We met up early in the day to start partying & too watch the UFC fight. We left Cabo Cantina at the End of Washington blvd, very near where my good friends (formerly known as “The Shaw Boys”) live at around 8:45. We were inside and trying to figure out how to get down to the floor at The Forum by 9:30. Crystal Castles was playing and the place was filling up fast. Tons of party people were all over the place and ready to get-get-get, get down!!! We were finding it very difficult to get down to the floor so we tried to get the closest seats we could find. The floor was lowered about 15 or so feet below where the seats were. It’s where they held the Olympics in ‘84, just to give you and idea of the space we are dealing with here, capacity of around 17,000. Turned out the seats we were in were VIP, so we got booted and just went up to an empty area to chill. We drank and partied, hoping that everything would start poppin again. They had brought out Chromeo’s gear and everyone waited for a while.

Someone finally got on the Mic and said that everyone needed to find a seat and that the floor was closed, there were too many people. This was after one act! People did not like this so they rushed from every where to get down to the floor, most of the leaping over the railing, dropping down to the concrete.

The Los Angeles County Fire Dept. was warning the promoters that something had to happen to get everyone under control. They tried to chill everyone out and move everyone back, which went surprisingly well. Soon after around 11:30pm, my friends Tim & Courtney came back from the bathrooms and told us that riot police were flooding in, they were going to tell everyone that they had to leave and the party was shut down. We were super bummed but we left…

I’m not sure how it happened but I was instantly separated from everyone. I didn’t seem to care though. I made it to an area of the parking lot where about 20 mini-raves were spewing out of the trunks of cars. I started asking around to see what everyone was doing since there was no more HARD, but no one seemed to know.

I decided to start my own party. Knowing that my friends were headed back to their place, I called and made sure it was cool if I brought the party with me, they had no objections. Then a beautiful girl asked me if I knew of any parties. I replied, “of course, follow me!” She was with atleast 10 people. Others may have followed, I’m not quite sure, but I know that multiple cabs made their way back to the end of Washington Blvd. I must say when such a big group got out of those cabs in their party digs, everyone in the crowded area focused on us.

When we arrived back, there were already around 20 or so people and Tim was DJing in the back. In that 3 bedroom apt we had at least 50 people rockin out. People were just stumbling in off the beach and streets. I don’t think anyone expected soo many people to be there, but everyone kept on having a good time. I mainly stayed in the back spinning and hanging out with all the new people I had met. There was mini HARD going on for sure! People were dancing and goin crazy. At one point in time, Cory Mathews, from the sitcom, Boy Meets World was in the back watching the madness happen! WTF!!! We broke up the fun around 4-5ish in the morning to get all of the “strangers” out.

About 15 people remained, everyone hung out on the beach and walked to the end of the pier, awaiting the sun. Some went to sleep, but a few remained and after sunrise went back inside to try to pass out. Space was limited, I wish i had photos of the domino situation that happened on the couch, where about four people had sat down, the leaned to their right and fell asleep. The rest of us watched whatever was on TV and for a few hours got some rest.

The remaining people left around 10AM, much to my dismay. Now I was alone in the living room, laying on the couch, sun blaring, about to fall asleep. Then I hear a door open, one of the people that actually lived there came out of their rooms, it was Tim. Well, looks like I’m not going to get any sleep, not that I really would have anyway. Soon after everyone woke up. Only to start all over again, I hear, “let’s go get bottomless mimosas round the corner!” I put on my shades and was back on the grind. A bit of food & drink, then I went and passed out on the beach while everyone played as if last night, never happened. I was careful to sleep in my hoodie and jeans, as to not get burned. I caught a ton of shit and had my balls busted for this, but it was probably better than what would happened if I had gotten 3rd degree burns from laying unconscious under the LA sun all afternoon. Around 6 or so we went back in for a bit, then a few of us went and got some burgers at Hinanos near by. That was about all I could take and headed home around 9 and asleep by 11.

What more can I say, what initially started out as one of the most disappointing experiences, ever, turned out to be a great time! I met some great new people (one in particular) & I got to be the DJ, instead of watch the DJ,!
(though I also must say, Destructo & the others behind HARD need to get their shit together! They should have been better prepared or chosen a better venue. They are offering a refund, but I would have given far more than $60 to see that line-up. Sadly it may never happen again, because what are the chances all of those acts will be available at the same time again?)

The day finally came for the much anticipated Shawapalooza party. There were about 300 or more people expected. We were set. It was going to be the party to end all Shaw parties.

There were a good 100 people there by around 4PM and the police had come a few times, when the landlord showed up and told everyone they had to leave. It was quite the bummer. The Whiskey Saints & the super hyped debut performance of the Buck Juan Criz, had not even happened yet. I must say that the police would definitely have come if that had happened.

Everyone left for a bit then about 70 or so people ended up coming back. It was a great time and everyone got re-tarded. Everyone came inside when it got dark and SParrow & Mr. Goodling (Joel’s Dad). Played some songs and everyone sang. Drunken campfire singing, sans the fire.

Then it was time for The Buck Juan Criz show, inside. Everyone was super stoked & no one knew what to expect. Joel started things off. He rapped and introed all of us. People went nuts. Then we started the show. The first track is destined to make people get Buck wild, hence our name. We actually did the show out of order, but it didn’t matter. I must say I think people were impressed. I hope to keep the Criz workin on new shiz. We’re doin big things!

Time jumped on the decks for a few hours then we took turns spinning for a while. People got crazier & crazier as the night went on. It seemed like people just kept showing up. Our spinning turned into more of a spectator event than a dance party as it got later, but it was still fun. Over all the party, though it did not go as planned, was quite a time. I wonder where the homies are gonna move to now?

BUCKJUANCRIZ.com

@BUCKJUANCRIZ

You can also find all my/(our) music and my other work on my website…

04.15.2009 MIX

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04.14.2009 MIX Part 2

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04.14.2009 MIX Part 1

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Solid Gold – The Golden Filter from golden filter on Vimeo.