[ IN THE NIGHT ]
Houston Bernard brings his provocative stage act to Honolulu.
Bernard raps the
naked truth
The holiday weekend offers an interesting club mix of in-your-face downtown New York performance art and the return of a popular DJ competition.
The self-described "Bi-porno ElectroPunk Rapper" Houston Bernard continues his "Shove It in Ur Mouth" world tour with three appearances in Honolulu. (The Brooklynite already did his thing all over Hula's Bar and Lei Stand last night.)
While we can't go into detail just what the feisty Mr. Bernard does on stage, we can say it involves techno beats, metal guitar riffs, foul-mouthed raps, maybe a bit of whipped cream -- and nudity!
His next two gigs -- 8 p.m. today at Coffee Talk, 3601 Waialae Ave., and 8 p.m. Sunday at Club Pauahi, 86 S. Pauahi St. -- should vary a bit, if only for that naked thing. The Coffee Talk show is an all-ages one (uh-uh, nope) and the Downtown show Sunday is for 18-and-over (yep, and you've been warned). But he does promise he will be flexing his "love muscles" at both shows.
Five bucks will get you in both weekend shows, and will include bands Temporary Lovers, My Ex Is Dead and Vax, plus DJ monkeyknifefight, and your benevolent host Skeeter.
Free downloads of his music are available at his Web site at www.HoustonBernard.com.
Gary C.W. Chun, Star-BulletinMost of Honolulu's DJ community are adept at packing a dance floor and rocking a crowd, but it takes a special type of vinyl wizard to work a turntable like it's a musical instrument.
Tomorrow night at 9, some of Hawaii's top scratch DJs will converge on Studio 1 Downtown for a chance to represent at this year's DMC (Dance Music Community) American Battleground U.S. finals next month in Los Angeles. More than 20 years have passed since the organization started as a music subscription service, and now the annual contest is recognized as the world's premiere turntablist competition.
"It's a world-class event," says Greg "G-Spot" Dehnert, promoter of the Hawaii regional since its inception four years ago. "Turntablism is doing tricks that no one else can do -- it's original thought."
DJ Solution, member of local collective the Nocturnal Sound Krew, is still undecided as to whether he'll return to try for a fourth straight win tomorrow night, according to Dehnert.
"He said he's not really sure, but that's what he said last year too, so we'll see," he said. Other NSK members are scheduled to participate, as are DJs Observ and Skid. Walk-ups will be welcome tomorrow night as well, as long as competitors are signed up by 9 p.m.
Judging duties for the evening are scheduled to be handled by the Lightsleepers' Kavet the Catalyst, Toogruvz Records owner James Viso, DMC events coordinator Charles Tuason, the Treehaus' DJ Taharba and DJ Danny Yun. Jimmy Taco, host of Hot 93.9's underground hip-hop show "Mind Tactics," will emcee the event.
Tickets are $17, with patrons ages 16 and up welcome. Call 947-1531 for more info.
Jason Genegabus, Star-Bulletin
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