Crib Notes

By Sunni Johnson

There’s a reason why I don’t go to a lot of shows at the Masquerade. For one, I am not a neu-metal or new punk fan, and I also don’t like paying $8 for a shot of whiskey.

On Friday, April 10, Dan Deacon played in Hell, the downstairs dance club section of the old North Ave. venue. “Dance club” means the audience stands in a strange rectangular area nestled between balconies which anal security guards won’t let you chill on (read: animal pen). That’s ok; it’s not uncommon for the atypical Dan Deacon fan to want to be as close as possible to the dude during his set.

I was skeptical about his white jumper clad backing band but found they only complemented Deacon’s energy raising abilities without overshadowing his electronic melodies that always tend to crescendo into a modernized mosh-pit of neon accessories and dirty hair.

The Masquerade pulled the plug on Deacon and company as the beginning of the ever popular “Crystal Cat” began to waft through the humidity engulfing the room. Apparently, the cause of the severance was Atlanta’s legal curfew for underage kids, of which there were many at the show that night.

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They hoist themselves up on the back bumper of the 1988 Chevy T30, peering over the high backside, eyes glazed-over, gleaming at the goodies like little kids in a candy shop.

Then they dig into their pockets and surface with a couple of crumpled dollar bills — most likely leftovers from a paid-out tab — and ask in a sort of sad, begging way: “How much can I get for a dollar?”

It’s 2 a.m. and these mid-twenty-something scenesters are in a candy shop of sorts, fully equipped with an assortment of concession stand snacks, imported goodies and frozen delights.

Bodega Nights, the newest addition to promoter Preston Craig’s entourage, is Atlanta’s only mobile convenience store and ice cream truck, catering exclusively to the after-hours club scene and the socialites that come with it.

The truck premiered at Graveyard Tavern June 16, and even though it’s barely a month old, Craig’s club goers have come to expect it at his gatherings.

So it was no surprise that Bodega Nights came back to Graveyard for the opening of his newest Friday night party, Eastern Bloc — a $5, three-club, multiple DJ block party spanning East Atlanta’s Glenwood Ave.

But yeah, it’s really an ice cream truck.

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In case you don’t understand the relevance of this post, let me explain.

Afterlife … an 18-plus party at Masquerade every Saturday with resident DJs Preston Craig (creator of KissAtlanta.com and Decatur Social Club), Rob Rowe, Captain Crunk and Treasure Fingers. It’s pretty much like a rave minus the Ecstacy. Electro remixes of your favorite songs, old and new. Colorful lights. Kids wildin’ out.

D.R.E.S. … holds it down as the ambassador of underground hip-hop in Atlanta. In the CL Best of Atlanta 2002 issue, he was said to have the “rockingest esophagus in town.” He produces and hosts Mic Club, an MC/producer battle, on Tuesdays at Apache Cafe. Every Friday, he’s on the mic at MJQ’s hip-hop night singing lyrics, shouting out folks, rocking the crowd. Anything that has to do with “real” hip-hop in the city, D.R.E.S. is a part of.

I’m always down for a clash of cultures, and this should be a good one.

Here’s a taste of both:

Afterlife

D.R.E.S.

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It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since Lenny’s Bar moved into its more spacious new location. On Aug. 25, Atlanta’s best dive bar will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of its move with a night of local bands and DJs. Snowden, Psychic Hearts and Atlas Sound (Bradford Cox of Deerhunter) will bring the rock. KISS Atlanta party-starter Preston Craig will fill the floor with a DJ set. This anniversary party looks to be the best end-of-summer blowout in Atlanta, so be there.

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