I Heart My Polo Lifestyle

Feb. 10, 2009 – Approx. 3:45 p.m.

I made my way over to The Mercury Lounge in the L.E.S. (Lower East Side) in The Rotten Apple (New York City) to catch up w/The Morning Benders (Dope-Ass Group) during their sound check. By the time I arrived they had just come off stage. No sneak previews for ME *frowns* but it’s all good because I knew I’d catch their show later on that night.

Out walks Christopher Chu & The Morning Benders’ drummer Julian Harmon who are getting ready to do an interview. I salute them both along w/meeting their manager Steve. Very cool young guys. Tall I must add. I make my way towards the stage area to meet Tim & Joe.

This day was a special day for The Morning Benders. Today marked the day Julian became of proper legal age for alcohol consumption within the laws of the United States. His band members & label rep (Lauren… who’s name I shall not forget again) surprised him with some delicious cupcakes. Candles & all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From this initial meeting we all go to Teany – a teeny tea spot in L.E.S. (Once again I strike with the clever wordplay). Honestly I’m not really big on tea. Outside of Snapple Raspberry Iced Tea & Peach Iced Tea, then I could live without. I used to drink Lipton’s brewed tea with milk & lots of sugar back in the days when I was younger. I just thought it would be pertinent information for me to throw that out there. I’d probably never again get a chance to talk about my tea past life experiences. I went for the gusto. After Teany we hit up Vanessa’s Dumpling spot for a very quick bite to eat. We then go to Starbuck’s where I decided to part ways. I had to go home & watch my daughters while my wife attended her meeting. She’s part of a non-profit organization called Harlem 4 Kids. She’s on the board.

10 O’Clock… On The Diggedy Dot.

My wife gets home a little later than I had hoped. We had to square away a few things before I bolt out the door to make it to the show. Unfortunately I miss the majority of their set. Not cool! But hey, there’s always TOMORROW’s show @ The Bell House in Brooklyn. I’ll catch it then. From what I caught of The Morning Benders’ performance was just confirmation for me of their awesomeness. Chris announced Julian’s bornday on while on stage. The audience applauded then some dude starting singing the “Happy Birthday” song. I joined him & try to 1-up him by singing it even louder but he gets full props for beating me to the punch. By the time the crowd heard the two of us, everybody joined in & made it a night I’m sure Julian would remember… or maybe not. Depends on whether or not he decided to abuse his power of 21 & get sh*t-faced. Also, what I found interesting yet funny, was Chris’ announcement of them playing @ other venues, how the promoter or security would make Julian wait outside AFTER doing a killer performance due to him being under 21. Bummer. I’d have pulled out my “Do you know who I are?” card right there like *bam*… But hey, that’s just me.

This night was coming to an end. After the show I met a bunch of good people & made a lot of dope connections: (i.e. Josh – manager of Ra Ra Riot, whom I’ve actually met once before, The Submarines, ran into my good ol’ friend Chuck Brody of Shitake Monkey, Hesta Prynn of Northern State, Ted Chu & a few label wigs). My night ends @ The Pink Rabbit restaurant w/Chuck & Hesta. Goodnight.

Feb. 11th – 10:10 p.m.

Guess what? AGAIN I missed most of The Morning Benders’ set @ The Bell House. I got there late due to miscommunication/mix up. I wanted to bring my wife to this show & have one of my sisters come over to babysit the Polo Princesses. My sister Mary mistakenly thought I needed her to babysit for the following day. The venue is in the Gowanas section of Brooklyn. I get there right around the same time I got to their last set. I have yet to see their entire show. *frowns* Well, there’s always there show in BOSTON on Friday. *wink*

I couldn’t stay too long tonight though. I had to head back home to the Mrs. I get a little bit of hang time with both The Morning Benders & The Submarines. Very cool people. John’s EXTREMELY nice & Blake is a riot. Very funny woman.

I’d also like to add that Chris hit me with the Boarded Doors – EP which they sell @ their shows. It contains a couple of songs which aren’t on Talking Through Tin Cans as well as earlier (yet still dope) renditions of a few songs from the full length album. If you ever get a chance to hit up The Morning Benders’ show make sure you visit the merch’ table & do the damn thang!

 

 

They have dope t-shirts, music & other paraphernalia for sale. Show your support & appreciation for good artists working hard to bring you dope music by purchasing their merchandise; Go home with a little more than your mobile device’s shakey  ”YouTube” intended video clip & recollection of their songs. Go home with actual souvenir!

 

 

February 12, 3:03 p.m.

I link up with the guys one last time during their NY visit to have them do a cameo appearance in my video “The Friends Zone”. They all came thru & knocked out their cameos. Today was a good day.

Shouts:

1. Steve Brodsky (a.k.a. Mr. Roboto) Good meeting you dude. Thanks for all of the look outs.
2. Krista – Thanks for allowing me to go out to that second show.
3. Julian Harmon – Happy Birthday once again & thanks for being a dope drummer & surviving the mean city streets & making it through to see another year. Wait a minute! You’re not from Compton. You’re stay in Berkeley. Never mind! *ha*
4. Rob @ Decon for filming the extra cameos today. Footage looks dope so far kiiid.
5. Electric Pete (a.k.a. Baby Peanits) – Thanks for making it out of bed rest & coming thru to lip sync the [pre-]hook Milli Vanilli style. Your work/efforts today were LASER! *briggydip*

Post Script: Anybody who’d like to wish Julian Harmon a belated Happy Birthday should follow/hit him here on Twitter: Julian of The Morning Benders. Happy Birthday homey… Peace!

Oh yeah… & m’man Julian rocks Polo too. This guy’s got TASTE. *booyaka shot*