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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

Memorial Day 2011 MIX!!!

Here it is! THE essential mix that you need for your shore house, car ride, plane ride, gym, house party and whatever else you'll be doing this weekend to kick of the Summer of 2011!

Download for free by clicking the down arrow on the player or use this direct link

Memorial Day 2011 by mikebugout

Party Safe,

MB

May Podcast Is Up!

Download it here or subscribe to iTunes at the link on the sidebar

MDW mix coming this week!!

MB

MDW 2011 Here We Go....

My favorite time of the year is upon us.....so you know what that means! Putting the finishing touches on my MDW '11 CD for release next week. In the meantime head to MIKEBUGOUT.COM to download my SUMMER VOCALS 2011 Mix. Also please subscribe to my monthly Podcast, the link is on the right side of this blog or head to iTunes and search "mike bugout" April's podcast is rockin and May's will be released Friday May 20th. Now onto the MDW Festivities...

We kick things off on WEDNESDAY May 25th where #WILDLIFE Wednesdays at Deko Lounge proudly presents the return of LAIDBACK LUKE. If you remember his performance last year, you know this is gonna be a night not to miss. Its a very special night for me also for the honor of spinning with and opening for my absolute favorite DJ/Producer in the game today. Please arrive early bc once the doors are shut ya done!


Next we are taking over AZTEC Hotel in Seaside Heights for MDW on Saturday May 28th. Doors open at 7pm. Do you remember last year when we put 3000 ppl in the bldg, TMZ.COM came and we set off the summer? Here's a quick recap...

This year the event is 16 to enter and 21 to drink as per Aztec Hotel's wishes, so we have brought in the ZOO2012 crew to join us (THE ZOO CREW) to take over. You do NOT want to miss my set at 12 midnight trust me. ATTN 21+, WE HAVE A PRIVATE UPPER BAR/DECK AREA FOR YOU THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY 21+ So keep that in mind!


Finally to end MDW with a BANG, I'll be making my 1st ever appearance in Atlantic City and what a way to do it....at HARRAH'S POOL. I'll be a part of Area Events Massive Party DAYDREAM headlined by CALVIN HARRIS, VICTOR CALDERONE, MINDCONTROL, DJ CAMILO & MORE - This is a 21+ event and tickets on the website are now costing $40+ with charges on a will-call basis. However I have hand held tickets for MUCH MUCH CHEAPER so email me djmikebugout@aol.com or nicodashmgmt@aol.com for info to get your tix


Wherever you party MDW please party safe,

MB

Know your history....

Being in the music/dj/nightclub business for so many years, you see many trends that come and go. Nightclubs open, close, change names, & music formats seemingly each week. But one thing in NJ nightlife has remained consistant for years, and that is R3 Ventures setup on Route 35.

"Wildlife Wednesdays" was the premier week night party for years at Club Abyss (wait, club abyss?) YES - for those who either do not remember or arent old enough to, Wildlife Wednesdays was a party that ran for many many years at Club Abyss with Manny the Greek on the wheels with MC Get Busy Izzy and DJ Unique among others that was the blueprint for the amazing residency that I hold now at Deko Lounge. As a fan of the industry and student to the DJs that came before me, it brings me a special feeling to be able to continue this legendary party bringing house music (and DJ JG bringing the hip hop and party stuff) to a packed house in NJ every week. And as much as I am influenced by the original Wildlife, a huge part of what I do on a weekly basis was heavily influenced by what went on inside Deko Lounge for years on Saturday nights. And it saddens me to know that many people do not realize the atmosphere that existed in Deko each and every saturday night known and categorized by one word...... *SESSIONS

Now house music has existed in New Jersey for years before Deko Lounge and it will exist long after Deko shuts its doors, but what the Saturday night *Sessions party did for House and Dance music in the tri state area must not be ignored. Behind the ownership of Kosta and Demetri, and with the help and countless others, *Sessions became the HOME of house music. DJ Richie Santana was the resident DJ and each and every week you could count on Richie being behind the decks from early on until the lights came on at 2am (and many nights well beyond that).

So many people look at Deko saturdays now as basically a concert venue. Whenever a headline DJ is there, people flock to see the big names. But yet when a smaller name or resident style dj is there, people are less likely to show. The scene has changed. People are more concerned with spending 10x the cost of a bottle of vodka and sitting in their own section rather than hanging with the crowd. Dancing in the floor has been replaced by dancing on couches in your section. "Do you know who's spinning?" now has become "Do you know who I am?!". But there is hope. As you can see the flyer above, the good folks at R3 Ventures are bringing back *Sessions.

*Sessions was such an amazing atmosphere. You walked in and you knew everyone. And if there was someone you didnt know, you eventually knew them just from seeing them every week. *Sessions was "unwalkable" long before the term became cool to say. *Sessions used to have a DJ booth tucked in the corner bc the DJ wasnt the star, the music was. And no one did that better than Richie Santana. Every anthem you wanted to hear and new music that you would learn. *Sessions was class. How do you think names like "Chus & Ceballos" became so familiar to the NJ scene? *Sessions was tall thin glasses with big straws. You know *Sessions was the bomb bc it was the only thing that would lift your spirits after the summer fun of Surf Club, DJais, Temptations and XS were over.

As you can see im pretty passionate about this party coming back, and we're gonna need your help to make it happen. It's time to get back to basics. Lets get back to THE PARTY, and good music, good friends, good people. NJ nightlife has been missing something the last few years and in the Fall of 2011 its coming back. If you're intrested in helping us, info is on the flyer above.

Party Safe,
MB