More Tonic, Please.

18 September 2008
Gin, Greenside

flickerr
email checkerr

On one of those whims that catch us every so often, I decided to go to the trendy Gleneagles Road in Greenside.

"Why?" You may ask.
I suggest to look up the word "whim" and understand.

After circling the block twice, looking for parking, we squeeze through the single glass door into a hot, sticky, tiny cavern, filled with people and chairs and enough paraphernalia to start a riot. Once inside, a contrast greeted me: the music, thanks to Mr.checkerr started out with indie-pop throwbacks - The Strokes, The Hives, Blur and Digitalism. It all went over well with the odd crowd, seated in their odd seating-arrangements. Good music, but strange people and a stranger venue. The evidence that this is a "Lounge Bar" or something equally pretentious is ubiquitous. There is dancing room for perhaps twenty people (if that), but space enough for huge tables, chairs and Ottomans. Here too were people who frequented "Lounge Bars". They were dressed like they planned something special - make up was bright, t-shirts were too tight. Also, unintentional rhyming is cool again.

Projected on the back wall were Mr. flickerr's stop animation graphics. They jumped and moved so fast, seizures would have been a common dance move. Yes, it was intense, but awesome, like a shot of adrenalin to the system, enhancing the music blasted out near my vantage point. Neon and action figures featured prominently as things moved into electro territory. The music and visuals really worked well together, which isn't surprising, considering Mr. flikker and Mr. checkerr are related. Had they not complimented each other - they would have been the worst sibling pair ever. Yes, worse than Cain and Abel.

The dancers had a good time, and so did I. But I left, slightly unnerved by this new scene. Everything in this street was too clean and the people didn't even smell that bad. Maybe I hate their cleanliness, but maybe it was because I didn't actually know anyone there.

I think that's more likely.