When one of your parents owns one of the most legendary venues in the world, breaks aren’t hard to come by. Hell, how do you think Pauly “Comedy Store” Shore even got a career? But rich genealogy doesn’t have to be a burden–just ask Tall Paul. Because his father owned…

If turntables outsell electric guitars and everyone and their mother is a DJ, then what exactly sets the Terry Mullans of the world apart? Hailing from Chicago’s fervent dance scene is a start, as Mullan was exposed from an early age to true dance originators such as Farley “Jackmaster” Funk…

In 2002, amidst a flurry of ironic, retro-referencing new-new-wave and electoclash offerings, Metro Area (Morgan Geist & Darshan Jesrani) proved to be the era’s exception. Melding the black disco sound of the early ’80s with Detroit techno’s gritty cold futurism and Chicago house’s abstract track modes, they created a true…

Bay area DJ Lorin Bassnectar appreciates the subtle dynamics inherent in the best trip-hop. Unafraid to stray from the incessant disco thud that characterizes many purveyors of late night, ecstasy-driven cyber-boogie, Bassnectar’s grooves vary from conventional, melodic pop to hip-hop, reggae and classic, bass-filled beats. Wisely taking cues from the…

When a DJ is sometimes only as hot as his latest cut, it’s easy to overlook the legends who made dance music so huge. And more than any of ’em, Marshall Jefferson’s massive thumbprint is tattooed on every four-to-the-floor genre. Techno? He did that. Gospel vocals in a house track?…