The Complex 7: Harlem Shakes Singer Lexy Benaim
Lex (right in red) gets whipped with the Complex 7. Pause.
You don’t name your group Harlem Shakes after the popular uptown New York wiggle unless you’re capable of putting asses in spastic motion. Not a problem for Alexander “Lexy” Benaim and his Brooklyn indie rock quintet.
The band, which formed in 2003, caused serious spasms with its undeniably infectious garage pop-rock on the buzz-worthy 2007 EP Burning Birthdays and continues to with its debut full-length album, Technicolor Health (per Lexy’s request, Complex condemns you to burn in hell if you don’t buy it). Complex caught up with the Harlem Shakes frontman on tour to hit him with the Complex 7. To check out his responses and listen to tracks from the new album, keep reading…
“Nothing But Change Part II”
“Strictly Game”
“Sunlight”
LEXY BENAIM’S COMPLEX 7
#1: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEALBREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?
Lexy Says: “I’d say my number one dealbreaker would be if she were a rapper. I don’t need that kind of swaggering self-assertion in a woman. I guess I’d make an exception for Charli Baltimore. Now that was a lady!”
#2: WHAT’S YOU FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?
Lexy Says: “1995 Jordans [The XI]. They had patent leather on the toes. They made the wearer a better basketball player and a better person.”
#3: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Lexy Says: “The last time I cried I was naked, and a doctor had just slapped my ass.”
#4: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Lexy Says: “I’d probably go to Los Angeles and visit Santa Anita every day for a week. I have this problem with my personality, where I feel compelled to gamble in a degenerate fashion.”
#5: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?
Lexy Says: “Cristal. Limited Edition Black Midnight Gatorade.”
#6: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?
Lexy Says: “I used Harlem Shakes’ Myspace blog. I just wrote ‘This love is over,’ and signed my initials.”
#7: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?
Lexy Says: “I had a No Fear shirt that read: ‘It ain’t the size of the dog in the fight. It’s the [size of the] fight in the dog.’ And there was a picture of a ferocious cartoon bulldog.”
