Bonus #108 - Nick Halkias and Gentleman X [PATREON PREVIEW]

Summary

Stavvy's World: Bonus #108 - Nick Halkias and Gentleman X [PATREON PREVIEW]

Release Date: December 29, 2024

In this bonus episode of Stavvy's World, host Stavros Halkias welcomes his friends Nick Halkias and the enigmatic Gentleman X for an engaging and nostalgic discussion. The trio delves into their past experiences, particularly focusing on their youthful attempts to form a band, personal hardships, and the intriguing backstory of Gentleman X.

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1. The Band That Never Was

The episode kicks off with Nick and Stav reminiscing about their high school days when they ambitiously decided to start a band.

Friend 2: "Remember when we convinced mom and dad that we were gonna, like, start a band?" [01:01]

Friend 1: "Oh, yeah. That Christmas. They bought us all instruments. Yeah, dude." [01:05]

They recall how their parents supported their musical aspirations by purchasing instruments—drums, bass, and guitars. However, despite their initial excitement, the duo admits that their commitment waned quickly.

Friend 2: "We maybe, like, jammed literally two times." [01:14]

Friend 1: "We’re gonna learn music. We promise. And then you spend thousands of dol. That you don't have." [01:26]

Despite enrolling in music lessons, Nick humorously mentions his struggle with finger size while playing the guitar.

Friend 1: "I got lessons, and my fingers were too fat to play guitar. Yeah. I would get lessons that I could play, obviously." [01:45]

2. Introducing Gentleman X

Gentleman X becomes a focal point as the conversation shifts to his involvement with the band and his personal history.

Friend 1: "Gentleman X was in the room when this stuff was happening." [02:01]

Gentleman X shares snippets of his past, including a harrowing experience that led to his permanent baldness.

Gentleman X: "Been bald for, like, since I was 12. Someone sprayed acid on my head. Island Town." [03:02]

Friend 1: "Oh, really? It was in Highlandown." [03:12]

He recounts the incident where he threw a rock at someone's window, leading to the acid attack.

Gentleman X: "Threw a rock at a guy's window thinking I was funny and... he dumped it all over my head." [03:18]

Nick and Stav express sympathy for Gentleman X's ordeal, highlighting the lasting impact it had on him.

Friend 1: "I'm sorry to hear that. Gentleman X." [03:24]

3. High School Rock and Cultural Clashes

The trio discusses their high school's predominantly Black demographic and how it influenced their musical endeavors, particularly their attempt at Screamo—a genre that didn't resonate well within their community.

Gentleman X: "They decided to play Alice in Chains. What was that song where he screams good. Oh." [03:34]

Friend 1: "That's tough to do Screamo because our high school, which we all went to the same high school, was 85% black." [04:24]

They reflect on the cultural dynamics that made their music choices challenging and how their attempts at Screamo were perceived as out of place.

Friend 2: "For majority blacks cross the line of whiteness, unless you really killed it. And this guy did not." [04:45]

4. Personal Struggles and Economic Hardship

Shifting gears, Nick and Stav open up about their childhood struggles, particularly financial hardships that affected their family life and perceptions.

Friend 2: "We were like, I think we were the poorest. Like, we hit the poor." [05:13]

They discuss the reality of not being able to afford traditional wrapping paper during the holidays, reminiscing about making do with aluminum foil.

Friend 2: "It was aluminum foil." [05:22]

Friend 1: "We weren't that poor, were we? A little bit of wrapping papers, like, she probably just forgot. Wrapping papers. 99 cents." [05:31]

5. Neighborhood Anecdotes and Law Enforcement

Gentleman X introduces a subplot involving Elders, another friend, who is accused of snitching—a serious allegation that strains their camaraderie.

Friend 1: "I can't believe you would snitch on Gentleman X." [06:10]

Gentleman X: "He called the police on me." [06:19]

Elders defends himself, clarifying that his interactions with law enforcement were minimal and unrelated to Gentleman X's assault.

Elders: "I've never called the cops on that. I've never called it on someone who is a victim of an acid attack and was permanently scarred from it." [06:45]

The group shares laughs over past incidents involving minor crimes, like Backpack thefts and broken GPS devices, painting a vivid picture of their neighborhood's landscape.

Friend 1: "They went, they broke into my to take a GPS. That's how I'm dating myself here." [07:22]

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Conclusion

This bonus episode of Stavvy's World offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of Stavros Halkias and his friends. Through candid storytelling, they explore themes of ambition, resilience, and the complexities of friendship. The inclusion of Gentleman X's powerful backstory adds depth to the conversation, highlighting the enduring bonds formed through shared experiences.

Whether reflecting on failed musical ventures or overcoming personal adversities, Stav, Nick, and Gentleman X deliver a heartfelt and humorous narrative that resonates with anyone navigating the tumultuous journey from youth to adulthood.

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Notable Quotes:

• Friend 2: "We maybe, like, jammed literally two times." [01:14]
• Gentleman X: "Someone sprayed acid on my head. Island Town." [03:02]
• Friend 1: "That's tough to do Screamo because our high school was 85% black." [04:24]
• Gentleman X: "He threw a rock at a guy's window thinking I was funny and... he dumped it all over my head." [03:18]
• Friend 2: "We hit the poor." [05:13]

This episode serves as a compelling preview for Patrons, offering rich stories and genuine camaraderie that fans of Stavvy's World won't want to miss.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Friend 1]

McRib is here at participate at McDonald's for a limited time.

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[Friend 2]

Remember when we convinced mom and dad that we were gonna, like, start a band?

[Friend 1]

Oh, yeah.

[Friend 2]

And there was.

[Friend 1]

That Christmas. They bought us all instruments. Yeah, dude.

[Friend 2]

A drum set and a bass and a guitar. Yeah.

[Friend 1]

We maybe, like, jammed literally two times.

[Friend 2]

Yeah, it was. It was like. I think about. I felt so bad. It's like, so. Could not afford those.

[Friend 1]

Please. We're gonna learn music. We promise. And then you spend thousands of dol. That you don't have.

[Friend 2]

Yeah. I started off with the drums first. George was playing the bass, and then you were the guitar. Guitar songwriter, of course. And I was just absolute dog thinking drums.

[Friend 1]

My. I got. I got lessons, and my fingers were too fat to play guitar. Yeah. I would get lessons that I could play, obviously. Smoke on the water. Yeah. Yeah. The first part of the Godfather thing.

[Friend 2]

George was rocking the bass, and then George. George took over the drums, and he was sick at.

[Friend 1]

He was really. Those. Yeah.

[Friend 2]

Gentleman X is shaking his head.

[Friend 1]

Gentleman X because. And feel free to weigh in, because you know us. You know, we're not saying he was.

[Friend 2]

More like our manager, like our band.

[Friend 1]

He was around. We'll just say Gentleman X was in the room when this stuff was happening.

[Gentleman X]

I was outside. I was in the hallway.

[Friend 1]

He was in the hallway. But all this checks out, so at any time, if you want to weigh in, you would. You're just talking as Gentleman X. You won't be betraying who you are.

[Gentleman X]

He did love. He played the drums for years after. He really enjoyed it. Nick gave him up. He. He really got into it. He did the talent shows at the high school he went to.

[Friend 1]

Oh, what did he play? Do you remember Gentleman X?

[Gentleman X]

Oh, God. Well, he was. Remember, he was 15.

[Friend 2]

So long.

[Gentleman X]

Don't Judge.

[Friend 2]

But he did not have long hair.

[Gentleman X]

Him and his.

[Friend 1]

Well, George did. George did. We won't say what kind of hair Gentleman X has. It doesn't matter.

[Gentleman X]

Been bald for, like, since I was 12.

[Friend 1]

Gentlemen. Fully bald, man.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah. Someone sprayed acid on my head. Island Town.

[Friend 1]

Oh, really? It was in Highlandown.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah. Threw a rock at a guy's window thinking I was funny and.

[Friend 1]

And you got your comeuppance.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah, it might have been bleed. I don't remember what it was, but he dumped it all over my head.

[Friend 2]

Damn, dude.

[Friend 1]

I'm sorry to hear that. Gentleman X.

[Friend 2]

Gentleman X is the victim of an acid attack.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah. So anyway.

[Friend 1]

So what was George playing?

[Gentleman X]

So he was a sophomore. There were two seniors. One of them was an rotc.

[Friend 1]

Okay.

[Gentleman X]

And he didn't have many friends, but he was an. I liked him.

[Friend 1]

Okay.

[Gentleman X]

He liked him.

[Friend 1]

George liked the whole time you were there watching. Also, like, feel free to just. Let's just say you're George's representative in this story. So if you want to say I feel free and everyone understands you're talking about. You're talking as George.

[Gentleman X]

So they. They decided to play Alice in Chains.

[Friend 1]

Okay.

[Gentleman X]

What was that song where he screams good. Oh.

[Friend 1]

I'm the man with no.

[Gentleman X]

Exactly.

[Friend 2]

That's the one.

[Gentleman X]

And there was a freshman singer, and he only did, like, Screamo.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Gentleman X]

And he had, like, purple hair and, like, up ears because he just pierced.

[Friend 1]

Yeah, yeah. He had a bunch. He had those gauges.

[Gentleman X]

Terribly. And we lost.

[Friend 1]

That's tough to do Screamo because our high school, which we all went to the same high school, was 85% black.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah.

[Friend 1]

So you couldn't. You could do some white shit. You could do a rock, you could do whatever. But Screamo was a little too white.

[Friend 2]

Yeah. For majority blacks cross the line of.

[Friend 1]

Whiteness, unless you really killed it. And this guy did not. If I have memory strength, if I.

[Friend 2]

Remember this singer, he was also obsessed with, like, Invader Zim.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah, he was. He was.

[Friend 1]

He was one of those guys would.

[Friend 2]

Always wear, like, a Hot Topic. Zip up. Invader Zim.

[Friend 1]

Oh, man, that's a tough guy. It was rough.

[Friend 2]

Yeah. You know, the other thing I was thinking of is when I figured out Santa wasn't real anymore.

[Friend 1]

What year was that? Do you remember how old you were? Do you remember what happened?

[Friend 2]

We were like. I think we were the poorest. Like, we hit the poor.

[Friend 1]

Okay.

[Friend 2]

And like, mom couldn't even. Like, we. She couldn't. And, you know, I grew up and I was like, oh, my God, they couldn't even afford wrapping paper.

[Gentleman X]

It was aluminum foil.

[Friend 2]

It was aluminum foil.

[Friend 1]

Wait, I don't remember this at all.

[Friend 2]

Yeah, so we.

[Friend 1]

So we weren't that poor, were we? A little bit of wrapping papers, like, she probably just forgot. Wrapping papers. 99 cents.

[Friend 2]

I don't know, bro.

[Friend 1]

We didn't grow up in the great depression. I don't know, I just. We weren't eldest's family, for Christ's sake.

[Friend 2]

Elders was.

[Elders]

We always use wrapping paper.

[Friend 1]

See if they use wrapping paper. We could always.

[Gentleman X]

Elder snitched on me. That's why I have to wear this disguise.

[Friend 1]

Oh, what he say?

[Gentleman X]

He ratted on me.

[Friend 1]

Oh, you ratted on who? Gentleman X or George?

[Gentleman X]

No, Gentleman X. I'm not George.

[Friend 1]

I can't believe.

[Friend 2]

What did you.

[Friend 1]

I can't believe you would snitch on Gentleman X.

[Friend 2]

He's been through enough. He's bald. Permanently bald.

[Friend 1]

He got an of an acid attack.

[Gentleman X]

He called the police on me.

[Friend 1]

You did, Elders.

[Gentleman X]

Yeah.

[Elders]

I've never called the cops on that.

[Gentleman X]

I've had to run away. I can't believe that Hidden shadow.

[Friend 1]

Gentleman X would love to show his. He's of course a dear friend of ours that grew up in our neighborhood and was the victim of an acid.

[Ryan]

Attack at age 12.

[Friend 1]

He's a real guy. He's not. He's certainly not one of our family members. Alias. He's just a real guy who's in disguise.

[Elders]

I've never called the cops to snitch on anyone. And I certainly have never called it on someone who is a victim of an acid attack and was permanently scarred from it. That'd be extra fucked up.

[Friend 1]

Have you never called the cops?

[Elders]

I called them. I think I've called like my car was broken into.

[Friend 1]

Oh yeah, that time. I remember that once.

[Elders]

Or maybe it was like twice.

[Friend 1]

You got your. You got your book bag with your ratty underwear.

[Elders]

Yeah. Broken into and like my old. What was it? The old little Samsung phone charger.

[Gentleman X]

Did they do anything?

[Friend 2]

Were they.

[Friend 1]

Yeah, the cops found his stuff immediately.

[Elders]

Yeah, they're like, oh, you lost the book bag.

[Friend 1]

They weren't like, oh, you're some goofy 22 year old fat white guy who got his stolen in Baltimore city. Officer, can you guys help me?

[Friend 2]

My backpack was stolen.

[Elders]

I left my backpack in the back seat on the bridge on Maryland Ave. How did this happen?

[Friend 1]

Yeah, they go, they broke into my to take a gps. That's how I'm dating myself here. But having a gps. And it was a shitty GPS too.

[Elders]

Yeah.

[Friend 1]

When the neighborhood was half base heads. It seems to be better now. Seems to be less crackheads in Greek Town.

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