UPDATE: SO MY SOURCES TELL ME THAT THIS PARTY WAS NOT REALLY A BLOCK PARTY. IF ANY OF YOU KNOW THERE IS THAT BENCH ON ORCHARD ST IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN APPAREL STORE. WELL THAT WAS WHERE THE BLOCK PARTY WAS. I GUESS IN HONOR OF THE BENCH. AND THERE WAS A MISTER SOFTEE TRUCK PLAYING MUSIC.
MAYBE THAT WAS THE CONCEPT OF THE ‘BUSY DOING NOTHIN’ SLOGAN. THERE WAS NOTHING TO REALLY DO!
BUT I DID HEAR THAT THEIR PARTY WITH Q-TIP & MOBY SPINNING WAS CROWDED TO CAPACITY. NO ROOM TO GET TO THE BAR.
They go by the name of Gym Class Heroes. And they are one of the hottest bands I’ve heard in awhile.
Considered to be an Alternative Hip Hop Band. An Alternative Hip Hop band are those who use live instruments, versus the traditional production tools used in Hip Hop.
The original members, Travis McCoy (singer) and Matt McGinley (drummer) first met in 97′ in their H.S. Gym Class - hence, the band’s name, Gym Class Heroes, which came together in ‘97. And the current members are Travis McCoy, Matt McGinley, Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (Guitarist), Eric Roberts (Bass).
In ‘01 Gym Class Heroes debuted their first album “… For The Kids”. From ‘03 - ‘06 Gym Class Heroes have toured with the Van’s Warped Tour. Putting out two more albums, “The Paper Chronicles” (’05), and their most recent release “As Cruel As School Children” (’06).
Patrick Stump, a member of Fall Out Boy, one of the single “Taxi Driver” and invited Gym Class Heroes to one of their shows. After this meeting, the band decided to sign with Decaydance Records/ Fueled by Ramen.
Something that I noticed in the lyrics of some of Gym Class Heroes songs are Travis’s references to other songs by the band. Like in the hit single “Cupid’s Chokehold”, he says “and I know you heard the last song, about the girl that didn’t last long”, speaking about the song, “Makeout Club”. He has use this method in his writing for more than 10 songs over the course if all 3 albums.
Currently nominated for 2 MTV VMA Awards, Best New Artist, and Best Group. They also performed on MTV Live (which is how I was introduced to them) a few months ago.
Gym Class Heroes have a young Retro, Hip Hop, Pop, Alternative sound & look. You have Travis, who is covered in tattoos, from his neck down. He also has 3-inch ear plugs and a lip ring - not what an average rapper looks like. But he looks to be of some Hispanic decent, and rocks the common urban wears. Their guitarist, Disashi, is Africian American.
In their video for “Clothes Off”, they have their dancers Crunk dancing, and the dancers are Black. The people in the video are all in their early 20’s. And you can tell the band members are not old. Definitely a band that the 18 & older crowd can enjoy. They bring a fun feeling back to music. Travis can tell a story, showing that his lyrical skills needed the acknowledgment that it received. And the rest of the group makes the music sound so fresh and funky. “Viva La White Girl” has one of the most funkiest beats I’ve heard in some time. And when you hear the lyrics, as Travis has explained, it is not about being addicted to cocaine, it is about being addicted to music!!!
Like Levar Burton (Reading Rainbow) says, ” But you don’t have to take my word for it”.
Alife and Puma have teamed up to offer The First Round, a classic high top from Puma’s archive, executed in premium nubuck with a tonal gloss print. Offered in 2 colors: White & Black both colors feature a custom woven label on the tongue, four different fluorescent patent leather stripes, custom footbeds and 10 pairs of laces - 5 thin and 5 thick.
On sale in limited quantities this Saturday, August 18th exclusively at the following 10 locations worldwide.
They also have tees to go with the collaborated sneaker
North America: ALIFE NYC - New York
158 Rivington Street, New York,
NY 10002 - TEL: (212) 375 8116 HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 11AM - 7PM
Saturday: 11AM - 8PM
Sunday: 12 NOON - 7PM
ALIFE LA - Los Angeles 451 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles,
CA 90036 - TEL: (323) 655 2093 HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 11AM - 7PM
Saturday: 11AM - 8PM
Sunday: 12 NOON - 7PM
ALIFE BC - Vancouver
350 Water Street, Vancouver,
B.C. V6B 1E5 - TEL: (604) 685 6400 HOURS:
Monday - Saturday: 11AM - 7PM
Sunday: 12 NOON - 5PM
Europe:
Slammin Kicks - London
Patta - Amsterdam
Colette - Paris
Asia:
Black Chamber - Singapore
Australia:
Highs and Lows - Perth
Provider - Melbourne
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