of 'fruit-flavoured house music’, every Wednesday night from 10 until late, with DJs Bevan Keys and Greg J ... Sample Gee also plays at Gatorave, an all-ages event at the Powerstation on March 27, with Sam Hill and Adam Bomb ... as you can see, this is a busy month, no time to rest. Get those vitamins ready. DAVE ROPER WELLINGTON Subtronix retuse to stand still. Following on from the sell-out Trace tour, they hosted Doc Scott at ESC on March 7 ... Stealth continues to provide Wellington’s weekly breakbeat fix. You know the score, be at Artemis Bar, every Thursday

night, and if that’s not enough, look out for Kemistry & Storm, playing at ESC March 20 ... ESC was the venue for the Wellington leg of the Dick Johnson tour. The place was packed with punters who, for the most part, lapped up Dick's goodtime party grooves ... the S-ence crew hosted a Star Wars party at ESC on February 22. Nice lasers, Star Wars on the big screen above the dancefloor, and a relentless selection of hard out trance and techno ... Devotion was the night after Doc Scott, in what turned out to be another legendary Wellington doubleheader ... March 22 is the date for the Weill hip-hop DJ champ’s. If ya wanna enter contact ESC, asap ... the next Roots Foundation is at ESC March 30 ...

deep house legend Derrick Carter is confirmed for April 11 at Escape ... and on the rumours tip, look for an album from local electro techno king, the LRS ... Claude Young may be a visitor soon and breakbeat DJ A-Sides is also expected to drop through Wellington ... Tempo is happening every Thursday at Zebos with Goosebump and Lemon dropping house, dub and reggae ... and that’s just some of what’s happening. Wellington’s dance scene is moving into overdrive, so get out there and do your bit to contribute. ANDY PICKERING CHRISTCHURCH After a slow start to the year the dance scene has started to pick up pace in Christchurch ... DJ Trace rocked the Ministry last month through an absolutely enormous sound system — once again the turn-out showed how popular the techstep is down South ... on February 22, Venus came alive to the sound of Desert Storm, Kenesis, Argyle and Pots for Commander Tom’s Eye C Red release party. Unfortunately, the Commander will no longer make it down to NZ, but Christchurch packed out the Cafe anyway ... Doc Scott hit the Ministry on March 6 for some more drum ’n’ bass madness Tranceformation went down in the Castle Hill Region of the Southern Alps on March 7. Two different arenas with artists Matipo Pyramid, Aqua Boy (aka Rotor), and Freq on show, plus DJs Varus, Kinesis, Argyle, and many more ... Constant Force will be holding another release party at the end of March — keep your eyes and ears to the ground!

KINESIS