House rules

Maybe it’s the beers or the years, but most of the house parties I’ve been to sort of run together.

Some costumes stand out from their associated themed parties, such as Madonna (‘80s party), a banana (“Arrested Development”) or a mustache (Mustachio Bashio 2009-12).

For the most part though, every hilarious joke, ridiculous story and 40 of Cobra is a little fuzzy — but the resulting feeling of good humor and warmth is why I love house parties.

“House parties are where you meet the largest number of people that are into the same things you are,” Bloomington resident Clark Dallas said. “I’ve met a lot of my best friends at house parties. Everyone is here for the same things you are.”

Those “things” range from meeting new people to drinking socially and seeing a favorite local band pack a basement.

“It’s a lot more fun to play a house show because there are no rules, or at least it feels that way,” Sleeping Bag drummer Dave Segedy said. “House shows kind of sound better, too. They’re well-insulated and the vibe is different.”

Whether it was Clouds as Oceans, Go Go Gadget or Elephant Quiz, there have always been local favorites at the house parties I’ve been to.

Dallas, the guitarist for former house-show-staple Clouds as Oceans, has seen his fair share of basements.

“At a bar, even at a great show, you’re distanced by a stage,” Dallas said. “At house shows, some dude in the band is grabbing you by your hair and neck, singing with you and you become part of the band.”

But what’s even better is when bands’ biggest fans show up at house parties – the cops.

Cops were the bane of my, and many others, pre-21-year-old existence, not just because I was drinking underage (sorry, Dad), but because visits from the cops usually meant “noise complaint” and hence, “party’s over.”

“There should be a time limit on parties, and you shouldn’t play as loud as you possibly can, but when you live where students live, you should anticipate parties happening,” said Meredith Dover, We Don’t Surf bassist. “It’s a lot of hard work, moving amps, PA’s and instruments for nothing.”

Despite party crashers, many party hosts in town still find it in their hearts to open their doors to those seeking refuge from boredom, and deal with the messy repercussions the next day.

“Everyone getting together to have a good time and listen to music is more important than the inconveniences that come with throwing a party,” said Chelsea Sherman, Bloomington resident and party host.

“When we open our house to others we really try to get everything cleaned up so people would get the message to respect our belongings, and usually they do.”

One word resonates with Bloomington’s fun and communal house party culture: "free." This describes the price and inhibitions.

“More exciting stuff happens at house parties — someone always gets naked,” Dover said. “It’s a niche community, so you always know people at the parties.”

There is something different about walking into someone’s home to party, be it the lack of a cover charge, cheap drinks or constant paranoia of being busted by the cops before all the bands can perform.

And yet there is more to the parties that rage on beneath Bloomington soil: inclusiveness that can’t be found at frats, drinking at all ages which can’t be found at bars, and loud, rambunctious, boisterous behavior that can’t be found anywhere else in Bloomington.

“The music, the booze and the crowds really heighten everything about a party,” Sherman said. “In order to experience it you have to be there in the moment. I think that’s where we find the most joy.”