Heiruspecs

Minnesota winters are brutal, which might account for the growing number of "angster rap" outfits coming out of the Twin Cities, but St. Paul's Heiruspecs chisels its own identity out of this frozen tundra. Fronted by MCs Felix and Maud'Dib (who possesses the vocal dexterity of Michael Winslow from Police Academy), this five-piece combines the sample-free, live instrumentation of the Roots with the sharp-tongued cynicism of Atmosphere. The result is a hip-hop band created for the stage. Last year's release, A Tiger Dancing, has kept the group touring endlessly, including stints with Jurassic 5 and the White Stripes. With a northern winter about to set in, who can blame them for staying on the road?