Rob Walsh bikes home and reports from last Thursday night at Call Sick On Friday:

“I just broke the ‘R’ key on my keypad,” says tall lanky rapper Subtitle, aglow in front of his Apple laptop. “We’re just warming up.” My, how times have changed, and my, how technology changes things even further. Years ago an archetypal DJ showcase was one or more turntable wizards bobbing heads, twisting knobs, and changing records with effortless precision. Now here we have two Los Angeles-based gentlemen with iBooks and little else, producing crunchy industrial beats and hip-shaking jams. Tonight (at club Call Sick On Friday) is all Lab Waste’s night at cozy Que Sera. This duo, which is Subtitle (Giovanni Marks) and Thavius Beck, known most recently for his work on Saul Williams’ LP with Trent Reznor, did a splendid job blending the gritty with the booty and created an atmosphere where clubgoers could dance or just be awed by staggering technical expertise. Also included were local DJs Mashed Potatoes, who opened with more traditional scratching and mixing. It was a pleasant expedition into realms undreamed of by previous generations of mixers and masters. By all means, keep eyes and ears out for Lab Waste, and just try and sit still when they do their thing.

Tags: call sick on friday, labwaste, LIVE REVIEW, local music, Music, que sera, subtitle, thavius beck