Somewhere between the gypsy-punk of Gogol Bordello and the blatnaya pesnya (criminal's songs) of Russian Chanson lies local band Nuthatch-47. Its laughable lyrics, world beats and folky melodies are a fresh Kansas City sound. (See "Russian Gangster's Grandma.")
Frontman Max Kunakhovich has begun a new side project called POL-KILO, which means "half a kilo" in English. "It's a media project of some sorts. It has no genre really. It has a minimalistic sound, and it is not just a song -- more of a song + video," says Kunakhovich.
A few weeks ago, we hipped you to the world of underground Japanese hip-hop with our interview with Travis Tewes -- aka Crazy T -- a former Kansas City rapper living and performing in Japan. Not only does Crazy T rap in both English and Japanese but he also has gained respect from the underground gatekeepers, earning collaborations with a whole slew of Japanese hip-hop stars. We talked to him in anticipation of his second release, Rhyme and Reason, which will be available nationwide in Japan (not bad for a KC boy living abroad). Anyway, Crazy T has a new video out, for his track "Lonely" featuring one of his Japanese collabs.
Detroit may be a city crippled by a severe economic downturns, government failure and crime -- and thus the subject of some serious jokes about it being a murder-prone hellhole -- but it's still a city at the heart of America. Its people are hardworking joes (and janes), and its cultural contributions are vast, including Motown, the beginning of punk, and one Marshall Mathers. So it may be initially shocking to see super-rich, super-controversial rap figure Eminem driving through Detroit's decayed and gloomy settings pimping a new luxury line for Chrysler, even if Eminem's connections to the city are deep.
Ying Yang Twins -- the men who created "Whisper" -- brought grinding, sweaty Southern hip-hop to The Granada on Saturday night. If you weren't there to witness the troupe's tribute to crunk, The Pitch has video of some of the bass-buzzing tuneage. (Click here for a slideshow.)
Young upstart Kansas City rapper Matt B and the 33 Degree have remade Kid Cudi's ode to pre-pre-pretty green bud. While not that far from the original (after all, this is a remake, not a remix), the pair's new version puts a little fire on Cudi's icy, slow tempo'd -- dare I say narcotic? -- song.
Some roommates play music too loud, and some say, "Fuck that," and invite punk bands over to play music too loud. This is what happened to me and other roommates at the Ad Astra House during my brief stay at the iconic Lawrence domicile. Fag Cop member Kenneth Kupfer -- also known as that guy across the hall from me -- invited punk greats the Spits and Human Eye to play a house show after their sets at the Scion Garage Fest. Too bad I was pissed off, too drunk and tired, and angrily sulking in my room. Apparently, I missed a great show.
Now, video of the chaos has emerged four months later.
Readers, you're already familiar with our writer Peter Rugg's stance on Lemmy Kilmister's status as a rock god. (Hell, he even ate fire for him. And we taped it.) Of course, we're stoked to announce that Motörhead will be in KC on February 17 at the Midland, but also in film form at the Screenland. There's a documentary out on Lemmy's story, and it's called LEMMY: 49% Motherf**ker, 51% Son of a Bitch. The film is currently being hailed by critics and fans, and it'll be at Screenland February 4-6.
FROST Festival brought hipster patron saint Steve Aoki and Israeli psychedelic electronic duo Infected Mushroom to the Midland this past weekend, along with a slew of other DJ acts. Glowsticks were waved, bodies were smashed, and a roomful of people danced to a night of bass-buzzing dance music. Click here for a slideshow of the show in all its neon glory.
Aren't We Clever has cooked up a pretty sexy new video for Maps for Travelers' new single, "Static." Red bras -- and panties! -- are flashed, someone gets tied to a bed, and the band drops a seriously sensual saxophone riff into the song's bridge.
Today in random YouTube finds: TechN9ne teaches us how to rap. In this audio interview for the book How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Tech outlines how he pulls together his flow and the influence the family breakfast table had on his music:
"How did I come up with so many flows and rhythms on my tracks? I think it came, like I said, from my family setup at the breakfast table, beating on stuff. It made me sort of like a percussionist."
Despite his menacing persona, Tech comes off completely sincere and self-effacing in the interview. The clip offers not just a wonderful insight into how Tech builds his flow but also how all MCs do it.
Dewey's Pizza (in Ohio and St. Louis), crust is doughy and light, toppings are amazing,…
Pappadeaux, Whataburger, Raising Cane's, Krystals
Portillos, Goodtimes burgers from Denver, Maggianos,
Chovy's Italian from Meadville, PA!
Is there going to be a parade?
Which out-of-town restaurant would you lobby to bring to KC?
The Gaf has closed in Waldo
DelHi Soul Food Buffet closes in KCK
OSHA orders reinstatement of Wolf Creek whistle-blower
KC Pride Festival 2013? Yes, it's still on
Pitch Taste of KC beats the weather, draws 700 hungry people
Police leave Union Station after suspicious package found
Kanrocksas single-day tickets now on sale