The Spirit of Tokyo Star

Looking back at the photos we've captured at Tokyo Star this year, a warm glowy feeling comes over us. We remember all the fun times, all the drunk times and all the parties which rocked the night away. We've seen some crazy moments at ol' Tokyo this year, and next year promises to bring many more moments equally as crazy and captivating.

2008 is just around the corner and we're looking forward to the endless oppurtunities it brings as well as the chance to meet new people, throw even bigger parties and drink more Tokyo slush! There's no party like a Tokyo party after all...

And what is it that makes Tokyo Star so unique, friendly and party-worthy? In the words of one of our fave DJs, Tomcat, "It's like being in an episode of Cheers everytime I walk through the door." Everyone knows your name!
You can't beat that kind of feeling...

But before we take the leap towards 2008, a moment must be taken to remember 2007. Here goes: Renovations launched a whole new Tokyo, introducing us to the possibility of bigger dancefloors, bigger crowds and some far-reaching DJs. Imports from Cape Town have seen the likes of Sibot and Fletcher brought to our Joburg decks. Keeping it local however we haven't forgotten any of our faves who keep us dancing day in and day out. A shout out must go to all our resident DJs (especially those who've taken the time to fill out our questionaires). Lets hear it for Richard the Third, Tomcat, Datakashi, Darkwing, Sassquatch, DJ Ill Type, Fokolnonsens, Klassikist, Dirty Tricks and our Wednesday faves, the Reflew Crew.

And our 90s parties have kept everyone reminiscing about the good old days, and dancing all those horrible memories away...!

We can't however mention DJs and not have a moment to remember two Fridays ago when a wind blew in from the North carrying the DJ who is Krafty Kuts. A Tokyo birthday was never experienced in such a beautiful and mind-blowing way as it was that night. A very happy birthday for Tokyo indeed!

The renovations at Tokyo also made space for a whole new bunch of friends. Old regulars keep coming back for more, while a whole new breed of newbies keep visiting us eager for Tokyo slush, rocking underground music and an all round party! The new bar behind the dancefloor encourages all this and has produced an increased need for lovely bar-ladies, something which this year has taken to the max. A whole bundle of gorgeous girls keep the booze flowing and the good times going!

But with the Tokyo bloggers heading off to the beach (finally!), don't think we're abandoning you (or atleast we're not yet). Tokyo Star will be staying open until the 22nd this year to keep all those who can't quite make it to the coast happy with festive cheer! We open again on the 9th of January, and you can expect a welcome back party above and beyond any New Year party you may have witnessed!

So to all the readers of our little blog, we'll be back before you know it, and in the meantime have a rad holiday (wherever it may be!) and don't forget to pop by before we close, and definitely come back next year to say hi...

Happy holidays!

A few more features before we head off to the beach. Check out Greenhouseffect's interview, and vote in all our new 2008 style polls!

Quickfire Q's
Fave Toothpaste
Mark: Aquafresh
Jamie: don't brush
Brent: I try brush my teeth as often as possible
Ian: extreme fresh whitening happy fun show paste

Fave Cartoon Character
Mark: Calvin & hobbes
Jamie: darkwing duck (that guy rocks...hehehe)
Brent: Homer simpson (has to be)
Ian: marvin the martrian... best villian ever or stewie from family guy

Fave international act
Mark: RHCP
Jamie: Tom Waits
Brent: Legal Carriage of Marijuana Act, just kidding, shit I cant say I have seen many international acts live, but I would give my left ball to see J5 live or maybe System of a Down
Ian: jack? and the travelling bolshoi theatre

Fave dinosaur
Mark: Velocoraptor
Jamie: The ever elusive Clitaurus
Brent: Doyouthinkhesaurus
Ian: dino (from mario bros)

Fave local act
Mark: the Privates
Jamie: Privates, Smoots
Brent: Real Estate Agents, Privates, Obita
Ian: smoots

Fave boardgame
Mark: monopoly
Jamie: Bored of games
Brent: Cranium, Weakest Link (only if I can be Fiona)
Ian: 30 seconds... card games? poker...

Fave drinking game
Mark: coinage
Jamie: Fuck the Bus
Brent: Drink, Drink, Fall Down Game
Ian: when i grow up ill tell u... still havent had a drink b4

Intense Intimidating Questionaire
How did you lovely men meet?
Mark: I met brent through dom as they studied at the same IT college and i met jamie through brent at somebodys else boozing it up...as usual. I met ian also through Dom and some of his friends.
Jamie: In the lesotho highlands herding goats
Brent: I remember the day as if it was yesterday, the warm summer breeze on my neck, the sound of children laughing in the distance and the stench of three week old beer stains and putrified foam sound proofing, scorched yellow with cigarette and marijuana smoke... aaah those were the days.
Ian: cant remember... there was weed involved

What do you love most about Tokyo Star?
Mark: The staff who work there :)
Jamie: The fact that i can spend minimal money, wear no shoes, listen to cool music, hang with my friends and behave like an absolute baboon.
Brent: SLUSH!!! and the creepy peeps that live under Tokyo Star, which you let loose mainly on Thursday Nights. They are frighteningly entertaining. And of course you can always be certain to know at least half the people there.
Ian: slush! and all u buggers!

What’s playing in your car?
Mark: Citizen Cope
Jamie: The sound of my dodgy front right tire and rattling brakes
Brent: Mr Meen's Hip Hop Renaissance Compilation
Ian: the normal stuff, rhianna, pussycat dolls, oh and the gayest of them all nickelback

What did you set out to achieve with Greenhouseffect?
Mark: To make some really cool and original music the different way...and have plenty of fun.
Jamie: World domination through free love. (fuckin hippy)
Brent: Bring about change in peoples minds of what a band has to conform to. Which in essence is that bands shouldnt conform at all, just play music from your heart.

Tell us the craziest thing that ever happened with a groupie of yours?
Mark: unfortunately i'm a married man and have been all through band, no groupie stories here..ask james and ian!!
Jamie: Coming to the realisation of the true age of certain girls..mmm
Brent: Nothing happened I swear!
Ian: a normal lifestyle... didnt work out so well so... now world domination!

How long have you been coming to Tokyo? Tell us WHY?!
Mark: i have been going to tokyo since 2003...cause all my friends are there, plus the slush machine was a huge puller...and james and i used to do open mic nights and play there.
Jamie: Since the dawn of time... see question 2
Brent: Long enough to see it change managers about 4 times. I use to work there too. Brief but fun.
Ian: about three years, because i have a crush on mike the bouncer... he doesnt search me anymore, and that makes me sad!

Any upcoming gigs we should know about?
Mark: gig at Tempo's on the 7th, gig at tanz on the 12th
Jamie: Royal Albert Hall opening for U2 in January:)
Brent: I'm pretty sure there are, I'll need to check it out for myself actually.
Ian: lots a gigs... i only find out a couple hours b4 so i really couldnt tell u

Describe your music…
Mark: we don't succumb to a particular genre, but if u really need a description it could be seen as raw hiphop beats mixed with bluesy alternative indie rock.
Jamie: What mark said...(he's clever)
Brent: Pro-creative loop-hop-indie-rock-like-funko-electro-boogaloo-trance, pavement pounding ,slop bucket, arse breakfast, Baah! and you dead kind of music... oh yeah, with some scratching
Ian: nice music.