JACKSON – Rap fans today aren’t looking for a spiritual leader or an artist with a political message. They’re looking strictly for originality, hip-hop baby face B.o.B. tells The Trentonian.
“I think kids look for the same thing in a hip-hop artist they would look in for a rock artist or pop artist. I think what they’re looking for is something original,” B.o.B. said in an exclusive interview after Wednesday night’s show at Six Flags Great Adventure’s North Star Arena.
“They want an artist with a sense of self and not necessarily a sense of job,” the 21-year-old Southern star said – cooling down from an electric hour-long set of songs featured on his hit album, “B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.”
“They don’t want to listen to an artist who feels like they’re listening to someone who’s just doing their job or recording something because they’re just in the studio and are told to just record it.”
B.o.B – real name Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. – is the new face of hip-hop.
His crossover hit “Airplanes” – featuring Paramore’s Hayley Williams - has been burning up multiple radio formats since the spring. It recently won the Hook Up Song of The Year at Fox’s Teen Choice of Awards and was up for a ton of MTV Video Music Awards Sept. 12.
And even in a time when MTV finds little room for actually music coverage between exploitive Guido and slutty teen mom “reality” programming, B.o.B. has found his niche with the mainstream giant.
“It’s been a really busy day,” he told the capacity Six Flags crowd. “Was just up in New York recoding my ‘MTV Unplugged’.”
Signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records, B.o.B. has found success by staying clear of rap’s thuggish modern makeup. His style is more Outcast and Lupe Fiasco than 50 Cent – a rapper that plays guitar while throwing-back of sorts to ’80s R&B and classic soul and rock ’n’ roll along the way.
The mix of young faces – from brace-faced Latinos to screechy suburban girlies and slick-sneaker-sporting African American backpackers, all recording the rappers every move on their Blackberry - that braved pouring rain Wednesday night to witness his radio hits live proves this guy’s career is boundless.
Further proof of his crossover appeal came at the conclusion of the show when he turned out a rousing rendition of the now-way hit “Kids” by MGMT.
“Control yourself … take only what you need from it,” the lyrics go.
Well, B.o.B.’s in control of his destiny. And the world is what he’s going to take over.
No other Trenton-based band can say they’ve opened for Green Day. Well, neither can these party rockers. The guys did open for Foxboro Hot Tubs at Don Hill’s in New York City in April and Honah Lee guitarist/wildman Joseph “Dim” Wolstenholme swore to On the Beat at a recent basement show Reverend Strychnine Twitch busted into a full-blown Green Day set midway through. All part of the “Sobered, So Bored!” players’ landmark summer – which included the split “Lick It” EP release with garage-rockers The Plurals and a four-day tour with the Michigan duo starting with a stop at Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Park) tonight and ending with a hometown get-down at The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Sunday night. The songs on the EP have seeped into Trenton’s alt-rock folklore for more than a year now. Tim Hoh, Honah Lee’s pie-eyed singer, said the release – which shows off the band’s sticking-it-to-man convictions, appreciation for The Replacements and the ability to write an intoxicating, head-trapping rock ’n’ roll anthem modern-rock radio needs – is nothing new to local fans. It was used, he said, to initiate a takeover of badger country when touring with The Plurals this past Spring. The Plurals are cool, too. The trio tour Central Jersey quite a bit. Their sound is like a frenzied White Stripes with a gritty, sugar-pop swagger. Tonight’s 18-plus show starts at 8. The Wait and Meet/Pause opens. Tickets cost $7. Tickets to the 21-plus Mill Hill show cost $5. Bravo Utah (ex-Dead Flowers) opens.
The Shades
The rockers’ third annual reunion show hits The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tonight. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $10. All-ages.
The deep, exhausted, bluesy, vocal range of this Wall Township cutie’s teen scene instructions, “How I Could Just Kill A Man,” helped suck the rage out of the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour - which flipped out a mild-mannered lineup of pop acts including Meg & Dia and Hellogoodbye at that’s summer’s stop at The Englishtown Raceway. The singer – real name Jessica Poland and at the time debuting her Geffen release “Waves And the Both Of Us” – casted out some coffeehouse-pop melodies into the air that day just when the sun-beaten crowd needed a caffeine kick in. It was a nice touch – refreshing and tranquil like her songwriting style. A self-released EP, “Sideways,” hit the scene in May. Expect some of those songs when she headlines the Kat-Tunes2ya.com Presents Song Writer Circle-First Debut event at Grounds For Sculpture (18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton) tomorrow night. Show starts at 7. Shaun Ruymen, Toby Lightman, Tina Shafer, Reed Waddle and Meika Pauley round out the bill. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. All-ages.
The sick-core behemoths from South Jersey mix up Middle Eastern influences in their black-metal meltdowns in the same vein as Nile but with the fury of Kataklysm. The throat-sore psychos storm into Championships Sports Bar and Grill (931 Chambers St., Trenton) tomorrow night. Show starts at 7. Imbala headlines. Amenama and Illumas play, too. Tickets cost $8. All-ages.
The lover-struck former PostMarkTwain singer has been working on a few poetic puckers to unleash on the lovely ladies of tomorrow night’s Singer/Songwriter Shakedown at Café International (214 E. Front St., Trenton). Show starts at 8. The luscious Kelly Carvin hosts. Kelly Zullo, Dan Sufalko, Scott Webster and Sean Popular play, too. Tickets cost $5. All-ages.
The Delta blues-inspired side dish of Doughboy guitarist Gar Francis – think an electrified Muddy Waters, hyper Howlin’ Wolf – gets down and dirty at The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tomorrow night. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. All-ages.
The trash-funk duo went into its new disc, “Savages,” “unfettered,” according to singer/guitarist James DeanWells - paying homage to Spoon, Passion Pit and MGMT with the horny hip-shifting lead single, “Try To Understand” – available right now as a free download at onthebeatphilly.blogspot.com. The tandem headlines Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Lanes) tomorrow night with this record expected to be full of surprises for fans – including a large contingent of Trentonians who’ve witnessed their road-weary rock-out sessions at McGuinn’s Place and The Mill Hill Basement the last several years. No one really knows what to expect from New York’s next big thing, as The Gay Blades have become infamous for genre morphing from garage to folk to alt-pop and dance-rock. “Luckily, we don’t fit into any one scene or genre, so our fans aren’t small-minded about our sound,” said DeanWells stumping the record’s Oct. 5 release. “One of my idols, Beck, puts out records that couldn’t be more disparate from one another, but because he consistently puts out good-sounding records, people love them all.” Show starts at 8. Cutesy pop wonder kids, The Narrative, and Person L play, too. Tickets cost $12. 18-plus.
The Atco head-shivers hasty-horrific guitar executions and vocal guerrilla tactics sound like a beasty translation of Testament. The metal heads – who bucked the law when posing for their band shots in front of a idle state police cruiser - open for Diecast at Championships Sports Bar and Grill (931 Chambers St., Trenton) Saturday afternoon. Show starts at 4. Ashes of Your Enemy, Methodical, Endall, Stygian, F***ing Useless and Riddled With Guilt round out the bill. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $14 at the door. All-ages.
The Upstate New Yorker’s polyphonic Jack & Jill juggles, synth sprinkles and jangle-pop harmonies are so sweet and delectably cute they could jingle for Mister Softee. Sounds like Letters To Cleo mixed with Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer. The quintet is touring in support of its new EP, “Moon Glasses,” with Milwaukee pop punks Direct Hit!. The tour hits The Mill Hill Basement (300 S. Broad St., Trenton) Saturday night. Show starts at 9. The Timid Roosevelts, Billy Raygun and Georgian round out the bill. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.
One half of the Greenwhich Village folk duo The Holy Modal Rounders with Steve Weber, Stampfel’s skippy Americana song style will forever be instilled in the history of U.S. counter-culture cinema as a version of his “Bird Song” is featured in the bad boy ’60s flick “Easy Rider.” A Grammy winner in 1998 for writing the liner notes to the CD reissue of “Anthology of American Folk Music,” Stampfel and Weber went electric when recording their latest in 1998. He’ll appear solo at The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) Saturday night. Show starts at 7:30. Gerry Thompson (Cigar Box) and Color Of Skies opens. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door. All-ages.
The Burlco brute’s colossal cavern-core spellbinds with its stalking black metal-inspired organ backdrop. Killer doom-metal elements, too, you’d hear in Opeth and Children of Bodem 45s spun at 33. The quintet open for Harrisburg’s An Early Ending Monday afternoon at Championships Sports Bar and Grill (931 Chambers St., Trenton). Show starts at 4. Amarna Reign, Rosaline, From Day to Daybreak and Aeneid Tells play, too. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. All-ages.
Like a living graffiti tag that spits mental poetic pulverizes straight through your skull, this Boston collective’s live hip-hop improvisations, fitful, jazz-injected whacko electronics and asylum rhyme convulsions are a fusion of Lyrics Born, El-P and Live Human. The crew headlines The Court Tavern (124 Church St., New Brunswick) Tuesday night. Hyawatha, To Live and Die in NJ and The White Rhino round out the bill. Tickets cost $8. 21-plus.
The Long Beach dub-punk dudes from Sublime “Paddles Out” to “Smoke Two Joints” at The Stone Pony Summerstage (913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park) Wednesday night. Show starts at 5. Tickets cost $35 in advance, $40 at the door. All-ages.
The alt-rockers – think a computer-pop-minded Thrice – return to the beach after opening for 3OH3! last month with a headlining gig at Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Park) Wednesday night. Show starts at 7. A Criminal Risk, Gone By Tomorrow, Opening Day and The Excitement Gang play, too. Tickets cost $10 All-ages.
Scott Frost’s On The Beat concert listing appears in The Trentonian and at www.trentonian.com every Thursday. If your band is playing around town, email the On the Beat web line at djscott111@aol.com.
Their cute and cuddly, sugar sweet ... and opening for The Gay Blades this weekend. The Narrative hail from New York. Nice chick vocals. The piano is nice, too. They have a self-titled record out. Go buy it.
Here's the full press release and tour dates.
"The Narrative are the East Coast's torch bearers of indie emo-pop" - The Deli Magazine "Unsigned Band of the Month" - Alternative Press
In support of their highly anticipated album release, The Narrative has embarked on some tour dates throughout July and August. The Narrative released their self-titled debut on July 27th via iTunes, Amazon.com, and Rhapsody. The groups latest effort maintains a diversity that most bands struggle to achieve while remaining harmonious with the sound they are known and loved for. With soothing male/female dueling vocals and beautiful arrangements, this album is poised to be a 2010 favorite. Their first EP Just Say Yes was released in 2008 and met with great success, receiving rave reviews from critics such as Flavorpill, The Deli Magazine, Idolator, Absolute Punk and more. They began writing and recording their first full length in 2009 and are ready to impact today's music scene with a genuine record that strikes a balance between profound songwriting and catchy melodies.
Tour Dates: Aug 21 2010 The Fire Philadelphia, PA Aug 27 2010 The Bug Jar Rochester, NY Aug 28 2010 Heirloom Arts Theatre Danbury, CT w/ The Scarlet Ending Aug 29 2010 The Championship Lemoyne, PA w/ The Scarlet Ending Aug 31 2010 The Vibe Lounge Rockville Centre, NY WHO: The Narrative WHERE: THE FIRE | 412 W Girard Ave | Philadelphia, PA WHEN: AUG 21 | 9:00 PM
The trash-funk duo went into its new disc, “Savages,” “unfettered,” according to singer/guitarist James DeanWells - paying homage to Spoon, Passion Pit and MGMT with the horny hip-shifting lead single, “Try To Understand.” The tandem headlines Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Lanes) Friday night with this record expected to be full of surprises for fans – including a large contingent of Trentonians who’ve witnessed their road-weary rock-out sessions at McGuinn’s Place and The Mill Hill Basement the last several years. No one really knows what to expect from New York’s next big thing, as The Gay Blades have become infamous for genre morphing from garage to folk to alt-pop and dance-rock. “Luckily, we don’t fit into any one scene or genre, so our fans aren’t small-minded about our sound,” said DeanWells stumping the record’s Oct. 5 release. “One of my idols, Beck, puts out records that couldn’t be more disparate from one another, but because he consistently puts out good-sounding records, people love them all.” Show starts at 8. Cutesy pop wonder kids, The Narrative, and Person L play, too. Tickets cost $12. 18-plus.
Here's the full press release with a full track listing:
As NME puts it..."Prepare to have your love defribulated by the raw, garagey sound of these two reprobates, with more saw-riffed swagger than a dog with two dicks and a cougar's yowl. Clark Westerfield and Puppy Mills are bad, bad men and we love 'em."
NEW YORK - Over the past three years, The Gay Blades have built an international following on their side-stepping demeanor, their unpredictable live shows and, of course, their unhinged manic sound. But while their fan base is still marveling at how the larger-than-life duo can fill aural spaces so completely as a two-piece, the band is ready to unveil their sophomore album, Savages, which promises to astonish both their current devotees and future fans alike. Savages is out October 5th via Triple Crown Records/ILG. Go to TheGayBlades.comand send a tweet in exchange for a free download of the first single, "Try To Understand." It can also be downloaded directly HERE. Feel free to post "Try To Understand" on your website or blog as a free download.
Since the release of their debut album, Ghosts, lead singer/guitarist James DeanWells AKA Clark Westfield and drummer Quinn English AKA Puppy Mills have experienced extraordinary life changes, which have consciously and unconsciously shaped the songs on their impressive new album. Specifically, Savages is the amalgamation of the emotions behind relentless touring, the band’s hometown of NYC and the passing of Wells’ brother Ian Savage Wells.
“This record was the next step for our band,” Wells says. “On Ghosts, we were creating with this almost adolescent air of irreverence, but with Savages we are just trying to be unfettered. We can't worry about what this record is supposed to be, only what we want it to be – a collection of trashy rock songs that speak as much to the music we love as it does our own personal chemistry as a band.”
The Gay Blades holed up with producer Dean Baltulonis (The Hold Steady, Lissy Trullie, Goes Cube) in his Queens, NY studio, where they experimented with fuller instrumentation and live recordings. The result is an unapologetic pop record adorned with a mosaic of luscious string arrangements, boisterous horns, gorgeous harmonies and surprising synths and programming. While Savages is clearly more evolved than Ghosts, Wells has faith that it will appease his fans.
“Luckily, we don't fit into any one scene or genre, so our fans aren't small-minded about our sound,” he says. “One of my idols, Beck, puts out records that couldn't be more disparate from one another, but because he consistently puts out good-sounding records, people love them all. Truthfully, though, the only thing he and I have in common is that we both look really good in a suit and can dance like a white James Brown.”
Savages is an eclectic mix of songs, which cannot be defined by any one genre, but does pay homage to artists such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Adam Ant, Spoon, Wilco and Weezer. “Rock N' Roll (Part I),” the album’s emblematic opener, kicks off with scathing guitars and commanding drums, writhing in true Gay Blades fashion. The horn arrangements make their most prominent appearance on “Try To Understand,” a song about “the patience we need to love those who test our love the most,” Wells explains, adding, “it’s a monster of a song, and it might be my favorite on the record.”
The Gay Blades have toured throughout the US and Europe sharing stages with the likes of Cursive, MGMT, The Black Lips, Matt and Kim, Ra Ra Riot, Jack's Mannequin, Juliette Lewis and Electric Six, but with all that they’ve accomplished, the band simply wants to continue creating music that will make a mark. Armed with their compelling new album, it won’t be difficult. “When we can't identify with someone else’s lifestyle, we assume that they’re missing something intellectually and emotionally,” he reflects. “But when you assume you're the missionary, I can guarantee someone else considers you the savage.”
Savages Track Listing:
1. Rock N' Roll (Part I)
2. Try To Understand
3. Puppy Mills Presents
4. Mick Jagger
5. Why Winter in Detroit?
6. November Fight Song
7. Too Cool To Quit
8. Shadow's Like A Ghost
9. Burns and Shakes
10. Wasted On The Youth
11. Every Night Is Like A Revival
Public Enemy celebrated the 20th Anniversary of "Fear of a Black Planet" at The Trocadero Theatre in Philly, Aug. 13.
My journalist feelers were on such high alert on Saturday, I nearly forgot that there was an actual show to cover. So here's the photos from the show - which was awesome by the way.
Some of you might have heard On the Beat via The Trentonian newspaper reporting about Flavor Flav stumping for Philadelphia Eagles No. 2 quarterback Michael Vick. Well that was the sensational reporter in me coming out. The hip-hop fan in me is glad to report that PE can still "Yo! Bum Rush the Show." They played every song you ever wanted to hear - including hidden gems from their career discography you'd never heard them do before. "911 Is A Joke," "Burn Hollywood Burn" and "Can't Do Nothin' For You Me" top my list.
Yo-Yo (pictured below) was back stage for some unexplained reason. So she came out and did an impromptu rendition of "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo."
PHILADELPHIA - Beatlemania is in fact, alive and well, judging by the sold out crowd that filled the Wachovia Center to see Paul McCartney in Philadelphia Saturday night. Tickets for the first of his only two tri-state area appearances on the “Up and Coming Tour” sold out in just two minutes, breaking a record for the fastest-selling show in the Wachovia Center’s history.
McCartney’s repertoire spanned decades and generations, ranging from Beatles to Wings to songs from his extensive solo career, even including songs that have never been played in the United States, such as “Ob La Di Ob La Da.” The hometown crowd was thrilled to hear that it would be the first time that song had been played in Philly.
Fans of all ages were treated to three hours of the pop icon’s hits, including two encores. He would even invite two ecstatic fans on stage to get autographs and hugs. McCartney was personable and entertaining throughout, pausing between songs to tell stories about the writing process of some of his most famous tunes, and crack jokes about his seemingly endless guitar collection.
“Some of you have asked why we are always swapping guitars,” McCartney quipped as he slung another new guitar around his neck. “It’s because we are showing off. You did pay for a show.”
Highlights included a moving tribute song to former Beatle John Lennon, entitled “Here Today,” based on an imaginary conversation between McCartney and Lennon about their friendship and history together. McCartney also played former Beatle George Harrison’s hit “Something” on a ukulele, while standing in front of a large screen that showed candid photographs of the two during their time together as band mates.
Though McCartney recently celebrated his 68th birthday in June, he hardly acts his age, impressively jumping, kicking, and holding guitars high above his head all throughout the long set. Even his voice sounded as youthful as it had on the recordings he’d made in his early twenties.
A true showman, McCartney kept the audience singing, dancing and even laughing at every moment, treating fans to classic hits as well as his insightful and uplifting newer material. It truly was an incredible experience to see him perform live in concert, and should be considered a “must” on any Beatle fan’s to-do list.
McCartney’s setlist included:
Venus and Mars Rockshow
Jet
All My Loving
Letting Go
Got to Get You Into My Life
Highway
Let Me Roll It
Long and Winding Road
1985
Let ‘Em In
My Love
I’m Looking Through You
Two of Us
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Eleanor Rigby
Something
Sing the Changes
Band on the Run
Ob La Di Ob La Da
Back in the USSR
I Got a Feeling
Paperback Writer
A Day in the Life
Hey Jude
First Encore:
Day Tripper
Lady Madonna
Get Back
Second Encore:
Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band
A truck trailer parked in the back courtyard of the TerraCycle plant in Trenton, NJ, gets a new paint job at the Saturday, Aug. 14th, graffiti jam.
TRENTON - Some of the East Coast's top graffiti talents were invited to Trenton this weekend to tag up the walls surrounding TerraCycle on New York Avenue.
I got there around 1:30 and color splashes had already landed ... coloring up the black walls with what looked like living art.
The Terracycle Graffiti Jam is an annual event, so each year organizers paint over the graffiti pieces from the year before with black paint. The colors really came alive this year. And the 3D look was impressive.
This is such a great event. And a celebration of an urban art.
Here's how the graffiti fest looked through my lens.
Wise Intelligent performed at McGuinn's Place in Lawrence Saturday night.
Here's his new video, which he rocked last night.
He's just an amazing emcee ... with the whitest deejay.
Huh, white deejay? Yeah, I was shocked when I looked to my right and saw Mr. Diffy Productions, Cameron Ferrara, working the board for the Trenton hip-hop legend.
Wise must be in-between selectors. Not like Mr. Diffy had to do too much. Wise showed up with a disc of beats - all of which he totally fucking tore up!
Flavor Flav performs at The Trocadero Theatre in Philly, Aug. 13, 2010.
PHILADELPHIA – Kevin Kolb better watch his back, because Public Enemy No. 1 thinks Michael Vick should be the Eagles’ No. 1.
Old school rap icon turned reality star, Flavor Flav, stumped for the convicted canine killer and Philadelphia’s back-up quarterback on Saturday night a few songs into Public Enemy’s set at The Trocadero Theatre in Philly’s Chinatown.
Never to dodge controversy, Flav – draped in a black Eagles No. 7 jersey and backwards Yankees baseball cap - received a mix of boos and cheers when flicking the corner of his Vick jersey.
“Yo! You know what?” Flav asked the male-dominated crowd of mostly thirtysomethings. “I’m wearing this because Mike Vick is my favorite player.”
“And I think he’s the guy to lead the Philadelphia Eagles,” the wild-eyed hype man said before – interestingly enough - busting into his solo joint, “911 Is A Joke.”
Public Enemy – Flav (real name William Drayton Jr.), Chuck D and Professor Griff - was in town to celebrate the 20th anniversary since the release of their controversial album, “Fear of a Black Planet.” Backed with a full band, PE started the set with the first few songs of that classic LP, before busting out a collection of hits (including “Burn Hollywood Burn,” “Bring The Noise,” and “I Can’t Do Nuthin’ For Ya Man”) and new tracks featured on the Internet at publicenemy.com.
Chuck D – wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates hat and camouflage shorts instead of the Phillies cap he sported in the infamous “Fight The Power” video – said from the stage on Saturday that Philadelphia was the first city outside of New York to give Public Enemy any “love.” He noted the group’s arena tour with The Beastie Boys that landed in the Philadelphia Spectrum in 1987 as one of the more memorable stops, but made sure to point out that concert was not the first in the city. Public Enemy played a club date with The Ultramagnetic MCs a few months before hitting the road with the Beasties, he said.
Special guests included Philly hardcore legend School D, who flowed out two tracks – “PSK” and “Parkside 552.” Cali rap queen Yo-Yo was also in the house. She played an impromptu version of her hit, “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo.”
DJ Lord covered for original deejay, Terminator X, yet the crew still rolled out “Terminator X to the Edge of Panic.”
Public Enemy ended the night with “Fight The Power” and “Night of the Livin’ Baseheads.”
Posts
interview after Wednesday night’s show at Six Flags Great Adventure’s North Star Arena.
slutty teen mom “reality” programming, B.o.B. has found his niche with the mainstream giant.
