After making a couple of the usual stops on Tuesday (Kiki and South Street - as an aside, when did Tuesdays at South Street turn into such an overwhelming sausage-fest? Where de wimmens at?), I was enticed by a gorgeous young lady into heading through Belmont to Dust, an “underground” music venue that lives in a warehouse on the corner of Meade and Market (across Market from the tombstone sales).
After arriving at the warehouse complex, it took us a minute (with the help of some residents of the building) to find the entrance to Dust - it’s facing Meade and it’s the door on the loading dock. Upon entering we were greeted with a truly industrial setting. 25 foot ceilings, exposed ductwork and beams, etc.
Maybe 15 people were seated on the floor in front of a “stage” (a couple of card tables) watching a young man intensely staring at a computer screen. A wall size projection of lava-lamp’ish animations decorated the wall behind him. The sound emanating from the room was, uhm, “interesting” to say the least. A discordant hum of bass waves, punctuated by the occasional screetch of, uhm, “something” high pitched.
I guess the only way I can describe it as very very early Pink Floyd, only without Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright or Nick Mason. Or music. After a while, the man at the computer was replaced by another man at the computer who also attempted to achieve a frequency resonance that seemed designed to cause concrete to discorporate. Nobody at the show will have any problems with constipation today.
Anyway, apparently this experiment in aural affliction was perpetrated by a pair of Lithuanians; no doubt angry with Americans in general and Charlottesvillains in particular. All in all, I had a great time! Big props to Dust for allowing “whatever”.
This Saturday, Dust will become more its normal self (so I was told) with a lineup of dj’s from 9:30 - 4 am. $5 and BYO. From the (nicely made) flyer:
This is a deep-in DIY warehouse party utilizing hand-soldered lighting circuitry and sound with all-encompassing bass in a very special room. Come enjoy the inspiring company and fresh sounds as we unite to celebrate art and raw minimal techno. These artists will be playing original tracks that have never been heard before.
-downtown, oy
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Tagged as: Activities, Charlottesville, Concerts, Events, Music
Looks like Sep 22nd was their fall show. I wonder if they will have more.
I’m listening to the track from their MySpace and I’m totally imagining people sitting around wearing all white and blue sunglasses playing chess or something really hip.
I live close to this place and have driven by while these parties were going on several times. I’ve heard it tends to lean more towards a rave. I would imagine that on this particular night you went, some chemical assistance was needed to truly “appreciate” what these guys were attempting. I’m sure there will be more in the future.
I love the sound of this…
I don’t know whether or not the people at Dust would be too cool about this posting…
It’s really a word-of-mouth type of place.
Mark Grabowski of former Hook fame wrote an article on the Pudhouse which in turn, got shut down. The Charlottesville undergound was LIVID! Some amazing bands came there(even a young Arcade Fire!).
I don’t think post will get Dust shut down… but still… it’s not like they want your publicity, dude.
there is a flyer and a myspace page…that isn’t exactly speakeasy-esque
Yeah, when they gave me the flyer, I said I’d spread the word, he said “Cool”. He claims 500 people at one show, so it’s hardly truly “underground”.
In any case, not sure I really care about whether or not they want a Charlottesville gossip site to gossip about them. Just sayin’…
I went to the myspace page expecting to see a lot of people on their friend list that I would recognize, but it’s obvious the goth electronica crowd doesn’t mix with the Dust electronica crowd.
I think these underground scenes are pretty safe from the Charlottesville yuppies. Self-selection happens. I guarantee that Horatio McMansionson will not arrive in tweed and bowtie looking to hotbox. Cops have better things to worry about anyway. People get shout ’round these parts. Thanks oy. My Tuesday South Street outings are starting to sound underwhelming. (No offense to the Pony or my BFF Stella.)
Well great, make this Really Appealing Thing #4 I’ll be missing by skipping town this weekend. Dumb old mom and her dumb old birthday…
Marshall! I think a kitten died when you wrote that.
There’ll be a next time. Have fun with the momarino.
A young Arcade Fire at the Pudhouse?
I’m skeptical.
Ohh Oy
ILYT
[…] 2 at Dust, 10:30 to (get this sheeit) 3:30. Four bands and Videonics. oy’s told us about it. Rock. Meade and East […]
1. I have seen fliers posted on the downtown mall for the joint.
2. I have been to some shows there & they were super fun!!!
3. Grabowski was an idiot.
I’m pretty sure there have never been 500 people at a DUST show. Maybe 200 at most. it is indeed an “underground” venue, but raves are not the only events that happen there. I’ve been to a bunch of kick-ass rock shows and a slate hill phil tribute show as well.
also worthy to note that it is not necessary to be on chemical enhancing drugs to have fun at the raves there [or anywhere else]. just go to let loose, dance and have a good time!
i had the absolutely hottest birthday of my life there. it was an afro-dub inspired whatevers dj party, deeply rooted, and the whole evening was danceable, riotous even. coincidentally, this was also the closest i’ve seen dust as a rave scene, i’m not sure what neighbor Tim (@2) has seen, but i guess anything is possible, dust hosts many different kinds of music.
i especially like the metal and the rockabilly nights there.
and curt is awesome.