MODtreal 2014 - A Retrospective

I want to let you in on a little secret. I'm a selfish bastard. One of the reasons why I decided to throw myself in the perilous and time consuming adventure of organizing a Mod Weekender was so that I could have one to attend. In North America, they're not a dime a dozen. It was also an excuse to have some cool, like-minded friends of mine, from across the continent, come and pay me a visit in my own town.

The vastness of the American continent makes it so that it's not easy to go and attend every scooter rally or Mod friendly event you want. In Europe, if you so desire, you can be in Italy one weekend, the UK the following weekend and in Germany the next. My point is, for the first year of its existence, MODtreal didn't attract crowds comparable to an Isle Of Wight rally but the people that came were one hell of a dedicated bunch. And for that, I'm immensely grateful and feel extremely fortunate.

Friday August 29

It all started with a little VIP cocktail party at the Parka Avenue HQ. Members from the different bands, DJs and close friends came together for a Happy Hour before the festivities officially started. Some sangria and the tour of the new digs were on the menu. 

Note to self: Don't organize your first Weekender and move into a new place during the same month. My esteemed guests were the first to walk into the new loft devoid of packing boxes.

The stylish lads from RAF

Quitty and friends

A hearty meal at the our local English Pub, the Burgundy Lion, was all we needed for the long night ahead.

The opening dance party at Bar de Courcelle, with an all-Canadian line-up of DJs, had the well dressed attendees sweat up a storm. I was glad that our first three destinations for the night were all within walking distance.

The RAF gang arriving in style!

The place was packed, the dance floor active and the weekend was off to a great start.

DJ Parka Pat on the wheels of steel

No, it's not Daniel Craig calling M. Meet DJ Shado.

Mod Marty manning the decks

DJ Gaz about to hand over the reigns to Napoleon 67

RAF & Napoleon 67 looking smart like only Mods do.

Saturday August 30

While my mate Eric was off with a bunch of scooterists touring the city. I picked up the RAF gang at their hotel to drive them down to my mate Daniel's practice space. A little morning jam got all of us in the mood for the evening's show. Now, as a big fan of the band, I felt like the ultimate groupie. This was probably my favorite moment of the weekend. I got to sit back for an instant, relax and share an intimate moment with some of the classiest, most genuine bunch of musicians I've met in a while.

Yes, Mods can wear shorts too!

But this serene moment wasn't going to last because I had a vintage / record swap to host. While Daniel accompanied the band to their official sound check, I headed over to the Atomic Cafe. DJs and collectors found some bargains in the relaxed atmosphere of this space age inspired local cafe. It was also the perfect meeting place to exchange some of the previous night's gossip.

Vintage posters for sale

Marty setting the mood with Mod music.

After the record swap, I had just enough time to go back to the loft, listen to a few of the day's finds, take a shower, slip into a freshly pressed suit and prepare a few dirty martinis for my overnight guests.

Off to the Divan Orange we were for a great night of dancing with a solid crew of DJs and the long awaited international debut of RAF. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. They are as tight on stage as any of their recordings.

Dan Melendez hard at work

DJ Karen Hartman - Photo by Jon Negri

Sunday August 31

Day 3 of the Weekender started with an event that was a Red, Hot & Blue and MODtreal collaboration.  A vintage car / motorcycle / scooter show was held at the one and only Jardin Tiki. 

The setting was just perfect. The cars were lined up outside and some live bands and DJs kept us entertained while we  tasted some of the more exotic cocktails the city has to offer.

Last but not least, our band extravaganza at the Atomic Cafe closed the Weekender with a bang. 

Welcome!

Cheers!

First off, local foursome Les Gentlemen not only looked good but they sounded great too! They masterfully played a mix of 60s Beat.

Next up, all the way from Brooklyn NY, Quitty and the Don'ts delivered big time with some 60s inspired garage. If you don't have the privilege to see them live, the next best thing would be to buy their recently released 45rpm. I had to walk around barefoot after their killer set because my socks were knocked off!

To close the first edition, we had Les Envahisseurs. You want to talk about raw energy on stage? Here you have it! They came a long way since I first introduced these French ex-pats to each other. They built up some confidence and it shows. Their cover of Go Go Gorilla at the end of their performance has already become a classic.

DJ Mod Marty and Parka Pat tied all those sets together and managed to keep the party going into the wee hours.

It might have been a year in the making and a lot of work but I would do it all again tomorrow. I want to personally thank each and everyone of you who made this 1st edition of MODtreal an undeniable success. You came from the far reaches of this continent, from as far as California, Oregon, Arizona and Manitoba. To all the DJs that made our feet move non-stop, I'm in your dept. To the bands RAF Mod Band, Quitty and the Don'ts, Les Envahisseurs, Les Gentlemen, YOU ALL ROCK! To the venues Bar de Courcelle, Divan Orange, Atomic Cafe, I am grateful beyond belief for you being so welcoming and professional. To my sponsors, We Are The Mods, Punks In Parkas, On Target - It's What's In The Grooves That Count, you believed in me from the start and words can't express how proud I am to be associated with you. Thank you to Bianka Tscherne Photography and Red Devil Rocket Art for taking stunning photos. You made us look good! A "thumbs up" to my friend Randy for mentioning us on air on CHOM FM. To have your support means a lot to me.

A special thank you to Daniel Fiocco and my wife Nathalie Malartre, I could not have done it without you. I am happy, grateful and content. To all the patrons, YOU were ALL instrumental in making my little dream become a reality...