the Decade of Decadence

I’m not sure how you spend your Labor Day weekend but when I wasn’t cooking out, having a beverage at one of Salem’s outdoor hot spots or running around with friends I was firmly planted in front of my TV watching VH1Classic’s 80 Hours of the 80′s.

Big deal you say.  The 80′s were all about big hair, over sized suits, skinny ties, neon legwarmers, lace gloves, polo cologne, members only jackets, Z Cavericci, pegged pants and Delorians that might or might not travel back in time. Well, that is all true but there was so much more than that, and like all fashion, art and design movements music was its voice.

That voice is being heard again not only by those who listened the first time but also by a new generation too young to experience adult life in a Crockett and Tubbs suit or a Magnum Moustache™.   You can’t walk down a street in Manhattan or LA without seeing someone keeping it real in a pair of slotted retro 80′s shades, thanks Kanye West.  Super hot club DJ GirlTalk is mixing new Hip-hop with classic 80′s tunes exposing a new listeners to birthed the MTV generation.  Reality shows, reunion tours and “where are they now” exposés are some of the most watched programs of cable.

Thanks for the history lesson Pops but what does that have to do with me?

I’m glad you asked.

Remember that little club night over at the Bangkok Paradise – DARQ -  we told you about it a few months ago?  Well, it totally blew up.  We’re talking lines out the door, standing room only inside, killer music, people coming from Maine, New Hampshire, Western Mass, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and plenty of after parties.  Apparently a friend of club promoter and Salem based DJ Vudu DJ who runs DARQ  is trying her luck with a new club night.    Lifelong Salem resident DJ Alvis is presenting Decade 80s Night.

We sat down with DJ Alvis the other night and chatted about the 80′s, Salem, night clubs, art, drinks, business and the future.  Since my steno pool is being drained for maintenance the following is a general paraphrasing overview of our discussion.

TSI: Why Decade?

DJ Alvis: Look around, the 80′s are back and people are loving it.  From TV shows being revived to movies being made. Some 80′s influenced fashion is coming back. Even here in Salem bands are playing 80′s music in their sets.  People are into the 80′s again, listen to a few car commercials and you see that advertisers are capitalizing on the comeback.

TSI: What are some of your influences to start this night?

DJ Alvis: I’ve always loved the music.  You used to be able to go to club ManRay or The Upstairs Lounge and get your 80′s on, they had great nights. The Pill (a Brit Pop night in Allston) plays some 80′s and people dig it but there is no place that focuses on cool 80′s, especially on the North Shore.

TSI: So what 80′s music should people expect to hear?

DJ Alvis: The focus will be on New Wave, post-punk alternative, early industrial electronica and club music, everything from ABC to XTC.

TSI: With today’s technology and advancements in music delivery what kind of gear will you be using.

DJ Alvis: Trying to bring a decade’s worth of vinyl music to a club would require a moving truck so I’m sticking to CD’s and ipod, that will allow me to have thousands of songs at my fingertips so I can play some forgotten tracks, import versions and b-sides people might not have heard.

TSI: With all the music you’ll have on hand can I request some hair metal or Rick Astley?

DJ Alvis: You can request anything you want – and I’ll make an effort to play it but, as every good DJ knows, it’s the crowd that dictates the flow of the music.

Decade 80s Night is the first and third Thursday of every month starting this Thursday September 4th at 9:30pm.  It’s a 21+ night (sorry kiddies) and best of all there is no cover so you can save your pennies for the bartender.  You can friend Decade over at their myspace page myspace.com/decade80snight or on the facebook group Decade: 80s Night in Salem.

Now I’ll leave you with a favorite 80′s video of mine. Hopefully this will tide you over until you get your fix Thursday night.