



Excision | Paper Diamond | Original Photos

Ever since Skrillex took bass music to a whole new level in mainstream culture, the scene has been over saturated. Quality bass music tunes are few and far between. I’m not one to drop an entire genre just because it’s popular, but it’s become harder and harder to get down to something unique. Seeing this type of music live takes me back to the days when I used to go to hardcore shows. The only difference is that people are way less egocentric and aggressive. So you get all that energy, and you don’t have to be worried about being sucker punched by the next douche who thinks he’s going to be the World Moshing Champion. It’s about the music now. As DJs continue to push themselves, it all comes down to what you have to offer at your show. Why should someone pay to see YOUR show? Well Excision gave us a thirty foot wide, ten foot tall reason: The Executioner.

Excision & Datsik – Deviance (Dirtyphonics Remix)

[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Deviance%20%28Dirtyphonics%20Remix%29.mp3]

I hadn’t been to Club Nokia since the second HARD LA in 2010. Jack Beats, Fake Blood, and Boy 8 Bit. The place feels like a high end club, but acts like a full on venue. Two floors. Main stage dance floor. Huge stage. Perfect for just about any type of artist that worked hard over the years to make a name for themselves. This is one of the Lifetime Achievement Award venues. Right in the heart of DTLA, next door to the Staples center. The fans in attendance were dressed in outfits ranging from standard club attire to full on kandi kid raver. That kind of kandi stuff gets me all nostalgic considering they are a dying bread. No, I didn’t trade any bracelets with anyone. I’ve stowed my remaining bracelets away to share with my future grandkids; who will be so confused to hear how much a part of electronic music culture they used to be.

The room was shaking as we stepped through the doors into the venue. Paper Diamond was holding down the fort in a way only he can. His glitchy, hip hop style tends to another whole crowd that appreciate the whole Pretty Lights Music crew. Funky jams. Lots of bass. Now when Excision came on, and they unveiled his Executioner, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get major goosebumps. The thing is HUGE in person. His sound system was packed with 100,000 watts of power. He tested it out on us as he made his entrance, and it sent chills down my spine. The oOo’s and aHh’s reverberated through the whole venue. The subs up front were essentially cooling the crowd down with the air they were blowing out, and you could feel the bass rattle your insides. He threw down anything and everything that defines bass music. Powerful electro, dubstep, trap, drum & bass (my latest love). The whole set was put together so well and had everyone on their feet from start to finish.

The fact that I could feel the sound had me really patting myself on the back for buying high performance concert earplugs. Did you know when your ear is ringing after a show, that is a specific sound wave you will never be able to hear again? Hopefully my remaining hearing will last me through the end of days. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.