Put Your Hands Together and We'll Set This Night On Fire

VHS or Beta returns to Orlando tonight to rock The Social and I am totally stoked. The last time I saw them was in 2004 when I was obsessed with Night on Fire. All I knew about the band was that the lead singer sounded extremely similar to Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran. But during that show, not only was the group completely on point, they turned the place into the biggest dance party I had ever seen -- a surprising feat for live band. I felt like I was watching a DJ. You definitely don't want to miss out.

Doors for the show tonight are at 10 PM and opening acts include Tigercity, one of Rolling Stone's Artists to Watch, and Orlando's own DJ Diddles.

Here are some MP3s from VHS or Beta's most recent album, Bring On The Comets:

Time Stands Still.mp3
Take It Or Leave It.mp3
Burn It All Down.mp3

And for the heavier crowd, here are some awesome remixes:

Burn It All Down (Surkin Remix).mp3
Burn It All Down (Fred Falke Remix).mp3
Can't Believe a Single Word (LA Riots Remix).mp3

Kittybat's new mix - "What the Hell You Just Standin There For!?"

Man oh man. There are some people in this town that everyone knows -- and, more importantly, everyone loves. You probably can't find a single person who has something bad to say about these select few people. They are just (somehow) down with everyone.

Kittybat (also known as Mike(y) Cortez) is one of these people and has been around forever. Some may know him as the most awesome Park Ave CDs employee who will help find whatever type of music they are looking for. Others remember him as the badass guitar player for the Spitvalves.

Well, he's also a dope DJ with crazy skills and awesomely eclectic taste in music. He has shared his new mix with us and you should go download it now:

Kittybat - "What the Hell You Just Standin There For!?" (via DivShare)

Check the tracklist:

1.Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (intro)
2.Wale - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.
3.South Rakkas Crew - Mad Again (Diplo Club Edit)
4.Kardinal Offishall feat. Busta Rhymes - Watchalike
5.Dead Prez/M.I.A. - Warzone Explosion (Kittybat Blend)
6.Rockmaster Scott & the Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire
7.Aaron LaCrate & Amanda Blank - Get Um Girl
8.Wing Wang Twins - Bmore Enure
9.Kid Sister - Beeper
10.Aaron LaCrate & Debonair Samir - Know How Theme Mix
11.Daft Punk/the Perceptionists - Electro Shake (Kittybat Blend)
12.Shawty Lo - They Know (Mano Remix)
13.Kill To Win - Peaches and Dro
14.M.I.A. - XR2
15.Bonde Do Role - Gasolina
16. Dj Tameil - Trans Newark Express
17.Fully Fitted & XXXChange - 100 Million
18.Pase Rock & Amanda Blank - Sexy Motherfucker
19.33Hz feat. Devin the Dude & Teki Latex - Paris, Texas (Inflagranti Mix)
20.Masterboogie Song & Dance - Roll the Joint
21.Loose Joints - Is It All Over My Face?
22.The Clash/L'Trimm - Rock the Cars That Go Boom (Kittybat Blend)
23.Sammy Bananas - K7
24.Bird Peterson - The Jump Off
25.Def Jef - Droppin' Rhymes On Drums

LL Cool J + Guns 'N Roses Tribute Band + Art and Fashion Show

There's plenty to choose from on this lovely Saturday evening. Brave hip-hop souls who feel like fighting off tourists can head to Universal Studios for Mardi Gras, where the infamous LL Cool J will be taking the stage. Don't call it a comeback -- he's been here for years.

Now a second photo for the ladies. DAMN.

Metal heads can check out Appetite for Destruction, the ultimate Guns 'n Roses tribute band, at The Social. My favorite writer, Chuck Klosterman, has a whole chapter dedicated to the popularity of these guys in Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs and I would image they more so resemble G-N-R than the actual band itself.

If you're in the mood for a vintage fashion slash art show, you can head to the bright orange Say It Loud building on Mills (you know, the one with the best logo ever and the orange sneakers hanging from the power line to grab your attention??? Brilliant). You Love to Hate features the artwork of Dolla Lama, Bask, Tes One and a ton more (click the flyer to view the full list). Also showing off their fashion skills will be Etoile Boutique, If You Nasty Vintage, Covert and Beta, with hair and makeup by Alchemy. Tunes for evening will be provided by Kittybat, Kidgusto, and the best Simpsons rip-off DJ name ever, LT. Smash ("Lieutenant Smash? That's right -- Lieutenant L.T. Smash"). Last but not least, there will be FREE BOOZE, thanks to the Shipyard Brewery. All this can be yours for a mere $10 donation.

Tonight - Andrew Spear and MOT at Sky60

Your best bet this evening (weather permitting, of course) is to catch Andrew Spear and MOT under the stars at Sky60. One is an artist and one is a skate shop/sneaker entrepreneur: together they make up one of the best DJ duos in town.

What makes them the best? Maybe it's their eclectic music selections that range from electro to disco to rock to hip hop. Maybe it's the chemistry they show when they play off each other. Maybe it's the way they insult the crowd if they happen to have a microphone. Maybe it's all the Jager shots they put down.

Whatever it is, you should check them out. Tonight they claim to be playing "the shit that makes your parents want to cheat on each other." What more do you need???

Free admission with the password: "I'm here to Divorce my Parents!!!!"

Pauly Crush VS. Firestone

It appears that the folks at Firestone got into a little tiff with Pauly Crush this past week and things don't look promising for Saturday Thursday. In addition to PC, everyone who used to be on the roster has officially severed ties with the night -- Miss Fit, Justin Scott, Kittybat, Diddles, and Y-Not -- all gone. Taking their place are a bunch of kids I have never heard of -- DJ Marcos, South Rakkas Crew***, DJ Deville and DJ Elementz -- and Firestone seems desperate to keep the crowd coming by lifting the cover and offering free drinks until 1 AM. It's rumored that Pauly will be starting a new night at a different venue to compete with ST but I guess we will have to wait and see. His crew is definitely loyal to him and there's no doubt that he helped make the night what it is (was) today. It will be interesting to see what happens with ST going forward, but there's a good chance it will fizzle out before too long.



***EDIT: Ummm... the South Rakkas Crew??? Ummmm.... they're like, freaking everywhere now... Urb Next 100??? They are all up in the scene, way more than li'l ol' me. So, I was super mega wrong on that one -- I can admit it. Still haven't heard of the other guys, though. Hopefully I won't have to follow up with another edit, eh??? :)

Condo Art + Krames Say Relax

Orlando is the land of oversaturated, unnecessary, overpriced condo developments. The newest installment in this trend, Mills Park, on the corner of Mills and Virginia, is hosting its very first art show this evening. Bay Two is being curated by Lot1433 and features over 25 local artists. Supposedly the warehouse space is dope and, if all goes well tonight, could make for an awesome new art venue in town. The show starts at 7:00 PM, and the $7 cover includes an OPEN BAR. Yeah!

Artists include:
Christian Guevarra, Charles Marklin, Frank Gady, Johannah O'Donnell, Robert Beck, Robin Pedrero, Vadim Malkin, Ryan Burkhart, Anna McCambridge, Doug Rhodehamel, Adriaan Mol, Elizabeth Shupe, Jessica Peguero, Brigan Gresh, Dana Hargrove, Andrew Spear, Dina Mack, Mark Hofreiter, Andrew White, Elizabeth Nelson, Parker Sketch, Paul Sanders, William Volker, Ryan Kittleson, Rachel Simmons, and more!


So support your local artists, get a nice buzz and then head over to Suite B with all the cool kids for Carnival. Tonight's special guest DJ is Krames of Cobra Kai (the promoters, not the Karate Kid dojo). His Myspace page and Missingtoof both have a bazillion mixes and tracks you can download if you want a sneak preview of what's to come.

***Warning: Staring at this photo too long may induce seizures***

My personal favorite track that he did is called 'Relax in the City', and is a mashup of Glenn Frey and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. It's a bit slow to be played out at a club but it's still completely awesome anyway.
Krames - Relax In The City.mp3

Feliz Cumpleaños, Swamburger

Tonight, the Solillaquists of Sound will be hosting Phat 'N Jazzy to celebrate frontman slash artist Swamburger's birthday bash, and apparently try to get him elected as a public official. Kind of like the time Billy Manes tried to run for mayor. Or not. Either way, Swam and co. will be joining the absolute hands-down best DJ in Orlando (and nicest man on the planet) Mr. BMF for a night celebrating music and art, P-N-J style.

Wet BBQ + Art Opening + Lismore again

The BBQ at Etoile yesterday was amazing! The tarps shielded us from the pouring rain (sort of) and it was one of the most fun dance parties ever, thanks to Kittybat, Diddles and MOT. I love when DJs go all over the board and these guys tore it apart -- hip hop, disco, funk, soul, 80's, 90's, indie, mashups... unreal. Huge thanks to Katie Reynolds for throwing such a great customer appreciation party. We <3 Etoile!


And now on to tonight's festivities. The Peacock Room is hosting the artists' reception for the group show Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World from 8 - 11 PM. The show features works from Terribly Odd, Horsebites, Cathey Miller, Adriaan Mol, Mania, Robt, and Moore. Music will be provided by DJs Nigel and Cub.


After getting your drink on at Peacock, head over to Crush at BackBooth to get your second fix of Lismore. See them for free by getting on the Crush guest list. Mondays are usually insanely packed at BB, so get there early. Or, if you get there late, you can always chuckle at the paradox of the hipster entrance line at BackBooth vs. the homey entrance line waiting to get into the club next door.

Rain, rain, go away...

Well, today is the One Year Anniversary Party and Dirty Dub BBQ for Etoile Boutique and God has opened the sky to pour his wrath upon their shindig. But, the show must go on and Katie and MOT have scrambled to build tents for the occasion. So come out, dance in the rain with two of the best DJs in Orlando, Kittybat and Diddles, drink free PBR and support locally owned independent clothing stores like Etoille, Covert and BETA.

Tonight: Lismore, Purple Haze, Robitussin

Oh, Miami, why do you always leave me in such bad shape? I was fine for a few days... then this monster cold gripped onto my chest and won't let go. Unfortunately (for me), tonight I will be downing bottles of Robitussin (not in the good way) while Lismore performs live at The Peacock Room alongside Orlando's own Q-Burns Abstract Message.

If I am lucky, this villainous cough will take a friggin hike ALREADY and I can catch them this Monday at Crush. Le sigh.


Also happening this evening at ex-Blue Room turned Voyage is Purple Haze, a mysterious event claiming "YOU are the star." As instructed, I checked the Myspace page for more info (there wasn't any). What I do know about the event is that Miss Fit, one of Orlando dopest girl DJs, will be playing and that's reason enough to go. She's also behind an awesome blog, Glitter and Gold, which was kind enough to drop the new Mstrkrft track a few days ago. Muchas gracias!