With a capacity of about 75-100 people, Carbon LA is one of Culver City’s most dynamic music bar lounges. Different Djs spin on the 1s and 2s, bringing the freshest material to this local twenty one and over hang out spot every night. This was no ordinary Monday night at Carbon. It was night four of PB Wolf’s 888 tour, and I was eager to see the crowd. Given its maximum occupancy, being there when the doors opened was probably my best bet. But like any busy LA kid, the phrase “doors open at eight o clock” meant that I would be parking my car at 10:30. As I approached the line, all I heard was chatter about the wait time.
A group of about 8 locals waited patiently in front of my guest and I, as they bickered about how this was the fullest the house had ever been in two years. Surprised at the amount of clientele Carbon had attracted on a Summer Monday night, the ‘regulars’ begin to survey a portion of the patient waiting crowd. There was a rather mixed crowd: many were regulars simply trying to reconvene at the usual spot, while others were followers of PB Wolf’s 8 day musical crusade through Los Angeles.
Given the vast diversity of those in attendance, there were incessant attempts to enter. Even guest list-ers were expected to wait in line while those less knowledgeable of PB Wolf diffused the crowd and stumbled away from the parking lot. House security and management was very friendly, as they consistently updated the crowd on the status of admittance and PB Wolf’s performance. Women were being let in as they arrived, given that the ratio was incredibly disproportionate. Unfortunately for me, having taken one of boys was the only thing keeping me from walking through the doors. It was about midnight before we were let in, and we were the last group to enter the jam-packed room, pulling the URB magazine card. PB Wolf went on at about ten minutes later, which in the end didn’t turn out to be too bad for us since we only missed the pre-party sweat.
So what was all the hype about? Was the line actually worth it? You bet it was! From the moment he began, PB Wolf captivated the audience. Taking us on a journey through the Boogie era, this set was definitely a great balance of a couple decades of hype. The reaction to some tunes by The Time was remarkable, as I heard everyone around me chant about, “Ice Cream Castles in the summertime.” Needless to say, continuous ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ filled the air, and those around me continued to let go of their inhibitions to songs like “Jam on It” by Newcleus. At the short age of 21, I must admit this took me way back—- as far back as before my In Living Color days. There were about five TV screens hosting the antiquated, yet ever so refreshing videos that reminded me of the different hair-dos and clothing styles– that even some of the crowd members were rockin.
Although lack of a roof would have made for a fresher backyard boogie atmosphere, the condensation of sweat on bodies and ice in cups, merely represented the intensity of the fervent climate. Whether grinding with a partner, drinking by the bar, rollin with the entourage, or jamming alone, the mixed boogie tunes seemed to unanimously move the crowd. A packed house marked the ever present appreciation for PB Wolf’s mixing and the make-you-get-off-your-feet-and-dance boogie.
After watching the dope set in sweat and intense heat, I decided to take a break to enjoy a glass of water. As I walk outside, I bump into PB Wolf and decide to chat with him for a few minutes. He claimed to have had a great time, and was expressing his meticulousness in trying incorporate a balance of popular boogie material, while making sure to leave the crowd with some more underground jams. The balance was just about right— the steady grinding was often accompanied by cheering and clapping; and I was introduced to a few tunes that made me walk away saying, “What was that he just played?” After checking out his attire- white tee, Blue LA Dodger hat, some all star classics, an ‘8’ chain, and some metal knuckle rings (the perfect combo for this classic performance), I decided to take the last few snapshots of the night.
While the line and wait time may have been a little Hollywood, the crowd definitely had a unique and classic flavor, deeming this one of the best Monday nights I could have spent in Los Angeles. And in the end, it only took me a few minute to drive home from this backyard boogie.
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