Karen Irwin as Janis Joplin

More than 80 costumed music fans enjoyed a night of authentic covers at Birdy’s Halloween Masquerade last Friday. Painting Jaimee performed as the Toadies and the singer’s screaming tenor vocals and outfit matched the band perfectly. Metal Guru stepped to the stage as T-Rex. They emulated the British rock giants all the way down to the top-hat and leather pants. “Marc Bolan” gave a stellar delivery in famous pose with a roaring version of “Get It On.”

The best masquerading band of the night was Karen and the Beast as Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company. She had it all, down to the faux-feather drape, sunglasses, raspy vocals, cackling giggles and, yes, burps to beat a frat-boy. While some of the bands made a distinction between themselves and the masquerade, “Janis” acted like they just stopped off on the way from Monterey. They gave a soulful rendition of “Get It While Ya Can,” and she screamed like a banshee on “Ball and Chain.”

Wick and Friends then went on as Cheap Trick. Comprised of some members of The Common and others, they ran through the balls-to-the-wall set with plenty of gusto. Fans sang along on “I Want You to Want Me.” HVP surprised the fans with an unusual but entertaining masquerade as Ween. The lead signer rocked out with a George Bush mask while the guitarist jammed in doctor’s scrubs on “Dr. Rock.”

Fans got a taste of Texas as Mantis closed out the night as ZZ Top. They had the beards and the blasting riffs to match. “Ted Nugent” backed the band on solos with a full archer’s quiver. The bass shook the bar during “Cheap Sunglasses” and the singer and guitars both howled on “LaGrange.”