On Feb. 23, Eleven had the great pleasure of sitting down to interview DJ Parisian (Ian Jones) and Doctor Phelonious (Sean Price) of Safety Words, along with Bo Bulawsky and Trevor Berkholtz of Exercise, about their upcoming show (Friday, March 5th at the Firebird) What could have been a nice, civil discussion on music and philosophy quickly disintegrated into madness, when an anonymous Eleven staffer showed up with a case of beer and a video game called “NBA Hangtime.” Immediately, civil discourse gave way to barbaric trash talking and nonsensical yelling, and all hopes for a “normal” interview were tossed aside.

Exhibit A:
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Hit the break for more interview, trash talking, and an exclusive new track from Safety Words.

As the festivities progressed, Eleven’s team managed to pull it together long enough to ask a question somewhat related to Friday’s show:

Matt:
Ian, here’s a serious question…
How do you plan to make up for your inferior NBA hangtime skills at the show?

Ian:

Are you serious!? I’m dunking all over your shit!

So would you say you are going to dunk all over the audience’s shit next Friday?
Ian:

Oh, I see what you did there.

I can tell you what I’m going to do. Now that I have an sp404 [sampler], I’m going to be taking songs I made from a long-ass time ago (like songs I made when I was in Japan), and piece them all together into two small 20 minute sets.

Sean:

With an hour break in between.

Ian:

An hour break for napping.

I took a bunch of clips from random movies that I like, to go along with the music …

At this point, the trash talking resumed in full force:
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Things get fuzzy from there out. More games were played, more beers were consumed, and more nonsense came out of everybody’s mouths. By the end of the evening, I had a pretty good idea of what the show on Friday would be; friends that play great music, playing great music. Nothing else needs to be said.

Actually, there’s one more thing to be said. Safety Words did Eleven the honor of remixing Giorgio Moroder’s “Baby Blue” into a track they call, “I’m Talking ‘Bout my Baby Blue.” Check it. (And be sure to check out the show Friday).

Safety Words – I’m Talking ‘Bout my Baby Blue
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Related posts

Safety Words

Where: Typo Cafe
When: 5:00 pm

Safety Words is the newest hip-hop offering from the West Side, and represents an unprecedented sound: 8-bit music straight from your favorite nintendo games, mixed with some of the best lyricism from your favorite rap records. Sure, it’s been done before, but never this authentically; there’s no gimmick here. The Battletoads pause music might just be the next Amen Break.

Safety Words – Crimingelo
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The Skekses

Where:Firecracker Press
When: 6:00 pm

The Skekses, awesome band name aside, are a brand-spankin’ new duo with a ton of ambition and the talent to back it up. Preferring to play without microphones is one thing, but to belt vocals and still retain that bluesy kick in the pants is another altogether, and the Skekses certainly do both. Sometimes with a cello, sometimes with a melodica, sometimes with a mandolin, but always with a killer voice, The Skekses make perfect Cherokee St. shopping music.

The Skekses – Told My Momma Waltz (Live at Lemp Arts Center, Nov. 14th, 2009)

The Mhurs and HUMDRUM

Where:Foam Coffee & Beer
When: 8:00pm

HUMDRUM, who previously went by the name Hunger Artist, are a group who know no creative boundaries. Instead of attempting to describe their vast range of influences, I’m going to cop out and defer to a review of HUMDRUM’s first full-length, Individual Man, written by Eleven-ite Nelda Kerr: Read it!

As for the Mhurs — well, they are Belleville, Illinois’ best kept secret. Enjoying nearly universal acclaim in their hometown, their frequent trips to St. Louis often go unnoticed. This is quite a surprise, as their sound is difficult to ignore: the folk-rock influences of the ghosts of Belleville past reach through electric guitar hooks and wailing vocals to grab all within earshot by the scruff of their aural necks. Come down tomorrow, and help the cat get out of the bag.

HUMDRUM – Hide and Seek in the Universe
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The Mhurs – Less Than Zero
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

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