The Hipsters Scene (a commentary)
by Ambertolina
I was quick to agree with my writing colleague’s assessment of the hipster scene, which, in the eyes of a 40-something year old person is A) contrived, B) silly, and perhaps most importantly C) no longer hip.
Then I thought about this band I went to see with friends recently. A couple of friends and I, all in our 40-or-so-ness glory, went to THE hipster bar in Lawrence, Kansas—the Replay Lounge—to hear the Two Man Gentleman Band. We were the oldest “ladies” in the bar and received more than a few curious glances.
Now, the Two Man Gentlemen Band consists of two dudes, who I *think* are in their late 20s (maybe early 30s), who play old-time Americana music. They wear old fashioned clothes and play banjo and bass violin. What makes them fun is that they mix their old-timey shtick with funny on-stage banter and clever lyrics. Some of their songs are Me, I Get High on Reefer, Fancy Beer and William Howard Taft.
Now, it would be easy for me to sit on my pasty dough-like ass and criticize the Two Man Gentlemen Band for trying too hard to be “ironic” and cool. (Really, hipsters don’t even understand the definition of ironic, which really bugs the shit out of me.)
But here’s the thing: they kick ass. I find them to be genuinely funny, clever and talented. (Even though it was highly annoying that they were SUPPOSED to take the stage at 10 p.m. and didn’t bother to start playing until 11:30. This is hard on us old farts.) We’re not talking about a couple of guys who wear funny clothes and use funny language just to be “ironic”—though that’s part of it—I mean, these guys have gone the whole nine yards. They play instruments really well, write great songs with snappy melodies and funny lyrics and just generally put on a good show.
Since I’m on the subject, I’d also like to plug Kansas City’s own Kansas City Bear Fighters, who opened for the Two Man Gentlemen band. These are three guys who are even younger than the Gentlemen, but once again, play Americana music, featuring guitar, mandolin and bass violin, with the bass player tapping a tambourine that’s duct-taped to his shoe. Though their music has an old-time sound, most of their songs deal with subjects like zombies, apocalypse and illness.Their lead singer called me “ma’am” and said something else to me which I didn’t catch. I was so proud.
My favorite song of theirs is That Wound Will Fester, but here’s the music video for their song Sun is Gone.