Industrial monthly going strong at Revolution

Back in the 1980s and '90s, a number of clubs ran weekly “alternative” nights, evenings where the music was made up of several subgenres. Anything could be played – with sounds ranging from European pop hits to new wave, rock, hip-hop, punk, dance and more. Often found in the mix was a sizable amount of industrial music -- a style where the sound is stripped down, then pumped with dark, harsh, angry and emotional energy, often performed with dance-worthy rhythm. (For reference purposes, the best-known industrial act of that era would be Nine Inch Nails, but regulars of the alt scene would also quickly name-check bands like Ministry, KMFDM, Nitzer Ebb and Front Line Assembly as once big-name and often-heard.)

Out of all those aforesaid genres that came together to make up alt parties, many faded away with very little new music produced in the past 10 years, while others branched off into more mainstream directions. Industrial, however, has continued to evolve – and today, while still serious and far from having pop appeal, has become even more dance-oriented, with direct links to electro, techno and drum-and-bass. Perhaps that is why Club Revolution (aka Ollie’s Point) in Amityville (140 Merrick Rd.) was so busy on Saturday, Aug. 11. Or then again, perhaps there are still enough Long Islanders who have an interest in the style that is often found in conjunction with industrial music.

There is a lot located a few storefronts down from Revolution (on Broadway) that handles parking duties for its events, and on that Saturday every single space was filled. One of the most prominent cars was a hearse with flames painted on the side. Not your typical find, but it was a good indication what the evening’s main story would be: the Leather & Lace bash, thrown by Nocturnal Creatures and Indenial Productions.

Once inside, the scene was vibrant, as a mix of people were filling the dance floor to move to the industrial sounds being spun by DJs Dreamtrancer, Shellshock, Krztoff and Ian Fford (who has been a fixture on the NYC circuit for decades). But while the music may have drawn all these people together, the scene’s other main bond was fashion sense – a link apparent in the abundance of black (which has always been the appropriate shade for events of this nature). The theme was, as the night was named, “Leather and Lace” – and there was some of that fabric found in the form of pants and tops, but there also frequent instances of T-shirts, corsets, high boots, string-strapped and button-down shirts – but virtually all was black. Accessories leaned toward a predominance of metals, and much of that was placed in the form of piercings, while hair was occasionally gelled into severe directions or shaved in spots.

The event also featured live performances and a secondary room for more dancing (hidden across the building in a room behind a curtain), as well as an outside patio and a large, four-sided bar indoors, with go-go dancers positioned onstage – all of which came together to create hefty energy, and things stayed busy well into 2 a.m. If this can be taken as an indication, it seems that while most of Long Island nightlife has moved on to more conventional attractions, there is still a sturdy interest in the industrial genre – so if you were once a part of the alt scene and miss those days, or are currently enjoying the sounds and lifestyle of industrial music, it appears there is a solid occurrence that may just provide a night out particular to your tastes.

“Leather & Lace” is a monthly party; the next edition is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 starting at 10 p.m. Age of admission is 18, guests pay $8 before 11 p.m. (or in theme-wear), $12 after (and not in theme).