Look Who's 1

I can’t believe it’s already been a year.

The culmination of Rock Box at The Proletariat on a cold January night last year gave birth to this DJ night spin-off (pardon the pun) thanks to Squincy Jones, Dayta and Reko Trill. They took a gamble that the loyal hipsters, hopsters and rocksters would follow. And you know, these days it’s tough to get a solid crowd out every week. But their hard work keeps paying off. I’m happy to say that as far as the Speakerboxx nights, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Here’s to you boys, my Rock Box fam, for keepin’ it goin. And to those that have supported all year, come on out and give ‘em a spanking plus one to grow on this Thursday cuz you know they’re gonna keep it poppin’ for years to come!

No doubt that Texas is the place to be. When fellow DIRB! DJ Antonio disappeared to Seattle for a bit, he missed Tex-Mex, humidity and doin’ it real big with us.

While he was there, he put it down on this DiscoTeqsas mixtape. We’re glad that you’re jumpin’ for joy to be back, homie! Arrriba, arrriba!!

You can catch him DIRB! on Saturdays with me at Block 21 (2420-B Washington, Houston). We’re bringing Movida back in ’09, bitches! Stay tuned for more info.

-Gracie

DiscoTeqsas – Antonio [DIRB!, DustyCrates.com] (zshare link)

Track Listing

1. Carmen – Throw Down (Toñio Fix)
2. Lifelike – So Electric
3. Cut Copy – Lights & Music (Moulinex remix)
4. Cut Copy – Future (Chromeo remix)
5. Kelis feat. Too Short – Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke remix)
6. Player Player – Teach These Cats (Player Player remix)
7. Blaqstarr feat. Rye Rye – Shake It
8. Moulinex – Break Chops
9. Justice – Phantom pt.2 (Soulwax Nite version)
10. Estelle ft. Kanye West – American Boy (LAZRtag remix)
11. Timbaland – Miscommunication (The Bloody Beetroots remix)
12. Steril – Amor Electronique
13. Le Le – Breakfast
14. Hail Social – Cherry-Cola Funk (Sta mix)
15. Frikstailers – Baile Frik
16. Mr. Oizo – Patrick 122
17. PNAU – Baby (Breakbot remix)

Squincy Jones & Dayta warmed it up early on as Gonzo of Aerosol Warfare set up his paint on stage. I was up next, droppin’ some new and old cuts and Rock Box classics (Switch’s remix of “Bossy” really set it off). As I wrapped up my DJ set a quarter ’til that midnight hour, people–known and unknown–were already hittin’ me up with “Can you get me in?” messages. The kids on the dance floor were good and ready for Dayta.

Dayta worked it out, keepin’ it 125bpm and up, while President Reko Trill called it like it was on the mic. I would say that the safest place to be was up on stage for the remainder of the night because by the time Witnes went on, there was no point being on the floor or at the bar. Shina Rae and MC Cerebral Vortex from SA/SF repped on the mic, keepin’ it hype.

A little after 2 a.m., there was sweat on the walls and the crowd was still havin’ it, callin’ out to Wit for an encore. Wit touched the vinyl, cueing it up one last time as UGK‘s “International Player’s Anthem” featuring Outkast rolled out.

But really and truly, words to describe the Rock Box finale can’t really do it much justice as much as photos (and video) would. So check out some of my clips online and parting shots below.

On YOUTUBE (keywords Rock Box Houston):

Farewell Rock Box, 1 of 3 – PYT

Farewell Rock Box, 2 of 3 – Roxanne

Farewell Rock Box, 3 of 3 – Gypsy Woman

A gallery of Rock Box posters.

Gracie Chavez & Denise Ramos (The Pro’s owner)

No sleep ’til Brooklyn, Wit!

Nana Chill’s Dayta goes strong.

Squincy & Gracie keepin it trill…Speaker Boxxx is on blast!

It was lights out for Rock Box…and Witnes! Photo courtesy of OneOctoberNight.com.

More pix up on my DUSTY CRATES gallery, at OneOctoberNight.com. and here on Flickr Photos.

The heater & other music:

“Bossy” (Switch remix) – Kelis

Dunnock’s live recording TBP.

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.