Dusty Crates

Ok, I admit it, I wasn’t too big on Chromeo when they first came out. It could have been my skepticism about the “next big thing” hype attention that they were getting. Regardless, they have grown on me over time with help of great remixes like the Lifelike remix of Needy Girl. I don’t know much about Lifelike other than the fact that he has the epic, synthy, touch of 80s formula on lock. Frankly, I am tired of the over edited/chopped/crazybuildup remixes out there. Lifelike comes through with rock solid production work and feelgood vibes that can get the dancefloor moving (not spazzing).

Chromeo – Needy Girl (Lifelike Remix)
Super Mal – Bigger Than Big (Lifelike Remix)
Ercola feat. Annie – Follow Me (Lifelike Remix)

and finally a new mix by Lifelike packed with hot synth action
Lifelike-DJset-Jan2008

DIRB represented by myself and Antonio really gained some traction at Rock Box in 2006. Jeffe finally guest DJed for the Rock Box End of Year Blowout in ‘07. We rocked this place many a times and it’s so sad to see it go. Although my partnah Antonio is half-way across the country now, I’ll be there to close it out right with Witnes, Dayta and Squincy.

RIP Rock Box Pelvic Thrust Thursdays.

Gracie, Antonio & Witnes DIRB at Rock Box, 2006.

The Houston Press says…

Last Rock Box

Don’t come a knockin’, because after today the box won’t be rockin’

By Dusti Rhodes, Published: January 31, 2008

Local DJ Witnes (a.k.a. Michael Zapata) made moving forward his New Year’s resolution. He says the closing of The Proletariat, where he has been holding his weekly dance installment Rock Box, was the push he needed. “It’s kind of like a blessing in disguise that [owner Denise Ramos] was ready to move on with her life…and the same with myself,” he says. “I guess I just hit a tipping point where I’ve just done as much I can [in Houston].”

This wasn’t an easy decision. Witnes has been a part of many successful DJ nights in Houston, which is why we gave him the award for Best DJ in our Best Of Houston® 2005 edition. Witnes says all the work he’s done made it hard for him to leave. “I was scared of letting go of everything I’ve built for myself down here,” he says. “[But] I can’t worry about what’s going to happen here in the scene,” he says.

For those who are worried, fear not. Rock Box’s other resident DJs, Dayta and Squincy Jones, will host Speaker Box, a spin-off event at The Backroom. Witnes says he hopes the scene continues to grow, because he owes his success to it. “If it wasn’t for all these people that have been supporting me, there would be no me, there would be no Rock Box.” 9 p.m. 903 Richmond. For information, call 713-523-1199 or visit www.theproletariathouston.com. Free.

View Rock Box 2007 Blowout on YouTube.

This one’s gotten a mixed reaction each time I play it. The inital “OMG” turns into a bit of “Aww, yeah!”

Turn it up cuz it’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time (Miami Doodoo Bootleg) thanks to Mr. Vonstroke and Mr. Martin!

So a couple of us got fed up with our incessant IM A.D.D. (We are on two coasts mind you–Pacific and Third Coast.) We figured, there’s got to be a better way to stay connected. So in our quest to Do It Real Big (DIRB), we welcome you all into our world and self-professed idiosyncrasies.

Dusty Crates (dustycrates.com/blog) is now the official hub and blog for DIRB–a collective of like minded DJs, designers, developers, scribes and all-around taste makers hailing from Hustletown, Texass.

Bookmark it. Pass it on. But most importantly, keep DIRB!

Gracie Chavez | Antonio Alucema | Matt Cielak | Jeffe Fleischmann are DIRB!