BACK IN THE day, a DJ's set could easily amaze the hell out of me. That was then. Now, I've heard everybody from Grandmaster Flash to DJ Green Lantern, and it takes a hell of a lot for a DJ to impress me. I still recognize talent and skill, but for a DJ to make me go, "Holy shit, that's sick!" well, let's just say that takes a mountain.
Thursday, I found that mountain. I went over to Drenched at Rain Nightclub to catch a set from DJ AM. Man oh man, what a set! AM's skills on the deck are second to none. His was a high-octane, extremely varied and undeniably creative set, fusing elements of hip hop and classic rock to create an original and completely entertaining experience. He took a track like "Sweet Home Alabama," mixed it with Run DMC, then went into "Walk this Way" (both the Aerosmith and Run DMC versions), then Jay-Z, and finally back to Skynyrd. And these were live mixes, too. AM was going to his record stash so much, he didn't have time to even put them back.
Numerous other DJs crowded behind the booth, watching AM work; DJs like Slammin' Steve, D-Mixx and Lisa Pittman were in awe. Studio 54's DJ Frankie hung out with me during the set and gave me an excited play-by-play. Every few seconds, he'd point out AM's nuances and techniques, raving about AM like he was the greatest thing since pressed vinyl. What better endorsement could a DJ ask for?
And it wasn't just the DJs who loved the set; the crowd ate up track after track. I can't wait till AM comes through town again, and neither should you.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM
It's no secret that I've never been the biggest fan of Ice, the metaclub on Harmon and Koval. But I went by Sunday to check out Commerce Entertainment Group's new Ice Cream Sunday. And guess what? I had a blast. Commerce brings to Sundays at Ice a night dedicated to locals, with free admission for all with Nevada ID. Every week, you can groove to the hip-hop sounds of DJ OB-One and the break-beat stylings of Redneck Bob. Plus, Commerce adds variety to the mix with different themes. Last week's was Bottles and Models, where lovelies from Star Entertainment, John Robert Powers, Best Models, Envy Talent, Classic Models and Image Casting came by for an evening of fun. No runway shows, just models hanging out. It was kinda like my apartment (Hey, a guy can dream, right?). Ice Cream Sundays at Ice are pretty cool and worth your time, but take your time getting there. The doors may open around 11, but it looks like the Ice Cream crowd leans toward a later vibe; crowds weren't showing up till around 1 a.m.
Antonio Llapur walks softly and carries a big club. E-mail him at [email protected].