what makes a soundsystem

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:23 pm

ok,

so outside of the stritly reggae scene we have lazy daze sound system, straightup soundsystem and others (fill in the blanks)

any reason people call themselves soundsystems? I know in reggaeland there are divided schools of thought on this - ie those who keep to the literal meaning of soundsystem, being those running an actual rig, and others who call a soundsystem (or just "sound") a reggae crew who play in a "soundsystem style" ie fx, mc, sampler etc.

further to this, im not sure why other groups non strictly reggae would call themselves a soundsystem? id imagine they dont actually play "in the style of a soundsystem" - probably just a DJ crew?

is it just becuse it sounds cool? is it a musical reference? do some of the sounds they play in a sort of "sound" style? do they have a rig?

unsoundbwoy · Post by **unsoundbwoy** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:28 pm

think lds have a small rig

Andrez · Post by **Andrez** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:30 pm

In my wayward case, it's a small rig that includes lots of odds and ends of disparate devices used to make sounds - from proper muzak machines, to toys, a Dictaphone, mp3 player, distortion box, mic, etc.

And I like the sound of "soundsystem"!

Kilgore_Trout · Post by **Kilgore_Trout** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:55 pm

I always thought a soundsystem was a crew who ran a rig. Dunno about elsewhere, but I know its pretty common in the hard/london techno scene for crews to call themselves soundsystems (ie AKA and Virus in Melbourne), reason being that they all need to run their own rigs for squat parties and also because that scene grew outta the punk scene, which was influenced by reggae.

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:06 pm

ive actually seen more proper non reggae soundsystems in melbourne than it have seen reggae ones...

aka, dysfunkt etc

Kilgore_Trout · Post by **Kilgore_Trout** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:10 pm

Lol. What happened to AKA and those other systems anyway? I remember a couple of parties after Virus packed up, but they dropped off the radar soon after. I miss the old UPN parties, calling up on the night and heading out to dodgy locations in the western suburbs

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:23 pm

aka = rent the rig now

dysfunkt got too busy and sold off gear

grooki · Post by **grooki** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 7:48 pm

hmmm yeah i reckon nowadays people think it sounds cool.....

Johnny Hooves · Post by **Johnny Hooves** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:04 pm

I think it sounds cool

Anyway wot about DJ Uptight, has he finished his rig? I heard he just needed a lorry to move it!

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:39 pm

its like frankenstiens monster - big, loud, impressive but nowhere to use it

Johnny Hooves · Post by **Johnny Hooves** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:53 pm

that right?

wots the specs?

ill find it a gig!

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:04 am

check him via his myspace - linked on my myspace front page

kronz · Post by **kronz** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:38 am

tunes

HotChipps · Post by **HotChipps** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:42 am

didn't an MC use to be called a DJ? Dont you call yourself a DJ? wheres your mic?

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:59 am

HotChipps wrote:didn't an MC use to be called a DJ? Dont you call yourself a DJ? wheres your mic?

Good point.

OB1, Al, myself and others are in a group called Auburn Rd that's just getting our stuff together at the moment. If we perform as ASS (Auburn Soundsystem), that means we run the whole night - booking support DJ's to play, the venue etc etc... Ie. if the night is bigger than Auburn Rd, it's Auburn Soundsystem.

We were going to call ourselves Auburn Soundsystem, but there's too many crews with similar names. And yes, we are (will be) a live band.

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:03 pm

Direktor wrote:
HotChipps wrote:didn't an MC use to be called a DJ? Dont you call yourself a DJ? wheres your mic?
Good point.

OB1, Al, myself and others are in a group called Auburn Rd that's just getting our stuff together at the moment. If we perform as ASS (Auburn Soundsystem), that means we run the whole night - booking support DJ's to play, the venue etc etc... Ie. if the night is bigger than Auburn Rd, it's Auburn Soundsystem.

We were going to call ourselves Auburn Soundsystem, but there's too many crews with similar names. And yes, we are (will be) a live band.

What he said...

almax · Post by **almax** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:06 pm

bust yer speaker with the bassline...

Ive seen Shapeshifter call themselves the soundsystem when its just one of em DJ'n and P Diggs MC'n so instead of their whole band playing, its just their "soundsystem"

ShiKung · Post by **ShiKung** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:47 pm

FoundationStepper wrote:
ok,

so outside of the stritly reggae scene we have lazy daze sound system, straightup soundsystem and others (fill in the blanks)

and others who call a soundsystem (or just "sound") a reggae crew who play in a "soundsystem style" ie fx, mc, sampler etc.

id imagine they dont actually play "in the style of a soundsystem" - probably just a DJ crew?

is it just becuse it sounds cool? is it a musical reference? do some of the sounds they play in a sort of "sound" style? do they have a rig?

On Friday Lazy Daze Sound System include 2 MCEE's 3 DJs, 1 playin original tunes and 2 Djs on 3 turntables doing live mixing and sampling of instrumental beats and voacal samples.

We played REGGAE, Hip Hop and Funky Break Beats.

We now and always have considered ourselves a sound system because we are a collective of like minded DJs/MCs/Vocalists ready to play almost any situation. We have travelled with our own and hired set ups before to bring our own Rig to the party. And have also included Percusiion and live instrumentation in the past.

I feel very grateful to have been inspired by Jamican culture as every DJ, MC and party co-ordinator has been. Let us not forget where it all began!

I hope that I have not offended any PURISTS by being inspired by such a unique special culture!

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:55 pm

Im not offended by anything here... just an interesting point of conversation

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:59 pm

anyway you know im no purist

ShiKung · Post by **ShiKung** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:11 pm

yeah I know but i have encountered people that have been a bit offended in the past! But what can you do??

Andrez · Post by **Andrez** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:25 pm

...what's in a word?

a1studmuffin · Post by **a1studmuffin** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:44 am

...

(tries to resist the urge)

...

(resistance waning)

...

Words in papers, words in books!
Words on tv, words for crooks!
Words of comfort, words of peace!
Words to make the fighting cease!
Words to tell you what to do!
Words are working hard for you!
Eat your words but dont go hungry!
Words have always nearly hung me!!!

Lephrenic · Post by **Lephrenic** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:22 pm

ShiKung wrote:I hope that I have not offended any PURISTS by being inspired by such a unique special culture!

I don't think Kool Herc offended anyone in that regard.

nic · Post by **nic** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:25 pm

Citizen Smif wrote:

rofl