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MB

FOUR years of WILDLIFE!!

Wow how time flies! This coming Wednesday, June 22, 2011, we are going to be celebrating our 4 year anniversary of Wildlife Wednesdays at Deko Lounge. This is a huge, and in my opinion, a historic milestone and achievement. I hope you all can make it down to Deko to celebrate with me. In anticipation of this great event, I wanted to let you guys know a little bit more about this party that I hold so dear to me.

I remember getting that phone call from Johel in the spring of 2007. He asked me one simple question: "How serious are you about this DJ thing?" This threw me off a bit because I had been spinning for a long time already and had held residencies in NY and NJ, as well as having played many different gigs for the R3 Ventures Family at both Club Abyss and Deko Lounge. What he meant was if I was ready to take it "next level" so to speak, as him and Lisa Todaro were considering me as a possible resident DJ of a new party. I had to come in for an interview. (An Interview?! For a DJ gig?) I met with them and was highly excited to know that they were trying to resurrect a party that I was a huge fan of, Wildlife Wednesdays.

Now for those who either are too young to remember or simply didn't know, Wildlife Wednesdays was a staple in the NJ Club Scene for years with resident DJ Manny the Greek, DJ Unique, MC Get Busy Izzy, the Wild Child among others. Packed wall to wall every Wednesday featuring the biggest performances craziest theme parties and the best newest biggest dancefloor anthems. My friends and I would drive an hour from New York every Wednesday just to attend. So the opportunity to bring this party to a new generation of people was something that really excited me. Another idea that Lisa & Johel pushed was that the promoters and team behind this party would not be based on a salary. Here's a novel concept: promoters who work for a party BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE PARTY Of course there would be guest list returns, but the party would be run by people who had a greater interest in it.

This is where the almighty ZOO CREW was born. I can honestly say that i've never seen a more ecletic group of people, all bringing different energies and ideas to the table. And on top of the ideas and the enthusiasm, there is one thing that the Zoo Crew brings above all that is unmatched anywhere.... VIBE.

Vibe is a word that seems to be thrown around now a days when it comes to night clubs and parties. It almost has become the "fall back" term for promoters to sugar coat a slow night as in; "Numbers weren't great but wow what a vibe we had!" Wildlife constantly has the numbers AND the vibe. And when I say "VIBE" I mean energy, hands clapping, whistling cheering chanting. People climb on whatever isn't strapped down. Napkins get tossed, cups get smashed. Wildlife even has its own mascot, the often imiated but never duplicated DONKEY KONG (aka Mikey B) who even has his own track he worked on with worldwide DJ Laidback Luke to further show you the signicance of Wildlife :)

Another great thign to set Wildlife apart is our music format. Originally the aim was to be a trance and all house music centered party, but we saw the demand for something else was there. Enter DJ David S. Those who hear him now on 92.3 might remember that he teamed with me for the first few years of Wildlife to form the "Smash Brothers" and tag team with chemistry that helped rock the room. After David departed I worked with Frank Russo out of Staten Island who also brought a great energy to the party. Finally I was teamed with DJ JG, who currently holds down Wildlife with me each and every Wednesday. For those who look at us and see me as the house guy and Jay as the hip hop guy, you clearly havent attended the party. During my set you will hear house but maybe some baltimore, dubstep, break downs to hip hop and in Jay's youll also hear house, as well as the newest and best bangers. We realize we're here for you guys. We play requests. We see the dance floor moving one way and we go with it. You never know how a night at Wildlife is going to turn out. On the mic was originally Mark Nitty, but after he moved on to work at Park East (R3's successful restaurant, lounge, sports venue) We got the swag of MC J Money. J keeps the crowd moving and vibes with me and JG, all while rocking the illest kicks you wish you had-

My favorite part of the night is my first set. For 4 years now I open for myself every week. I love building the room and watching the floor go from nothing to an absolute mob scene. I credit Lisa Johel and management to not fall into the trap that is common in club land, "This kid brings 100 people let him open". So many people ask what our secret is or how we're so successful to bring out an average of 800-1000 people every Wednesday and I think our formula is very simple: You have people who care about the party, faith and full backing in your resident DJs, and you take nothing for granted.

Probably the most common question I get about Wednesdays is from other DJs. I take it as a compliment when they see our vibe and ask for a guest spot on a Wednesday. I always have the same response, which is our list of Guest DJs we've had in our 4 years: Laidback Luke (2x), Dirty South, DJ AM (RIP), Steve Aoki, DJ Camilo, Serge Devante. =)

Our other rooms are always packed and filled with energy also and I couldn't leave out the DJs who feed off that energy-- DJ Flash, Rico, 4B and the next generation of the Zoo (Zoo2012). It's great to see their drive and energy as well.

Finally I must say that it's been a blessing to rock Wildlife for 4 years now. I drive an hour every wednesday and in 4 years I've missed a total of 3 Wednesdays (2 Croatia gigs and Yankees winning the World Series) and I can honestly say that I still wake up every Wednesday morning excited. It's the same ritual. A text to Lisa Todaro that reads "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" The e's simply get bigger for the size of the event. The Zoo Crew is a family. Plain and simple. In this economic climate where no one has cash, and in this day where clubs open close and start new parties every week, it really is a huge achievement to say that we've rocked Deko for 4 years now. I thank Kosta Demetri Lisa and Johel for believing in me and what I do, and allowing me to be a part of what easily I can say is week in and week out the best party I've ever been a part of. I thank my manager and gf Nicole for always supporting me. I thank every single member past and present of the ZOO CREW for bringing your energy and vibe to the party. And finally I thank every single customer who has come through the doors of Deko on a Wednesday. Without you there'd be no us.

So come celebrate with us this Wednesday and we kick off Year Number FIVE!!

MB

Vote for Me!!

I've been nominated as the Best "Up & Coming DJ" in New Jersey! Im extremely excited and honored to have been nominated- Help me win this thing! head to http://www.NJRocksNightLife.com/

Step 1: In the 1st category down, Click my name "mike buggout"

Step 2: Click "VOTE"

Step 3: Click "Return to Poll"

Step 4: Repeat as many times as you can until Sat June 18th at Midnight

The awards ceremony will be on Tuesday June 21st at Four Sixty Six Lounge in West Orange NJ and I'll be playing a set that night as well! Thanks for all your support VOTE VOTE VOTE as much as you can and pass it along!

MB