Pick up your jaws, ladies and gentlemen: these dapper fellows sound just as good as they look behind their turntables, not that they are mindful of appearances. Lazerbomb! and DJ Jeff Leppard just want you to party like no one is watching.

Hailing from small towns around B.C., all three men found Vancouver was not quite what they were anticipating. “When youfirst move out here it’s a shock because you’re expecting a lot more; then you get over that and you find out about the secret stuff—[the stuff] that you have to know people in order to find out about,” explains Dan Parker, who comprises Lazerbomb! along with Eric Cairns. “I went to the Morrissey because it was the only decent place to have a drink,” adds Cairns.

The Morrissey is just one of many downtown venues Cairns, Parker, and Jeff Lawrence list when discussing the nightlife they first experienced after arriving in Vancouver. Lawrence, known at the table as Jeff Leppard, talks about his happy discovery of DJ Dickie Doo’s Sunday nights at Shine—an oasis of hip hop that, unlike other queer nights, doesn’t limit their music to traditional disco glam.

This disregard for expectations is the common ground between Leppard and Lazerbomb!, and its the quality that sets them apart from the rest. “I love playing two songs that you would never think would go together: some gangster rap followed by Roy Orbison,” Parker says. Lazerbomb!’s Sunday nights at the Narrow are host to many guest DJs who relish the opportunity to let loose and dust off beloved dormant tunes. “The nights that seem to flourish the most are those where the DJs play everything.” Cairns continues, “We play shit that we think is awesome… but also a variety. There’s no point in limiting yourself to one genre.”

Lazerbomb!’s and Jeff Leppard’s organic sets reflect their transition from party-goers to party-makers. Both Cairns and Parker have been interested in DJing for some time. Cairns often filled the DJ role for friends’ parties and fundraisers, while Parker’s interest piqued when residing in Brighton—England’s DJ capital. After Brighton, Parker found Vancouver to be a difficult scene to break into.

“You gotta be friends with people who throw parties, or throw parties yourself,” says Parker. The DJ scene requires an abundance of energy, a night owl nature, and the ability to party all the time. “You have to show support for everyone else so that they’ll show support for you,” confirms Cairns. The imperative for self-promotion is the one lackluster requirement felt by all three. “I didn’t really promote myself much. You feel dirty,” says Lawrence. “We do it shamelessly now,” laughs Cairns.

Lawrence also experienced some tough times when starting out. “A friend and I thought, ‘Let’s do a fundraiser and we’ll learn to DJ,’ and a lot of people showed up. It was at the Gecko Club, which was the shittiest club that only lasted about six months… We thought it’d be cool but then the interior was covered with lizards.”

Lazerbomb! first fused together when throwing a few back at the Narrow one March. Cairns and Parker, who had been friends for three years, struck up a conversation with some Irish folk and threw around the idea of DJing a St. Patty’s night. “We made some promises that night in an inebriated fashion and then figured we should actually follow through,” says Cairns. They made good on their promise and have been a regular fixture at Narrow since.

Lazerbomb! was also the DJ for Sad Mag’s July 1^st fundraiser, during which they completed an eight-hour DJ marathon. “We got shut down to Conga by Gloria Estefan,” says Cairns. “The neighbour even came out on her porch [and commented], ‘You guys were great! Where else do you throw parties?’” adds Parker.

Lawrence now DJs every Friday at Junction and although this upcoming Thursday is his second Sad Mag stint, he is a familiar feature at the Anza Club. Lawrence delves into his love for the Anza Club and the way it forces attendees to commit to the party. “People come to the Anza to party their faces off.” Cairns nods in agreement saying, “It reminds me of a teen dance. You’re there because you’re just having a good time and you don’t care who’s looking. You’re not at a nightclub, so it doesn’t matter since you’re not there for that vibe to begin with.”

This is one secret everyone should be in on. Come check out what Lazerbomb! and DJ Jeff Leppard are bringing to Vancouver’s Eastside at the Anza this Thursday at Sad Mag’s holiday party! Details here.

Lazerbomb! DJs Sunday nights at the Narrow

DJ Jeff Leppard can be found every Friday night at Junction

-Rebecca Slaven for Sad Mag