This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The most popular song of the summer of 2011 was LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," though no one remembers it for the lyrics that included this puzzling rejoinder: "Yo, I'm runnin' through these ho's like Drano."
Everyone remembers the song for the immortal lines of the chorus:
Party rock is in the house tonight
Everybody just have a good time
And we gonna make you lose your mind
Everybody just have a good time
That's the simple and direct fight-for-your-right-to-party spirit of LMFAO's "Sorry for Party Rocking Tour," hitting Maverik Center on Wednesday, May 30 — and just so you're aware,they're not sorry.
"Use this as an excuse to let loose," said SkyBlu, one-half of the electro-hop duo LMFAO, which means "Loving My Friends And Others" or "Laughing My F——— A— Off," depending on whom you ask.
"[The audience] can expect what you can expect from an LMFAO show," said Redfoo in a media conference call with SkyBlu. He referenced his group's signature dance as "a lot of shuffling."
The tour is one of the few arena-size hip-hop dance parties that have shuffled their way through Utah. It features LMFAO and Far East Movement, The Quest Crew, Sidney Samson, Eva Simmons and Natalia Kills.
All the bands have one objective: Get concert loafers off their feet — a tough feat inside the Maverik Center, or any arena, for those not holding a GA floor ticket. "Let's throw an amazing party that people will never forget," said Far East Movement's Kev Nish.
LMFAO came to attention several years ago with the dance hit "I'm In Miami Bitch," which frankly showed such a lack of craftsmanship that it's hard to believe that SkyBlu and Redfoo are directly descended from Berry Gordy, the founder of the Motown record label.
But it wasn't until 2011's "Party Rock Anthem" and "I'm Sexy and I Know It" that the duo became larger than life and launched terms such as "party rock" and "shuffling" into popular culture. In addition, its lyrics sparked a recent national debate when a 6-year-old boy was suspended from his Denver-area school for three days earlier this month after it was reported that he told a girl, "I'm sexy and I know it."
The YouTube video for "Party Rock Anthem" has been viewed an unfathomable 439,494,013 times as of May 24. The song invites either immediate scorn or a headache, with its catchy chorus and jitter synths. Whatever your reaction, one thing is for sure: You won't be able to get that squeaky electronic hook out of your head.
D.J. Dainjazone — pronounce it phonetically, and you'll catch the meaning — has been with LMFAO for two years. In a Tribune interview, he recalled the first time he saw LMFAO unleash its "party rock" (which is not what the Urban Dictionary defines as crack cocaine) on a crowd. "I really didn't know [about it] until I watched them at Tao in Las Vegas and the place just lost it," he said. "I knew it was a big deal."
To Dainjazone, "party rock is as simple as it sounds," he said. "It's about creating a fun atmosphere for everyone, [and] taking it to the next level."
"Shuffling" is harder to define. Scholars say the dance is derived from the Melbourne Shuffle, a dance ravers have used in Australia's underground electronic scene. While there are variations, for LMFAO shuffling generally involves some sort of toe-to-heel movement and is accompanied by exaggerated, cartoony arm movements.
It's takes some practice, apparently. "I'm trying to shuffle, but I don't have the best coordination," admitted Kev Nish.
Regardless of your dancing skills, another component of following LMFAO is fashion, and this should feature the most decked-out Utah crowd since last year's Lady Gaga concert.
"Dressing up is a plus," Redfoo said, alluding to the relatively new website PartyRockClothing.com, a clothing line that some marketers will claim will make you sexy and know it, such as $9.99 black-rim glasses that Redfoo sports, as well as a leopard-spotted speedo for $40.95 (shipping and handling not included).
If you wear those speedos and frames and are still afraid to get out of your seat at the Maverik Center on Wednesday — then, well, you will be the sensible one in the arena.
Facebook.com/sltribmusic
Twitter: @davidburger —
Sorry for Party Rocking Tour
This concert features headliners LMFAO and the Party Rock Crew, as well as Far East Movement, The Quest Crew, Sidney Samson, Eva Simmons and Natalia Kills.
When • Wednesday, May 30, at 7 p.m.
Where • Maverik Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City
Tickets • $37-$61.50 at box office and http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Parking is $10 per vehicle.