Bearded DJ Freaks Screw Up Frequently, Royally, Splendidly

A disgruntled user at discogs.com recently bemoaned the "technical fumbles" of NYC duo Rub 'n' Tug's live Campfire mix, meaning oopsies like coitus interruptus record skips and other bleary-eared fuckups that result from too much bumping 'n' grinding near the decks. And yet the complainant also praises Thomas Bullock and Eric Duncan's ability to flaunt their DJ eclecticism "without jerking the listener," a skill that ensures johns like Chris Martin, James Murphy, and Bryan Ferry get similar happy-ending results from their RNT remixes. Being pulled in every direction is part of this duo's charm (aside from their matching beards), and Campfire recreates that unsteady but sweaty flame the boys carefully tend at their weekly parties. Shooting cock-a-doodle-doos and tasers through house, disco, electro, funk, and hip-hop cuts, they also slyly stash contraband cucumbers like J.J. Cale, Sylvester, Boney M, and Robin Trower down their trousers. Such selections on Campfire fuel a dance party high not just on blow but blow darts.

Rub 'n' Tug play the Tribeca Grand Hotel Thursday and P.S.1 Saturday.