Dope Stars Inc. And My Sixth Shadow Neuromance  Record Release Party -Milan
We arrived in Milan’s Bergamo Airport after a four am early start. We were already tired, but the Italian sun was beating down on us and the
sight of the Alps was more than I could take in. We were saved from the Airport by Sarah, the promoter and got a rather quick and terrifying
lesson in driving in Italy.( Lets just say that as terrifying as they are I was in awe.)  We got to our lovely hotel and hit the bed for a much needed
nap. After all we had the time, the party didn’t start until late that evening.

After a quick rest and a pizza from a little Bistro, we were picked up by three Italian boys, one of which spoke little English, the rest none at all.
Again the lesson of how Italians really only have guide lines for driving not actually laws led us to a white knuckled drive to the venue.  We
ended up lost…( how does one from Milan get lost you would wonder.. trust me In Italy the roads might as well be a maze in the Queen’s
garden) After a million dead stop no warning U-turns we
arrived to Club Zoe.

When we arrived and  My sixth Shadow was just hitting the
stage. And I have to say that My sixth Shadow’s recordings
do them no justice. I was impressed with the all around
sound and energy that I was exposed to by the gents.
Victor rocked out on backing vocals and did his guitar rock
star moves. The first thought I had was that most bands
never open up for their other band. I was a little worried
understanding how much a live show can take out of you.
But Victor stood up and showed me that he was super human.

Noizefront have already reviewed Dope Stars Inc debut
album, 'Neuromance', (check it out in album review archives), and many moons ago, their EP, '10,000 Watts Of Artificial Pleasure', (check this
out in album review archives), with nothing but praise.

We had a chance to speak to Darin before the show and
Grace looked really excited to finally meet us in person,
(this was somewhat returned, mind you.I had known the
boys for years now.) and was all smiles and waves, (any DSI fan will know that hardly a smiley picture of Grace exists, but I got them.),
seconds before they took the stage.

DSI are able to pull off their phenomenal debut album live.  And with all the energy that I expected. With such a wide array of sounds and a band
without a drummer, You would have never noticed that he was missing.

Victor Love, (on vocals and guitar), Grace Khold, (on Synths), Darin Yevonde (on bass) and new boy Alex Vega, (on guitar), blew me away.
Alex,  looked perhaps a little perplexed at how to fit such a big man on such a little stage for the first two minutes but soon settled in just fine
and looked like he had been in the band since the beginning and though they  were having some monitor issues that we learned of later we didn't
notice.

DSI have spent the last few years working on their live show and working together.
Victor didn't stop smiling throughout the whole show, with the exception of pausing to
make said 'rockstar' faces and Grace never once stopped doing his thing and shaking his
ass, though trying to take a shot of him was almost impossible. He never held still long
enough to get a good shot! After the show the band were easily accessible and that blasted
mascot of ours, Damian, demanded that we take him around to chat up the boys since his
transmuters were making his feet hurt and the only thing that would sate him was some
DSI love. Victor who was ever the gentleman and stopped to chat with us for a while
before giving Dami all the love he wanted .Next we hunted down Darin to harass him on
Dami’s behalf of course, then Grace who was kind enough to share a cigarette with that
chain smoking duck of ours and Alex, who gives the best bear hugs I've ever received,
who promptly told us that we were the best and really, he was obviously talking about us
and not the duck. The highlight of the evening , despite the awesome performance by DSI
was definitely Victor rocking out with his girl to Madonna's 'Material Girl' and
Cyndi Lauper's 'Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun' whilst wearing a skirt after the show and it
was really refreshing to see the look on his face during their performance when he realised
that we knew the words to the album.

Darin, Grace and Alex also treated us to Djing experience after the show, playing
everything from Marilyn Manson to Rammstein and we all partied on with
them and the amazing promoter, Sarah. We had a lovely time dancing, hanging out and just sitting with Marco ( XP8 ) The My Sixth Shadow
boys and Dope Stars until 5am before finally giving in to sleep deprivation, and pain filled feet. With more U-turns than I smoked cigarettes and
more sharp breaking than generous three shot Vodkas that I enjoyed, we finally reached the hotel and crashed for the night.

We had a lovely time to say the least. We would like to thank Club Zoe, Sarah, and Dope Stars Inc. for their hospitality while we were in Milan
for this event. With out their help we would have been lost. Thanks Sarah, Victor and Grace for your help.  

Dope Stars Inc.

Cab fare to the airport - £10

Flights to Milan - £65

Hotel in Milan - 90 Euros

Victor Love dancing to Material Girl - Priceless.