All roads lead to speedbass Speedbass Barnstorming Across the Western US SAN FRANCISCO-- Speedbass is now barnstorming its way across the American Midwest and West Coast. Do-it-yourself techie minimalists familiar with travelling the open highways are bringing the feeling of the wide open road into fashion. At their parties one can witness fire performances, circus stunts, free running dogs and road worn vehicles. Musically, it's a postmodern drum and bass/gabber techno hybrid with no speed limits. Its roots lie in a combination of readily available european vinyl, homebrew electronic musicians working with simple tools and travelling sound systems with booming bass speakers. Loud legato bass tones bend and rumble into machine gun tempos underneath spiraling sound effects. DJs such as Asscrack, TNT and OST are radically changing speeds on the dance floors with high intensity turntable cut-ups. Lock groove records playing at 45 +8, as fast as they go, are a trademark of this new sound, and the seminal white label recording "Undertow" by Electric Creek has been an early favorite along with the group Onions of Armageddon. And even though it's in its early stages, Speed Bass is spawning subgenres such as: Porn Bass, with audio samples from adult videos; Bass Rodeo, which incorporates traditional Mexican and Country Western bass lines in doubletime; and Mutant Bass-- where extended bass solos, tempo shifts and dub effects are more prominent. DJ Goldilox cuts a speedbass silhouette at Burningman 98 Many speedbassheads have rejected the candy raver and club kid fashions of the early 90s in favor of a strangely practical look-- that of the cowboy. One influence has been that outdoor events-- such as the annual Autonomous Mutant Festival-- are often held in wildly remote landscapes, encouraging the use of sturdy clothing. The illicit nature of many of these gatherings have led the participants to a sort of countryside camouflage: look like the local folk, who are park rangers, loggers and ranch hands. Ultra-durable logger pants from the Pacific Northwest are a must-have. The Young urbanite Speed Bass kids tend to mix this pragmatic rustic style with a 90s reinterpretation of the 80s goth look, leaning towards long hooded coats and sweatshirts. Motorcycle paraphernalia bridges the gap between these two styles, and tends to represent a 'Born to Be Wild' feeling the Speed Bass enthusiasts take on the road between parties. Far from having a favorite 'secret drug' that is in vogue, the Speed Bass scene is more an all-inclusive smorgasbord, with a bias towards good old fashioned shots of whiskey and a party til you drop mentality. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------