IRON and WINE

All morning I've been reconnecting with my tried and true, diamond amoungst the rough... IRON & WINE. {aka} Sam Beam.

Sam Beam.

Sam Beam...and rest of Iron & Wine.

A bit 'bout Iron & Wine, via Wikipedia:

Samuel Beam, better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine (born July 26, 1974), is an Americann singer-songwriter. He has released four studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download only releases, which include a live album (a recording of his 2005 Bonnaroo erformance). He tours with a full band.

Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Florida to attend school, but now resides outside of Austin, Texas. The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film.

Beam was born July 26th 1974, He was raised outside Columbia, South Carolina where his father worked in land management and his mother was a schoolteacher. When he was a child, his family took regular trips to the country where his grandfather ran a farm. He attended Seven Oaks Elementary School, Irmo Middle School, and Chapin High School. While home from college, he was a waiter at California Dreaming restaurant in Columbia.

Beam earned a bachelors degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He specialized in painting. He graduated from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Before the release of the first Iron & Wine album, Beam's main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend loaned him a four-track recorder. He made demos which his friends distributed and eventually the owner of Sub Pop Records contacted him to propose a deal.

Beam released his first Iron & Wine album, The Creek Drank the Cradle on the Sub Pop label in 2002. Beam wrote, performed, recorded and produced the album in his home studio. Featuring acoustic guitars, banjo, and slide guitar, the album's music has been compared to that of Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel, and Elliot Smith.

Also in 2002, Beam recorded a cover of the Postal Service's then-unreleased song "Such Great Heights". Rather than being included on an Iron & Wine release, the track was initially included as a b-side of the original version by The Postal Service. He then followed up on his debut album in 2003 with The Sea & The Rhythm, an EP containing other home-recorded tracks with a similar style to the songs on the debut.

Beam's second album, Our Endless Numbered Days (2004), was recorded in a professional studio with a significant increase in fidelity. Produced in Chicago by Brian Deck, the focus was still on acoustic material, but the inclusion of other band members, gave rise to a slightly different sound. That same year, he recorded the song "The Trapeze Swinger" for the film In Good Company, and had his version of "Such Great Heights" featured in an advertisement for M&M's and in the film and soundtrack for Garden State. This version was later used in a 2006 Ask.com advertisement, and eventually released as a single in 2006 backed with recordings of "The Trapeze Swinger" and "Naked as We Came" made for Radio Vienna.

In February 2005, he released an EP entitled Woman King, which expanded on the sounds of his previous LP, and added electric guitars. Each track featured a spiritual female figure, and had subtle Biblicalundertones.

The EP In The Reins, a collaboration with the Arizona-based rock band Calexico, was released in September 2005. Beam wrote all of the EP's songs years earlier, but Calexico added their trademark fusion of dustysouthwestern rock, traditional Mexican music and jazz to the songs' arrangements. Several tracks feature brass instruments, a first for Beam's music.

The third full-length Iron & Wine album, entitled The Shepard's Dog, was released September 25th 2007. This album was voted one of the ten best of 2007 by PASTE magazine. Contributors included Joey Burns and Paul Niehaus of Calexico, as well as jazz musicians Matt Lux and Rob Burger. When asked to describe the album to The Independent, Beam remarked that "it's not a political propaganda record, but it's definitely inspired by political confusion, because I was really taken aback when Bush got reelected."

Beam has released most of his music on iTunes, including several exclusive EPs. The Iron & Wine iTune's Exclusive features unreleased studio recordings, including a Stereolab cover and two tracks which had previously only appeared on vinyl. The Live Sessions {iTunes Exclusive} features Beam and his sister, Sarah Beam, performing a number of tracks from his albums, as well as a cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes". Sarah Beam has contributed backing vocals on many of Beam's studio recordings.

Beam's music has appeared in television series such as Grey's Anatomy and The L Word. 2008 saw the use of "Passing Afternoon" in the emotional finale of the fourth season of House M.D.. Later that year, "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was used in the film Twilight. The song was specifically chosen for the film's prom scene by Kristen Stewart, the female lead, and appears on the film's soundtrack.

Beam is married and the father of four daughters. He lives outside of Austin, TX.

The Creek Drank The Cradle

September 24, 2002

The Sea & The Rhythm

September 09, 2003

Our Endless Numbered Days

March 23, 2004

Woman King

February 22, 2005

In The Reins: Iron & Wine / Calexico Split

September 13, 2005

The Shepard's Dog

September 25, 2007

Around The Well

May 19, 2009

I adore Iron & Wine. I am amazed by Iron & Wine. I am constantly in awe of the magic that Sam Beam infuses into his music. What I love and respect about Iron & Wine the most is that they are one of the FEW bands that has the ability to release album after album - still staying true to their roots and pleasing their fans, but every record is unique. To release a unique album, something with it's own personality, and still retain the magic that drew us all originally - well, that's just...magic! If I was blindfolded and you played me all of their songs - I could tell you which songs were on the same record, because they all have that "something" that was the focus of that record. Ugh. Amazing. I bought Around The Well earlier this year and literally have not removed it from my cd player. I just listen to it over and over and over and over again - and over again - and I love it just as much, if not MORE, with every additional play.

Another bit of genius that Beam has is his ability to play cover songs. He has mastered the art of cover songs - and TRUST ME, to really play a cover song is an art. Beam makes the songs his own. You listen to his version - and the original - and they are rarely anything alike at all. He imbeds his personality into the song. Truly amazing. Around The Well is an example of his outstanding ability to create beautiful, unique songs out of covers.

Below is Sam Beam playing one of the songs off his "Shepard's Dog" album - it's great to hear the stripped down, raw version here. Below that is my version, of their version, of New Order's song "Love Vigilante's".

Surf For A Cure

Yesterday I was a participant in the Marie Becker Surf For A Cure Longboard contest. The contest benefits the American Brain Tumor Association, something that is close my heart. Though my Dad's tumor is benign some people aren't as fortunate, Erich Becker lost his mother. For years now Erich has been running this contest, raising a bunch of money for the ABTA...and along the way, creating a great contest and good vibes. It brings the surf community together, and the OLC really pulls together - everyone contributing somehow to the contest. Every year Jimmy Hyde {of Jim Hyde Wooden Floors} makes BEAUTIFUL, hand-crafted trophies, which make everyone a bit giddy! I was lucky enough this year to take home the 1st place trophy even though the surf conditions were less than desirable.

Anyways, here's a bit that Eric wrote about how the contest came to be:

Marie A. Becker {1937-2000}

Marie A. Becker died of a Brain Tumor in 2000. Married to my father Frederick, they moved from Narberth, Pennsylvania to Ocean City in 1973. My parents decided early that they wanted a large family. With their love for the seashore they felt it would be a great place to raise their children. My mother gave birth to 13 children. In chronological order their children’s names are: Mimi, Fred, Karl, Pauline, Karin, Ernest, Erich (myself), Cheryl, Laura, Kurt, Paul, Louis and Robert. All of their children were born on an average of 18 months apart.

With all the memories I have of my mother one thing was consistent, we all felt her love and calm kindness equally. Mom made sure her children came first and we knew it. She was a very special person.

I still don’t know where my mother got all her energy. Some of my early memories are when my mother would walk us like a flock of ducks down to the 46^thStreet beach. My father, early in the morning before he went to work in Philadelphia, would get everything set up on the beach for my mom. There on the beach waiting for us was everything she needed for he day; playpens, umbrellas, belly boards, chairs, a huge red thermos with ice-tea, and beach toys. My parents did this day after day.

I remember my mother getting us up for school everyday. She would yell up the steps till we finally came down. Our lunches were packed the day before and clearly marked with our names on the bags. Some of us had lunch boxes.

Dinner at our house was a huge job in itself. No matter where you were in the neighborhood you would always hear the dinner bell. The dinner bell was a huge black handle brass bell. My parents insisted that we all ate dinner together as a family and we did. Looking back now that I am older and with four children of my own I had no idea how big a job feeding 15 people everyday really was.

All my mother asked is for you to get your dirty laundry to the laundry room. She would do the rest. I have no idea how she got it all done day after day year after year. I can remember the laundry shoot being filled with cloths in the morning and emptied by the time we came home from school. Four bed wetters did not help her in this daily job.

Early in spring of 1999 everything was great for my mom and dad. All the kids have moved out. Every one of her kids was doing okay. She finally was able to donate most of her time to things she loved to do, gardening and quilting. By this time she moved off shore to Upper Township. My father fenced in this huge garden where my mother could plant flowers and vegetables. The garden was beautiful and life was good.

One sunny day after a doctor’s appointment mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We were lucky enough to have a sibling, Laura, which had become a nurse. My sister Laura quit her job and was able to move home with my parents to help. The tumor reduced my mother down to someone who was not able to do anything for herself. She died ten months later. She died in her bed at home with all of her kids standing around her. We watched her take her very last breaths as she finally let go. Please help us in this fight against cancer.

You can make a donation here...and next year, come out for the contest! And if you don't surf, don't worry - there's always a PIE EATING CONTEST!

my non-surfing aunts: sissy and kate.

pie eating participants.

http://www.surfforacure.org/DONATION.htm

Whole Milk

"Whole Milk Does the Body Good"

I know that Arnold Schwarzenegger said that "Milk is for babies - when you grow up you have to drink beer"...but I've been off the beer lately, and lovin the milk. Whole milk, that is. I know. Crazy. I grew up on Skim Milk from the local supermarket...had a brief stint with Goat Milk, and for the past few years I've been on Soy. I whole heartedly place my health {something that I value very much, and is a main focus in my life} into the hands of Debbie -- owner of Perks For Life healthfood store. Debbie hates soy. Loathes it. I cannot stress enough how much she hates it - and she refuses to carry any kind of soy product in her store. {If anyone is interested about reading a bit further about Soy, check out this great, indepth - super informative article: http://www.utne.com/2007-07-01/Science-Technology/The-Dark-Side-of-Soy.aspx } Anyways - she had me hooked on Almond Milk for awhile, but I just couldn't get down with the consistency in my coffee...coffee, my very very important coffee. After sharing Deb's distaste towards Soy with Shawn {a huge consumer of everything Soy}, he did some research and instantly threw out our Soy and switched to milk. Whole Milk. Organic Whole Milk -- which is one of the most delicious things that my lips have ever tasted. Creamy, and satisfying. I'm not sitting down and chugging pints full of it - but I do enjoy it in my coffee {I've been on a latte kick lately}, in my cereal, and in my Banana Leche's.

:MILK for your HEALTH:

Health benefits of milk include good bone health, robust skin, good immune system, prevention of illnesses such as hypertension, dental decay, hydration, respiratory problems, obesity, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer. The beneficial health nutrients obtained from milk are mandatory for human body and for prevention of chronic ailments.

Health benefits of milk have always influenced people all over the world to include it in diet. Milk is the best and complete food that is widely considered a well-balanced diet. Many animals do provide us with this vital health liquid, but cow’s milk is considered the best wholesome supplement to solid food for infants, children as well as adults. Milk is an ideal source of nutrients such as vitamin A & B, calcium, carbohydrate, phosphorous, magnesium, protein, zinc and riboflavin. The Teagasc Dairy Products Research Centreat Moorepark, Fermoy has reported recent research on the utility of milk in neutralizing cholesterol content in the body.

The health benefits of milk can be achieved from its products including cheese, butter, curds, clarified butter or ghee, condensed milk, diary whitener, ice cream, paneer, tofu, skimmed milk, milk powder, flavored milk, khoya, rabri, milk sweets etc. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has clearly mentioned in its Dietary Guidelines to include milk and milk products in the diet.

Deficiency Symptoms: Milk deficiency can cause severe anemia, osteoporosis and other related illnesses. Milk consumption is very essential to maintain good health and doing normal activities. It is the best source of calcium for all age groups.

Benefits: Milk is extremely beneficial drink for mankind. Some of the advantages of drinking this life-giving nectar are as follows:

• Calcium: Milk is the best source of calcium supply to our body. Calcium protects the body from major chronic ailments such as cancerous chemicals, bone loss, arthritic condition, migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndrome, and obesity in children and aids in losing unwanted fats.
• Healthy Bones: As mentioned above, milk is rich in calcium, which is very essential for growth and proper development of strong bone structure. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be prevented with daily intake of adequate quantity of milk. Children deprived of cow milk have an increased chance of bone fractures when injured.
• Healthy Teeth: Encouraging children and youngsters to drink milk would give them excellent dental health, as milk protects the enamel surface against acidic substances. Drinking milk for energy and health would dissuade children from consuming soft drinks, thus reducing the risk of decayed teeth and weak gums.
• Rehydration: Fluids are an integral part of human body. The body needs to be replenished with liquids at regular intervals. It is very essential for growing children and they must drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid every day. Milk contains a good quantity of water molecules and is considered the best fluid for rehydration.
• Skin Care: Milk and milk products are used in a number of cosmetic preparations that help in giving you a ‘peach and milk’ complexion.
• Slim Body: People who are known to consume diary products and milk do not gain excess weight. In fact milk tends to make you slimmer, as whole milk contains only 4 percent of fat and skimmed milk contains even lesser percent of fat. Milk is related with leanness as against sugary fluids that may lead to obesity.
• Improving Diet and Vitamin Intake: According to medical research, drinking milk considerably improves our intakes of vital minerals and vitamins. A man who consumes a carton of whole milk doubles his chances of fulfilling calcium requirement per day, whereas, another person consuming a can of fizzy or carbonated drink may in reality lower his calcium levels by one third percent.
• Wholesome Food: It contains a whole lot of vitamins and minerals to keep you fit, healthy and strong. A glassful of milk contains vitamin A & B for good eyesight and increasing RBC count, carbohydrates for vitality and energy, potassium for proper nerve function, magnesium for muscular function, phosphorous for energy release, protein for body repair and growth.

We've tried every brand of Organic Milk that there is to try...supermarkets are finally catching on and have their own, which isn't too shabby - but the King of Organic Milk goes to Stonyfield. They take the crown.

Stonyfield Farm started milking cows and making yogurt in 1983. After more than 20 years of producing great-tasting, healthy yogurt, we’re now happy to bring you Organic Milk--all part of our mission to support healthy people and a healthy planet. Stonyfield Farm Organic Milk is available in four ½ gallon cartons to meet all your family’s needs: fat free, lowfat (1%), reduced fat (2%) and whole milk.

Our Organic Milk not only benefits your family’s health, it’s also an investment in earth-friendly organic agriculture and a new generation of organic farmers. Our organic milk comes fresh from cows raised on organic farms. No antibiotics or artificial growth hormones are allowed. Instead, the farmers rely on good nutrition and minimal stress to keep the cows healthy, happy and productive. The cows eat only 100% organic feed, grown without toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Stonyfield Farm supports organic farmers, because we believe these farmers are our heroes for improving the earth that they till and creating a clean, hopeful and more sustainable future for agriculture and our planet.

Stonyfield Farm Organic Milk is homogenized to break up and disperse milkfat throughout the milk for a smooth, consistent texture and refreshing taste. Our organic milk is also ultra-pasteurized to help it stay fresh longer, unopened. Once opened, the milk should be consumed within seven days. Ultra-pasteurized milk, is heated at a high temperature for a very short time to extend its refrigerated life, while still unopened. There is no difference in the nutritive value or great taste of our ultra-pasteurized milk, just greater convenience for everyone.

Stonyfield Farm Organic Milk…better for you, better for the planet, better get a glass.

“Bread, milk and butter are of venerable antiquity.

They taste of the morning of the world.”

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859), 'The Seer'

Got Milk?

iPod #5

Goddamn iPods.

Yep, you heard correct. I'm now on iPod #5...damnit. Let's go through my luck with iPods:

#1: stolen, along with purse, out of my car - on Thanksgiving Day. I was parked on my parents front lawn, car unlocked {OBVIOUSLY...we live in South Seaville for Christs' sake!}

#2: lent to Miss Emily Corkill @ the beach, who left it in a lent bookbag, and left both of them {accidentally} on the sidewalk. didn't realize that the bag was left until it was too late -- ipod and bag were no longer there upon our return. poof.

#3: living in a hostel on the beach in Dominical, Costa Rica for a month. people constantly coming and going, and no locks on our doors {because you share your room with multiple people}. naive cailin left ipod, camera and much loot in easily accessible bag -- all was stolen - the day of my birthday, two days before i returned home after over 2 months of being away.

#4: again, Dominical, Costa Rica. those goddamn la dron's {this means "theives" in spanish}!! i had been in costa for almost 3 months, was going to be leaving in a week...Shawn's shitty ass rental car would lock sometimes and not lock others. we stopped to look at the waves - i was 3 feet from the car - and in the span of about 2 minutes my bag with all my cash, credit card, my DAILY PLANNER, and so much more, was yanked. and yep, it had my brand new ipod in it.

Did i mention that all 4 ipods that were stolen were anywhere from 80gb's to 120gbs?? These weren't $100 ipods...they were several hundred. DAMNIT.

SO, against the discouragement I've received from my mother, I have gone ahead and purchased a 5th ipod. And damnit, if this one is stolen - I'm going to get Medieval - track down the bastard and cut their hands off. Seriously.

#5 is a purple 8Gb sixth generation ipod nano that I got off of Ebay for $93. I just can't be without an ipod...music is far too important in my life to travel without one. I've been "borrowing" Shawn's since we got back from Costa, and he finally got fed up with that and told me to get my own.

This morning I did some research, in hopes of holding onto this purple iPod FOR.EV.ER. and I found this article "How To Keep Your Gadgets from Getting Stolen":

Every day, the gadgets we use become smaller, more portable, and more valuable. Unfortunately, this increase in convenience also raises the appeal of these devices to potential thieves. Here, Switched presents tips to avoid becoming a theft victim for the five common gadgets, as well potential ways to recover your property if it's stolen. And no, we're not recommending using a taser for any of them.

iPods

Since iPods and other audio players are valuable, don't require subscriptions to use, and lack built-in theft deterrents, they're very popular for thieves. Major cities have begun cautioning commuters, like New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, which released a poster reminding subway riders that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device." In San Francisco, iPod robberies on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system accounted for 23% of the increase in citywide robbery from 2004 to 2006.

How to prevent theft (or minimize the consequences of theft):

• Switch out the headphones. The standard white iPod buds make you an obvious target for anyone who specifically wants the generally-more-coveted iPod or iPhone, so go for something less expensive looking.
• Conceal it. Avoid clipping your audio player onto your belt, which not only looks dorky, but also makes it much easier for robbers to grab than if it were hidden inside your clothing. As an alternative, go for an armband or something that secures it to your body.
• Be careful where you take it. Schools and subways are common areas for these kinds of thefts.
• Install tracking software, such as GadgetTrak. When connected to a computer, the software on your stolen device sends all the robber's computer information, including username, ISP, network address and more back to the company, which can very well lead to recovery.
• Never leave it unattended, anywhere. Duh.

September.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Septembre the Musée Condé, Chantilly.

"By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather

And autumn’s best of cheer."

- Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

Finally. September is here. When sun warms the back instead beating down upon us. Cool breezes in the morning, and crisp air in the night. MmMm, I love it. It's like a light switch has been flicked - the streets are empty, beaches are quiet, swell is filling in and the temperature has eased. Work has finally begun to slow down, which my body appreciates. I'm looking forward to having a day off here and there to catch up with friends, spend some QT with Shawn & my family, and log some water time -- in perfect Jersey fall surf.

So cheers...here's to a successful summer, and the wonderful Fall to come.

EVENTS in SEPTEMBER:

• It is the start of the academic year in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
• On the first Sunday of September, the regata storica parade is staged in Venice, as prelude to the rowing contests known as regattas.^{[citation needed]}
• Labor Day (Labour Day in Canada) is observed on the first Monday in September in the United States and Canada.
• In India, Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5. The date is the birthday of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.^{[citation needed]}
• In Brazil, Independence Day is celebrated September 7
• In Japan, Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday celebrated on the third Monday of September. Autumnal Equinox Day is also a national holiday.
• In Alaska, Statehood Hero Day is celebrated on September 9. It is the birthdate of small town hero and legend, Quinn Bennett
• In the United States, September 11 is Patriot Day, in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.^[3][4]
• In the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15.^[5]
• In Mexico, Independence Day is celebrated September 16.^[6]
• In Saint Kitts and Nevis, National Heroes' Day is celebrated September 16.^[7]
• In Saint Kitts and Nevis, Independence Day is celebrated September 19.^[8]
• In Chile, Independence Day is celebrated September 18
• National Grandparents' Day takes place on the first Sunday after Labor Day in the United States and Canada ^[9].
• In the Netherlands the third Tuesday in September is known as prinsjesdag. The government presents its annual budget. The queen rides to the parliament in a gilded coach and reads the plans for the coming year to the States-general.^{[citation needed]}
• The equinox named the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere and the vernal or spring equinox in the southern hemisphere occurs on dates varying from 21 September to 24 September (in UTC). In the paganwheel of the year the spring equinox is the time of Ostara and the autumn equinox is that of Mabon.^{[citation needed]}
• Heritage Day is celebrated in South Africa on 24 September.
• In KwaZulu-Natal, king Shaka is commemorated on the last Sunday of September.^{[citation needed]}
• Counterintuitively, the German Oktoberfest and the Chinese August Moon festival (more correctly called the Mid-Autumn Festival) both occur in September.
• In New Zealand , Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September.^{[citation needed]}
• In Australia, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September.^{[citation needed]}
• In Australia, the Rugby League Grand Final is played on the last Sunday of September.^{[citation needed]}
• In Australia, the AFL Grand Final is played on the last Saturday of September.^{[citation needed]}
• September 1 is celebrated as the beginning of Eritrea's 30 year armed struggle for independence from Ethiopia, which began in September 1961 and ended in May 1991.

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".....

Juan & Me.

Sven, Mick, & Me.

August and Joe...or Benny? I forget! But his hips move like a latina ladies!

Mick & Juan

Robbie. Drummer extradionaire.

www.mickkelleher.com

www.myspace.com/mickkelleher