People go out for various reasons

  • A special occasion like a birthday or a bachelorette party (*Clickety Clack*),
  • You’re bored and don’t want to be home alone,
  • You’ve worked hard all week and you deserve to let loose,
  • You just want to get drunk,
  • You want to get laid,
  • All of the above.

I left out one important incentive on the above list. And no, I didn’t overlook it. Of course, I’m talking about MUSIC! That is my personal, top, primary, numero uno,  motivation when I go out.

Well, sometimes I’m out just because I don’t want to be home alone too but who cares. Therefore I follow and go see the DJs that I support and been supporting for a while now because I know they can satisfy my nocturnal craving for good vibes. However, every once in while there’s this thumping sound that pummels my ears. I call it Door Slam Music.

By (my) definition, Door Slam Music refers any song that features a simple monotonous beat that can easily be replicated by violently opening and closing a door repeatedly. I know what you’re thinking. “Bak is about to trash Techno music in this piece and yet he doesn’t know anything about it. It doesn’t sound like a door slamming repeatedly. How ignorant!” No, I’m not. Here’s my disclaimer. I’d like to reassure you that I have nothing against Techno and everybody in its family tree, from brother House to cousin DubStep. I’m just not a big fan. I can appreciate the diversity in music but to each his own. If that’s your thing, good for you. Now, just read on.

If I could define my musical taste, I’d say I am a purist. Purist, to me, means that I enjoy songs that are played in their original form, the way they were produced/sampled/played, no need for a house remix or a mashup, and that I can relate to (pretty much old school stuff). And I think if you’re 25+, you are somewhat of a purist too because there are songs that are close to your heart, that bring back memories, that you know the lyrics to. Yes, old school songs (but there are still songs that came out today that emulate that, just not as much). Nowadays I don’t like it much when songs or artists that I like (or used to like) switch to this techno-ish sound that everybody seems to enjoy so much these days just to stay relevant and make more dollars. For instance, The Black Eyed Peas were a great hip hop group in the 90’s that you could equate to Common or Mos Def then add a hot girl to the recipe and BOOM! You got yourself a super group whose every song is a door slam song. Usher went from being the young RnB talent with You Make Me Wanna, now Oh My God is too long to spell out, gotta keep it simple and keep that door slamming.

Maybe because people on the dancefloor don’t dance as hard as they used to. We went from Soul Train Lines, to the Macarena, to the Cupid Shuffle, to the Dougie, to just Jersey Shore style fist bumping and jumping up and down. Maybe that’s what sells to the younger generation (I think that’s it). Maybe I’m just getting old and can’t relate to today’s music (I think that’s it too. I sound like an old man. Yuck!). However, I believe that I’m not alone. The stuff that’s out today sounds the same to me and I’ve lost that urge to get out on the dancefloor to do my thing. LMFAO does not make me laugh my fucking ass off so hard that I just hop around like a pogo stick. I remember a time when if I didn’t leave the club drenched in my own sweat, that was a big deal and something was wrong! (Those who’ve known me for years can attest to this). Now I can actually stand around all night and leave without feeling any kind of moisture on my face.

So what I do is that I just regulate my dancing habit and the amount of time spent in any given bar based on the frequency at which door slam music gets played. If, from the time when I walk in, I hear 2 out of 3 songs is door slam music, chances are, I’m not staying much longer. I understand and respect the fact that DJs play for the crowd and that I’m only 1 person. Therefore if they must play door slam music to a sea of pogo stick enthusiasts, so be it. That is fine by me. But if I hear a song that activates some synapses in a brain, makes my voice recite the lyrics from memory, and my feet move on their own, I garantee you, I will savor every second of it. Drop some funk, 80’s, or 90’s jams. Play any Michael Jackson song. And I will interrupt the most fascinating conversation one can have at a bar and go enjoy this moment. It’s like the stars have aligned and I have to get into it now, otherwise, I’m going to have to wait another season.

Again, I do believe I’m not alone. I saw it with my own eyes at the Bak In The Day party. So I must be onto something here…What do you think?

P.S.: If you enjoyed the Bak In The Day party or you missed it…but you certainly relate to this post, don’t miss The BakStroke Boat Party on Sunday August 28th. Spots are limited so get your tickets now! No Door Slam Music allowed![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]