Name DJ Assault
Real name Craig De Shan Adams aka Craig Diamonds Occupation Filthmeister supreme of the ghetto-tech genre.
Ghetto-tech? A latter—day Detroit style, devised by Assault. DJ Funk and DJ Godfather. which blends the city‘s ghetto house with minimal electro and the course lyricism of Miami bass. Assault's words are delivered in a proficient and lyrical blend of hip hop and R&B styles. but the fact that his signature track is called ‘Ass'n’Titties' tells you where he's coming from.
Where Is he coming from? The golden years of Detroit. of course. Adams was born in the city in 1973, and has been playing out since he was 19. Local recognition followed. but international notoriety didn't arrive until 2001, when he released the Jefferson Ave album on his own label of the same name. Catching the wave of the electro revival. Assault became an unlikely figurehead for a cross-section of Clubbers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Isn’t it all a bit, you know, sexist? What. you mean ‘Ass'n'Titties’? ‘Hoes Get Naked”? ‘Yo Relatives’. with its memorable opening line. ‘Yo mama. yo daddy, yo sista's a hoe'? Yep. absolutely. but Adams describes DJ Assault as a character he plays. and his raps are crudely sexual rather than coldly misogynist (think Sir Mix-a- Lot for the 21 st century). Add this to the fact that he's pioneered a whole sub-genre of great. dirty electronic music. and you have a combination that's perfect for a particularly filthy night on the dancefloor. (David Pollock)
I DJ Assault plays How’s Your Party? at the Sub Club. Glasgow, Fri 18 Jul.
34 1'HE LIST 17—31 Jul 2008
DANCEFLOOR ELECTRIC SOUL JAZZ DEPARTURE LOUNGE The Caves, Edinburgh, Fri 25 Jul
If one Edinburgh club has championed an intelligent party mix while pushing the envelope, recognising both the importance of live music within the club environment and how the right DJ can create an event - not to mention the impact of distinctive environs - it is Departure Lounge at The Caves. DJs Astroboy and Mr Zimbabwe, along with percussionist Cammy, have been responsible for some of the capital’s most electric nights, including four killer, sellout Hogmanay parties. Never ones to do things by halves, the night’s fifth birthday is something of a weekender with the main Friday event being complemented by the almighty Soul Jazz Orchestra at The Voodoo Rooms on Sunday and
INDIE NATIONAL POP LEAGUE Woodside Social Club, Glasgow, Fri 25 Jul
‘The Woodside's such a strange place.‘ says John Hunt, promoter of the soon-to-be-no-more National Pop League. of the venue which has housed his indie club for seven years. 'There's no air conditioning. and it‘s so hot that. at about one o’clock in the morning. it almost starts to feel like a dream. I'm glad I can look back on every single one in that way. rather than
with any glass shards of reality in there.’
It's hard to emphasise just how important NPL has been to Glasgow's West End scene for almost this entire decade. As Hunt says non-boastfully. the club regularly welcomes members of Belle & Sebastian. Fran? Ferdinand. Camera Obscura. Teenage Fanclub and The Pastels through its doors. yet an atmosphere of friendly inclusion to all prevails. His biggest pride in NPL has been inspiring others to form similar nights around the
City.
Yet this. the 80th numbered edition of NPL (each has its own number. and Hunt distributes a little personal email reminiscence after every club. harking back to a culture of fanzines and limited-release vinyl rarities) will be the last. The decision was inspired by a mixture of concern for the future of the Woodside — sited in a residential area. its owners are known to have had developers looking round ~ and new legislation which states doorstaff must be employed. which has a subtle effect on the mood of the place.
‘l'm glad I made the decision to finish NPL while it's still really special.‘ says Hunt. ‘I would just hate to let it tail off.‘ Hopefully the club‘s many fans
I will also agree that this was the best way. (David Pollock)
The Jazz Bar’s affiliated Saturday Night Fish Fry celebrating its third birthday in between.
‘It’s all about the local talent,’ says Astroboy of Friday’s extravaganza, though it’s a sentiment that has held strong throughout the club’s history. ‘The Edinburgh Samba School have been friends of ours since appearing at our first birthday, while Asazi Space Funk Explosion are a newish Edinburgh band that we’ve been into for a while - total good time vibes. We give ourselves the headline DJ slot only two or three times a year, which means it’s quite special when we get to play the end of the night rather than bigging up the guest DJ.’
There will also be the usual supplementary percussion, as well as the tuck shop and goodies to give away, so get your boarding passes at the ready for another famous departure. (Mark Edmundson)