A different kind of party slowly has been attempting to bust onto the NIU scene.

Although none may stand up to those seen in movies such as “Animal House” or “Glory Daze,” the key to a great house or apartment party is the addition of a couple of bands to the classic kegger.

Live music obviously always has been the key to a good party, but the over-abundance of deejays has left many students searching for something more. Bands can fill that gap. There are plenty of local bands just begging for the exposure that can be gained by playing a party. I know tons of punk bands that are dying to play more shows. I’m sure there are bands in other genres that also are willing to play at a party.

Last year, when I lived in a house across from the art building, we would have massive parties with up to seven bands every other week (only every other week because of the destruction such events bring). It was a blast. The bands were willing to play for a free cup, and money generated by a cup charge usually went to cover damages (there were plenty of those).

I’ve even seen several bands such as ATM and Jinxpack playing in tiny apartments around NIU. Those always are the best parties ever.

More people need to consider having a band play at their parties. There are so many bands out there, all you have to do is mention the idea that you are looking for bands to play at your place to several people, and often times the bands will find you.

Of course, landlords don’t like these ideas, and if you take my advice seriously, you are responsible for your own actions — don’t go blaming me. There are negatives to hosting such parties. There’s always the possibility of getting fined by your landlord, getting arrested or having severe damage done to your home.

I think we had all of the above, minus getting arrested, thankfully. But the great times were well worth it.

I have nothing against deejays. I just enjoy having a little variety and a choice.

However, somebody needs to pick up the slack and get the weekends around here back on track with some variety in live music.

Unfortunately, because I recently moved into a tiny apartment that couldn’t possibly fit an entire band in it while leaving room for anybody else, I am out of the loop.

That is why I call upon the students at NIU to make a contribution to the scene and give many of the local bands an opportunity to grow.

There probably are more small punk bands willing to play around here than bands in other genres because there is no place for punk bands to play right now. CAB sometimes has some small bands play in the Diversions Lounge at the Holmes Student Center, but because of low attendance, the shows slowly are becoming extinct.

The reason for the low attendance is not because the bands are bad, but because the shows are scheduled for weekend nights when everyone wants to go out for the evening rather than spend the night in a non-smoking environment where alcohol is not allowed.

Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway, slowly is picking up the pace as CAB lets it loose, but Otto’s is looking for bigger, more well-known bands. The smaller, local bands still don’t have any place to play.

So, it is up to the students to take matters in their own hands and pick up the slack.

We need to stop settling for a mediocre party scene and make some changes to encourage more and better bands to come into the area.

During the year that I lived in that house, I think we had about 28 different bands play at our place and several different deejays, many played more than once. They always wanted to come back. The performers enjoyed themselves as much as everyone else. I met so many people that year, it was amazing. Those are some great memories I won’t soon forget.