If you’ve ever found yourself standing in a dark, sweat-soaked room in Los Angeles while a wall of sub-bass rattles your ribcage, you already know. You’ve felt it. That specific frequency that makes your vision blur just a little bit. For over a quarter-century, that feeling has had a singular home. Respect Drum and Bass isn't just a weekly club night; it is the literal foundation of the broken-beat scene on the West Coast.
Most clubs in LA are lucky to last eighteen months. Trends shift, crowds move to the next shiny rooftop bar, and promoters burn out. But Respect? It’s been running since 1999. Think about that for a second. Bill Clinton was in office when Junglist Platoon first started spinning records at the Dragonfly. Since then, they’ve survived venue changes, the rise and fall of "EDM," and a global pandemic that shuttered the nightlife industry for years.
The Gritty Origins of the Junglist Platoon
It started with a crew. Not a corporate brand or a marketing firm, but a group of friends known as the Junglist Platoon. We’re talking about Machete, Clutch, Drone, Scooba, and Nightstalker. They wanted a space where the music—pure, unadulterated drum and bass—was the only thing that mattered.
The early days were raw. No VIP tables. No bottle service. Just a soundsystem and a crowd that knew their breakbeats. They eventually landed at The Dragonfly on Santa Monica Blvd, which became the spiritual home for the brand for a long stretch. It was a dark, narrow room that felt like it was breathing with the music.
Honestly, the longevity is the most shocking part. People often ask how a niche genre like DNB stays relevant in a city dominated by house and techno. The answer is consistency. You show up on a Thursday night, and you know exactly what you’re getting. High-tempo energy. Deep, rolling basslines. A community that actually knows the history of the records being played.
Why Thursday Nights in Los Angeles Matter
Thursdays are an odd choice for a massive party, right? Most people have work the next morning. But for the Respect crowd, that’s actually the point. It filters out the "tourists." If you’re at Respect at 1:00 AM on a Thursday, you aren't there because it’s the trendy thing to do. You’re there because you love the music.
The lineup history reads like a Hall of Fame of bass music. Every major player has passed through their booth. Goldie. Andy C. LTJ Bukem. Friction. Noisia. Dieselboy. It’s a rite of passage for UK producers coming to the States. If you play LA, you play Respect.
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But it isn’t just about the big names. The residents—the Platoon—have kept the torch lit. Machete, in particular, is a local legend. His sets are a masterclass in selection. He’s seen the transition from vinyl to CDJs to digital, yet his "Junglist" ethos hasn't shifted an inch. It’s that dedication that builds trust with an audience. You don't need to check the lineup; you just know it's going to be good.
The Sound That Defines the Night
Drum and bass is a broad umbrella. You’ve got liquid, which is soulful and melodic. You’ve got neurofunk, which sounds like a factory being torn apart by robots. You’ve got jump-up, which is all about the "wobble" and high energy.
At a typical Respect night, you’ll hear it all, but there’s a leaning toward that heavy, rolling tech-step sound that feels at home in an urban environment. It’s music for the concrete. It’s music that matches the frantic energy of the 405 freeway at rush hour.
- The Crowd: Diverse. You’ll see 21-year-olds who just discovered Pendulum next to "OGs" who were there in '99 wearing faded oversized hoodies.
- The Atmosphere: Intense but welcoming. Despite the aggressive nature of the music, the DNB community is famously supportive. It’s a "hands in the air" kind of vibe, not a "stand in the corner and look cool" vibe.
- The Venue: Currently, the night calls 1720 home. It’s a warehouse-style spot in the Warehouse District (fittingly), which allows for the kind of massive sound rigs that DNB demands.
Surmounting the "Niche" Label
For a long time, the music industry tried to bury drum and bass. In the mid-2000s, it was "too fast" for mainstream radio. Then dubstep arrived and stole the spotlight. For a few years, it felt like DNB was the forgotten sibling of the electronic world.
Respect stayed the course. They didn't switch to dubstep. They didn't start booking house DJs to sell more tickets. They doubled down. That stubbornness paid off. Now, in the mid-2020s, drum and bass is seeing a massive global resurgence. Gen Z has embraced the high BPMs, and Respect is there to provide the authentic experience.
It’s about "the break." That sampled drum loop from 1960s funk records that gets chopped, layered, and accelerated. When you hear the "Amen Break" through a professional-grade club system at Respect, it does something to your lizard brain. It’s primal.
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The Logistics of a Legendary Weekly
Running a weekly event is a nightmare. Ask anyone in nightlife. You have to deal with talent visas, sound permits, security, and the sheer exhaustion of doing it every seven days. The Junglist Platoon has mastered this grind.
They’ve also been instrumental in the World of Drum & Bass tours and various festival stages, ensuring that the LA sound is represented on a global level. They aren't just promoters; they are ambassadors.
A lot of the credit goes to the technical side too. You can't play this music on a standard bar system. It will blow the speakers or sound like a muddy mess. Respect has always prioritized sound quality. If the low end isn't hitting 40Hz with clarity, it’s not a DNB party.
Addressing the Misconceptions
People think drum and bass is just noise. "It’s too fast to dance to," they say.
Actually, the "secret" to dancing to DNB is to listen to the half-time beat. While the drums are at 174 BPM, the snare usually hits on the 2 and the 4, giving it an 87 BPM feel. It’s basically high-speed hip-hop. Once you find that groove, you realize it’s actually one of the most danceable genres in existence.
Another myth: It’s an aggressive, masculine scene.
While the sound is heavy, the Respect dancefloor is famously inclusive. You’ll see women at the front of the rail, producers from all backgrounds, and a genuine lack of the "agro" energy you might find at a mainstream EDM festival. It’s about the music, not the ego.
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How to Experience Respect Properly
If you're planning on headed down, there are a few things you should know. First, bring earplugs. High-quality ones. You want to hear the music when you're 50.
Second, get there early. The opening DJs are often local talent or residents who play some of the deepest tracks of the night. It’s the best time to see the "heads" out on the floor before the peak-hour madness begins.
Practical Steps for the Aspiring Junglist:
- Follow the Socials: They announce lineups on Instagram and Twitter (X) fairly close to the date. Keep an eye on @respectdnb.
- Learn the History: Do yourself a favor and look up the Amen Brother breakbeat. Understanding where those drums come from will change how you hear the music.
- Check the Venue: Respect moves. While 1720 is the current stronghold, they’ve been known to do special pop-ups. Always verify the address on the day of the event.
- Support Local: Buy a t-shirt. The Junglist Platoon gear is iconic. It’s the uniform of the LA underground.
- Listen to the Archives: Check out Machete’s sets on Soundcloud or Mixcloud. It’s a great way to prime your ears for the BPM.
The Future of the Frequency
As LA changes, and as the arts districts become gentrified, spaces for loud, underground music are shrinking. Respect Drum and Bass is more than just a party; it’s a cultural preservation project. It keeps the soul of the 90s rave scene alive while constantly pushing forward with new sounds.
It’s rare to find something this authentic in a city known for artifice. In Los Angeles, everything is "produced" and "curated." Respect is just real. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s been there for you for over 25 years.
If you want to understand the heartbeat of the LA underground, you have to go. Stand near the subs. Feel the air move. Forget about your Friday morning meetings. Just listen to the drums.
Your Next Steps:
Head over to the official Respect website or their social media pages to see the lineup for this coming Thursday. If you've never been, look for their "Anniversary" or "Special Event" nights—these usually feature multi-room takeovers and international headliners that showcase the full spectrum of the genre. Don't just listen to the music on your headphones; experience the physical weight of the sound in person to truly understand why this night has survived for decades.