Dancing is its own universal truth. You don’t need to understand the
lyrics in order to know whether something makes you move. This week,
Seattle hosts a slew of guests from across the continent and across the
pond, united in a mission get the party started.
Thursday is a French invasion at Chop Suey. The Institubes Paris
Terror Club tour hits Seattle, and it’s looking to be yet another
instance of the French imposing their hard-partying ways on our barely
prepared populace. Para One and Orgasmic (members of the TTC
collective) are likely going to leave the slower stuff at home, with
Para One dropping rave anthems instead of synthy soundscapes, and
Orgasmic going with electro and Miami bass. Surkin is just over
drinking age, but his output reveals the soul of an old partier, with
equal reverence shown to house and rave. And Curses! is another moniker
for NYC’s Drop the Lime, who made Re-bar go crazy with his first
appearance last year. Rave on.
This month’s edition of Broken Disco brings Spain’s much-heralded
Alex Under. In the same way some bands are better seen live than
recorded, the buzz for Alex Under follows the “Best live set ever!”
template, with nary a mention of his production. Listening to his 2006
Mutek appearance, you can begin to understand the praise. The set is
techno at its finest, succeeding whether you’re looking to shake your
ass or geek out over sonic minutiae. There aren’t many that can strike
that balance. Also playing is Dean DeCosta, who’s got an appreciation
for deep sounds to go along with his own heady production.
For all you househeads looking to see someone new, you might want to
swing by Crimson C on Saturday night for the Seattle debut of the UK’s
the Littlemen. Despite the punk band name, the Littlemen are an
up-and-coming house production duo (“up and coming” being a bit of a
misnomer; they’ve been around since 1999 and have over 20 releases
under their belt). They’re touring in support of their debut album,
Walkin’ Sideways, out on their own label, Mobile Trax, which
explores more of the duo’s sound beyond house music, keeping the funk
while dropping the thump.
Also Saturday, the electro-rap antics of Florida’s Yo Majesty!. I
don’t care what other plans you think you have, this is where you need
to be if you care about seeing great live music. The trio of butch,
female rappers leave all reserve in the green room, doing whatever it
takes to get the crowd hype, including going topless while they rap
over their eight-bit beats. It’s not shtick, just a group of performers
willing to go the extra mile to “get yo ass on da flo’.” 
Para One, Surkin, Orgasmic, and Curses! play Chop Suey, Thurs
Sept 13, 9 pm–2 am, $10, 18+.
Alex Under and Dean DeCosta play Broken Disco at Chop Suey, Fri
Sept 14, 9 pm–2 am, $12, 18+.
The Littlemen play Crimson C, Sat Sept 15, 9 pm–2 am, $10,
21+.
Yo Majesty! play at Chop Suey, Sat Sept 15, 9 pm–2 am, $10
adv, 21+.