Feeling Moody

In last week’s column [1], I wrote a bit celebrating the return of Mildred Moody’s Full Moon Masquerade to its original home at the space formerly occupied by Parima, now Three Needs. I was a big fan of the monthly party when it started at the late Thai joint last year, largely because the unique environs added another level of cool to an already sinfully fun event. So, I reasoned, the Masquerade coming back to said unique environs was good news. Then a funny thing happened.

Due to a snafu working out the entertainment permitting for the event, the Masquerade was moved from the roomy digs of the new Needs to the decidedly more cozy confines of the 1/2 Lounge. Because God forbid something unusual and fun happen once a month in a bar without having to fill out the proper paperwork and/or ask permission. That would just be anarchy. Good looking out, liquor-control peeps. By the way, do you have to commute from the Prohibition era, or can you guys work remotely?

Anyway, the goof spurred Masquerade founder Scott Mangan and local scene superbooster Joe Adler — who was the booking agent at Parima when it closed — into action. They met with Nectar’s talent buyer Alex Budney, who, according to Mangan, “made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.” Hopefully that didn’t involve a severed horse’s head. But I digress.

I’m pleased to announce that the Masquerade now has a permanent home at Nectar’s and Club Metronome, beginning next month. Mangan writes that having a stable location will allow him to continue expanding his concept for the party. With the weight of Nectar’s behind him, he says that will include inviting some big-name acts to the stage for future Full Moon rockanalias. Budney will turn the space over entirely to Mangan to transform the club into a different experience each month. Adds Mangan, “Good things come to those who … um, party every full moon.”

Damn straight.

Dance, Dance Revolution

It’s a potentially legendary week on the local EDM front with three monster shows at Club Metronome, highlighting some of the best and brightest in local untz-untz.

Up first is Versus, presented by 2K Deep and Electrode Entertainment on Thursday, March 15. Eighteen DJs split between Metronome’s two rooms will square off in a beat-dropping battle royale. In the main ring — I’m guessing that’s the main stage — we’ve got Haitian vs. Ordan, Sleezy D vs. Jakels, Sharkat vs. Phatrix, Waxtooth vs. Sasquatch and Zach Setian vs. Preay. Meanwhile, in the “cage” — the lounge, presumably — Whole-Z lines up against Crook$, Thelonius X takes on Cake Effect, Po Mike stares down Logwad, and Piks matches wits (and beats) with Tony Macaroni. By the way, I often say that hardcore bands are responsible for my favorite band names, but EDM DJs are giving them a serious run for their money in the creativity department.

Sunday, March 18, our fine bass-lovin’ friends from Mushpost and DRK present Bassline: A Showcase of Speed Garage, Bassline and Crack House. I have no idea what crack house is, but you get some interesting results when you Google it.

Anyway, the lineup features a mix of local and regional DJs, including Parallax (Boston), DJ Darcie (Vermont), the Orator (Vermont), Preay & Setian (Vermont), and Palmtrixx (Vermont).

Then on Tuesday, March 20, the folks from local(ish) EDM blog My Music Is Better Than Yours [2] present Turkish sensation BamBooRa from Boston, who is one of the hottest up-and-coming EDM DJs on the East Coast. He’ll be joined by a trio of locals, Haitian, Jakels and Storm.

BiteTorrent

Heloise and the Savoir Faire were fantastic at the BCA Center last Saturday. They were tight, fun and energetic and had a capacity crowd getting seriously down on the dance floor. However, if I could make one humble suggestion to the folks at BCA. I love that cool local rock shows are happening at the gallery with some frequency these days. And I don’t think I’m alone. It’s a nifty space with a great atmosphere, and people seem to like attending shows there. But I’m guessing they’d enjoy it even more if they could actually, you know, see the bands. Since bands play on the same level as the crowd, unless you’re right up front or really tall, you spend most of the night watching the backs of people’s bobbing heads. That’s fun and all, but even a moveable 6-inch riser would make a world of difference. Either that, or mandate that anyone over six feet tall has to stand in the back of the room. Sincerely, short people.

Heavy metal and sex go together like leather and … is it getting hot in here? Anyway, the installment of Metal Monday at Nectar’s on March 19 will likely be the dirtiest in the history of the weekly series. The headlining band is an Albany act called — this is great — Vomlette, who have a growing reputation as one of the lewdest, crudest bands around. To wit, their annual charitable donation drive is called Toys for Twats.

Let’s move on, shall we? Congrats to local rockers the Proper, who celebrate the release of their new record, tulip/tsunami, with a show at the Monkey House this Saturday, March 17, aka St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re looking for a good alternative to the throngs of drunken Irish wannabes elsewhere about town on amateur night, you could certainly do worse. Not to spoil the review that will appear on these pages in the near future, but it’s a humble little slice of ragged pop-rock with some great hooks, nice arrangements and a pleasantly low-key feel overall. I approve.

This has been a fairly Nectar’s/Metronome-centric column, so why not push it a little further, especially since it means some love for our favorite local do-gooders, Big Heavy World? Wednesday, March 14 — what have I told you about reading me on Wednesdays? — BHW presents a freestyle rap battle called Words and Verbs, hosted by VerMonty Burns of the Lynguistic Civilians. But this battle has a slight twist. Instead of a straight-up freestyle battle, contestants will be given certain words or phrases they have to incorporate into their rhymes. Sounds like fun, no? Also on the bill for the evening: local funky bunch Funkwagon and local electro-rockers the Bounce Lab and Kloptoscope.

Last but not least, as you’re reading this, I’m most likely hanging at an outdoor show in Austin, Texas, sipping a Shiner, scarfing down BBQ and generally basking in the madness that is South by Southwest. And, yes, I’m having a blast, thank you very much. Just a friendly reminder that you can keep up with my exploits all week on the Seven Days staff blog, Blurt [3]; by following me on Twitter — @DanBolles [4]; or by liking my Facebook page: Dan Bolles — That Guy From the Seven Days [5]. I’ll be blogging from Austin through Friday, musing about bands you should check out and bands you should avoid, and catching up with old pals such as VT expats the Cave Bees.

Listening In

Once again, this week’s totally self-indulgent column segment, in which I share a random sampling of what was on my iPod, turntable, CD player, 8-track player, etc., this week.

Andrew Bird, Break It Yourself
The Men, Open Your Heart
School of Seven Bells, Ghostory
Nite Jewel, One Second of Love
Yellow Ostrich, Strange Land