Nogood Nick, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Yana Lil-Jerk flash their gang affiliation signs at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

As the astute Boogaloo Bag reader knows, The WHAM-O WATUSI takes place on the first Saturday of the month at the Bootleg Bar. However, host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was called to action in San Francisco–with DJ work at the Internet Archive and Forbidden Island on October 3rd and 4th, respectively. Originally, our pal Drew Redmond–who also swings at the Boot–was going to do the 6th, but he had to rescind his offer due to a previous engagement.

This left the The Boog in a bind. What to do? Well, since he was scheduled to return to New York City at 10 pm on the night of the scheduled WHAM, he thought, “If I get two really boss guest DJs to swing the night, I may be able to make the scene around midnight. That way, if the jet is delayed, the night will still be a groove.”

The two really boss DJs selected were Nogood Nick and Yana Lil-Jerk. Both have been mainstays on the reet music scene for several years. Nogood Nick with his fabulous Rip! Rig! Panic! events and Miss Yana with her equally fabulous Bangarang, both of which take place at Otto’s Shrunken Head. These two fine, fine, super fine DJs were able to keep the Bootleg Bar swingin’ for the early part of the evening, trading sets of their super fine records. The Boog regrets that he was unable to be there to dig it.

Yana Lil-Jerk swings at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Nogood Nick swings at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

As it happened, The Boog’s flight was delayed by thirty minutes. Plus, with the MTA working on the subways, The Boog was unable to arrive until about 12:45AM. But he got there, and he was happily greeted with cheers and yummy pumpkin-filled, mummy-looking truffles made by Boogaloo Bag’s official photographer (and baker) Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. Miss Yana was at the turntables selecting top-notch stuff to play for the punters. Although he was exhausted from his trip–zombified, in fact, much like the seasonal ghoul hanging from the ceiling of the Bootleg Bar— Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was soon at home in the DJ booth where he played records for almost an hour; records from the previous two nights (or their B-sides) and others purchased at Rooky Ricardos Record Shop in San Francisco just a few days earlier. At about 2:00 or so, the WHAM-O WATUSI went into high gear when the three DJs traded turns at the decks, each playing a song, then making way for the next. This was a gas.

The ghoul hanging from the Bootleg Bar ceiling at the WHAM-O WATUSI. Or is it the zombified Boogaloo Omnibus!!!

Also, The Boogaloo Bag writers were very pleased to see that several of our friends were in attendance. This always makes them happy. In the house: Kirstyn Soles, Sophie Thunder (Virgo Slam IV), Josh Styles (Daddy Long Legs), Lady Dawn (Subway Soul Club), Shelly Paus (Lunar Orbits), Sanford Santacroce (Telecommand), Mr. Vacation (Robert Bar)… did we forget anyone? Oh, yeah, ace photographer Miss Lauren Krohn, who was happy to eat a few of the vegan brownies that Miss Nancy also brought.

Josh Styles goofs as Lady Dawn watches at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Yana Lil-Jerk, Mr. Vacation and Nogood Nick share DJ tips at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Kirstyn Soles, Nogood Nick, Shelly Paus, Lady Dawn and Sanford Santacroce swing at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

Thank you too much to Nogood Nick and Miss Yana for holding down the fort until The Boogaloo Omnibus could arrive on the scene. There was always a chance that his flight would get cancelled, or that it would crash, or he may have been too burned out to come to the club. But having watched Tomb Raider on the flight, he was invigorated enough to brave the A-Train to the L-Train to an L-Train shuttle in order to get to the Bootleg Bar. Due to the zombification caused by the flight, plus the long night at the Boot, The Boog did not make it to his Sunday softball pick-up game. Ya can’t do everything!

Miss Nancy’s yummy mummy truffles!!! Tasty little guys, balls of pumpkin covered with white chocolate, were looking at folks, saying, “Eat me! Eat Me!” They got eaten.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the October WHAM-O WATUSI:

• El Chicano–Coming Home Baby (Kapp)
• Sir Raleigh and the Coupons–Somethin’ (A&M)
• Jean Battle–Love Making (Red Lite)
• Dusty Springfield–Love Power (Philips; Portugal)
• King Coleman–Do the Booga Lou (Part 1) (Port)
• Peggy March–Let Me Down Hard (RCA Victor)
• Ernie Maresca–I Can’t Dance (Seville)
• Robin Hart–I’ll Get You Yet (Challenge)
• Gary (U.S.) Bonds–Take Me Back to New Orleans (Legrand)
• The Wailers–Simmer Down (CoxSone; Jamaica)
• The Joe Cuba Sextet–Bang Bang (Tico)
• LaVerne Baker–You’d Better Find Yourself Another Fool (Atlantic)
• The Cavaliers–Summertime (Josie)
• Connie Francis–Don’t Ever Leave Me (M-G-M)
• Roy Orbison–Swingers for Coke (Coca-Cola)
• Anthony & the Imperials–Anthem (Grow, Grow, Grow) (Veep)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
• Pigmeat Markham–Here Comes the Judge (Chess)
• The Majestics–(I Lover Her So Much) It Hurts Me (Linda)
• The Moon People–Hippy, Skippy, Moon Strut (Opus #1) (Roulette)
• Damaso Perez Prado y su Orquesta–Mexico 70 (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Gladys Knight & the Pips–Friendship Train (Soul)
• Aretha Franklin–Rock Steady (Atlantic)
• Joe Tex–I Should Have Kissed Her More (Dial)
• Donnie Brooks–Hush (Happy Tiger)
• King Curtis & the Kingpins–Changes – Part II (Atco)
• The International Bongo Band–Hey Mr. Bongo Man (Challenge)
• The Selective Service–Shake (Main Line)
• The Time Keepers–Nasty (Generation)
• Prince Buster’s All Stars–Al Capone (Blue Beat; UK)
• Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez with Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds–Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Norton)
• Ricky Nelson–Mighty Good (Imperial)
• The Madisons–Stagger (Jomada)
• Davey Summers–Calling All Cars (Vim)
• The Organites–Hot, Funky & Sweaty (Hot Funky & Sweaty; UK)
• Les Yper Sound–Too Fortiche (Fontana; Italy)
• Skip and Flip–Fancy Nancy (Brent)

None of these records are for sale. Dig the links to the youtubes clips on some of them. Records played at the previous two gigs that were already linked, will not be linked here.You can go to the main Boogaloo Bag page to find them.

NOTE: The next WHAM-O WATUSI will take place on November 17th (with guest DJ One Mint Julep (ie, Honky Tonk Radio Girl, WFMU) instead of the 3rd, in order for him to participate in the Keystone Soul Weekender–as should you, as well. On the 3rd, Drew Redmond will hold court with his Sleaze to Please action at the Bootleg Bar. That will be cool, too.

Another look at the yummy mummies!

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus and Otto Von Stroheim swing at Otto’s Grotto!

Otto Von Stroheim is the brains and main maestro (along with his lovely wife, Baby Doe) behind one of the most fabulous weekenders in the world–Tiki Oasis, a celebration of tiki culture. Because of that, he is one of the most fabulous people currently living on this planet. Mr. Von Stroheim is obsessed with the world of tiki, Polynesian paraphernalia, atomic living and things that are reet.

Mr. Von Stroheim is also a DJ, who swings on the first Thursday of the month at Forbidden Island, a wonderful tiki bar on Alameda Island in the East San Francisco Bay. On October 4, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked to be his guest DJ.

The Phast Man has worked with Mr. Von Stroheim before–he has selected records for several Tiki Oasis events, each one being momentous and thrilling. Mr. Von Stroheim’s nights at Forbidden Island, called Otto’s Grotto, are much more low key than the sensational Tiki Oasis; but it is still one fun night.

The Boog was in the S.F. area to DJ the party at the Internet Archive the night before, and picked up this gig as an add-on. He was planning to play many, if not all, the same records (or their B-sides) he had played in The City.  However, The Boog was able to pay a visit to Rooky Ricardo’s Record Store in San Francisco to spice up his Thursday night set with some fresh vinyl.

Otto in his Grotto!

If any Boogaloo Bag reader lives near the East Bay you should know that Otto’s Grotto is an excellent night out. Forbidden Island is tastefully decked-out with all sorts of tiki regalia throughout the venue, including it’s spacious outdoor patio. The bartenders were able to concoct for The Boog an excellent beverage that was tangy, fruity and minty. The DJ booth is right next to a lovely little waterfall, so Otto really is in his grotto! Mr. Von Stroheim played a pleasing selection of exotica, mambo, mod jazz and provocative pop records for his many friends who showed up to dig his action. The Boog was visited by some friends, as well, including Brooke Wentz (Seven Seas Music) who drove over the Oakland Bay Bridge; and Darla Hitchcock, a friend from way back! Miss Darla used to attend Phast Phreddie’s DJ nights at the Starwood in Hollywood back in the late Seventies; so good to see her.

Darla Hitchcock visited with Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Otto’s Grotto!

Early in his first set, The Boog played a record by Pete Rodriguez. Soon after, he received a request for his “I Like It Like That.” Luckily, it was on the other side–so it was played! Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Otto’s Grotto:

• El Chicano–Eleanor Rigby (Kapp)
• Ricardo Ray–Mrs. Robinson (Alegre)
• Pete Rodriguez–Micaela (Alegre)
• Cal Tjader–Soul Sauce (Gaucha Guaro) (Verve)
• Black Blood–A.I.E. (A Mwana) (Mainstream)
• Ray Johnson and His Group–Soul City (Infinity)
• Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs–Thunder ’n Lightnin’ (Dot)
• Los Bravos–Swingers for Coke (Coca-Cola)
• Ray Anthony–A Hard Day’s Night (Capitol)
• Pete Rodriguez–I Like It Like That (Alegre)
• The Joe Cuba Sextet–Bang Bang (Tico)
• Dusty Springfield–Love Power (Philips; Portugal)
• Patti Drew–Hard to Handle (Captiol)
• Nancy Sinatra–Run For Your Life (Reprise; France)
• Lonnie Youngblood and his Bloodhounds–Monkey Man (Norton)
• Assemblage–Satisfaction (Westbound)
• Sir Raleigh and the Coupons–Somethin’ (A&M)
• Jean Battle–Love Making (Red Lite)
• The Temptations–Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) (Gordy)
• The Maytals–Pressure Drop (Shelter)
• Anthony & the Imperials–Anthem (Grow Grow Grow) (Veep)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
• Syl Johnson–Take Me to the River (Hi)
• Gladys Knight & the Pips–Cloud Nine (Soul)
• Prince Buster’s All Stars–One Step Beyond (Blue Beat; UK)
• The Wailers–Simmer Down (CoxSone; Jamaica)
• Richard Anthony–Dans Tous Les Pays (Dancing in the Street) (Columbia; France)
• Mongo Santamaria–Sunshine of Your Love (Atlantic)
• The Slickers–Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Ice; Jamaica)
• Damaso Perez Prado y su Orquesta–Mexico 70 (Orfeon; Mexico)
• Les Yper Sound–Psyche Rock (Fontana; Italy)
• The Time Keepers–3 Minutes Heavy (Generation)
• The International Bongo Band–Congo (Challenge)
• The Gilberto Sextet–Good Lovin’ (Cotique)
• The Happy Cats–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Omack)
• King Coleman–Do the Booga Lou (Part 1) (Port)
• Les 409–Donne-Moi Ton Amour (Gimme Some Loving) (RCA Victor – Canada International; Canada)
• Harvey Averne Band–Stand (Fania)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes for you to dig! (Some songs were played the night before and may have links to them in that Boogaloo Bag post and are not re-linked here.)

A groovy mural was drawn by Ju Young Ku for the Internet Archive Celebration.

Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering millions of free books, movies, & audio files, plus billions of saved web pages in the Wayback Machine. It has been doing this for 21 years. For the last two years, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been asked to DJ at its annual party. On October 3, he did so for the third time. (Phast Phreddie hooked up with the Internet Archive a few years ago via a partnership with his day job, as an archivist for The Archive of Contemporary Music.)

The annual Archive celebration runs like this:

Around five o’clock, folks start showing up. All around the Archive building on Funston Avenue in San Francisco there are about a dozen booths that are  managed by Archive employees. Each booth is an example of the work that the Archive does. Many of them are hands-on, giving attendees an opportunity to understand Archive operations. Most of them are fun; for example, this year temporary tattoos were made out of GIFs that have been collected by the Archive or one was able to play a virtual reality game. Many of the booths were educational; one could see how a book is digitized. This year, a booth was set up to register people to vote and hand out copies of the U.S. Constitution. Tacos are served via taco trucks parked on the street in front of the building. Starting last year, during these first two hours of the event our friend Chas Gaudí spins 78 RPM sound recordings in the back yard–swing, pop, bop, hillbilly, blues, R&B, rock’n’roll. He made sure to play one by the great bluesman Otis Rush, who had recently passed away.

Voters were registered at the Internet Archive party!

DJ Chas Gaudi swings with some old 78s at the annual Internet Archive Celebration!

DJ Chas Gaudi played his signed copy of an Otis Rush 78!

MMMMM!!!! Tacos!!!!

At seven o’clock, folks are asked to step into the Great Room–a huge auditorium that holds about a thousand people. It is always full. There, Archive people present a show-and-tell regarding the different activities they have been involved with and the assorted collections it has acquired over the year. It is hosted by Jason Scott, and founder Brewster Kahle always talks up the exciting things the organization has done or will be doing in the future. This year’s theme was Building a Better Web, and the evening was a showcase of how the Internet Archive was helping.

A crazy person dressed in a patriotic costume at the Internet Archive party!

Around eight o’clock or so, folks are handed an ice cream sandwich (Three Twins–the best!) and a gift (this year a handy IA tote bag) and directed to the back yard, where cocktails are served and they can dance to the boss rhythms of 45 RPM records, as selected by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus. He always plays songs that people know–but not how they know them. This time, he threw in some Latin boogaloo records, some hit songs and a few weird things.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the Internet Archive party!

Thanks goes to Caitlin Oslon, Katie Barrett and all the groovy Internet Archive folks who requested the return of DJ Phast Phreddie. Here’s hoping we can all be back next year for more. The playlist of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the annual Internet Archive Celebration is as follows:

• The Moon People–Hippy, Skippy, Moon Strut (Opus #1) (Roulette)
• Ricardo Ray–Mrs. Robinson (Alegre)
• El Chicano–Eleanor Rigby (Kapp)
• Copperfield Brass–American Woman (RCA)
• King Curtis & the Kingpins–Changes – Part I (Atco)
• Los Bravos–Swingers for Coke (Coca-Cola)
• The Happy Cats–These Boots Are Made for Walking (Omack)
• Chris Montez–Let’s Dance (Monogram)
• The Gilberto Sextet–Good Lovin’ (Cotique)
• The Selective Service–Green Onions (Main Line)
• The International Bongo Band–Congo (Challenge)
• Mongo Santamaria–Lady Marmalade (Vaya)
• Stevie Wonder–You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (Tamla)
• The Temptations–Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) (Gordy)
• Maytals–Funky Kingston (Shelter)
• Mongo Santamaria–Sunshine of Your Love (Atlantic)
• Coasters–Love Potion Number Nine (King)
• Gloria Jones–Tainted Love (Champion)
• The Supremes–You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Motown)
• Ray Anthony–C’mon and Swim (Capitol)
• The Carnabeats–Mony Mony (Philips; Japan)
• Harvey Averne Band–Stand (Fania)
• Richard Anthony–Dans Tous Les Pays (Dancing in the Street) (Columbia; France)
• Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez with Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds–Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Norton)
• The Neapolitans featuring The Essentials–Crosstown Traffic (Hot Funky & Sweaty; UK)
• Pigmeat Markham–Here Comes the Judge (Chess)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)
• Aretha Franklin–Rock Steady (Atlantic)
• The Slickers–Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Ice; Jamaica)
• Black Blood–A.I.E. (A Mwana) (Mainstream)
• Les 409–Donne-Moi Ton Amour (Gimme Some Loving) (RCA Victor – Canada International; Canada)
• Billy & the King Bees–Susie Q (Volt)
• Nancy Sinatra–Day Tripper (Reprise; France)
• The Beatles–Taxman (Apple; Japan)
• Donnie Brooks–Hush (Happy Tiger)
• Les Yper Sound–Psyche Rock (Fontana; Italy)

None of these records are for sale. Some may have links to the youtubes for your edification.

Everyone swings at Subway Soul Club!

Can your heart stand it? Three Subway Soul Club events in one year! It looks as if the SSC is back for good, firmly nestled into its new home at the lovely Club Ceremony in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Although it will only operate on a limited basis–perhaps three or four times a year–it looks as if Subway Soul Club enthusiasts can count on it taking place fairly regularly from now on, now that it has found a new home.

Club Ceremony swings!

On September 29, some of the magic from the Subway Soul Club’s time at Rififi was resurrected with its two guest DJs, Mr. Robinson and Miss Shingaling, who both hail from those glory days. Indeed, Subway Soul Club hostess with the mostest Lady Dawn swears that Club Ceremony is the best venue that SSC has had since then. Ceremony has a fabulous dance floor, a wonderful sound system and friendly bartenders that know how to pour a drink.

Mr. Robinson swings at Subway Soul Club!

The guest DJs came armed with their respective soul 45s. Mr. Robinson–who was co-host of the legendary Dig Deeper soul music events of a few years ago–owns some of the rarest soul records in the world, and boy, did he play them! He’s got records so rare that he may have the only copy in existence; we’re talking about acetates, children. When he was in the DJ booth, the happy dancers were shakin’ it to records that they will most likely never hear again!

Miss Shingaling swings at Subway Soul Club!

In total contrast, Miss Shingaling came to the party bearing a large assortment of Motown hits and misses. Most of her sets were comprised of familiar tracks that we all love and enjoy dancing to. Since she moved out of the New York City area (where she was actually Mr. Robinson’s roommate for a while), she has lived somewhere in the South, Buffalo and now San Francisco. It’s been a very long time since she has even been able to attend a Subway Soul Club event, much less DJ at one; so the Subway Soul Club management was very happy to have her on board. Judging by the crowded dance floor, so were the attendees.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Subway Soul Club!

For his part, resident DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus played some old favorites, some new acquisitions and even a few records that he had forgotten he had in his collection all these years. He played the Don Gardner song to honor the man who had recently passed away; his “My Baby Likes to Boogaloo” is one of the greatest records of all time. Three songs by Aretha Franklin were played. She passed in August and served as the poster girl for this event. Even a track by her sister Carolyn was spun to joyful effect.

Lady Dawn, Mr. Robinson, Miss Shingaling and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Subway Soul Club!

Of course, what made the event even sweeter was the distribution of pumpkin-flavored cookies made by Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner. She insists on cooking up something yummy nearly every time Phast Phreddie hosts an event. These cookies did not disappoint!

DJ Honky, Mr. Robinson, Miss Shingaling, Lynne K and Lady Dawn swing at Subway Soul Club!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Subway Soul Club fall event:

• Willie Mitchell–Ooh Baby You Turn Me On (Hi)
• D Cordell Tea Time Ensemble–A Quick One for Sanity (Deram)
• Woody Herman–Sting Ray (Columbia)
• The Four Gents–Wick’s Delight (Liberty)
• The Good Timers–Chain of Fools (Atlantic)
• The Spinners–Sweet Thing (Motown)
• Mel Williams–Can It Be Me (Modern)
• Filets of Sole–Come on Let’s Dance (Savoy)
• Little Eva–Let’s Start the Party Again (Dimension)
• Mickey Denton–One More Time (World Artists)
• The Ambassadors–Doctor Love (Arctic)
• The Flirtations–Change My Darkness Into Light (Josie)
• Maurice Simon and the Pie Men–The Git-Go (Carnival)
• Aretha Franklin–Save Me (Atlantic; UK)
• Arthur K. Adams–Gimmie Some of Your Lovin’ (Modern)
• Linda Lyndell–Here I Am (Volt)
• Jackie Wilson–Boss Line (Brunswick)
• Willie Hutch–Can’t Fight the Power (Soul City)
• The Capitols–We Got a Thing That’s in the Groove (Karen)
• Bob Marshall and the Crystals–Never Seen a Girl Like You (L-Rev)
• Carolyn Franklin–Reality (RCA)
• Marie Claire–Nitty Gritty (Citation; Canada)
• Marva Whitney–Daddy Don’t Know About Sugar Bear (Forte)
• Larry Harlow–That Groovy Shingaling (Fania)
• Herbie Mann–Scratch (Atlantic)
• Aretha Franklin–Respect (Atlantic)
• Don Gardner–My Baby Likes to Boogaloo (Tru-Glo-Town)
• Norman T. Washington–Tip Toe (SLD; France)
• Explosions–Hip Drop Pt. 1 (Gold Cup)
• Johnny Adams–Spunky Onions (Pacemaker)
• Denise LaSalle–The Right Track (Peace)
• Soundsations–Mr. Sensation (BYE)
• The Spellbinders–Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) (Columbia)
• Lou Courtney–I Watched You Slowly Slip Away (Philips)
• Darrow Fletcher–The Pain Gets a Little Deeper (The Groovy Label)
• Marlena Shaw–Let’s Wade in the Water (Cadet)
• Bo Jr.–Coffee Pot – Pt. I (Tail-Gate)
• Aretha Franklin–Tighten Up Your Tie Button Up Your Jacket (Make It for the Door) (Columbia)
• Butch Baker–The Fat Man (St. Lawrence)
• The Question Marks–Doin’ the Thing (Money)
• Benny Poole–Pearl Baby Pearl (Latin Boo-Ga-Loo) (Solid Hit)
• The Mohawks–Ride Your Pony (Pama; UK)
• Billy Watkins–The Rooster Smash (Jay Ree)
• Freddy Scott–Pow City (Marlin)
• The Stereo’s–Stereo Freeze (Hyde)
• Bob Jenkins–The Fairytale Boogalo (Everything Is Up to Date)
• The Seven Souls–Groovin In (Venture)
• The Taffys–Bongo Man (Amy)
• The Stingers–Do the Cissy (Stax)
• Googie Rene Combo–Smokey Joe’s La La (Class)
• Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes–The Madison Time (Pacific Jazz)
• Cliff Nobles & Co.–The Camel (Phil-L.A. of Soul)
• Gene Miller–Sho Is Good (Hi)
• The Bob Kuban Band; vocal by Little Walter–Jerkin’ Time (Norman)
• Chuck-A-Luck & the Lovemen LTD–Whip You (Instrumental) (Tay-Ster)

None of these records are for sale. Dig the links for hot youtubes action!