STEPH DEROSA: HOUSE BLEND THURSDAYS AT MASA >>>

I’m in love with so many different things.  I can hardly keep up.  Last night, I decided to show some of the DeRosa love for Masa’s House Blend Thursdays with this week’s band â€" Handful of Luvin’.

I secured the corner rock star booth with the anticipation that my two best Tacoma people would be joining me: KAke and BanditoBetty.  The hostess was extremely nice, and the service was very hospitable.  As I ordered my first Negro Modelo, I spotted Weekly Volcano lounge lizard Brad Allen mingling with the bartender (probably trying to schmooze some free drinks), as he bellied up to the bar. 

I waited with anticipation for Handful to start.  I was introduced to this band at First Night 2007, and immediately became enamored with their soulful, expressive sound.  I’ve purchased both of their CDs through CD Baby, and have turned the mini-me into a mini-fan by playing the music repeatedly in the car.

From our celebrity booth in the back, KAke and I witness some very clever moves making it’s way on the dance floor.  A girl named Tracy and a few of her friends ripped the room apart with their crafty interpretive/hippie dances.  Legs flailing, high jumps, and invisible hula-hoops were all a part of the ritualistic arrangements.

I offered KAke a solid ten dollar bill to go up there and do the robot, but I think by that point she was too busy warding off Brad Allen in his drunken stupor.  I tried to help by offering Brad to do a stage dive (there was no stage), for one very cool Benjamin.  At which point he pulled out a wad of money stating “Just made my weekly sperm donation.”  Great, that’s all we need, more Brad Allens.  Isn’t the Humane Society already overcrowded?

Eventually Brad left, BanditoBetty showed up, and more Handful was to be had.  This is the point where Courtney, our Masa server, comes over and cleverly says: “Didja finally lose the zero and get with the hero?”  Yes, Courtney, we did.

Instead of a cover charge, the band was taking donations for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, giving me just one more reason to find these guys simply irresistible. After they played every tune my heart craved, a fantastic violin solo within a mini-jam, and some great impromptu Irish-themed drinking bits, it was time for the night end.  I slid out from my booth and slinked my way up front to talk to the guys.  David John, Handful of Luvin’s key singer had no voice!  But, his voice had been right on â€" all night.  How did he do it?

It’s called professionalism, talent, and motivation â€" something this band has built into their hearts.

LINK: Weekly Volcano's Photo Hot Spot for more photos of the night.