Gil Mantera's Party Dream

9 p.m. Thursday, February 5. The Firebird, 2706 Olive Street.

By D.X. Ferris on Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 4:00 am

$8 21-plus, $11 under 21. No phone. www.firebirdstl.com.

[
      {
        "name": "Ad - NativeInline - Injected",
        "component": "37365813",
        "insertPoint": "3",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
      },{
        "name": "Real 1 Player (r2) - Inline",
        "component": "37365812",
        "insertPoint": "2/3",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "9"
      }
    ]

After some changes, Gil Mantera's Party Dream is refined, but not entirely reinvented. The nü-wave duo is now a trio with the addition of drummer A.E. Paterra — who also drums in Zombi, the sonically compatible analog-synth soundscape-rock band from Pittsburgh — and it's changed its name to GMPD. Frontman Ultimate Donny says it's partially an homage to OMD, and notes the change might not be permanent, even though it's on the artwork of the new Dreamscape LP. Still, the pronounced rawk-and-guitar flavor found during the band's concerts remains an undercurrent on its studio work. The invigorated 'Dream takes three steps away from raunchy, wise-ass humor (which is on display between songs live) and moves closer to New Order's late-'80s sound. And more than ever, you don't have to see the act live to get it. (But it helps.) GMPD will be christening the newly remodeled Bluebird — which has been renamed the Firebird — along with Thor Axe, Jason and the Beast and Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship.