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.)