JAMS Memorial Day weekend shindig took place on a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon. The talented group of DJs brought a sizzling line-up of funk, surf rock, and hip-hop to the lawn of everyone party kid's favorite neighborhood bar, Laser Wolf.
The center courtyard was transformed into a perfect summertime picnic/BBQ/pool-side wonderland, covered in patriotic decor. When we got there at around 1 p.m., folks were already spilling out to the Wolf's doors with their beach towels and sheets, quickly congregating around the piece de resistance: A rather sizable kiddie pool filled to the brim with dozens and dozens of dollar-store squirtguns and JAMS beach balls.
When people finally had enough of the sweltering heat -- which was pretty much immediately -- insanity broke loose. Fighting off heat-stroke took the consumption of deliciously potent framboise and champagne mimosas and friend-on-friend water violence. No one was safe. Most of the crowd double fisted their weapons of choice as they chased each other around screaming, "Don't spray my phone, don't get my phone wet!!!"
Whether it be the water guns or overflowing sake bloody Marys -- another Sunday Funday staple provided by the brunch-refreshment-loving bartenders at Laser Wolf -- everyone was getting pretty damn wet-n-wild.
As DJs Esoteric, Damask, and Mikey R. of Radio-Active Records pumped out the sing-along, dance-along tunes, ladies and gentlemen took up hula hoops which were scattered about, alternating between showing off their skills, laughing at their lack of coordination, and taking sips from glasses of Laser Wolf's many craft beers (the framboise/champagne mimosas ran out early in the afternoon, they were too delicious to pass up).
Then, the rain. Come on, it wouldn't be summer in South Florida without the sky turning from perfectly clear and sunny to torrential rain. Thunder and lightning randomly filled the air mid-day. Rain or not, the hardcore crowd at Jamburger Hill was not phased. With a brief intermission to move the extensive amount of DJ equipment to drier land, it wasn't long before Kristof took to the ones-and-twos and the party was back on.
Toward the later half of the afternoon, and largely due to the dreary change in weather, the crowd simmered down a bit just in time for Black Locust Society's Gaps to take the mic. Donning a pair of guitar shaped red-white-and-blue American flag sunglasses, he woke the crowd up with his set, freestyling and rhyming over Astrea Corporation's electronic beat master Mike Astrea's mix. Gaps danced and the people danced back, and the party was in full swing once again.
Second wind in tow, the crowd spilled back onto the lawn, spawning a death-match-esque battle of strength and speed to avoid being tossed into the pool. Radio-Active Records' Mikey R. was the first to make the splash, followed by fellow DJ Damask and "customer of the month" Brian Stuck. The boy brawl had the crowd roaring, there were cheers, and, as far as we know, pneumonia was avoided.
Jamburger Hill was a blast. These dudes of JAMS, Radio-Active Records, Laser Wolf, Gaps, and the rest of the BLS fam know how to throw one helluva party. We may have all been cruelfully sunburned and painfully hungover, but it was totally worth it. We caught up with the guys the next morning and asked them what their favorite patriotic songs are in honor of Memorial Day... So, without further ado, four fuck-yeah-'Merica bangers for ya.
1. From Team America, World Police - "Freedom Isn't Free (It costs a buck-oh-five)"
DJ Damask's fav. While not a typical choice, it perfectly and sarcastically represents America's love of funny and often times inappropriate television.
2. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
JAMS DJ Kristof's pick, born out of a frustration with the American way -- still resonates today. And folks, that frustration is part of being American.
3. Don Mclean - "American Pie"
Need we say more? DJ Esoteric's pick is a song we all know the words to and is an American rock 'n' roll staple.
4. Grandfunk Railroad - "We're an American Band"
Mikey R.'s pick is another classic nod to America's rock roots.
JAMS and Mikey R. host No Jacket Required every Thursday night at Laser Wolf, 901 Progresso Drive, Fort Lauderdale. "No jerks, yes beer!" 21 and over.
