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Topic: The Cheap Leis - on YouTube |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 4 Apr 2007 10:05 am Fun stuff |
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I love this stuff. I really enjoy Adrian Demain's playing on this, too. Very 'tricone-ish' kind of style. Nice.
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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 4 Apr 2007 4:09 pm no sneakers at my gig, please
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Great music! But why does everybody who plays this genre dress like they work at a fish taco restaurant in San Diego?
I notice a lot of people of this generation tend to look really shabby on stage. Yeah, don't judge people by the way they look... but c'mon. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 4 Apr 2007 7:18 pm
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| Great name for a band. Wish I'd thought of that. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 4 Apr 2007 8:49 pm
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| Great group....kinda interesting too. I'm wondering about the make of that D-8 ? Excellent tone. Wierd looking long necked 'ukulele' (?) Also, it's been a long time since I have heard triple slapping on an upright bass ! |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 4 Apr 2007 11:12 pm
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More of Cheap Leis 
At this web site they do Hula Blues, Little Brown Gal, Don't Say Aloha, and Hukilau.
I'd say a pretty good job for a bunch of mostly mainland haoles plus one mainland Fillipino on steel.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 4:31 am
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I love these guys!
Don, you mentioned another website with more tunes. Could you post the link to it please. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 4:49 am
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Don Woods writes:
I'd say a pretty good job for a bunch of mostly mainland haoles plus one mainland Fillipino on steel.
Who do you think is doing a big part to keep this music alive Don?
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 5:27 am
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I for one, am getting tired of the casual use of the term Haole here ...
And please don't give me the "original" meaning BS ... about it being a term equivalent to ...
"No Breath" or "Foreigner" ...
This is not 18th/19th century Hawaii ... it's 2007 ... and it's an ethnic slur ... pure and simple.
I'm certainly not one for being "Politically Correct" ... but I do know not to use certain "slang" terms to describe African Americans, Hispanics, etc, etc, etc ...
And no, I don't care for the term "Hapa-Haole" either ...
Alot of terms that were acceptable in 1920 ... just don't cut it now ... |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 5:30 am
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| Don Kona Woods wrote: |
I'd say a pretty good job for a bunch of mostly mainland haoles plus one mainland Fillipino on steel.
Aloha,
Don |
That would be my outfit, too (sans the Filipino steel player)!
One of the problems I will admit that we encounter though, is that often, the people who hire us for their luau, pool-party, etc., are dissapointed that we aren't Polynesian, or don't even have at least one guy who's Polynesian. They'll often ask "Now, you guys are Hawaiian, right?", to which I respond, "No, that's why we call ourselves HAOLE Kats -- we're all anglo, but we think you'll still enjoy the music."
Ever since we took our swing band Wholly Cats, and put together our hapa-haole alter-ego sideline as Haole Kats, we've expanded our gigs by about 40%. It's admittedly a niche market, but I'm surprised at how much demand is increasing. The really good part, however, is NOBODY else is doing it in our area, so we're getting all the work.
TJW
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 5:37 am
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Non-native Hawaiians, the mainlanders play this non-traditional Hawaiian music because IMHO they can. It's natural for them.
What I mean is, it's very hard for a non-Native Hawaiian musician to perform AND SING traditional Hawaiian music convincingly. That's one of the reasons traditional Hawaiian music has not enjoyed the renaissance that other roots music have.
Look at the Joliet and Winchester conventions and the repertoire offered on stage. The mainlanders always play instrumental steel tunes and Hapa-Hoale (sorry Rick) numbers - songs that don't require the singing of Hawaiian lyrics or accompanying a Hula dancer. The few Hawaiians in attendance perform the more traditional material.
Let's not knock mainland musicians and their choice of repertoire or stage apparel. Their music, although it may not be "historically and ethnically correct" has got a swing beat, is entertaining and it's fun to play and listen to.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website
Last edited by Gerald Ross on 5 Apr 2007 7:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 5:43 am
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| Rick Aiello wrote: |
I for one, am getting tired of the casual use of the term Haole here ...
And please don't give me the "original" meaning BS ... about it being a term equivalent to ...
"No Breath" or "Foreigner" ...
This is not 18th/19th century Hawaii ... it's 2007 ... and it's an ethnic slur ... pure and simple.
I'm certainly not one for being "Politically Correct" ... but I do know not to use certain "slang" terms to describe African Americans, Hispanics, etc, etc, etc ...
And no, I don't care for the term "Hapa-Haole" either ...
Alot of terms that were acceptable in 1920 ... just don't cut it now ... |
Rick -- I actually agree with the casual use of haole. We'd like to change it, but as it regards our alter-ego band name, because we've become so well known now doing this stuff under this name, we've become resigned to the fact that this is how we're known now.
On the other hand, I personally don't feel offended at being called a haole, but that's me. I know that some are, and not just a little. I guess if I lived in Hawai'i, and was referred to by that term on a daily basis, I might feel differently. I've also been called a honkey, kraut, prussian and gringo (around here in Florida), and always just took the power away by claiming those terms, and saying "yes, I am - so what about it?"
But, all of this can become quite the sticky wicket, to be sure. I agree that in general, it's always good policy to just avoid those terms altogether.
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 5:56 am
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I was simply stating my opinion on the term ...
This is the US ... and Freedom of Speech still applies ... feel free to use any words you like.
But it's not a real good idea to use the terms ... wop, dago or guinea ... in front of "Papa Aiello" 
Or name an all Caucasian blues band ... Sambo Sam and the Spear Chuckers ...  |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 6:16 am
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| Rick Aiello wrote: |
I was simply stating my opinion on the term ...
This is the US ... and freedom of speech still aplies ... feel free to use any words you like.
But it's not a real good idea to use the terms ... wop, dago or guinea ... in front of "Papa Aiello"
Or name a blues band ... Sambo Sam and the Spear Chuckers ... |
Like I say, so much of it is a personal thing. My dearly departed sister-in-law (God rest her soul) passed away last year from cancer, but the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is how this very tough, sounthside Chicago Italian girl used the 'dago' term all the time, whether talking about herself, or her family. I asked her about that one time, and she said "What are you talking about? I'm a f-ing dago - you gotta problem with that?"
Sigh... I miss her... potty mouth and all. 
But, not to steer this thread in another direction, I think The Cheap Leis are doing us and the world all a favor by playing this music, and keeping it alive, which for me is the most important thing, and even if they do look like they should be serving up delicious fish tacos (in best Homer Simpson voice mmmmmmmmmmm.... fisssshhhh taaaacoooos... arghghghgghghgh...) 
Also, I don't know if you all know, but Adrian Demain is not only a good steel player, but a very accomplished guitarist.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=76270801
But... what he's really known for is his run at being one of the best professional skate-boarders on the planet back in the 80's. I've never even been on a skateboard, and never followed it, but I do remember flipping through the channels back then, and landing on SB competitions on TV where he was competing. He could do some flat out AMAZING stuff on a skateboard. I'd kill myself just getting on one, I think.
TJW
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 6:18 am
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Let me further illustrate my point about mainlanders trying to authentically sing and perform traditional Hawaiian material. It's hard to pull it off and be convincing.
Remember the 1969 Woody Allen movie 'Take The Money And Run'? Woody gets arrested for his botched bank robbery attempt and is sent to do hard-time on a Southern chain gang.
The gang is working in the hot noon day sun breaking rocks with sledge hammers. A chain-ganger, a big, muscular sweaty black guy starts swinging his hammer and begins to sing (very convincingly) "gonna see Miss Liza... gonna go to Mississippi, gonna see Miss Liza, gonna go to Mississippi".
Woody Allen decides he's going to sing this tune as well. The results are hillarious. Especially given the fact that the sledge hammer weighs more than he does and his horn-rimmed glasses never leave his face.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 6:40 am
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Todd, in all honesty ... the name of your band didn't even occur to me ... until I saw your follow-up post. 
I am just tired of Hawaiian music clips being shared by folks ... and then the inevitable ...
"Not bad for a Haole" .... being posted almost immediately. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 6:46 am
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I don't understand the dressing like they work at a fish taco stand comment.
The Cheap Leis are wearing Aloha shirts and beige khaki pants. That looks like the appropriate garb to me.
What should one wear while performing traditional Hawaiian music? What should one wear while performing tin-pan-alley Hawaiian music? A three-piece suit? A loin cloth and a bare chest?
Why did the Sons of Hawaii dress in calico shirts and blue jeans?
All the Hawaiian Hawaiian (yes I meant that twice) musicians of the 1950's seem to have worn white pants and Aloha shirts when they played.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 7:22 am
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| Gerald Ross wrote: |
| Why did the Sons of Hawaii dress in calico shirts and blue jeans? |
They didn't get the memo...
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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 9:23 am
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Long sleeved tucked shirt (either aloha style, or white), white pants and shoes look the sharpest. I think you need a polished show and good harmonies to pull it off though.
These guys are obviously offering a more casual presentation but the vocals are what I have the most problem with. Still, I encourage anyone who even bothers to take the time to learn and perform and perpetuate this music. I think the "Hapa Haole" repertoire is fair game to anyone, regardless of ethnicity. The material like that posted by Derrick and Rick A. in the "backyard music" post awhile back is better left to the Hawaiians, I think.
For many of us, a big untucked aloha shirt and baggy pants covers a multitude of sins. Am I the only one who envies Jeff's "50's Tapa room" looks in his avatar--at least for the purposes of playing Hawaiian music is concerned? Unfortunately, we can't all be so blessed. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 9:28 am
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I thought Aloha shirts were meant to be worn "tucked out". Unless, of course you are going for the Miami Vice look. To get that look you must unbutton the shirt down to your "pupik" (that's Hawaiian for navel).
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 9:33 am
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After seeing several pics of myself in Hawaiian shirts, I vowed never to wear them onstage again.
Just be yourself. If you're a slob, then try to clean up for the gig. Ask your wife or lover pick out your outfit.
I like Adrian Demain and I like the bass player's other bands, as well. The playing is good and, believe me, I've heard much worse vocals than theirs.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 9:53 am
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Made me long for the free improvisational piece the guy did on the tricone.
To each his own. It made my skin crawl. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 10:13 am
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The Cheap Leis.
I certainly respect your right to enjoy this music but like you with the other piece Gerald, I just don't get it.
I find it amateurish, puerile, sappy, and ultimately boring. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 5 Apr 2007 10:14 am
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It's all done in fun. These guys are all busy with other projects. No one said it had to be art.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
Last edited by Mike Neer on 5 Apr 2007 10:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
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