Groovin’ to the 45s, With Shadow and Chemist Spinning

Most of the people at the El Rey Theatre on Tuesday have only experienced sock hops via “Happy Days” reruns. But they were at one--21st century style.

Put together by California dance music turntable stars DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist under the name Brainfreeze, it was an evening of DJs spinning only seven-inch, 45 rpm records, just like the good ol’ days.

But Richie, Potsie and the Fonz would not have felt at home. There were no poodle skirts or hot rods, and rather than a high school gym, the place was done up to evoke a 7-11, with free Slurpees and video games (an old promo single, “Dance the Slurp,” was Brainfreeze’s inspiration).

And no one was dancing. Instead, they watched the DJs, who in the hip-hop/rave world of today don’t just play tunes, but at their best create art. Headlining, Shadow (Josh Davis) and Chemist (Lucas McFadden of L.A.’s Ozomatli and Jurassic 5) teamed on four turntables, their instincts almost flawless as they wove a seamless set from mostly obscure old soul and funk singles.

Several others, including Nu-Mark (also of Jurassic 5), did much the same with varying degrees of imagination. But the real grabber set came from Phoenix-based Z-Trip, who pieced together a ‘70s childhood dream-collage from kiddie TV show songs, sitcom themes (yes, including “Happy Days”), pop radio hits and--betraying his youth--more recent hip-hop tracks. Even at its silliest it had a great beat and you could dance to it . . . if anyone had chosen to do so.