You’ve Come a Long Way Baby: 100 Beers with Middle Distance Runner

October 9, 2008 by Lauren G  Send to a Friend

It’s finally here, the monumental event that every band hopes to reach, and few actually achieve.

Middle Distance Runner will be playing their 100^th live show. They’ve come a long way from the good old days of jamming as teenagers in their parent’s garages in Fairfax, Virginia.

In the last year, MDR has achieved some things that most bands can only dream of: “The Sun and Earth” was in a Disney trailer and an HBO commercial, and “Man of the People” played as Danity Kane took the stage at this year’s MTV Video Music awards. Luckily, I happen to be friends with Erik, MDR’s drummer, who pulled a few strings so I could spend my Sunday evening hanging out with the boys of MDR and Mitchell from New Rock Church of Fire (I’m not sure why he was there, probably trying to get in on the publicity action).

The few precious hours I spent with MDR will be etched into my heart forever. Not only can these guys make some great music, but they are funny, they know how to treat a lady (I was provided with ample beer and cigarettes) and Allen can whip up some succulent ribs (Down Home with the Neely’s shout out!). I wanted to use this opportunity to find out some things about MDR that we all may not know as well as to reflect on the band’s sordid history up until this point- the 100^th show.

Here are some things I learned:

The Origin: MDR was born suburbs of Northern Virginia when three boys who were too cool for sports, but not cool enough for girls picked up some instruments and decided to jam. Erik, Allen and Steve spent their free time after school playing music for years through high school. Contrary to popular belief, this did not help them get girls, nor does it help them today. Later, they teamed up with Jay- Allen’s youth pastor, and Ian (former bassist) now played by Tony, and Middle Distance Runner as we know them today began.

Middle Distance Runner’s Pre-Stage Ritual: Before getting on stage MDR dances to Rod Stewart- “the god of performing” to get inspired. They also put their hands together ( a la the Planeteers from Captain Planet) and chant “1-2-3 PROFESSIONALISM.”

Ladies take heed: When girls throw panties on stage, they prefer clean ones so they can wear them right away.

MDR’s first show happened completely by chance: A booker for DC9 needed to fill a slot for a band that had backed out. He was a runner, liked their name, and thus Middle Distance Runner played their first show.

Steve and Erik do most of the song writing: As you may suspect the most quiet and sensitive boys of the band are the lyrical geniuses behind the jams.

When they found out that Danity Kane came on stage to “Man of the People” Jay thought Danity Kane was a person, not a girl group formed by P. Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy).

If they were stranded on an island with only a boom box and one album of their choice to play for the duration of that time: Steve prefers Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” which is off the critically acclaimed album “Forever Your Girl.” And Allen would crave Van Halen’s “Fair Warning” or “Van Halen II.”

Finally, this month they will be one of the bands playing in the CMJ Showcase in NYC, which is kind-of a big deal.

Although Allen and Tony were really the only ones who attempted to drink 100 beers to commemorate this show, I encourage everyone to come out on Friday night and support Middle Distance Runner at Iota in Clarendon. Maybe they can conquer the 100 beer challenge after the show.

Middle Distance Runner

w/New Rock Church of Fire

Oct. 10- Iota Club & Café

8 PM

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