Chart topping pop music group stops at hagerstown walmart

Chart-topping pop music group stops at Hagerstown Walmart The Herald-Mail—June 14, 2011 The members of the pop music group Far East Movement have reached billboard-topping status, but they still love the little things in life — including impromptu Walmart pit-stops.

Two tour buses, one with the band's logo and art on the side, stopped Thursday at the Centre at Hagerstown on their way to Raleigh, N.C., for some refreshments and supplies.

The Los Angeles band is known for songs "Girls on the Dance Floor," "Rocketeer," and their No. 1 hit, "Like a G6."

Vocalist and band member Kev Nish said the group is on the second day of its I Am Still Music Tour. On Wednesday, the four musicians were in Hartford, Conn.

"It's 41 cities, so we're going to be on this bus quite a bit," Nish said.

The tour is a collaborative performance between Far East Movement, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Lloyd, and Lil Wayne.

"That's the beauty of this tour; it's very eclectic," Nish said. "You have hip hop, you have pop, you have R&B, (and) of course, Lil Wayne and whatever he decides to do. And he's so eclectic that that energy comes off in the crowd."

The band just got back from Europe, where it finished its Free Wired World Tour: Wireless Festival. Nish said that even though the musicians haven't gotten any down time between tours, they are well-prepared for their cross-country trek.

"We've been rehearsing. We've just been in Europe, and we've been going over our set, making sure that we have a set that's more than just dance music, but we're able to connect to all different audiences," he said.

Nish said Wednesday's opening performance was a hit; the group "made friends with Lloyd," who jumped in on Far East Movement's set and sang to "Rocketeer."

"He just showed the unity of the tour and how everybody's into each other's music ... The most shocking thing is we just did our new single, "So What," ... our homage to the Beastie Boys, and the reaction that it got on such a new song was incredible."

Family members are on the buses with the group, as is their manager, Nish said. Although touring means long hours together in a fairly tiny space, morale was high.

"It's like a family," Nish said.

Needless to say, the group knows how to travel.

"Every time you're on a bus you've got to bring your own pillow, some sheets, a lot of water," Nish said.

Along with stocking up on extra pillows, the group bought snacks and various items at the Hagerstown Walmart, including some comfy house slippers.

"We love Walmart. Every time we're on tour, it's like home. It's the only place that's the same everywhere we go," Nish said.