Dark Wave Disco

Dark Wave Disco The original indie-electro dance party. Born in Chicago in 2005, Reborn in Brooklyn and beyond How does one start an entire scene?

Most of the time, it just happens with a small spark. Consider this tale: Once upon a time, a man named Trancid was spinning at Big Wig late one Sunday night. A mysterious unknown DJ called Mark Gertz walked right in and pitched an idea to Trancid about forming an evening unlike any other, featuring electro and trance versus indie rock. Trancid smiled and jumped onboard, finding himself in a room

with graphic designer/impresario PaulInChicago, Greg Corner (the strangely tall bassist of Kill Hannah) and Gertz. After much scheming, the quartet laid plans for their first Dark Wave Disco in 2005. They held no expectations; it would just be a hodge-pode of local acts and DJs of the west side hipster set. Gertz sought out Arturo Valle of Panic FIlms to make a pretty mess on the walls and the next thing they knew; there was an audio and video revolution in the works. Trancid howls with delight, "You couldn't walk anywhere in Wicker Park without seeing a poster advertising that Dark Wave. We papered the city's west side - avoiding cops, handing out flyers." It was that act that brought out over 300 like-minded hipsters to their first party at Sonotheque on a frigid March night. Realizing they were on to something great, Gertz and Corner started talking to local publications about promoting the event. Suddenly, national attention came from the likes of SPIN and BPM, calling Dark Wave "one of the hottest parties in the country." Big acts like Tommie Sunshine, Steve Aoki, Lady Sovereign, The Sounds, and New York's notorious MisShapes all dropped in to mix sets with the new kings of the hipster set over the next two years, securing Dark Wave's notoriety and also, stellar guest list. - Chicago Scene Magazine

T O N I G H T! Mark Gertz from black_rainbow_ny + Dark Wave Disco is spinning at The International Bar in Fishtown! Chec...
05/25/2026

T O N I G H T! Mark Gertz from black_rainbow_ny + Dark Wave Disco is spinning at The International Bar in Fishtown! Check it out!

Hello Philadelphia! Kick off summer next Monday (Memorial Day) with likely the best/ raw/ dirtiest rock n roll techno/ ...
05/19/2026

Hello Philadelphia! Kick off summer next Monday (Memorial Day) with likely the best/ raw/ dirtiest rock n roll techno/ indie disco punk weekly event with myself and regular special guests! And of course deep drink specials…. Come rage with us!!!

PHILADELPHIA FRIENDS!!! Kicking off Memorial Day and every Monday following!!!
05/16/2026

PHILADELPHIA FRIENDS!!! Kicking off Memorial Day and every Monday following!!!

In the 20+ years since Dark Wave Disco has existed, this was arguably the most legendary/ epic/ surreal/ memorable weeke...
05/01/2026

In the 20+ years since Dark Wave Disco has existed, this was arguably the most legendary/ epic/ surreal/ memorable weekend of our history to date. Was a place in time that you truly had to be there for. Lollapalooza weekend 2007. Bouncing between , to sonotheque, then back to for the grand finale (which kept going well into late Monday afternoon, later even maybe…. That’s the point I at least lost any and all track of time. For now here are the flyers we were able to dig from the archives but more detailed memories and bits of fuzzy details of the debauchery which took place that incredible weekend to follow shortly. To all of you who were a part, I love you all and you’ll forever hold a special place in my heart.

02/08/2026
Dark Wave Disco AnnouncementDJ Mark Gertz's site has been updated.The archive now includes expanded sections covering:So...
01/11/2026

Dark Wave Disco Announcement

DJ Mark Gertz's site has been updated.

The archive now includes expanded sections covering:

Sound — past parties, SoundCloud mixes, and event history
Black One: Stylist — a new section documenting an evolving wardrobe and styling practice (in progress)
Press + Videos — a consolidated archive of past coverage and visual documentation

This update brings together music, nightlife, and visual work in one place — past and present.

Explore here:
https://darkwavedisco.com/work

T O N I G H T 🍾🥂🎆
12/31/2025

T O N I G H T 🍾🥂🎆

Mark Gertz of Dark Wave Disco is playing the Basement Sessions at Talon in Brooklyn, on NYE, with No Return Post Punk So...
12/29/2025

Mark Gertz of Dark Wave Disco is playing the Basement Sessions at Talon in Brooklyn, on NYE, with No Return Post Punk Society. If you are in NYC, come check it out!

Address

Brooklyn, NY

Telephone

+13128898954

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dark Wave Disco posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Dark Wave Disco:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

//iconSize: [32, 32], //html: '' }) .bindTooltip(name, { //permanent: true, direction: 'bottom', //offset: L.point(12, 25), //opacity: 0.88, interactive: true }) .bindPopup(name); markersLayer.addLayer(marker); } function getMore() { if (gettingMore) { return; } gettingMore = true; var center = map.getCenter(); $.ajax({ url: "/vicinitysearch", data: { lat: center.lat, lng: center.lng, country: "UNITED STATES" } }) .done(function(data) { var added = 0; data.forEach(function(loc) { if (!locationIds.includes(loc.id)) { var mapLoc = {id:loc.id,lat:loc.latitude,lng:loc.longitude,title:trunc20(loc.name),popupHtml:loc.popupHtml,urlPath:loc.urlPath,pictureUrl:loc.pictureUrl}; locations.push(mapLoc); locationIds.push(loc.id); map._addMarker(mapLoc); added++; } }); }) .always(function() { gettingMore = false; }); } map._clearMarkers = function() { markersLayer.clearLayers(); } }); }, 4000); });