PREVIEW: Valentine’s Week at No Fun
2/9-2/14 @ No Fun, Troy
Photo by No Fun
“I think what No Fun carries from Valentine's legacy is having literally whatever you want to do. Somebody who's part of the community that goes there and says, ‘We should do something like this,’ and [we] just do it.”
As the romance and yucky gushiness of Valentine’s Day fast approaches, it’s not uncommon to walk down the memory lane of bygone lovers, perhaps even lamenting “the one that got away.” On New Scotland Ave in Albany, there’s a ghost of an old flame that punk and hardcore fans of the 518 may never stop mourning — Valentine’s. Luckily for them, No Fun and Hey, Greasy! will be celebrating the venue throughout the week of February 9, allowing everyone to return to this treasured paramour.
I was able to speak with Sean “Tex” Secor to learn more about what’s in store, and who better to talk to than the man that’s worked at both venues? While Valentine’s is admittedly before my time, I’ve heard the tales and legends from plenty of folks in the scene, so I couldn’t wait to hear how it would be brought back to life next week.
With a different event each day, Tex explains that they’re trying to capture the atmosphere and variety that Valentine’s used to promote. In fact, it’s kind of what No Fun does year-round. “My initial goal with it was to recreate a week of programming at Valentine's,” he says. “I think what No Fun carries from Valentine's legacy is having literally whatever you want to do. Somebody who's part of the community that goes there and says, ‘We should do something like this,’ and [we] just do it.”
Monday and Tuesday feature two of those No Fun variety nights, Bring Your Own Vinyl and VCR Vortex. To sway BYOV night to the good ol’ days reminiscence everyone is craving, the theme is “locals only,” asking that folks bring records of local bands past and present to play all night long. And while this year’s VCR Vortex is the classic Rob Reiner film, This Is Spinal Tap, and Tamra Davis’ equally fantastic CB4, Tex recalls a prior year where the 518’s very own musicians were the ones on the screen.
For that particular night, he says, “Shane [Sanchez] had actually put together a really long playlist of old sets from Valentine's, including a bunch of the people that work at No Fun or in our community. A bunch of our younger regulars turned out to that. For them,” he laughs. “It was like, ‘Oh, man, this is how you used to get down back then?!’” While you may not get to witness those tapes this year, you’re sure to hear story upon story if you go.
Wednesday will see “The Dating Game,” adapted from Valentine’s “Punk Rock Dating Game,” hosted by the dually-talented graphic designer who created this event’s very flyer, Brendan Halayko. And yes, he was indeed the original host back in its hey-day. Four love-seeking folks will find themselves on stage, answering questions in the hopes of finding their true love right then and there… and avoid being the one to head home solo after baring their heart to a crowd.
Thursday through Saturday will see live music front and center as usual, beginning with The Jagaloon’s release show on Thursday night where they’ll be joined by The Dracu-la’s and Grief Group. In honor of the release of this brand new love song on a heart-shaped 7” flexi, they’ll be giving one out to each patron with entry. “I mean, the record itself is worth the price of admission,” Tex jokes (but seriously, it totally is). It’s a perfect mix of surf pop and punk that’ll have you looking like a cartoon character with big red hearts pumping out of your ears by the end of the night.
Finally, Friday and Saturday night is the Valentine’s Reunion Show and the second Emo Burlesque Night. In order to recreate a classic 2012 lineup, they’ve got New Red Scare, Sugar Eater, and One Through Ten rocking throughout the night. If there’s anything people need right now, it’s to lean into any pocket of joy you can find, even if it’s an old memory — Friday night is shaping up to bring that memory back to life, so it’s the perfect opportunity to find community and let off some steam.
The same can really be said for Saturday night, which Tex says is a nod to the midnight burlesque events that Valentine’s would put on after their shows. This one, put on by Bad Hearts Burlesque, is a self-proclaimed “anti-Valentine’s Day show.” Their reasoning? “Because love is fake, eyeliner is real, and Troy belongs to the emotionally unstable,” reads BHB’s Instagram caption, capturing so many sentiments in just fourteen words. The music of the night will also be throwbacks, featuring artists like lil Knotty, Aura Allure, and X Etera.
Bottom line? There’s going to be a night for every single fan of No Fun and Valentine’s next week, no matter the iteration you were born into. Grab your friends, your crush, your situationship… we don’t care. Just get yourself to No Fun next week and enjoy the music, fun, and lore from one of the 518’s favorite (deceased) venues.
