Thursday, September 27 2007 Live & Uncut Vol.1: Aesop Rock & More
Live & Uncut
Aight first up, just so ya'll know just what the fuck is happening. Here's a lil intro from the man himself VegaTheChosen who's running this section.
Yo wattup I'm VegaTheChosen, I'm sure some of you know of me from exclusive music or pictures running around the internet that I've posted. This section of Certified Hip Hop is brought to you by none other than me. A lot of people would like to see what goes down at shows depending on what area your from or your age, you might not be able to make it to these shows to see your favorite artists perform. So me and Certified Hip Hop are working in unison to bring the shows to you! Were posting show reviews with exclusive pictures videos and interviews for your enjoyment. So sit back relax and enjoy the show.
WHO:Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic & Blockhead With: DJ Signify & The Octopus Project WHERE:The Middle East, Boston, MA. WHEN:8PM
The show started as many others do people crowding The Middle East to get inside to see their act perform. Tonight its Def Jux vet Aesop Rock and fellow label mates Blockhead and Rob Sonic. Aesop and Blockhead have a history with Boston both attending BU and meeting there some years back, I guess you could say if it wasn't for Boston you might not hear the great music from each of them today.
Blockhead and DJ Signify both jumped off the show, Blockhead behind an apple computer supplying the beats and Signify behind the turntables scratching and mixing it up. These two work well together keeping the place live while pumping spaced out beats to hip-hop classics and obscure gems that you probably haven't heard in sometime. I specifically remember them mixing a Biggie track to go right into Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" it was a nice touch and they played something for everyone's musical taste which doesn't happen to often. This security guard I was talking with said "this is the best DJ set I've ever heard/seen, these white boys can really crack out the beats they're amazing".
Next up was the Octopus project, they were a gang of four which consisted of a bassist, guitarist, drummer who were all wearing white shirts with black ties and a female keyboardist with what looked like Bobbsey haircut from the fifties wearing a blue short dress and looking strangely attractive. These guys were different to say the least. They sounded like progressive rock with no vocals and very electronic sounding. The crowd seemed to really enjoy them and were some what of change of pace from the Blockhead and Signify set, since they were running and jumping around the stage very amp'd. At times the set was eerie, often sounding like sci-fi movie soundtrack they performed around 8-9 songs and their set came to a lovely finish.
^ Aesop spitting an accapella
Now the headliner and the man everyone was waiting for Aesop Rock. He ran on to stage greeting Boston with open arms his back up Rob Sonic right behind him. This is the second time I think I saw Aesop Rock perform before the last time being at El-P's Fantastic Damage CD release party and I wasn't too impressed with his performance, I think I've changed my tune. Aesop had tons of energy and had the crowd eating out of his hand. Performing songs throughout his and Robs catalogue the attendees were singing along with every word they spit.
Rob and Aesop looked like they were having a ton of fun on stage and at one point Aesop stopped the music to say "some cities and places you perform it's simply a job but when I come to Boston this is just fun I don't think of it at a job" I thought this comment was a very good look. The Middle East was a cool 100 degrees and everyone was pouring sweat I'm not sure if it was from the number of people at the sold out show or the fire rhymes these guys were dolling out. Clearly Aesop rocked The Middle East and it was one of the better shows I've attended this past year. Shouts to Brendan @ Biz3, Aesop Rock, Blockhead, the big security guard and always Leedz and Ricky Mortis.