Dope decades?
DJs Mike Carlson and Papi Love on spinning the ’80s and ’90s
DJ Papi Love
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Though they hit the peak of their relevance more than two decades ago, Bruce Springsteen and U2 are sitting high on Amazon.com’s bestsellers list, proving that many folks would rather sink deep into their own nostalgia than be sucked into the current climate of pop culture. Perhaps that’s why the Majestic Theatre is hosting its third ’80s Vs. ’90s “DJ battle” Saturday night. It involves veteran Madison DJs Mike Carlson and Papi Love switching off with decade-centric spins, and Papi will throw in some live-edited clips from the likes of Gremlins, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, and dated music videos. The two turntablists sat down with Decider to discuss both the retro-craze and whether or not modern pop music will have any staying power.
Decider: Why do you think people go ballistic over the ’80s and ’90s? Do you believe we are in an era of pop decadence?
Mike Carlson: I think that a lot of the ’80s and ’90s’ appeal is that it’s kind of like the ’50s. It is really recognizable and nostalgic for a lot of people. The ’90s are kind of a “looked upon fondly” sort of era in a lot of people’s lives because it wasn’t crappy finances and that, so people were partying a little more. It’s cool that people, even kids that weren’t born in the ’80s, know the ’80s songs.
Papi Love: I think music is just a great memory keeper. Some people had their best times in the ’80s and ’90s and now they’re stuck with five kids and a bad job or something. They just want to go back when things were cool.
D: What sort of dusty garments have people been digging out of their storage unit for previous '80s Vs. '90s parties?
MC: It’s pretty dope.... I’ve seen a lot of side ponytails, sweatbands, and old ’80s prom dresses. I haven’t seen as much representation of the ’90s, in terms of big fat rave pants.
PL: I saw a really ballsy “Steve Urkel” get-up, with suspenders and everything. Also, I have these glasses from the late ’80s that have the little Michael Knight [Knight Rider] lights on the top. They look like a mirror across the lenses, like the Terminator. I’ll be wearing those for sure.
D: Do you believe that we will revisit the current state of pop culture in 20 years?
PL: Oh yeah, for sure (laughs). After 2010 we’re going to have early-2000s parties. However, I really hope that aliens can’t hear what we’re listening to right now, because they’ll blow us up for some of the stuff that has come out lately.
Mike Carlson: I think that a lot of the ’80s and ’90s’ appeal is that it’s kind of like the ’50s. It is really recognizable and nostalgic for a lot of people. The ’90s are kind of a “looked upon fondly” sort of era in a lot of people’s lives because it wasn’t crappy finances and that, so people were partying a little more. It’s cool that people, even kids that weren’t born in the ’80s, know the ’80s songs.
Papi Love: I think music is just a great memory keeper. Some people had their best times in the ’80s and ’90s and now they’re stuck with five kids and a bad job or something. They just want to go back when things were cool.
D: What sort of dusty garments have people been digging out of their storage unit for previous '80s Vs. '90s parties?
MC: It’s pretty dope.... I’ve seen a lot of side ponytails, sweatbands, and old ’80s prom dresses. I haven’t seen as much representation of the ’90s, in terms of big fat rave pants.
PL: I saw a really ballsy “Steve Urkel” get-up, with suspenders and everything. Also, I have these glasses from the late ’80s that have the little Michael Knight [Knight Rider] lights on the top. They look like a mirror across the lenses, like the Terminator. I’ll be wearing those for sure.
D: Do you believe that we will revisit the current state of pop culture in 20 years?
PL: Oh yeah, for sure (laughs). After 2010 we’re going to have early-2000s parties. However, I really hope that aliens can’t hear what we’re listening to right now, because they’ll blow us up for some of the stuff that has come out lately.
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