 "Photo: Photo by Kylie Swope")
 "Photo: Photo by Kylie Swope")
Goblins, Disney characters, vampires and zombies gathered Friday night for DiPiazza’s Halloween show with local Long Beach band, He’s Not Gay!
The lights dimmed and the band, decked out as members of the Village People, came on stage and began dancing to “Y.M.C.A.” This pumped up the crowd for what was sure to be an entertaining and thrilling kick-off to the Halloween weekend.
The Le Tigre-type band performed several songs from its self-titled, August 2009 release starting with “Oh Angela.” The song’s namesake was in the audience that night, wearing a homemade He’s Not Gay! T-shirt. The audience chanted along with vocalist Merilou S., “Oh, oh Angela.”
Merilou told everyone to start chanting, “We want more cowbell!” Then drummer James C., a Cal State Long Beach student, played a drum solo while the rest of the band broke into choreography.
Merilou showed off her many talents, including rapping and playing ripping guitar solos. People’s jaws dropped in amazement.
“Ska Song” brought 50s Jamaica back as the crowd dispersed to form a skank pit, an area for a type of dance done to reggae or ska music.
Bassist Jessie M. jumped off stage and skanked along with fans. He put his arm around them as they ran and skipped around the circle together.
He’s Not Gay! also covered two songs that excited the audience. Jessie joined the dance floor again as He’s Not Gay! performed The Ting Tings’s “That’s Not My Name.” After that, the band performed “I Got a Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas. The crowd jumped around and sang as James played another drum solo.
The band paused its set to announce the winners of a costume contest it was holding for the night. Among contestants were a dead prison inmate, cat lady and Dorothy. The mummy, chosen by the loudest cheers from the audience, was the winner.
At the end of its set, He’s Not Gay! told the audience to make a pathway. “Make way for Mulan and the Huns!” they chanted as two men dressed as “Mulan” characters walked down the aisle and onto the stage. They began dancing as the band played “I Can Make a Man Out of You” from the Disney film.
After its performance, the band showed its humble side by meeting with fans and taking pictures. With such fun personalities and good dance beats, He’s Not Gay! is a band to watch out for.
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