7.26.2007

Our Mission Statement (and debut post)

24 Hour Party People is a throwback to the old D.I.Y. music fanzines of the 1970s and 80s, a breath of fresh (hot?) air in a world of news stands increasingly filled by soulless music rags more interested in silly haircut bands filled up on more hype than a helium balloon than in the actual music being made. In contrast 24 Hour Party People serves no corporate masters and advertisers will make concessions to our needs and wants rather than vice versa. And like the salad days of fanzine journalism we will try to make sense of changing trends, dethrone the "kings of old", and make tired stories new again. Most of all we celebrate the journalists (at least those who can deliver the goods) as much as the story, contrary to what other, more conservative, online 'zines believe. It is only in the freak dance worship/stroking of the grotesque ego belonging to the freelance weirdo that the truly inspired words of cats like Lester Bangs, Richard Meltzer, Claude Bessy, Biba Kopf, Bill Brewster, and Simon Reynolds were allowed to spill out into existence. While our drugs of choice may be slightly different than those men (we also plan on stick around the planet earth a little longer than some of these dudes too) this blog chooses to celebrate (wallow in?) in the sort of literate but mostly malevolent type of critical debauchery.

24 Hour Party People recognizes that the truly inspired and great music of today is that (and only that) which is presented and mixed by the DJ, a special place where genres and even eras are not distinguished and national borders are evaporated in pursuit of what Pere Ubu once called "The Modern Dance". Everything else is banal chicanery and we will take the time to call out those who are fakin' the funk whilst in pursuit of "The Modern Dance".

24 Hour Party People believes that real DJs (think Ron Hardy, Afrika Bambaataa, or David Mancuso and not Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, or other types of "tinkerbell" deejays) are restless pioneers perpetually championing new artists and sounds out in the streets. They are the revolution's metaphorical jackbooted guerrillas on the street. "What revolution?", you ask gentle reader, perhaps afraid that this blog may lead to some sort of rioting or possible looting in your neighborhood. Fear not we are peace loving malcontents who see music as the key to unlock a world of gorgeous desires and limitless freedoms. We are frustrated that the world chooses to be choked with politics and hopped up on fear. But instead of burying our heads in a pile of pills or other forms of the indulgent hedonism you'd expect from a blog called 24 Hour Party People we've chosen to dive into this world grown damp and rotten headfirst. We are bolstered by what we've learned about passion and community on the dance floor last weekend, the weekend previous, and the one before that, ad infinitum. Instead of firing bullets and artillery our ammo is recognition of those great labels, artists, and individuals fighting the good fight wherever they may be and we've got friends in as far flung places as Bulgaria, South Africa, and even good old Northern California-our base of operations in case you were wondering. Whatever voice these folks choose to express it in- be it the amazing Elektra catalog of the 60s and early 70s, the b-boy explosion of the Bronx and Queens colliding with the ripped shirt decadence of the original Manhatten punks somewhere in the early 80s, and on into hardcore, hip-hop and electro, post punk, and house . We believe the culmination was Detroit techno-which was the turning of the tide from the silly luddite traditionalism of rock n roll and it's clinging to trite verse-chorus-verse styles into a musics more suited for the world us humans inhabit-the world of automation. Author David Toop first romanticized about this world of automated soundscapes in his book Ocean Of Sound pointing to disco as the first cracks in pop music's knuckle dragging armor with its focus squarely on the DJ and his records. Having arrived in the post-everything culture there is now no one voice that is superior to any other, in fact we believe that there is a straight line that connects all of these underground cultures of yore to each other and that the DJ can always be found at the center of them all. Each new style and violent upheaval-be it the dawn of new wave in '73 or the summer of love back in '88 all came at the cusp of some great stasis and its participants and proponents were not abject to making mortal sacrifices because as a great Detroit band once said "...the future is here right now if you're willing to pay the cost." We believe this to be true.

24 Hour Party People is a unique global community, always building and perpetually improving; networked together by the miracle of modern informational technologies which we feel are perfectly in line with the techno music we love and cherish. Contributors including writers, editors, artists, and advertisers who share in our populist voice and wish to help our voice grow stronger are encouraged to join the movement. No voice or viewpoint is irrelevant as long as contributors understand and believe that music is the only redeemer in the age of post theism, mental fascism, and unending war. While the 21st Century ain't lookin too bright, 24 Hour Party People welcomes the global experience but passion is the requirement to get aboard this ride. One group of folks we really feel is vibing on our tip are the talented folks doing Demon Days but there are certainly lots more.


24 Hour Party People
is one man, a mission statement, and a passionate dream. My name is Sean-Michael Yoder, for many years I ran a DJ record store called VinylJunkie.com. Now that vinyl collecting has become a secondary concern to most I have chosen to return to my roots by writing about music. I have been DJing since I was 15 and am well into my third decade of present music as such. When I started mixers were expensive and bulky and turntables makeshift. I have seen a lot of changes, some for the better (Ableton Live) some not so good (the second wave of trance) but my lust for new sounds has yet to be abated. This is my forum to provide myself a create outlet to share with fellow pilgrims as well as initiating a global music conference of which I am but one (small) voice. You are invited!

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