The next two bands – Big Bang Bunny and The Shake Joint – were prime examples of “pimpcore lite.” Each band consisted of a bevy of white folk, with The Shake Joint adding 2-Live Crew’s Brother Marquis to the fray, as well as a tall heroin-chic dishwater blonde on backing vocals – imagine a bleached Sheryl Crow on Miracle Grow. These bands will not change the face of music as we know it for future generations. They will not chart a new course, break new ground, or redefine the industry. What they will do – and without question -- is cause a gaggle of inebriated college-age groupies to bounce uncontrollably to their incessant beats. I imagine this shouldn’t be too difficult, especially after one such groupie stated to me, “We’re more fun when we’re drunk.”

I learned an important lesson that evening at the Troubadour -- Don’t hate. This is difficult, given my Midwestern metal upbringing. I half-expected to hear some brutal hardcore crossover/rap-metal, in the vein of Downset, Manhole or even Biohazard. No such luck. I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful and equally warmhearted girl accompany me to Tuesday’s show, and she reminded me that “it takes some serious balls to get up on stage and do what they were doing,” to which I replied, “Yeah -- that, or a lot of beer.” But despite my beloved Troubadour effectively being turned into a hip-hop club for a few short hours that evening, I’m not gonna hate. Sensing my ignorance of the genre, my date identified the phat beats the resident D.J. was turnin’ out, such as Ashanti and Ja Rule’s "Always On Time." OK – so I dig that song – sue me.

What I witnessed that evening was simply a whole mess o’ good, clean fun. Well… maybe not so clean, with Big Bang Bunny’s repertoire including “Who’s Your Daddy,” “Work That Ass” and “Doin’ The Deed.” And I’m pretty sure The Shake Joint had a song called “Dirty Girls,” but I could be wrong. In truth, the Troubadour was filled to capacity with bouncing heads and wide smiles. There were no fights; there was no smack-talkin’, heck – I didn’t even see an angry glare. The strapping young lads of Big Bang Bunny made sure to do a meet-and-greet amongst their fans after the show. And even with the self-proclaimed “Black Casanova” present, gone were the G-string-clad hoochie mamas and lyrics of yesteryear (the latter of which at one time landed him in the slammer on obscenity charges). Rumor has it that Brother Marquis has cleaned up his act over the years. After some poking around on the Internet, I read an article in which he claimed his father (Associate Pastor at a church in Syracuse) “…led him to the Lord,” the same Lord whom he credits as the source for his song "Put Your Clothes Back On." (Apparently the mother of his daughter was a stripper). Regardless, the Troubadour kids were lapping at the Brother’s bowl. His newest project reminded me of disbanded Ohio funk-rockers Big Hunk O’ Cheese, or -- more accurately -- 24/7 Spyz Lite. Again, I stress the word “lite” because I failed to hear any shredding guitar solos, a la Jimi Hazel.

Lustra provided the change of pace I was thirsting for. Their slick hard rock had a techno twist, probably due to the presence of a drum machine/sequencer in the background. To get an idea of their sound, think Stone Temple Pilots’ “Sex Type Thing,” Love and Rockets’ “So Alive," and Nitzer Ebb’s "Join in the Chant" all in one carry-out bag. Lustra even pulled off a cover of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Right Round.”