Buffalo Rising Online

Mar 19th 2008, 1:05pm By Courtney Bajdas

I know what you’re thinking. How can I take a band called “Those Idiots” seriously and polka is the last thing I want to listen to. First of all, you shouldn’t take them seriously. These goof balls are a riotously good time playing fun, light-hearted songs and the energy of their performances is infectious. According to the Idiots’ lead singer, Myron Deputat, “Polka music is all about living life to its fullest.”

Secondly, this is not your Grandfather’s polka (no offense Dja Dja). Those Idiots are known for their Polka covers; most famously “The Sedated Polka” a polka version of the Ramones “I Want To Be Sedated.”

Despite what the band name implies, the members of Those Idiots are both intelligent and talented. Between the 10 members they have over 20 degrees. And you may recognize these cats from other bands like: John and Mary and the Valkyries, The Nickel City Pimp Choir, Push Button Theory, Myron and Id, Thirsty Blues Band, Revival, The Feast, and BarKing Spiders.

The Idiots started as a rock and roll band playing original music and covers. Roughly 6 years ago they were booked to play Buffalo’s Dyngus Day celebration at Adam Mickiewicz Library. While setting up they realized the crowd was mostly senior citizens so Deputat quickly ran out, made photo copies of Ukrainian polkas he had and distributed them to the rest of the band. They performed these polkas well to everyone’s delight and also had fun doing it.

Those Idiots are considered by some to be a central/pivotal factor in the revival of Buffalo's Dyngus Day. These young men play high energy, fun music that relates to a younger crowd. Head Idiot Deputat recalls approximately 200-300 people at that first fateful Dyngus celebration; last year's Dyngus Day crammed nearly [700-1000] people into the Adam Mickiewicz Library. Expect this year to be just as crowded with a line out the door.

If raucously partying isn’t your thing, well I don’t know why you’re reading this, then attending the Idiots’ performance earlier in the evening at the Central Terminal is the way to go. There’s certainly more room to dance. Personally, I’ll be hitting both Idiots’ performances because I just can't get enough.

The crowd pleasing Idiots are giving their fans what they want this year with at least 6 new polka-fied pop songs. I won’t give it away but let’s just say one is Hawaiian themed, a couple hearken back to classic rock, and there’s even a popular dance tune circa 1989. Those Idiots are like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Do yourself a favor and catch one of their performances on Monday.



Dyngus Day Buffalo 2008 March 24 Those Idiots: at the Central Terminal 6-8PM
at the Adam Mickiewicz Library 9:30PM-Til the beer runs out



Those Idiots: Myron Deputat-guitar and vocals
Mike Morrissey-bass and vocals
Chris Hart-drums and vocals
Mojo Mergler-keyboards and vocals
Tim Moroz-guitar
Steve Haryluk-drums
Silky J-saxophone
Dbone-trombone
Andy Leon-trumpet
Shorty-trumpet