It was as though an entire armada from the Ford Modeling Agency had donned their leather jackets and lumberjack plaid to descend en masse upon Arlene's Grocery; for at precisely 10 p.m. the all but empty Stanton Street club flooded. And for what? Why, to witness the New York City debut of current CK One model (and one time lover of Sienna Miller and Lindsay Lohan) Jamie Burke's band Burke!
But before the Beatrice crowd had quartered the place, Yours Truly was ushered into a red-walled rabbit-hole of an office for a sit and chat with the musician cum model cum actor and his American foil Burke bassist Mikki James. The boys had arrived fresh from the nation's capital, where they played their first ever show as Burke at the 9:30 Club -- part of the Rock the Vote Inauguration festivities. "Everyone down there was pro; it was already written," Jamie remarked when asked about the mood. "Mention Obama's name and it was auto-cheer." Apparently, the scene was mayhem and special drivers had to be hired to get the band to the venue because the streets were so packed. Oh, to be a part of the Obama love-in!
The conversation turned towards the band's conception, something both musicians agreed had unexpected beginnings. "I owed Jamie some money and instead of paying him back, I bought us studio minutes," said Mikki with a laugh. At the time, Jamie was playing with his band Bloody Social but the Burke side-project began to "take the limelight." So it seems, considering their CD Lovers Lose is due out March 1st, and Calvin Klein features the band's single "We Are One" (and its lead singer) in its newest ad campaign for CK One.
With his devilish good looks, it's fitting that Jamie dabbles in modeling. Music, however, is his love. He mentions the Buzzcocks, Iggy Pop and Freddie Mercury as influences. "People say you're either a Stones person or a Beatles person, but I think they are both fantastic. The Beatles incorporated every type of sound into their music." Mikki agreed, adding, "I went through phases, the Beatles of course but also punk rock, you know, the Sex Pistols, some hardcore stuff." That amused me, coming from the boy born and bred on a horse farm in Northern Connecticut.
Now confirmed East Villagers, the duo does venture out from their downtown enclave in search of a favorite late night of snack -- spicy chicken wings. "The best are Ivan's mother's" proclaimed Jamie. (Ivan's the band's guitarist). But when Ivan's mother is scarce, they are forced to resort to other options. "There's a place… uh… it's on… er…73rd and 7th [Ed: an address that does not exist] " Mikki giggled evasively. "We don't want everyone crashing our favorite spot!" he said. Worried about crazed fans? I wondered aloud. "No, we welcome stalkers," Jamie retorted.
As the boys were antsy to get on with the show, I was escorted upstairs as we bid adieu. On stage, the band electrified the audience with their newest cut "House of Cards," and a rendition of "We Are One" drew delighted shouts from the audience. After the brief set, and following hearty applause, the glamorous crowd streamed out of the dingy little club as quickly as it entered.
