Inspired by Aspera773's recent signature, just thought I'd post a tribute to Go-Go, Washington DC's home grown underground brew.

A mix of funk, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, Go-Go is most known for the kinetic percussion arrangements and rhythm sections that borrow from all the musical styles but strong echoes of African and Caribbean percussion. Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Tambourines, Bells, Basic Drum Kits, Drum Machines... they are all in play in Go-Go. For the most part Go-Go bands are cover bands that reinterpret popular songs with a Go-Go beat.

To really appreciate Go-Go it has to be experienced live. It's all about call and response, shout outs, and extended jams. Back in the day, folks crowded into clubs like Kilimanjaro in DC to hear these bands play, or at high schools... Then there were the famous Capital Center All-Star Go-Go concerts with the whole role call of artists.

The Godfather of Go-Go is considered to be Chuck Brown, who with the Soul Searchers, have been rocking DC since the early 70s. On his own, he's done some jazz stuff with folk like Eva Cassidy, but he's best known as the architect of such underground hits like Run Joe, 2001 (from which Prince got that whole "Osama" jam from -- cuz I think Mike Scott introduced him to the whole Go-Go sound), and others.

Other Go-Go notables have been Trouble Funk who played percussion for Grace Jones's "Slave to the Rhythm" (one of the early breakouts for Go-Go). They also had success with "Drop the Bomb" and "Trouble Funk Express" (which borrowed from Kraftwerk's Trans Europe Express" and Afrika Bambaata & Soul Sonic Force's "Planet Rock").

Then there's RE or Rare Essence... with "Do the Mickey" and "The Cabbage Patch." Bands frequently used television show theme songs, and jingles, to make entire songs about dances, similar to some hip hop artists doing the same like the "Pee Wee Herman Dance." RE had other hits like "Work the Walls" and "Lock It" (another dance).

Probably the biggest band to hit mainstream was EU - Experience Unlimited who got their big break with Spike Lee's "School Daze" which showcased their Go-Go classic, "Dabutt" (another dance). They had also done work with Salt n Pepa ("Shake Your Thang"), and had other hits like "Buck Wild." Sugar Bear (the lead singer) tried some slow songs after that, but everyone wanted Go-Go.

MeShell Ndegeocello actually started playing percussion in a Go-Go band, I think. There was an all woman's band called "Pleasure" that was a big deal in 89-90 cuz until that time it was all guys playing.

Hip Hop artists from NY have been well familiar with Go-Go for years during hip hop's early development and incorporated the rhythm if not the sound in their work as well... Doug E Fresh's "The Show" had a strong Go-Go feel that made it a big hit in DC... Salt n Pepa's "My Mic Sounds Nice" was straight up Go-Go. Kurtis Blow also utilized Go-Go in "Basketball."

Go-Go never really made it mainstream cuz it wasn't particularly radio friendly. As stated before, it is primarily performance music and does not transfer well to any recorded format. More emphasis is placed on jamming than on songcraft, so other than Chuck most people dependend on samples, remakes, and covers.

There was an attempt to do a "Breakin" / "Beat Street" style movie, "Good to Go" that would showcase DC's underground culture. But unfortunately the Go-Go scene as such was riddled with the drug war at the time... big time hustlers ruled the scene and Go-Go's (parties/shows) were plagued by violence often causing many venues to refuse Go-Go shows or to institute curphews. "Good to Go" ended up being a sad poorly written / directed film about what was the "murder capital" during the 80s.

Nonetheless, Go-Go had it's own style, dances, sound, hairstyles, clothes, fashion (the madness connection shop on Georgia Avenue with those Mickey and Minnie Good to Go shirts, leather visors with your name imprinted, super tims before they were hip--i'm talkin back in 84 with baggy jeans), language, etc. And was very DC specific. NY had hip hop, Chicago had house, Miami had freestyle... and DC had Go-Go. You could listen to Go-Go tapes and hear your friends and yourself get name checked by the band, shout outs to your neighborhood, or street... Benning Road, Minnesota Avenue, Georgia Avenue...these places assumed mythical status cuz of their being enshrined on tape.

Some classic go-go songs/bands
"Sardines, Pork and Beans" (artist?)
"Movin and Groovin" - Redds and the Boys
"Run Joe" - Chuck Brown
"Work the Walls" - RE
"The Water Dance"
Hot Cold Sweat
Stinky D - "One Track Mind"

Okay I'll let the DC folks help fillin the rest. Where yall at? Wind me up!! If you got song titles, artists, memories of famous gigs, or websites, post them here!
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[This message was edited Tue Oct 8 15:22:23 PDT 2002 by NuPwrSoul]

Reagan ma-kin bombs, Reagan ma-king bombs

That's a lil' Junkyard for ya there..

and btw...."Sardines" was also by Junkyard.
[This message was edited Tue Oct 8 15:30:42 PDT 2002 by LadyCabDriver]

THNX LCD, how could I forget Junkyard?

Dayum where the rest of the DC peeps at?

for folks interested in chuck and go-go, check out his official site:

www.windmeupchuck.com

Yea, this music form really went far.

Who cares how far it went? It goes far in the club 4 the people who get loose to it and far through the speakers 4 those who enjoy it.
Anyway, props 2 NPS on this thread strictly about the LOVE of MUSIC.
Good luck in trying 2 get responses tho'. Not too many know about or appreciate this FREE style.
Soon as I get some time, I'll be back later with some links 4 U.
PEACE

2freaky4church1 said:

co-sign what aspera said. In fact, I like the fact that it has remained an almost exclusive DC-MD-VA thing. For the most part not-co-opted by multinationals. It's DC's calling card.

Used to be a time if you knew about certain close to the street elements of hip hop--that was a way of proving you were REALLY from NYC. Similar house was Chicago's calling card, etc. The only way you could be "down" with a scene is by having been there.

Now a days frauds proliferate. Cuz you can live in west-bubble-f*ck and act like you that thug-n*gg* from the hood.

With go-go you can't front too much. More than likely you can only speak on it with authority if you've been there and checked out the scene for yourself.

Wow some1 actually had enough TIME on their hands 2 vote over 80x 2 bring this down from five stars 2 one.
NPS, who's chord u strike?! Can't grown folx talk about another genre of music they enjoy.
"Maybe how u call us N..."...naw, I ain't goin' there.
Such nastiness.
ONE LOVE

aspera773 said:

LOL. Ya know? A bunch of bammas, I say!