It’s rare that you’ll get me out on a Monday, but with the JAMN 94.5 FM Monster Jam party I knew I would have make an exception.

I started out my night a bit later than I should have, so I wasn’t able to do the party hopping that I would have liked. And that fact that the Maino event was pushed to Allston made my travel all the more challenging. Allston is hecka far!! Even still I was excited to check out a venue I hadn’t been to before.  Once arrived, the line outside was decent, the bouncers at the door were marginally pleasant, and I got to breifly meet my Twitter friend @MrVelocity :)  

Once inside, I was a bit confused by the idea that we were herded downstairs when the upstairs was completely empty and started scrolling for Al Sharpton in my address book - lol. Fortunately, I saw my Fab! Fav’s of Reggie and Manny of Rhoaming Entertainment and Jack. We got to the cashier and as soon as she said “You’re reduced” $25.00….I turned around soooo quick I almost injured myself! Now, please don’t get it twisted that my money is funny, but $25.00 for Maino? On a Monday? Screech on the turntables - I’m all set. But Rhoaming and Jack were not havin’ me leave in a huff (thank THEM Jay) and persisted to make things right with the world. I “heart” y’all for real. Thank you! And Jay keep the girl that does your door, she’s so serious about your money. She was holdin’ on to those purse strings like a life-line. Daggone!

Maino

Downstairs in the lounge area most looked bored as it was 12 a.m. and they were still playing recorded music. I did like the area downstairs, white, sheik loungey, though the ceiling was a bit low for my taste.

Almost  as soon as we got downstairs we were told to go upstairs. Now what sense does that make?? I guess the security guards had a Red Bull before hand, ‘cuz they were on some “I got wings ish” shouting that we needed to get in a single file line, and that if we went upstairs we would not be able to come back down. Listen – If I paid $25.00 to get in anywhere…I can go wherever I want! Grrrrrrr.

Upstairs – again, my nerves were bad so I had to get a drink. I decided to check out the Absolut Boston and tonic. I liked it, kind of had a gummy bear taste to it, but I do recommend you try it. The drink set me back only $7 so I was okay with that.

DJ Hustle Simmons graced us with his presence around 12:30 and apologized for the delay and for the change of venue. Thanks Simmons! But that was all that was redeeming about his set that night. He did let us know that he had been smokin’ a little before he came – and that was apparent in his West Coast start up and hardcore Hip Hop cool down. He was all over the place! And not in a good way.

New Boyz BenJ

Maino did show up with not too much fan fare. They brought him from the front door to the stage where they put a couch and he stood up and posed for people to take pictures. Nobody was really dancing before, but at least they kinda started to once he got there. I guess Simmons was trying to appease Maino by getting gritty on the tables, but the transition was sloppy.

Girls  Groupies clamored to get on the stage: which wasn’t any big deal, as we all coulda easily pulled a Kanye had we felt so inclined; did not come in true groupie style. Most had regular clothes on and didn’t get “did”…I mean…it was Maino so I guess he was on the lower end of the get right budget. ie: Get your nails done not your hair…wear tight jeans not the panty dress…lol. As for the men…well…first off there were a lot more of them than on regular nights so the ratio was almost even, which was a change. But, bubble vests, B Hats, plaid, and Tims seemed to be the uniform of choice.

The New Boyz entered the place shortly after Maino and performed their hit “You’re a Jerk” well kinda. They did the motions while the DJ played the track. But there energy level was about half of what I’ve seen on a regular show.

New Boyz Legacy

The combo of the crowd and the oh-so-high DJ Hustle Simmons bringing up the pulse of the music did have me concerned that this might become Orchid Part II, but fortunately though the crowd was rowdy at times, they didn’t get to the point of self destruction. Maybe a change of scenery can do a bit of good.

My night was only salvaged by hanging with the guys with shots of Patron and glasses of Bellve. Others that came out were DJ Dru Nyce, Mistrie, Rob, MJ, and of course Ms. Whitney of ShowOff Marketing. I’m sure there were a few others, but see the previous sentence, Patron, Bellve…

In the end the night was pretty boring. I think that the people who really wanted to see Maino and last minute addition of Fabolous (who did NOT show) had a good time. But as for the rest of us who were just kinda there to see what was going on; were waiting for something to happen that never did. Planning an event solely around an artist usually breeds this kind of atmosphere. In order to really have a party with an artist you have to come with more than just them being in the building.

I do give a lot of credit to Jay, as this was his first celebrity hosted night (he has the sweat stains to prove it!!) and although he had a lot of technical difficulties including the last minute change of venue, the place was packed and nobody got shot or stabbed - so for a first run, not a bad look!

Grade: C