Spring Break
Breaking Bands
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Focus
No, no, I don't mean literally breaking bands, but rather bands that have the potential to break the mold, the barriers or even the wall between nobodies and big timers. Here's a few groups that have caught my attention lately.
Nipsey Hussle
From: South Central Los Angeles, Calif.
Sounds Like: A young Snoop Dogg
In an interview with World Star Hip-Hop, West Coast rapper The Game said of himself and Nipsey Hussle, "You're looking at the second coming of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg." While the duo will never achieve the level of historic importance that Dre and Snoop had on music, that statement is almost true. Nipsey Hussle is the embodiment of that early 90s gangsta rap movement: he flows like a young Snoop and even looks a bit like him. I just saw him on tour last weekend and I was blown away at his ability to capture the audience as he brought them out west. You can grab a full length album for free on his Web site.
Catch Him: On the LAX Tour opening for The Game
Riverboat Gamblers
From: Austin, Texas
Sounds Like: A cut above most emo-punk bands
The best thing about these Texan rockers is the energy they bring and their latest release, "Underneath the Owl," displays it best. Definitely check out the relentless "Dissdissdisskisskisskiss" and the melodic "A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology."
Catch Them: With Fake Problems at the Webster Underground in Hartford on April 22.
Street Sweeper
From: Los Angeles, Calif.
Sounds Like: A toned down Rage Against the Machine
OK, so Tom Morello is a household name. He's one of music's most celebrated guitarists, as Rage Against the Machine's most recognized member after Zach de la Rocha, and has stayed in the spotlight thanks to his work with Audioslave and his solo act, The Nightwatchman. It's the other half of this politically-conscious rock group, The Coup frontman Boots Riley, that deserves some attention. An album is in the works and you can score two tracks off of the NINJA Tour Sample on NINJA2009.com.
Catch Them: This summer opening for Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction on the NINJA 2009 Tour.
Nipsey Hussle
From: South Central Los Angeles, Calif.
Sounds Like: A young Snoop Dogg
In an interview with World Star Hip-Hop, West Coast rapper The Game said of himself and Nipsey Hussle, "You're looking at the second coming of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg." While the duo will never achieve the level of historic importance that Dre and Snoop had on music, that statement is almost true. Nipsey Hussle is the embodiment of that early 90s gangsta rap movement: he flows like a young Snoop and even looks a bit like him. I just saw him on tour last weekend and I was blown away at his ability to capture the audience as he brought them out west. You can grab a full length album for free on his Web site.
Catch Him: On the LAX Tour opening for The Game
Riverboat Gamblers
From: Austin, Texas
Sounds Like: A cut above most emo-punk bands
The best thing about these Texan rockers is the energy they bring and their latest release, "Underneath the Owl," displays it best. Definitely check out the relentless "Dissdissdisskisskisskiss" and the melodic "A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology."
Catch Them: With Fake Problems at the Webster Underground in Hartford on April 22.
Street Sweeper
From: Los Angeles, Calif.
Sounds Like: A toned down Rage Against the Machine
OK, so Tom Morello is a household name. He's one of music's most celebrated guitarists, as Rage Against the Machine's most recognized member after Zach de la Rocha, and has stayed in the spotlight thanks to his work with Audioslave and his solo act, The Nightwatchman. It's the other half of this politically-conscious rock group, The Coup frontman Boots Riley, that deserves some attention. An album is in the works and you can score two tracks off of the NINJA Tour Sample on NINJA2009.com.
Catch Them: This summer opening for Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction on the NINJA 2009 Tour.
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