Liquid Liquid were only active for three years in New YOrk’s no-wave, post-punk scene but they left a mark. While the band never released a proper LP, in 1997 Grand Royal Records, the label run by the Beastie Boys, released the definitive compilation of their work. That album went out of print, but in 2003 bands started to go back to post-punk for source material, and Liquid Liquid’s legacy could be heard in bands like LCD Soundsystem or copycats like Tussle. In 2008, the group reformed to play some live dates in in the United States and United Kingdom. The band is not making new music and they aren’t really touring much, other then the semi-occasional show like opening for one of LCD Soundsystem’s last shows in 2011. However, Salvatore Principato, Liquid Liquid’s lead vocalist, is dropping by Tropicalia for a DJ set, so today’s song of the day is one of his band’s most iconic tracks, “Optimo.” In addition to giving a name to a Glasgow-based DJ, “Optimo” is also the sample for Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel’s track “White Lines.”

Sal P is DJing tonight with the Future Times DJs at Tropicalia (2001 14th Street NW). Admission $5.