Oh, what a night. Funky gypsy jams, comical acrobatics, dream science and human artwork with an array of green friendly products. Five Alarm Funk, a 10-piece funk band from Vancouver, B.C. and Bellingham’s own Dream Science Circus performed at The Wild Buffalo in a show presented by Northern Lights Gardening, celebrating their new store in Mount Vernon.

A show of this caliber turned out to be a rhythmically righteous event. The amount of energy, amazement, and arousal captivated every member in the audience. The combination of funk-music, dance, physical comedy and aerial acrobatics gave light to this Northern Lights extravaganza which started around 11 p.m. and ended after two mesmerizing sets. It was free if you arrived before 10:30 p.m., and only $5 any time after.

Opening up with acrobatics and vulgar sexual references, The Dream Science Circus dropped mouths and sexual comedy all over the dance floor. Dream Science Circus originated in Bellingham, founded by Islando and Ukoiya (U & I Production). According to the Dream Science website, the company is a “non-profit collective dedicated to supporting artistic exploration.” They say it’s a 10-part production, one part comedy, and one part science, with seven parts circus. Each part from my perspective contributed to an outstanding performance and experience that all Bellingham folks will remember for years too come.

The combination of music, and circus theatrics guaranteed not one empty or dry seat in the house. From sword swallowing to sexy women wrapped in silk hanging from the ceiling, there where continuous ooohs and aaahs from the crowd, keeping you wanting more.

Five Alarm Funk is a band that is melodically and rhythmically well constructed from head to toe. Their head banging and two-step shuffles makes their stage presence punctual and powerful. The six-year-old band pounds the percussion, and hammers in the middle-eastern inspired horns. Nailing dance moves from throwing elbows and kicks, the choreography is perfect.

The percussion section, powered times four, gives spunk to the Five Alarm Funk. Tayo Branston, a dark curly haired, raspy lead vocalist/announcer and kit drummer, has an animalistic demeanor; he resembles “the animal” from the Muppets.

The amount of movement behind the drum kit only demonstrates how much energy these guys really bring to the stage. The rest of the percussionists includes Tom Towers (congas/bongos), Justin Kennedy (shekere/percussion), and Carl Julig (timbales/percussion). Front line and center, the powerhouse percussion makes you feel the music, and move to the rhythm.

Tasteful trumpets, a taunting trombone, and seductive saxophones give this show strong brass participation. An all-star line-up horn section featured Ryan Naso (trumpet), Kent Wallace (trumpet), Dameian Walsh (tenor/alto/bari sax), and Nimish Parekh (trombone). All members danced in sync and were out of sight.

Horns from heaven and percussion from paradise, the power and performance from Five Alarm Funk gives the audience a zesty bite of funk fusion flavor. Never too much cow bell or too little brass, together the percussion and horn section rule the stage. No matter your pallet, they have it all funk, jam-band, Afro, hip-hop, with a dash of gypsy.

The night opened up with a solo set by Nic Brodine of the Clefts. His reverberating Fender amp and chicken-plucking guitar style evokes a feeling of living in the 1950s and witnessing Buddy Holly. His wearing a suit and tie helps too. Even though Brodine was playing sans band because of a double booking that night, I was surprised at how well his sound filled out the room.

A short set by Sisturn Moth followed and I’ve got to say this night was probably the best I’ve heard them play. Chris Keefe’s bass was defined and punctuated throughout the Sonic Youth-ish noise guitar. The vocals were a drawback, but their driving sound more than made-up for it. After about four or five songs Mary Mary was up.

I’m not sure why they’re changing their name to Marriage, but this was to be their last show under the moniker. This was only my second time “seeing” Mary Mary (the first time was at a crowded Caps show and I had no idea who was playing), but I seem to recall them being louder. They too have a mid-to-late-80s Sonic Youth vibe and alternate between simplistic rhythms and breaks of noise. Alexandra Song’s vocals are emotionally energetic in the way that a drunk cries into a pint, full of feeling but sloppily dripping in different directions with swoops up in pitch and slides down into regret and surrender. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s interesting and I can’t imagine melodies that would fit the music better. I had seen Drew Fitchette tap away in Rooftops but it should be noted that he is also an excellent drummer. Also of note: Zinn and Woiwood in their underwear.

The thing about Sweaty Sweaters is their music is an acquired taste (pardon my pretension). You never know how their performances are going to end up. I’ve seen them play extremely tight and I’ve seen them really sloppy, but their sloppiness can be endearing. First time I saw them I didn’t care for it, but as I heard the songs more I grew to appreciate Shea Isley’s guitar style. It’s math-rock with a bluesy–almost surfy–twist. I’m excited that they’ve been playing shows again; even only as a two-piece (c’mon Shawn, where are you?!?), and I recommend you get a copy of their album that was up for free onvirb.com http://virb.com/, but it appears to be gone. I’m sure if you ask them nicely they’ll give it to you. Hell, ask me and I’ll send you some mp3′s.

Sugar Sugar Sugar rocking on New Year's Eve, opening night of the Plan B Saloon. Photo by Elliot Johnston

Out with the old and in with the new. The old being The Rogue’and the new of course being Plan B. Saloon. At 9:30 the bar was so packed I had to catch Boss Rhino’s awesome set from the sidewalk. Once I got in I realized why, a new paint job and stage and some of Bellingham’s best bar workers made ‘Plan B’ the hottest spot for the night and definitely for many more to come.

The Cheeps took the stage to a packed house around 10:45 p.m. With their hard hitting short punk songs they made it obvious, Plan B. has become the new rock venue. On the sixth song of the set Leather Pants finally did some stage antics, even though he appeared a bit tired, the crowd loved him; and that’s what really matters. The Cheeps’ low fidelity sound was reminiscent of Danzig’s Misfits. Don’t let their punk moniker fool you they’re an incredibly tight 5 piece punk band. Good screams, distorted power chords, and cleverly timed cymbal stabs, coupled with perfect execution equals The Cheeps a great band.

With 30 minutes left of the decade, psychedelic garage rock band Sugar Sugar Sugar took the stage. Usually a three piece, tonight they had a saxophone player. The saving grace of this band is guitarist Chris Ecklund. His solid playing and vast knowledge of the instrument really makes the band work. Not to diminish the work of frontman Andy Piper and drummer Lupe Flores, but Chris’s sweet licks are the reason I listen. Andy has a reputation for being hit or miss with his vocals on any given night, but tonight he was a true “Rock’n'Rolla.”

At 11:59 the man, the myth, the one known as DJ Poops took the stage with Sugar Sugar Sugar to start the countdown. The clock struck midnight, lovers embraced, ‘Plan B.’ passed out free champagne, we drank to new beginnings and rocked out to the rich sounds of Sugar Sugar Sugar.

Only one band in Bellingham that could follow that, The All Nighters. The alter-egos of metal band FFA, consisting of Jimmy, Jeff, Eli and Gabe. They play so much that everyone wondered if they had any tricks up their sleeve. The first was getting ‘The Dirty Bird Cabaret’ to dance for most of their set. Jimmy’s lead guitar was precise and on point. The rhythm section, compiled of Eli and Gabe, gave him full credence play as he pleased, and all were pleased. Their long luxurious instrumental songs were just what this crowd needed to drink the night away, and that we did. During the set they brought up three guest vocalists. The first was Leather Pants, second was Poops, and for the last song of the night Flan O’Malley took the stage and sang Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf.” He killed it, only as Flan could, the crowd went nuts and ‘Plan B’ solidified itself as a mainstay.

Only a few spelling and punctuation errors, overall good feeling and did well at staying on topic of the show!