More On Why We Love The LES

The Lower East Side on a Saturday night.  Obnoxiously crowded.  Rewarding only those “in the know.”  Imagine, then, the satisfaction of stumbling upon the coolest conversation in rock, just for being too lame to have any real plans of your own.

The night began with another sick set of The Presets.  I may have been a little ragged before the show, but those Aussies always leave me juiced.  So I leave Sin-e and begin trolling the LES for diversions.  Swinging by the listening rooms, sending out the texts, making all the calls.  Thinking I’d throw in the towel, I run across Norfolk St. and lock eyes with a waifish dude in all black and a vertical ‘do. 

“That’s Nick fucking Zinner,” I say to no one.

I do the “should I say something?” walk-by.  Having done a phone interview with him about three weeks ago I’m thinking, “okay, not entirely inappropriate to say hello.”

This I do.  I mosey on over.  And I thought I was skinny.  Man.  I offer my opening line before we're interrupted by this maniacally cackling, (relative) bear of a guy.  Can’t see his face, just his chin-length hair.  Dude hugs and lifts Nick.  Looks like he's going to break him.  I start my retreat, but then I hear him speak. Turning to the rest of us on the corner, thinking we're all with Nick (all were but me), the bear says, "Hey man!"

"What up Jack!  White Stripes are awesome!"

Geeky, cover-blowing first line?  You bet.  But what do you say when your conversation with Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist is interrupted by Jack White, and his “pal Brendan Benson?”  (Yes, that’s how Jack introduced him to a female admirer a few moments later.)

Now I'm in a circle with my new best friends, Zinner and The Raconteurs.  And have nothing.  To.  Say.  After a little small talk about that upcoming Irving gig, I thought of you kids.  Camera comes out.  Pride be damned.

"So Jack.  How about a pic?"

“Man, I’m terrible with pictures.  But I’ll tell you what.  How about a hug instead?”

I took it.  I mean, I couldn’t tell the bear “no,” now could I?

MP3 Masala: The Raconteurs - "Steady As She Goes"
MP3 Masala: The Raconteurs - "Store Bought Bones"

Comments

[Arya]

Damn. Awesome. I am cracking up.

[Mya]

Man, that's a great story. I can completely picture it happening, too.

I want a Jack-hug!

[jamesdean]

Shit dude, The Raconteurs! You lucky LES bastards. I love it.

[jerry yeti]

off topic: I like the definition of a 'raconteur' but it's phonetics make it sound nothing like what one is (it's a new word to me). Add that to the band's blackened and haggard appearence, and I'm beginning to think it means "sleezy French vagabond" or something.

[Jordan]

probly one of the best stories i'v heard. why can't things like that happen to me?

[alison]

this is simply priceless! way to spin the yarn. so i guess they're in town till the show this week?

[Rachael]

me = jealous
you = awesome

i should have been following you around on saturday, clearly.

[Holla]

I live in Detroit and once bumped into Brendan Benson...now that's a skinny boy! Hot nonetheless...

[daniel]

holy amazing! did you rub his back at the end of the hug?

[Amrit]

he he. no, i kept it "real." y'know, the old two-pat-on-the-back kind. but, i think my palms were open. don't look at me like that.

[sarah]

arggggggggggh!! i was at The Presets show also (AMAZING by the way) and had to walk on Norfolk to get to my train but i didn't get to have quite the same experience. color me jealous :(

[tina]

i love that.

[nc]

I think you made this entire story up.

[Amrit]

Nick, I'm not even creative enough to come up with this one!

[the dude]

this is too cool. the raconteurs show was not so much.

[Josef Stull]

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