The Destroyaz Tour report by Gary

Neil Landstrumm is a name that any real follower of techno should know.  Not only are his albums and tracks world renowned but he’s also played in some of the biggest techno nights in the world.
 His premiere performance in the Czech Republic was something not to be missed, and I’m really glad that he managed to fill one of the nicest clubs this country has to offer.

 I first visited Comix last year, and was disappointed to see such a tiny attendance in what was a nice big dark venue, with what can only be described as the nicest sound system I have heard in a club here.  Talk about the party was few and far between, and I expected attendance to be very low.

 Upon arriving at the club at around 10pm, I was pleased to see a nice little queue, and two large bouncers, checking everyone thoroughly with metal detectors.  Inside the club were about as many people as had been for the main hour the last time I visited Comix…this was surely a good sign.  
 I made the mistake of ordering a beer from the main bar.  I tasted as old as it looked, and no more passed my lips.  I stuck to bottled stuff.

 Unknown DJs Rockka and Todler were in charge of the main stage when we arrived, and to be honest with you, I was very impressed.  Playing everything from Stewart Walker to Rush, they had the dancefloor pumping and my feet tapping.  Hopefully these two guys will get recognised soon and maybe we’ll see them in other parts of the country.

 Next up was Prague’s Pietro.  I have massive respect for Pietro as a person, but both he and I seem to differ on the subject of music.  Technically, Pietro is very good, even though as a DJ I feel he can do a bit more with the faders… His track selection wasn’t my cup of tea at all, at times sounding more like progressive house, rather than techno.  Towards the end of his set he managed to pump it up, but I wasn’t sold.  Still, the crowd loved it, and I suppose that’s what matters.

 Finally, the highlight of the night was here.  Neil Landstrumm and Bill Youngman aka ‘The Destroyaz’ live!  For the first time ever in the Czech Republic, using only analogue equipment, no laptops!  What a musical ride!  Nearly two hours of amazing bleeps, cuts, thumping bass, electro riffs, and the most unusual AFX style noises I’ve ever heard.  By now the main stage was practically full, and was thoroughly rocking.  On came the multi-coloured laser and the scene was set.  

 The first hour was, as Bill announced on his microphone, pure old-skool.  Something I never believed would work in the Czech Republic.  Boy was I wrong.  The crowd seemed to love every minute.  I personally was left standing shocked when they played out Praline Horse, which is a personal favourite.  The second hour was more modern sounding, and certainly didn’t lose any pace.  The rhythms were more 4x4 than the first half, but it just made the crowd more up for it.

 The few minutes I heard of Quickie were enjoyable.  Very bouncy techno, which kept a up-for-it crowd going.  I personally though, was ready for bed.  We headed back to Prague.
 Overall, I went to Teplice ready to be disappointed; but in the end the night turned out very well.  Big up to Landstrumm and Youngman, and let’s hope another promoter in CZ has the sense to bring them both back soon.  Very impressed by Comix, my only real problems were with the service on the bar, which were not friendly or quick, the fact that the beer was bad, and the fact that there was practically no promotion for such an amazing event.  Hopefully that will be sorted for next time.

Fotos by Mountain / www.palmbeach.cz