story by Noah Levine
photo by Ali Smith
The sleek environment of Chicago club Sonotheque is known for hosting
some of the world's most forward thinking musicians and DJs who bring
just about every music style, category or sub-genre around to the
club's finely tuned sound system. But the venue - and maybe the city
itself - might not be quite ready for the sonic onslaught of old-fashioned
and decent American music that David Cross plans to unleash in a rare
DJ appearance by the actor-comedian this month.
"I find today's music coarse and harsh. I think it's debasing
to America and America's values," Cross said while speaking with
Chicago Innerview as he loitered outside a New York City police station,
where he planned to go for a post-interview fingerprinting and background
check. (More on this later…) Instead of showcasing the latest
dance craze or underground wündersound, Cross promised to play
a set of decent music based around '50s doo-wop, random spoken word
stuff, maybe recordings of John Lithgow reading books, and definitely,
without a doubt, the soundtrack from Rocky II.
Cross, who insists his entire collection of tunes has been gathered
via infomercially-vended compilations, deftly parried further questioning
about what he plans to play. However, he was more than willing to
explain the captivating story of how, after a multifaceted comedy
career that's inspired a cult-like following, he finds himself taking
on the role of nightclub DJ. "[The promoter] just approached
me about it," he said casually. "It sounded like fun. I
wouldn't do anything if it wasn't fun."
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CROSS' INNER VIEW
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"I wouldn't do anything if it wasn't
fun."
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Judging by his previous endeavors, Cross' DJ set is bound to be memorable
if nothing else. Cross started building his ruthlessly funny reputation
and maniacal following running the HBO sketch comedy program "Mr.
Show" alongside fellow comic Bob Odenkirk. His Grammy-nominated
comedy album Shut Up, You Fucking Baby! is insightful, sharply pointed
and classically hilarious. Most recently, Cross gained the acclaim
of TV critics far and wide for his over the top performance as nevernude
"actor" Dr. Tobias Fünke on the Fox sitcom "Arrested
Development."
The Sonotheque show won't actually be Cross' debut as a DJ. He played
a set at a New York club last month which he said confirmed his suspicion
that DJing would be "fun." His first DJ set might not have
been perfect, but he thinks people had a good time. "I fucked
up a couple of times, but everybody can chill if there's no music
for four seconds," he said.
DJing might be all Cross expected, but he's not ready to make it
the centerpiece of his career. The acting and the comedy and generally
being funny are still his main focus. Cross is planning to open his
own bar/performance space in New York sometime soon. (Thus explaining
the need for the fingerprinting and background check, so he can obtain
a liquor license, so we're told…)
While he hasn't done a real stand-up set in months, Cross isn't too
worried about lacking things to talk about when he gets back to it.
Much of his most effective material of the past deals with political
and religious themes. With those two topics merging as of late, Cross
said approaching these subjects is like choosing an ice cream flavor.
"It's hard," he said, "because it's like, 'where do
I begin?'"
The growing influence of comedy on news and the way people view the
world is a trend he's pleased to see. He hopes that people can laugh
at his act without missing the core messages behind the jokes, because
he believes comedians provide a valuable service by pointing out society's
absurdities. Cross said the media is now in need of this service and
that comedians should be doing their part to point out all the embarrassing
and nonsensical things being presented in the news. "The more
we can do to help the media help itself, the better," he said.
Before heading into the police station to ink up his fingers, Cross
revealed one last detail about what people should expect from him
as a DJ. "Hopefully the set will start on time," he said.
"I may have to suit up and head to Wrigley, but if not, I should
be there on time." Lucky for fans of both Cross and the Cubs,
on the day of his set the ballgame versus the Red Sox is scheduled
to start in the early afternoon.
David Cross (DJ set) :: with Death From Above 1979 :: Sonotheque
:: June 10.