Nose Walkin & Trash Talkin: MK and The Gentlemen.

This past Monday, August 24th, Sven & I were lined up to perform @ the SEA Paddle Around Manhattan at the Liberty House in Jersey City. The SEA {Surfer's Environmental Alliance} sponsors this 28 mile paddle around Manhattan to raise money for Autism. There were over 100 participants this year, including Joel Tudor and Darrick Doerner {for any non-surfers...those two are a big deal in the surf world}.

SEA's mission statement:

Surfer's Environmental Alliance is committed to the preservation and protection of the environmental and cultural elements that are inherent to the sport of surfing. Our goals are achieved through grassroots activism, community involvement, education and humanitarian efforts. We engage in projects that strive to conserve the quality of our marine environment, preserve or enhance surf breaks, protect beach access rights, and safeguard the coastal surf zone from unnecessary development.

It all came about over a month ago when local surfer, and badass paddleboarder, Tom Forkin contacted me. He was helping out with the SEA Paddle, and asked if Sven and I could perform at the afterparty. The paddlers would be exhausted, hungry, and ready to relax to some mellow tunes. I was more than happy to oblige, and a month later Sven and I were on the parkway headed north....ford fuckus packed and ready to play. We were told that we were to perform @ 3pm. We arrived a little late, and walked into an empty room. I wondered if we missed it? The only other people there was a bartender- Juno, and a bunch of hungover, somewhat straggley looking guys with hats, tattoos, and sunglasses. They later became known as MK & The Gentlmen...a truly wonderful group of gentlemen {yes, it's true!} who collectively put out one of the freshest sounds that I have heard in a long time. Turns out the paddlers got a late start, and there was a bit of a current therefore everything was postponed a bit. SO, we had some quality time to get to know the Gentlemen as we soundchecked and waited for the paddlers to arrive. These guys put out some funky fresh jams -- I just had to share em with you...

To begin, the head honcho is Mick Kelleher. The Gentlemen include Joe Baugh/Benny Ben on Lead Guitar, Juan Casas on Bass, Robbie Coleman on Drums & Percussion, and August Poehls on Saxaphone {that's right, saxaphone! sigh...i love it}. They've shared the stage with the White Buffalo, Ray Barbee, Todd Hannigan, and more. They are based out of Venice Beach in LA, but Mick holds a sweet spot in his heart for NYC. Most of his songs are about girls, NYC and...girls. Ha...musicians, we are all suckers for singing about the opposite sex. Moral of the story: MK & The Gentlemen are gonna be BIG...and when their music is blaring out of every radio in the country, don't you want to be able to tell your friends that you knew these guys before they got big? I know that I'll be saying "I told you so".....