Okay loyal Elektrik Company followers, let me introduce myself before I get to business: The name’s Elton Rainey Jones. No relation to you-know-who (“Benny and the Jets” is one of my jams, BTW). From a young age, I’ve been the unofficial roadie for the bands some of the Elektrik Company members have been a part of.

Frank, Jeff, Jerome and Ramsey (my Pops) are musical stalwarts and a group of dynamic disco dudes. They’ve watched me grow and I’ve watched their fanbase grow as well. It’s been a treat watching these guys rock hard under their Funkface moniker (shoutout to Luqman), then switch musical genres for their other projects.

This whole disco tribute band thing is something I thought I’d never see from these guys. Once I came along for the ride and sat down (then stood up) for their BB King’s performance, I believed the hype. This group of guys and gals present the best of disco music to any crowd who’s willing to boogie.

I tend to play the part of the interested onlooker at some of their shows, just so I can get a glimpse of the crowd and their reactions to the party taking place on stage.

Here’s what I’ve seen thus far:

1. No one expects Jerome to surf a table and continue to play his guitar while maintaining a ridiculous balancing act. It definitely woke up a group of old fogies who sat on their hands for the beginning of the band’s BB King’s gig. Let this be a lesson to you boring chair occupiers: get up & dance or prepare to get Jerome’d.

2. The clothing these disco dudes and dudettes sport on stage while they perform define the word “authentic.” Wild Afro wigs, leather chaps, turquoise ensembles and red cheetah print dresses make the whole experience worthwhile.

3. “Kung Fu Fighting” gives the band’s Caucasian onlookers a sudden dose of rhythm for some reason…

4. “That’s The Way I like It” is a crowd favorite and one of the most recognizable disco tunes today. The frenzy it causes must be seen to be believed. KC & The Sunshine Band covers always have to come correct whenever they’re played. The Elektrik Company are professionals when it comes to performing KC classics.

5. Donna Summers R.I.P. While radio stations played her songs for one whole day, the Elektrik Company honored her the right way: they made sure to do their finest renditions of “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff.” These tribute songs shall continue…

6. I overheard a few people in the crowd one night talking about the lack of another disco classic: “More, More, More” by Andrea True. Maybe one night we’ll get to hear this song get turned out by the Elektrik Company. I’m in that group of fans who’d like to see it be done.

7. The lady singers who belt out their hearts and souls on stage? They’re hot. That observation was pretty much expected , I’m sure.

8. The youngest of the young and the oldest of the old come together as one once the band gets warmed up. It’s always a wondrous sight when I catch some 20-something year old dude learning some disco moves from a group of older women. I figure I should learn a thing or two from these ladies, too (if ya catch my perverted drift).

Yeah so this is what my young eyes have witnessed since my introduction to the Elektrik Company. If you happen to spot a super lanky, tall brotha with a set of glasses on, chances are you’ve just laid eyes on this guest blogger.

You may refer to me as…”The Eyes of the Elektrik Company.” I got more blogs planned so stay tuned…