Moonshine Over America
With electronica tours multiplying faster than Perry Farrell's bank account balance, to recommend one would be to aid and abet the bastardization of a burgeoning scene that's struggled for respect. Cyberfest '97 deviates little from the usual strategy, where marketeering bean counters throw big-name acts like the Sneaker Pimps into the lineup in order to siphon off the youngsters' cash and crucify what's left of the rave counterculture. Well, as big as they try to make these touring affairs, there will always be an underground riddled with DJs who deserve some respect. Moonshine Records will be merging its own independent tour, Moonshine Over America, with the megalith that is Cyberfest. This will basically showcase DJs Doc Martin, Carl Cox, Keoki, and Cirrus -- almost all of whom have been to S.F. countless times, but usually in a smaller, more intimate setting, and never all together. Although it's true that Keoki and Carl Cox are far from underground now, they left an indelible mark on house music with their mixing styles, and are still a truly great act to witness live. (If you can choke down Keoki's gob-stopping ego.) The best of all Moonshine's offerings is surely Doc Martin, who hasn't been tainted by too much success. On the deck, he comes across like a gentle giant pounding out soulful house beats with the touch of a feather. Cirrus, more a band than a DJ collective, comprises Stephen James Barry and Aaron Carter, who mix live instruments (bass and guitar) with chunky breakbeats, resulting in a spaced-out groove soup. The duo have spent the last two years collecting beats and samples for their recently released debut, Drop the Break; they will present these goodies on the current tour. As one of the first labels to press and distribute house and breakbeat (starting five years back), Moonshine has been instrumental in bringing electronica to the masses. Although notoriety can have its ill effects, Moonshine remains one of the best outfits for good electronica, and seeing this many of the label's best DJs in one shot should not be passed up -- even if it means patronizing another rave Lollapalooza.
-- Robert Arriaga
Carl Cox, Doc Martin, Cirrus, and, last and least, Keoki will be playing the Moonshine Over America Tour at Cyberfest '97 Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Naval Air Base, 2900 Main (at Singleton). Tickets are $25; call 979-4543.
