As we rushed past them I saw a third homeless guy settling in for the night, his sleeping bag spread out in an entryway, an unlit cigarette in his mouth. It was all I could do not to blurt out: Dude, you should go play D&D with those guys (and point back the 20ft). I mean, c'mon, what? you got plans? What are you going to do tonight?
Without my ID, I got turned away from the bar. 29, turning 30 in October, balding, don't drink, don't fight and I can't get into a bar. I laughed it off, patted the bouncer on the shoulder and told him he's a good soldier. I headed back to the car to look for my ID. I wouldn't say I was happy about it but I wasn't exactly worryiny.
A few months back, I attended a lunch with Dalia Mogahed where I met Kaitlyn Foley, who just happens to have been traveling with the band for some sort of reason, probably her work. Being turned away turned me to attempting to contact her. As we're basically strangers with a common interest I know it was awkward but through the call and a little happenstance, I managed to meet up with the bassist and his, I'm guessing younger, brother.
I walked into the back room to find the stage covered in a man hunched over a sitar, wailing. And then he was done. He picked up an electric guitar and introduced himself as Sarmus, saying that his band had been detained by the government, and proceeded to play a pretty sweet one man electric guitar show. Though I laughed at his statement... I'm hoping it was a joke? Right? I mean it's punk rock, right? I hope he's able to form the band he wants. His music was powerful, passionate and had a very good sense for melody.
Next came Prop Anon. Prop Anon's name is Gabriel, his email list was laid out in two columns, one read "Gabe" and the other read "Email." I had to stare at it for a minute before I realized that I was supposed to sign my name there. I was the first name on the list beneath his.
Prop Anon's shit was tight and he lives up to the name of his EP "Todo Corazon" - All heart. Solo (man & a macbook) Hiphop show, Prop Anon was lively, intense and confident. Playing along to an unforgiving track on a computer is hard work. Making it look good is an even tougher proposition - Prop Anon made it look fun. If I'd been familiar with even one of his songs, I would have possibly taken to the dance floor. His album is available for limited time (free) download here.
And finally the Kominas.
Michael Mohammad Knight wrote a book called "The Taqwacores." Qutoes on the back of the book call him the "Hunter S. Thompson of Islamic Literature," and say that the book is "a manifesto for the muslim punk movement." A movement that the book invented more so than revealed. The author does not want any credit for the movement, saying that it was "already there."
The book is about a group of muslim punks, who all (re)interpret Islam in their own way. Removing verses from the Qur'an, tattoos, dogs, weed, drinking, sex and even orthodoxy all find their way into the life of each character. Each making differing choices but finding acceptance for each other in what they do share, Allah (God), rituals of religion, sometimes culture and punk rock.
The Kominas take their name from one of the bands in the book. They put on a great show. They remind me of the clash, but fueled by paki-power and pure punk rock fury. Watching them makes you want to buy their CD and see them again. At least that's what it did for me. Bass grooves round out the guitars that swing between begging you to scream "Oi" and making you want to skank while the drums hold it all together. Everything I want in a punk show, plus a couple of top notch mohawks and something like a shalwar k'meez.
It was the straight hot sauce.
I left after their show as it was already past my bedtime. As I drove away I saw Omar from Sarmus sitting in front of a mailbox on his phone and at least three members of the Kominas in the back alley. I should have asked them if they knew where the IC was. As I realized how similar touring and being homeless are.
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