Disco
The Day Disco Died: Remembering the Unbridled Chaos of “Disco Demolition Night”
On this day in 1979, a fun MLB promotional event quickly devolved into the most infamous and controversial event in disco history. In the late 70s, dance-oriented disco was one of the most popular musical genres in the United States. Seminal films such as Saturday Night Fever and Disco Godfather greatly influenced the music scene, while artists like the Bee Gees, ABBA, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Donna Summer became repeated record plays for many. While disco provided a fun, novel outlet and style of dress to many people, it sparked major backlash from fans of rock music. Critics at the time often feared that the rise of the disco would quickly lead to a decay in rock after disco albums dominated the 21st Grammy Awards in 1978. When Chicago’s WDAI-FM switched from rock to disc...
Dave Grohl Says He Lifted Drumming Techniques From Early Disco Pioneers During Nirvana Years
Foo Fighters surprised the music world last week after revealing they were working on covering several Bee Gees hits under a new disco alias they’re calling the Dee Gees. As the dust continues to settle, frontman Dave Grohl—who spent four years as the drummer for legendary rock band Nirvana—has added some additional context to the forthcoming music, revealing that he derived inspiration from disco since the early days of his career. As NME notes, Grohl’s illuminating comments came in a new interview with Pharrell Williams. “I can’t read music. I couldn’t then, and I still can’t now. All I wanted to do was be in a line of drummers all playing drums,” Grohl said. “If you listen to Nevermind, the Nirvana record, I pulled so much stuff from The Gap Band, and ...
Dave Grohl Reveals He Was Ripping Off “Old Disco” Drumming on Nirvana’s Nevermind
Dave Grohl revealed that he ripped off “old disco” and R&B/funk drumming for his parts on the iconic Nirvana album Nevermind. In a clip from his Paramount+ series From Cradle to Stage, Grohl talked with Pharrell Williams about the inspiration for the drum beats on Nevermind. Grohl first insisted that he’s “the most basic f**king drummer,” earning a raised eyebrow from Pharrell. The Foo Fighters frontman followed up by citing the unlikely source for the drumming that can be heard on “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and other tracks. Related Video “If you listen to Nevermind, the Nirvana record, I pulled so much stuff from The Gap Band and Cameo and [Chic’s] Tony Thompson on every one of those songs … all that [slaps his legs] … that’s old disco!” Grohl said. Then clips of “Smells Like Tee...
The Knocks Celebrate Disco and Nostalgia with Their Single “Bedroom Eyes” with Studio Killers
Fresh off their March 2021 “R U HIGH” single with Mallrat, New York City-based electronic duo The Knocks are back at it with their new single “Bedroom Eyes,” featuring electropop group Studio Killers. Out on Big Beat Records, the carefree tune celebrates all things old school and disco. Funky bass guitar licks, groovy drum patterns, and uplifting chords fuse perfectly with the breezy vocals of Studio Killers, evoking a childlike wonderment. Check out the track below. The Knocks presented the cover on Instagram prior to the track’s release, which harkens to the nostalgia of childhood. The graphic features a classic adolescent bedroom containing a spinning disco ball and band posters, along with a message that discussed how “nostalgia is comforting”—especially during da...
Foo Fighters Are Releasing a Disco Album Under a Bee Gees Tribute Alias
Foo Fighters are now a Bee Gees tribute band. No, this is not some kind of out of season April Fools joke. After a masterful return to the stage over the weekend at Madison Square Garden, their first post-COVID performance, the iconic rock band were quick to announce their next big musical endeavor—becoming the Dee Gees. Fans won’t have long to process the surprising development as the group’s forthcoming disco record under the new alias is out next month. According to Rolling Stone, the 10-track offering, titled Hail Satin, will bundle five Bee Gees classics—“You Should Be Dancing,” Night Fever,” “Tragedy,” “More Than a Woman,” and “Shadow Dancing—along with five disco-inspired editions of songs from Foo Fighters’ recent album, Med...
Foo Fighters Announce Disco Alter Egos the Dee Gees for Record Store Day
Foo Fighters have announced their disco alter egos the Dee Gees, as well as the new album Hail Satin, just in time for Record Store Day. “Introducing…the Dee Gees!!!” the band tweeted from their official account. “HAIL SATIN — coming to a local record store & dance party near you July 17th!!!” Directing fans to the official site for Record Store Day, the rockers also posted a brief snippet of a disco rock song. The accompanying visuals show the lustrous silver Dee Gees cover art against a pink and purple-streaked background, which slowly flips around to reveal the Foo Fighters’ name. Related Video Hail Satin will serve as the debut for Dave Grohl and co. under their Dee Gees moniker. Side A of the limited-edition record will contain covers of four Bee Gees classics — including 197...
Nile Rodgers is Opening a Disco Rollerskating Rink at LA Botanic Garden
Grammy-winning artist Nile Rodgers is bringing a new kind of music experience to Los Angeles’ South Coast Botanic Garden. Working alongside Constellation Immersive, an affiliate of CAA, Rodgers is taking his lifelong love of rollerskating to a new level. The DiscOasis, an experience that combines dance music, skating, and art, is slated to open next month. “The DiscOasis is a dream come true for me. People know and love to dance to my songs, what they may not know is that I’ve been a skater all my life and I love to roller disco!” Rodgers said. “I can remember the first time I ever walked into a disco and saw people from every walk of life put their troubles, prejudices and differences aside in the name of love and dance. It was the perfect place and we look to...
Carl Cox Reimagines Geraldine Hunt’s 1980 Disco Classic, “Can’t Fake The Feeling”
Unidisc Records is one of Canada’s largest independent record labels. Having been in the industry since 1977, they’ve established an extensive collection of music over the years while continuously learning how to evolve. Earlier this year Unidisc launched a “Reimagining Campaign,” enlisting a number of dance music luminaries to modernize the imprint’s timeless classics. Francis Cucuzzella—the son of founder George Cucuzzella—came up with the idea as a way to “pay homage to the artists who shaped dance music and those spreading it today globally.” Arguably the greatest producers in the world have been tapped in to reimagine classic hits from Unidisc’s back catalog. So far the campaign has included show-stopping remixes from Claptone,...
Nu Strut and Wreckno Join Forces on Disco-Funk Banger, “Pornstache”
“Pornstache,” a new collaborative single between Texas beatsmith Nu Strut and electrifying vocalist and producer Wreckno, is a certified blast from the past, oozing with confidence and summer swagger. Released today, the track embodies the energy of summer of 2021 as we emerge from isolation ready to take on the world. It’s a funky and fun homage to disco-funk, incorporated with a new-age twist of bass music. The bouncy dance-floor filler is dynamic with its 70s-inspired guitar riff and playful bars, courtesy of an unapologetic Wreckno. Check out the tongue-in-cheek banger below. Nu Strut is a multi-genre instrumentalist and producer who draws inspiration from neurofunk and bass music artists such as Gramatik, LSDREAM, and KOAN Sound. His ability to deliver bass mus...
Honey Dijon’s New Disco Track “Downtown” Captures the Freedom Found on Dancefloors
Honey Dijon has released her new single “Downtown,” a collaboration with underground vocalists Annette Bowen and Nikki-O. The track is the third single from her sophomore album Black Girl Magic, following “Not About You” and “La Femme Fantastique,” the latter of which was named one of the best house songs of 2020 by EDM.com. This release also features two remixes from Puerto Rican DJ Louie Vega. Honey Dijon provides her trademark dreamy disco sounds in “Downtown.” A classic disco synth, thumping bassline, and dynamic percussion elements come together for a groovy, jubilant beat. This euphoric house tune perfectly captures the unfiltered joy and freedom that can be found on the dancefloor. A music video accompanied each single, and the one for “Downtown” serves as the final ...
How Supertaste Set Up a Pop-Up Studio in the Tennessee Mountains to Record “Super Classic”
Brooklyn-based indie dance duo Supertaste have released their newest single “Super Classic,” the first track off their forthcoming sophomore EP of the same name. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the pair decided to head to a cabin in the woods and make music. They wasted no time, assembling a pop-up studio in their woodsy lodge in Bristol, Tennessee and getting to work. In the midst of the darkness inflicted by the virus, the tandem decided to focus their energies on creativity, seeking to build something positive in times of utter gloom. Flanked by a beautiful view of the South Holson Lake and the Cherokee National Forest, and with their loyal dog Wilson by their sides as well as an array of synths and guitars, Supertaste successfully wrote their EP in the mountains of Tennessee. ...
Electricity customers fault DisCos move to phase out obsolete meters
Electricity consumer groups on Thursday faulted directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to power Distribution Companies (DisCos) to replace obsolete meters under their networks. The groups in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, urged the DisCos to focus on issuing meters to unmetered customers under the ongoing National Mass Metering Programme of the Federal Government. Adeola Samuel-Ilori, the National Coordinator, All Nigeria Electricity Consumers Forum, said the directive by NERC was not a priority for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. “The DisCos have a history of not complying with NERC’S directive and giving them power to take away customers meters under the guise of being obsolete is not the right way to go. “This will only lead to more customers b...
