In their own words: A Stream
of Consciousness by Brother Luke
Born Matthew Shaun DeGraff, the
artist known to friends and fans as Brother Luke has
impacted more lives than he knows. His performances
bring to mind the raw talents of such music makers
as Prince, Ben Folds, and Stevie Wonder. His stage
presence evokes images of funnymen like Adam Sandler,
George Carlin, and Robin Williams. Yet it becomes
strikingly clear when he takes the stage, that he
puts his heart, soul and personality, into every note.
So without further delay, we bring to you, dear reader
of SMASH, a few words from the one and only, Brother
Luke…
As I sit here at my computer listening
to a Burl Ives rendition of "White Christmas,"
on a hot as f$% summer day in Las Vegas, I realize
that in the end, it is not about the singer- It’s
about the song. It‘s the duty of singer/songwriters
to deliver the goods, to merely provide a snippet
of musical history, a sound track to go along with
the experiences collected in a listener’s mind.
On that note, let me introduce myself. My name is
Brother Luke. I am a singer/songwriter. Now on to
more important things like getting lucky with the
babysitter, mindless conversations about hair styles
with friends, fun with whipped cream, taking so much
sh^t from people then taking your frustrations out
on your poor little dog Rusty.
Mullets damn it! "Green Machining" in the
rental car.
And the brighter side; actually getting what you want
for your birthday, bomb-ass dinners at grandmas house,
listening to the record; Songs In The Key Of Life,
by Stevie Wonder. Sneaking out of the house to a party,
flicking boogers at the teacher.
And…
The "air microphone" that always seems to
appear in your mirror whenever you need it, hangovers
in church, skullets, state championships, making fun
of state championships, X-Box, Playstation 2, Playstation,
Nintendo 64, Atari, Commodore, PONG (know your roots),
the custom ass cheek dents in your couch- "I
said a hip-hop a hibby a hibby to the hip-hip-hop
and you don't stop. Rock it to the bang-bang boogie
said up-jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogity-bee"
Ah…
Your first cell phone conversations, your first cell
phone download, your first cell phone bill, "Oh
my god, it's him.... here he comes shhh..shhhh...."
Still going…
The infamous yawn move in the movie theatre passed
down from generations, Mexi-mullets, long co-ed bus
rides, no-show socks, knee high tube socks, trips
to California and the scenery at the beach.....(oh
yeah the sunsets are great too!) Doing laundry at
3 am, Taking care of your sick mother, flat tires
on a way to a party, losing a girlfriend from farting
too much, accidentally seeing your 90 year old neighbors
tits, loving someone and having to keep a distance
from them. And MAN, staring at this fricking computer
screen when I have a fine ass chocolate sista lying
in my bed.
Now I’m trying on her panties while she tries
on my briefs, now I’m laughing at my ass trying
to fit in them, …… it’s getting
late……I’m telling too much information……………must
erase last statement………………,
go shorty its your birthday, WHAT??? YEA? O.K.!!!!!!,
mix-tapes, A Donny Hathaway record, your first skateboard,
your first broken ankle, your first cast, your second
skateboard, your second broken ankle, your second
cast, your third skateboard AHHHHHHHH! O.K I'm cool
now.
Anyway to make along story short, if any of these
scenarios hit home, chances are there is a song that
provides the soundtrack to that time. I just want
to be in your CD player the next time you have a "mental
journal entry". Because in the end who cares
who Burl Ives is anyway? Peace out and much respect
to all.
Brother Luke can be found playing
at venues around town regularly. (He should probably
consider quitting skateboarding though, and not even
think about trying to fit into your CD player!) Check
his website for dates and times. Brother Luke’s
new 13 song compilation “Music For Life”
can be found at www.iambrotherluke.com and at Tower
Records inside the Wow! Store on Sahara.
