1. You ask a friend to recommend some music to you. He tells you about Harlem. You promise to “check them out,” with little intention of actually doing it.
2. You get on a plane for Austin, Texas (you’re undecided about moving so you’re visiting).
3. You read a favorable review of Harlem’s debut album with Matador Records, Hippies, in the Austin Chronicle, which you get at the entrance to an expensive clothing store to distract you while your friend buys aviator glasses.

4. You are poking around Waterloo Records, contemplating whether you want to buy Pavement’s Terror Twilight or The Office Season 3 (used) when Hippies begins to play in the store.
5. You easily find the album on a display (you didn’t have to ask for help).
6. You realize the display is composed of bands native to Austin.
7. You see a sign above the display saying that Harlem is having an in-store record release show April 11th.
8. It’s April 10th.

9. You listen to the album. It is full of quick, simple and infectious pop songs. The recording is bare and clean. No gimmicks. The songs are stripped to the bone, hiding nothing, fooling no one. Guitars jangle, cymbals crash, voices yelp and howl. Harlem isn’t trying too hard– not due to lack of ambition, but because they are simply interested in writing great songs while having fun doing it, relying on talent and energy.
10. It’s great.
11. Really great.
12. You decide to go to the show.
13. While waiting for the show to begin (still thinking about that Pavement album!), you see the members of the band standing around, waiting. You don’t know what for, but you can’t help but think they look like normal guys.
14. You see lots of people walking around with Pabst Blue Ribbon. There is a long line towards the back of the store. Free beer.
15. Free beer!
16. FREE BEER!
17. Harlem starts playing, charging through their set at rapid-fire Ramones speed. The crowd is hooked; teens sway and bob in front of the stage; a mother dances with an infant in her arms; old rockers nod in approval. It is over in the blink of an eye.
18. You walk up to Michael Coomers, the co-vocalist/guitarist/drummer for Harlem, and tell him about reasons 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9/10, and 12.
19. He doesn’t think you’re crazy, but humors you and says that it must be fate that you ended up in Austin.
20. It is acceptable to drink beer just about anywhere at anytime.

 

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