Damian Lazarus (Pimpbitchdisko) // The Ocean Rooms

Another night, another example of what’s wrong with Brighton clubbers. But let?s not dwell on the negative side this time, because one of the most famous DJs on the planet is here to play in our humble city, and for about 50 of us select few Brightoners that know their arse from their Argy (look him up), this was a very special treat.

(Please forgive the occasionally sneering tone of this article, but it’s the accumulation of too many empty nightclubs experienced in recent months)

Damian Lazarus has a reputation that should precede him. He’s the head-honcho (I hate that expression!) of the Crosstown Rebels label, home to such emerging talents as Sheffield’s Hiem, and Kiki and Silversurfer, and the man responsible for the latest Suck My Deck compilation (with the previous edition compiled by the mighty Ivan Smagghe, who was coincidentally booked for the cancelled Chaos Rocks gig tonight), Mr Lazarus had nothing to prove at the Ocean Rooms tonight. I must admit, when I noticed he was also playing his label showcase at The End on the same night, I had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn’t be hanging around for too long, so I made sure I got down there little after midnight. It really gets my goat when DJs go through the motions before hopping in their London-bound limos, but at least Damian had the decency to regale us with well over an hour of discerning dance music, starting off very minimal and getting progressively groovier as the set went on. I had heard reports of technical shortcomings, but as far as I could tell, the record didn’t skip once, and he always took the correct one off the decks. My only complaint was that he looked like a member of a German boy-band, all laconic sneer and ridiculously tilted trilby concealing the widow’s peak. But then again, if appearance were what I looked for in a DJ, I would have caught that train to London and seen Damian’s labelmate, Scarlett Etienne playing (seriously, Google this girl (She could play white noise all night for all I care).

Not quite as easy on the eye, but reassuringly easy on the ear, are The Jilted Johns, who stepped up to the decks after a Damian Lazarus shaped hole was hurriedly made in the back door. They’re known as the Jilted Jukebox, and rightly so as they pick out the freshest and best known electro and house hits of the day. You can expect the latest Soulwax and Lindstrom 7’s from these guys, mixed in with a few old favourites, all done with that inimitable cheeky-chappy acid-house sensibility that Brighton clubbers have come to know and love. I didn’t hang around for much longer with the lure of the after-party, and free booze proving too great, but I have seen these boys several times in 2006 already, and they are well worth checking out in a dancing venue near you.

To sum up, come on Brighton! It’s your responsibility to find out what’s going on round here, and make sure you shake your arse to the right groove! Next time some one of Damian Lazarus’ calibre is in town, how about giving me some company on the dancefloor? God, it’s ever so lonely being “cool” some times.

The Ocean Rooms
http://www.oceanrooms.co.uk/

1-2 Morley St
Brighton,
BN2 9RA

01273 699069

info@oceanrooms.co.uk

Words: Casper Clark