Loft Music Recommendations

• Published Winter 2006

M80

EIGHTIES COVER BAND
M80 is the eighties relived: Alf is in their promo shots; belly tops and skinny ties prevail. Sets vary wildly from punk to soft-metal ballads by the era's finest: Peter Gabriel, Blondie, the Cure, and Talking Heads (from $5,000, through Grey Entertainment; 212-242-8780).—Emma Pearse

Bishop Allen

HIP LOCAL
This Brooklyn threesome has played with Mates of State and We Are Scientists, delighting crowds with the malleability of their sound. Although fifties and sixties pop and folk covers are their specialty, this band writes terrific original music for the ultimate wedding-day surprise (from $5,000; contact@bishopallen.com).—Emma Pearse

D.J. Small Change

CELEBRITY D.J.
Long-time WFMU jock and club circuit regular DJ Small Change has 40,000-50,000 records in his collection, which means he can cater to any niche, from dancehall reggae to diva disco. He sums up his populist aesthetic simply: "I want the relatives to be happy, but I don't want to play shit music" (from $1500; djsmallchange.com).—Michael Endelman