The usual dose of once-a-month PDP awesome with a twist. A Maverick Awesome twist.
Those with a pair of eyes and a keen understanding of radio voices know that M. Awesome is the other product of the Awesome-Davis union that took place back in the 60s/70s/80s or thereabouts: he is the biological brother of PDP's Storm Davis.
Blessed with names fit only for the spotlight, this dynamic brother duo was forced to shoehorn their collective ego into the entertainment industry and spout ironic sarcasm at high volume over the next few decades till someone agreed to love them. Many, many people who post their thoughts on the Internet continue to be upset by this to this very day. Even more people who aren't sure what the Internet is are doubly upset.
But don't worry: they won't be at Local 121 on Saturday night. You will. And you are who matters.
So come listen to the ol'skoooool sounds of Dox of PDP & DJ SaveOne, and buy Senor Awesome a birfday beverage. It's really that simple.
DOX of PDP & DJ SAVE ONE Local 121 121 Washington St Providence RI 21+ / 11p-2a / FREE
PDP's Sterbyrock spins hip hop and other types of hip hop, and perhaps even some hip hop, as he exteneds Warped Wax Wednesdays into the deep black December night at everyone's favorite stained-glass haven, Local 121.
PDP's DJ Sterbyrock spins his own gallery opening. Graf, hip hop, 'Gansetts, hell, BYOB if you'd like. All courtesy of the Milk & Cookies Gallery in the Grant Building at 250 Main St, Pawtucket RI. Come getcha culture and drunk at the same time. Free 99.
Last Friday, a legendary Providence club closed it doors.
Rhode Island's PDP fans knew The Living Room as our home base, the place where we had many of our most significant live performances and where we chose to celebrate any time we had new music to unleash on the world.
PDP supporters also came to complain loudly at times that we played too many shows there, that the accomodations weren't five-star, that Bud Light in cans and Jack Daniels in plastic cups weren't what they expected from a night on the town. It seemed that the things we thought of as charming were unacceptable to Joe Rapfan, that they'd prefer a door on their bathroom.
Well, eventually, they got a bathroom door.
You see, what the complaining voices didn't get was that over time, The Living Room grew from being a place that we played to a home base to a home. The staff had become people we were glad to be able to call friends. They were a rag-tag bunch that recognized a hip hop crew that had a similar unorthodox makeup, and embraced us at a place that was more at home with the guitars and black t-shirts that came through the door with other local bands than with the crates of vinyl, non-stop tagging, and relentless attempts to turn the place into a blunt-smoke hot box for the ages that accompanied the RI hip hop community.
PDP became so closely tied to the venue that when word of the spot's demise started to make the rounds, a writer from a prominent Providence publication reached out to get my feelings on the subject. Not because he wanted a quote for a story; because he wanted to see how we were dealing with the news.
What people also forget is that The Living Room is the only local venue to never turn its back on hip hop music. Name another club or bar or location, I'll tell you about a time when live rap music (and sometimes even DJs!) were not welcome at that place. The Hien family and their extended Living Room fam made sure that never happened, and that's something that the community should always remember and appreciate.
In 2006, the great Randy Hien, longtime owner of the Living Room, passed away. PDP organized a benefit show for his family in November of that year. We've decided to re-run some of the reaction articles from that show here now, as a way to mark the passing of another great, The Living Room itself. Before that, you'll read the farewell letter from Aaron & Greg, two of the guys who made up a big part of the heart & soul of the club these past few years.
And so, standing at the end of an era, we can definitively say: Rhode Island never thanked you enough. And neither did we.
So, one last time: Thank you for everything. Those times will never be forgotten.
-Storm Davis | PDP
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Thank You Providence! We Love You! Goodnight!
This past Friday, in a very fitting way, six local metal bands played a show at the Living Room. There were some newer bands, young and full of hopeful optimism, and some scene veterans, doing what they love as they have hundreds of times before on that stage. It was the kind of show that kept the doors of that club open for the last fifteen years, and it was the last show.
Randy always said the reason he loved musicians so much and why he kept the doors of the club open when logic and reason both probably dictated otherwise, is because musicians are the last great dreamers of the world. Randy felt it was a dream worth getting behind and he did so with a contagious optimism. The dreams of countless musicians were given a home inside The Living Room, and the scene flourished within its doors. From the hard working veterans of the local scene, to the touring acts, to the teenagers playing their first show on a Monday night in front of their girlfriends and parents, Randy made everyone feel welcome. He always encouraged and supported the bands and his employees in any way he could.
The current staff of The Living Room has taken an enormous amount of pride and put a lot of hard work into keeping Randy's dream alive. It is with heavy hearts and for reasons outside of our control that we will be unable to continue hosting shows at The Living Room. We sincerely apologize to any bands with shows booked that will not be able to take place. Please look for further announcements about shows that are being moved to other venues. We would also like to thank every single person that ever performed, drank, fought, danced, puked, sang along, worked or dared to dream within the walls of that club, or the two locations that preceded it.
What the future holds is still uncertain, maybe a new location and a new set of dreams. But in the mean time, if you see Papa Joe or Little Pete, any member of the Hien family, DJ Venom, Max Creek, or any of the people or bands that made The Living Room what it was to you over the course of the last thirty years, say thanks. A lot of blood, sweat and tears were shed on that stage and in that room, let's not forget why and who made it possible for us all to live the dream.
What dreams may come…
Aaron Jaehnig and Gregory Rourke
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On November 15, 2006, PDP held RI Rap Remembers: A Benefit for the Randy Hien Family Fund, to raise money for scholarship funds for the children left behind by Living Room owner Randy Hien, who passed away in 2006. We present to you some reactions to the night published by attendees, in the interest of saying goodbye and thank you one more time to one of the Ocean State's greats.
RI Hip Hop Honors a Friend
By Reza Corinne Clifton
PROVIDENCE, RI - Last Wednesday, November 15, in front of an all ages audience beginning at 8:00 PM, a number of artists performed and paid tribute to a monumentally important man in the local music scene. It was during "Rhode Island Rap Remembers: a Benefit for the Randy Hien Family Fund," a show which took place at The Living Room on Rathbone Street. It which featured a bevy of local hip hop emcees (rappers): Poorly Drawn People: Reason and Dox, Storm Davis, Symmetry; Chachi, Romen Rok, Jon Hope, and Minister Ref; and turntable dj's, Sterby Rock and Al Bums.
For decades, Hien, and later The Living Room with Hien at its helm, were known for inviting people of all ages and ethnicities, and befriending musicians and promoters with any level of exposure. While this writer never personally met Hien, I know that I consider the live music/performance experience so sacred in part because I began going early—to The Living Room as a high school student, thanks to the regularly-held all ages events.
It was clear talking to artists Chachi and Romen Rok that Hien's support and welcoming spirit has been a significant factor in moving a diverse, amorphous RI hip hop agenda forward. While Chachi might describe the hip hop scene as in a "soon to blow" state, he also categorizes it as "very persistent" and "kind of depressing at times"—due to low fan support. Romen identified the local scene similarly, remarking that it causes and consists of lower back pain and anxiety. These are common to any local music scene, but it's having club owners like Hien—who appreciated the real challenges but still valued music, creativity, and people who work hard—that make a difference in whether local music can thrive.
Through full-length cd's, radio shows, frequent performances, regional and national appearances and collaborations, name recognition, and more, last Wednesday's artists are thriving in one way or another. And last week's show was about showing that they haven't forgotten one of the heroes who helped make it possible.
After his death this past September, The Providence Phoenix, an alternative weekly distributed in Providence and across RI, published a heartfelt and sincere tribute about his life that included anecdotes and remembrances from the various friends and associates he guided, encouraged, loved, and impacted. Click here to read that article.
Reza's article originally appeared on her site here.
Reza Corinne Clifton is a community organizer for high school reform at RI Children's Crusade for Higher Education. She is also a freelance writer who is regularly published in several RI-area publications. Her articles can be seen at www.RezaRitesRi.com and she can be reached by emailing rezaclif@aol.com.
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Video of PDP's performance at the RI Rap Remembers: A Benefit for the Hien Family Fund courtesy of LeeLeePDP.
----- Randy Hein Benefit Show by: Phil Mack Nov 19 2006
Being foreign to these parts I wasn't aware of Randy Hein's presence before his death. I was made aware while driving my car home from work the night of his death. A local sports radio station announced that a long time Little League coach and community leader had died in a car accident. Maybe later that same week I heard the owner of Living Room had died. I didn't know the connection at first. I didn't learn the impact until Wednesday night. This man was widely respected in the overground and underground. He must have been a special person. Doing things for all types of kids. Respect. I hope his family and friends are well.
Mortal, DawnStar and I rolled in the Hyundai. I was looking forward to putting my feet in the RI hip hop scene for the night. Of course we were late. Royal was rocking and Sterby Rock (Wednesday 3 to 6 on WRIU 90.3 ) was on the turntables. Went outside and this cat wearing beads came up and gave Mortal some germ free elbow daps.. lol, I never saw that one before. I was thinking about it every time I touched palms the rest of the night.
Minister of Reference was next up. He was the first I heard bring the benefit to the street. Randy Hein made it possible for many people to rock. Ref dropped over beats and did some a cappella jams. Here's a piece I won't forget… "you wanna stick your dick in a dime but you're too chicken to try" fuck that's funny to me… Abstract Soul joined ref but I hardly knew it because I actually thought that shit was playing off a fucking CD. Then I realized.. Those aren't digitally mastered pre-recorded beats, it was dudes mouth. He drops beats like an MPC with multiple kits loaded.. Amazing.
Hip Hop crowds like to stand back early and move up late… reminds me of what Ref was talking about. John Hope was having too much fun. He stomped around the stage and gave it his all, I was feeling it. Al Bums was on the CD now but John Hope also wanted to do some a cappella. I think there was miscommunication but professionals keep moving. The crowd was starting to fill out Roman Rok came on. This man has a lot of energy. Moving and shaking all over the stage. The crowd started to MOVE CLOSER. I put myself close again and clicked some dope photographs. I have one that makes Roman look like some sort of disturbed scholar with Al Bums feeling it in the background. Storm Davis and Roman rocked a GnR based joint together. It's cool how you can take a song that was cool and make it into a new song that's cool. Also, the Storm Davis shirts are fresh, I got one from Mortal cuase that shit would never fit him!
There were a ton of beatiful pairings of women at the show. They always go in pairs don't they? Then they hang together all night. Some sort of Hip Hope show buddy system. You know the ones that come with the scene becuase you'll see them talking in many circles, not always in pairs. I saw different guys trying to separate some of these connected bodies... That's a rough situation to walk into unless your intentions are pure. There was also some dude with designer genes on, obviously purchased with "holes included".. haha..
Chachi was next. John Hope came back to rock with Chachi as well. All I know is… The vibe was strong the crowd was growing stronger. My unoccupied hands were in the air. What a great place to be and to have on Wednesday night. Both these cats rock with much passion and know their respective intentions. About this time I saw Mortal fuming near the merch table... Apparently Chachi is now the mayor of Rhode Island hip hop! An election needs to be scheduled I guess.
Poorly Drawn People were schedule last. Turns out dude with the germ free elbows and beads is Symmetry who hadn't rocked at AS220 the other night. Reason, Storm Davis, and Dox made their presence known like they do. I was wondering, does Reason have any eyes? I never see'em on stage. I did capture a photograph where he obviously looks directly out from under the brim of his cap... Dox would kinda chill at the corner of the stage and watch Symmetry and Reason do a couple tracks. I have a photo where he's obviously as impressed with their skill as I'm impressed with his ability to make beats.
Thank you, Randy Hein. We're in your debt. All the artists that got up portrayed this sentiment with much respect. Rhode Island hip hop is alive. With all this talent in every corner how can it not get better for everyone involved? Togetherness is key. You can't realize your potential without a gang of backup and support.
Post show there was parking lot building and bullshitting. There will be an election and my friend Eric D is a new fan of the scene. Sterby Rock and Al Bums were back behind the revolving track machines rotating all night. I saw Save1 back there as well. Mic Feen was in the crowd and Esh was at the merch table generally looking ill due to illness. Peace to all the deliverers. R.I.P. Randy Hein.
PDP affiliate Prolyphic (Strange Famous Records) will be making the trek as well, and we send the largest props available to old pal Brzowski for inviting us up in the first place.
The blogosphere / the blogosphere / the blogosphere is on FIYAH.
Okay, that didn't work.
Soon-to-be-reknowned Providence blogger Penny Earned had some good words to say about PDP recently in her snarky & acidic reading romp, Oh The Douchebaggery:
Washington St. is the new Crenshaw Blvd. and it's in full swing.
Peep the Pharcyde reference? That's 'cause I have been kickin' it nineties style lately. Oh my, am I excited. I caught these d.j.'s spinning at my new favorite local haunt, the aforementioned Local 121 and I was in high school again. Mad props to the Poorly Drawn People crew...and I don't just throw out props indiscriminately. Props is precious, son.
So, these guys were playing some of my favorites and because god is awesome they were also handing out free c.d.'s---my copy quickly found it's way into the black hole underneath my car seat, only to be found one glorious day as I was looking for my bic. And, EUREKA! Three weeks later it's still in heavy rotation.
Finally, a Rhode Island act that doesn't suck...and hasn't yet relocated to Brooklyn.
Seriously. Check them out at SoundSessions.
I'll be the one attempting to pop-lock like only a white girl can.
link here to get the best variety of download...the free kind http://www.myspace.com/poorlydrawnpeople
Peep the original article and take a look around here.
And I can pretty much guarantee that there is no fucking way in fucking hell that we will be moving to fucking Brooklyn anytime soon. And I put that on God.
I just wanted to take the time to let all you clones out there know that Reason and PDP are working diligently on new material for your always starving ears. Storm Davis and Dox and currently wrapping up Robot Rock & Necktie Blues while Dox and myself are working towards completing our second full length together. In the meantime I'm working on a side project with some talented producers who have slept on my couch a couple of times.
I'm not going to sit here and claim that the music is genre defying, ground breaking or even good. Its just music that we make and destroy our will to live in the process while hoping you enjoy it as much as we do.
Thanks for the support. We probably love you. Reason and PDP.
PS In the meantime tune in to 90.3FM every Wednesday from 3-6pm for SterbyRock Radio with your host Reason's Radio Personality....AND BUY ESH THE MONOLITH'S ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since we were unable to put together a proper Obama fundraiser in time, we figured the next best thing was to pass around a cup asking drunk hipsters for dollar bills (apologies to any coke dealers we put out of work) and let them take pictures with a lifesize cardboard cut-out of Barry himself.
Dox of PDP & DJ SaveOne continue their series of old school hip hop evenings. Voted "Local 121's Best Smelling Crowd" by everyone who matters. Make it happen.
The third in a four-part series of evenings in which PDP's most attractive affiliates beautify the soundscape of the Providence's premiere lounge for libation. Dance, drink, dare to demand Def Jam ditties the damsels don't drop and then don't stop complaining for weeks.
Or, ditch the excessive alliteration and enjoy the Beck jams and Brooklyn lager until you hopefully lose your sense of smell.
Wednesday September 10 The 121 Puma Girls (Lara & Carla) COZY LIKE CATS // CATS LIKE COZY 10pm-1am / 21+ / FREE! Local 121 121 Washington St Providence RI www.local121.com
A word from PDP's resident word-haver, Storm Davis:
The plan was to wait to assault your grill with this entry until an official album release party was in the works, but SD has grown impatient with too little of his world being blessed by the sounds that slam through his speaker cones on an every-other-day basis. So get ready for a blessing, readers.
Those of you who have experienced the PDP mixtape releases Nothing Stays Gold and Shoot For The Stars, Hit The Ceiling, or have been to any one of about 80% of our shows in the past 2.5 years, have had the opportunity to witness Labeless Illtelligence, our beat-battering brethren who split time between PDP's hometown of Providence and Labeless leader Cas Uno's homebase of New Bedford.
SD is partial to Esh because he attended his first game at Yankee Stadium with the man, and it was the last time he saw Jason Kendall in an A's uniform. And because they've sat on the seashore and eaten seafood together. Seahorse seahell. Pause.
SD is partial to "The World's Smallest Violin", the closing song on Esh's album, because it reminds him of the end of an Eighties movie. SD is partially retarded.
None of these things change the fact that The ADDventures of an E.ccentric S.uper H.ero is a great album, and you should make it the next CD you purchase.
And if you're in Providence, you can do that tonight, and catch a Labeless performance while you're at it:
Friday September 5th 2008 Labeless Illtelligence Romen Rok Swann Notty Ax Butane Slim Pickens K-Nux
Jerky's Pub 72 Richmond Street Providence RI 02903 Doors @ 9PM 21+ $6
This is the last show on the latest Labeless mini-tour, and Cas Uno has been maintaining a customarily hilarious blog detailing their jaunt here. Complete with photographs and impenetrable slang galore.
In closing:
Esh is awesome. Labeless is awesome. Buy Esh's album. Go to the Labeless show tonight.
Congrats & big ups to PDP's resident steelwheelworker, DJ STERBYROCK, who today celebrates FIVE YEARS of his Warped Wax Wednesdays/Afterschool Special radio show on 90.3 WRIU FM.
For those not in the know, Sterby and a roving cast of guest hosts (including Swerve One and Poorly Drawn's own Reason AKA Reason's Radio Personality) keep True School hip hop alive on a weekly basis with Rhode Island's highest rated and longest running underground hip hop show.
Sterby first hit the RIU airwaves alongside DJ Joeywonk (who has appeared on PDP releases like Gemini Slang, Kegstand Poetry, and Shoot For The Stars, Hit The Ceiling) in 2003 and soon took over for original Afterschool Special host Jaypee in the Wednesday slot. Past guests have included Akrobatik, K-Solo, Canibus, King Tech, and more local emcees and deejays than you can shake a Sterbystick(tm) at.
You can tune into the show from tha innanetz at www.wriu.org every Wednesday from 3-6pm EST.
Downloads of past mixshows are available in the links section of this page right here, so get to clicking.
LAST MINUTE ADDITION! (to our hectic touring schedule, that is).
It seemed that The Clipse (or their Re-Up Gang, at least) had something better to do next week (I'm guessing coke) and cancelled the Providence date on their tour with Wu Tang's premiere slang editorialist Cappadonna. So, as Poorly Drawn People is quite obviously the next rung down on the coke-rap ladder, the promoters threw up the PDP signal and we put down our razor blades and rolled-up Benjamins and responded in the affirmative.
After all, Cappadonna did do that ill verse on "Winter Warz." And then... well, he did drive that cab in Baltimore for awhile, and Maryland has always been good to us. And, Wu Tang is Wu Tang is Wu Tang. Sort of.
Plus, we just came off a great show with Keith Murray (rocking to 250 rabid Worcester supporters - don't let them show you up, Providence; come support!) and Hit Squad alumnus K-Solo just joined Sterbyrock & Reason on last week's installment of the Warped Wax Wednesday radio show. It's 1998 Week at the PDP Mansion - come help us close it out in style with our first performance as a crew at Lupo's Washington Street location.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 2008
CAPPADONNA (Wu Tang Clan) POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE (Storm Davis / Reason / Dox / Sterbyrock) CHACHI (Big East Music Entertainment) AX BUTANE
All Ages Doors 8pm / Show 9pm Advance $12 / Day Of $15
This Friday, PDP shoots up Rt 146 to join the homies RADIx and a whole bunch of acts they tell us bring above-average heat to open for the inimitable Def Squad Enigma, Keith Murray!
So, I was gonna do a whole new write-up for this month's event, but you know the deal by now. And I was pretty busy last night trading Brett Favre to the Jets. But, for those who need a refresher, last month's description still applies:
PDP's Dox & third-string Packers QB DJ Save1 keep hipster-hop alive in the guise of the mid-nineties and beyond, spinning those old school, underground, and local tracks that make you feel like you're in on the joke nobody else gets.
The ever-appealing 121 staff slings beastly beverages while your favorite local slangsters politic and pound under the gaze of stained glass, praying that it doesn't matter to whatshername that their pants are way bigger than that unwashed gent in the corner. Oh crap, he threw up. That shit is gross.
Saturday August 9 DOX & DJ SAVE1 Local 121 121 Washington St Providence RI FREE - NO COVER 21+ / 10pm
Gets the PDP stamp of approval, so stamp your way over there and stamp around a bit. Like a huge cat with tusks and a trunk. Wait, that's not a cat. Elephants aren't cozy. At least not in the traditional sense.
PHOTO: PDP's Chief of Security, Petey Wheatstraw, removes rabid fan from stage at IndieArts Fest. (click to enlarge)
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Last weekend, dem Poorly Drawn boyz were privileged to play at Providence's first annual IndieArts Festival (details can be found in the entry below). The promotional ramp-up for the event included an issue of The Agenda (an arts & culture newspaper that bills itself as "Providence's Only Free Sporadical") dedicated to all things IndieArts, including profiles and interviews with the performers.
Because the volume and force of the wind that he expels could carry Columbus to the New World, PDP's Storm Davis took up the task of answering The Agenda's questions. Also because the crew was on one of their weekend-pseudo-tours at the time of the interview (in Washington DC with producer/bane-of-our-existence Entity), and everyone else was far too inebriated for such tasks.
Barrels of ink costing what they do these days, The Agenda only printed excerpts of the conversation. For posterity's sake, we present to you: the unedited PDP transcripts.
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** Taken from interviews with Corey Haim (Tiger Beat, 1986), The Jonas Brothers (Teen Beat, 2008) and an interview with Molly Ringwold, (Time, 1986) ** Taken from interviews with Corey Haim (Tiger Beat, 1986), The Jonas Brothers (Teen Beat, 2008) and an interview with Molly Ringwold, (Time, 1986)
What color are the lead singer's eyes? One brown, one green, one blue. How many groupies do you let hang out with you after shows?! The four most special-est. And/or, thousands. Do you believe in vampires? We believe in ourselves. What do you do to prepare before going onstage? How do you prepare for seeing us onstage? That's the question worth answering. It must be a staggering task. We don't envy you. Except for the part where you get to watch us. That must be awesome. What's a typical day like for you? Like swimming in an Olympic-sized pool full of gold dubloons. How long does it take you to do your hair? Depends on whether condoms are used. Do you have any fashion tips for your guy-fans? Do we ever! What kind of perfume or scent do you like on girls? PDP. How did you come up with your band name? Won it in a legal battle from Badly Drawn Boy.
Here's another set of questions. This is a chance for you to voice a response to some of the things YOU see in Providence, in your own words, however you see fit. Please answer a MINIMUM of three to four questions – if you want to tackle more, go for it. Again, one person in the band can answer, or you can divide it up, or you can all provide input – however you see fit.
Here's the questions about Providence:
1.) Is there a lack of diversity in music venues in Providence? NAH.
2.) What are some of your favorite bar/music venues that have gone, and why do you miss it/them? Club Babyhead, The Met Cafe. CUZ WE KEEPS IT REAL.
3.) Do you think gentrification is a real problem in Providence? We don't so much think as we do feel, to conserve our logic reserves for the aftermath of The Rapture.
4.) What are the essentials to making a city culturally viable? Larger culture receptacles. Less places without these receptacles.
5.) Do you think that Providence is the "arts city" that it promotes? We think the "arts city" that Providence promotes is Snug Harbor.
6.) If you could ask the Mayor a question, what would it be? How often does he wear that Storm Davis t-shirt his aide bought at SoundSession last year?
7.) If you could add one new state department to city government what would it be and what would it do? The Department of Getting Our DJ, Sterbyrock, a Sexy New Girlfriend & Parks.
8.) How do you think the music scene today compares to six years ago? More technology, less techno.
9.) Should new condos be developed on the waterfront in India Point Park and where the Old Shooters is, or should the waterfront be a public space? 9.a) Does the city need new condos? The hippie in me says 'a public space,' but right now I'm more concerned with reporting to the authorities that I just got roofied and rogered by a hippie than I am about condo development.
10.) Graffiti:"art" or "malicious destruction of property"? Malicious Property Art.
11.) Has Downtown changed for the better? Since when? The 80s? Hell yes. Since yesterday? Status quo.
12.) Preservationists: "stuck in the past" or "vital contributors to developments within of the city"? "should wear more hats like the Pilgrims did"
Come check out the first PDP daytime show since... well, since before they were PDP, I think. But who has time to remember such things? There's hungover bargain-hunting hipsters to be humored by, in the hot summer sun, no less. Hide your beers in your bike water bottles and head to downtown Providence for mid-afternoon Poorly Drawn
The IndieArts Fest looks to be shaping up huge-style, so we'll just give you the basics of the festival and our set and you can peep the flyer or their website for more info.
Saturday July 19 2008 POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE (Storm Davis / Reason / Dox / DJ Sterbyrock) 2:00pm - 2:45 pm performing on "The Fringe Stage" Burnside Park @ Bank of America City Center (adjacent to Kennedy Plaza)
The First annual IndieArts Fest celebrates independently produced art, music, performance and locally sourced goods and products. Entertainment will include live music and DJs, burlesque, spoken word, experimental dance, and a compliation of films & film shorts accompanied by on-site improvised sound environments.
Alright, all. It's Monday. Time to start thinking about the weekend. Reflecting on the one just passed, and planning for the one just a few days ahead. Let's get moving:
Thanks to all of you who joined the Poorly Drawn family at Local 121 on Saturday for Dox & DJ Save1's monthly old school extravaganza. Naughty By Nature marathons, obscene dance moves, and cake for Reason's birfday, plus the usual gang of glassware housing the devil's potions, once again added up to a rousing success. It's a lock for a good time, so mark the date for next month (July 12). Don't worry, though: we'll remind you. But you probably guessed that already.
"But what about this weekend, Storm Davis? What should we do?? We haven't seen PDP perform live in weeeeeeeeeeeeks!!" you say. Or, in the case of quite of few of you, in A LONG F.CKIN TIME. So let's do Friday night together. Come on, don't be nervous. We'll be gentlemen. Probably.
with performances by POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE (Reason / Storm Davis / Dox / DJ Sterbyrock | www.poorlydrawnpeople.com) LABELESS ILLTELLIGENCE (Cas Uno / Esh the Monolith / DJ Al-Bums | www.labeless.net) 90 SEVAN (www.myspace.com/indefart) BRZOWSKI (Portland, ME | www.milledpavement.com) OUTWRITE (New Hampshire) JOTS ONE (www.myspace.com/jotsone)
AS220 115 Empire St Providence RI Doors 8pm / ALL AGES OPEN MIC from 8-9pm Six Dollars
Hope to see you all there. Rumor has it that PDP will be going on in the late part of the evening, after 11 sometime.
Any questions, hit up stormdavis [at] gmail.com and let your concerns pour out everywhere. I'll mop them up & mail the towel to AskJeeves.
PDP's Dox & DJ Save1 of Spit Personalitys keep hipster-hop alive in the guise of the mid-nineties and beyond, spinning those old school, underground, and local tracks that make you feel like you're in on the joke nobody else gets.
The ever-appealing 121 staff slangs beastly beverages while your favorite local slangsters politic and pound under the gaze of stained glass, praying that it doesn't matter to whatshername that their pants are way bigger than that unwashed gent in the corner. Oh crap, he threw up. That shit is gross.
Saturday June 14 DOX & DJ SAVE1 Local 121 121 Washington St Providence RI FREE - NO COVER 21+ / 10pm
We never get to chill anymore. So let's fix that this weekend.
On Friday night, June 6, Strange Famous Records fams Prolyphic brings along your man SD to rock the artspace/loft venue Asterisk in Brooklyn. And of course, where SD goes, so go the Poorly Drawn People brethren, who in turn posse up selected staff & entourage (and pizzas), and before you know it, NYC is short mad parking spaces.
Admission to the show is $5, it starts around 10. I've heard different things about what goes down at the space, all sound dope, but you'll have to come check it for yourself.
Any further questions, or for road trip details, hit me up at stormdavis@gmail.com
Poorly Drawn People Shoot For The Stars, Hit The Ceiling
4 out of 5 $$$$$
As Labeless Illtelligence emcee Cas Uno points out on his drop for this mixtape, the most recent of many from Poorly Drawn People, "y'all are some seriously depressing motherfuckers." Going on my one and only impression of the group, Storm Davis's Kegstand Poetry for the Recovering Alcoholic, and the title of this mixtape, I would likely agree, but what they offer up with Shoot for the Stars, Hit the Ceiling shows a completely different side of this five man crew.
The production from Dox and Entity is mostly upbeat boom bap that results in great beats like the countrified "Hooked on Symphonics," the fun posse cut "Fatbackburners" and the bass-drenched "Poison Propaganda." PDP emcees Reason and Storm Davis (and sometimes Dox) put these instrumentals to good use in a variety of permutations, including group tracks, duos, solos and a bunch of different posse cuts.
There are many impressive verses throughout. Sure, it's a lot of braggadocio along with a pair of sex raps (one from each emcee), but there's also a small selection of message-based tracks covering dirty cops ("Cops & Crooks"), revolution ("Let the People Know") and counteracting mindless rap ("The Vaccine"). The crew's fifth member, Sterbyrock, stops by to drop a shout-out along with some turntable manipulations. This is the Poorly Drawn People that I'd like to hear more from.
The infamous and rather legendary Rhode Island hip-hop promoter Mortal celebrates the 10th anniversary of his company, Basement Flavor, with a show at The Living Room in Providence featuring headliners & ex-Def Jux crazies Vast Aire (of Cannibal Ox) and C-Rayz Walz!
PDP's supastar-smear-campaigner & posse-haver Reason hits you with a solo set of Gemini slang, DJ Sterbyrock makes the noise you hear between and behind the acts like only he can, Storm Davis displays his fresh new set of emotions and lack of patience doing the host thing, and Dox lurks about the fringes making you worry about your ladyfriend's allegience.
PDP fams Labeless Illtelligence catch third-headliner status behind the big Jukie duo, plus Sneaky Pete and Marshall Law set off the evening.
Sounds like fun.
Friday May 16 2008 The Living Room 23 Rathbone St Providence RI 02903
VAST AIRE (of Cannibal Ox) C-RAYZ WALZ LABELESS ILLTELLIGENCE REASON SNEAKY PETE MARSHALL LAW
hosted by STORM DAVIS sounds provided by DJ STERBYROCK
The winners in the 2008 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll were announced today, and thanks to all of your hard work and support, Poorly Drawn People (Dox, Storm Davis, Reason, DJ Sterbyrock & Entity) was named BEST HIP-HOP ACT!
Something to keep in mind when reading the attached article (from this week's issue of the paper):
While our rampant egomania causes us to never pay mind to those who criticize our process of making music, and won't allow us to change our style to please anyone, forcing us to stay true to ourselves (and thus, "don't give a shit what anyone thinks"), we truly do appreciate and love each and every one of you who've helped us achieve what we have. Never doubt that.
Poorly Drawn People — Dox, Storm Davis, Entity, Reason, and DJ Sterby Rock — are crafting an aesthetic, and monstrous reputation, for the best damn hip-hop around. Davis, the de facto spokesman, attributes their success to a variety of factors, but one element in particular: "Ninety-eight percent of it has to do with the fact that we actually, sincerely don't give a shit what anybody thinks," says Davis. "Don't get us wrong — we love validation, praise, applause, and whatever else people want to give us. But if we're happy with it, we don't care what anyone thinks."
PDP met through mutual friends in the area hip-hop network. "The more time we spent together, the more respect we developed for each other," says Davis. "Every time we played, I would get wowed. We thought about it: among us we could have four teams of one, or one team of four. That's how we came together." And the union grows more potent and effective each time they open their mouths. Their latest mix tapes, including Shoot for the Stars, Hit the Ceiling and Nothing Stays Gold, have been flying out and signs point to some serious success. "There's no shortage of good feelings about ourselves," admits Davis. "People wonder how you can fit this many gigantic egos into one room!" Many in the hip-hop arena feel that, despite those expectations, PDP is knocking on a special door. "We really want to be put on the field with the best, to see how we measure up" says Davis.
So what is PDP looking for? "Right now, time and money are the only things holding us back."
Come join Dox & DJ SaveOne of Spit Personalitys for some old and older school tunes on Saturday, with the Providence's Phoenix-approved Best Bartender in the building and a bevy of the finest local talent swigging suds on the fringes.
For those not in the know, PDP's DJ Sterbyrock hosts the highest-rated and most respected underground hiphop radio show in the Ocean State, with a hell of a webcast following to boot. Flanked by mouthpieces Swerve One and Reason, Ster keeps boom bap alive and shines light on the latest and greatest talents to grace the streets of RI each Wednesday afternoon from 3-6pm.
On the airwaves it's 90.3 WRIU FM, on the net www.wriu.org.
Take a taste with a FREE DOWNLOAD of today's mixshow!
On September 15, 2007, Poorly Drawn People unleashed a free CD sampler/mixtape called Nothing Stays Gold on the masses. (FREE DOWNLOAD available here)
Frankly, we weren't expecting much from the 25-track compilation of new and unreleased songs; it was just a way to give you a taste of how PDP would sound in our new, streamlined incarnation, and let you know that we were still around between albums.
Six months and 600 copies and over 4000 downloads later, we couldn't be happier with the reception. New England embraced the release and is still giving us love for it, and we've gotten response from far-off lands like Eastern Europe, Colombia, Ireland, the Phillipines, and a mysterious nation called Pascoag, all saying they wanted more.
Since you asked so nicely, we put down the Jack bottles for a couple of weeks and cobbled together another 24 tracks that will hopefully creep out your car windows as they roll down for the first time this spring, and keep us in your ears as we retreat to the PoorlyDrawn Cave to finally finish off the next round of albums for you.
Come down to the Living Room in Providence on Saturday April 5 and get your FREE copy of Shoot For The Stars, and check out performances from our peoples from near and far: Esh The Monolith of Labeless Illtelligence (performing material from his upcoming LP The Oddventures of an Eccentric Super Hero), Northampton MA crew The Problemaddicts (those who saw them rock with us on March 6 will tell you: don't miss their set!), Antfarm Affiliates from Connecticut, and Ax Butane & DJ Janks from Conscious Insanity, plus some surprises if time allows. Hosted by the inimitable Swerve One & the Creme Prince himself, Need Not Worry, and brought to you by our sponsors, AplombClothing.com, Muirphoto.net, Knowmore.org, and Classsick Screenprinting (logos below for brand identity reinforcement. CUZ THAS HOW WE LIVIN). It all goes down:
SATURDAY APRIL 5 2008 THE LIVING ROOM 23 Rathbone St Providence RI ALL AGES // doors 9pm // $10
There will be BRAND NEW Mens & Womens PDP TSHIRTS for sale at the show!
***THIS WILL BE THE LAST SHOW THROWN BY PDP UNTIL THE RELEASE OF STORM DAVIS & DOX's Robot Rock & Necktie Blues THIS SUMMER!!!!!***
Saturday March 22 - Known for their appealing waitstaff, their penchant for calling wallet-denting drink prices "cheap", and their love for local greens, Local 121 is now opening their arms to PDP's octoproducer and plate-spinner, Dox. And since they've done the arm-opening, it is now your job to come by and finish of the equation with some leg-opening. He drags old pal DJ Save1 into the mix for a night of hiphop from way back and way below. Details on the flyer above.
This may come as a rush of deja vu to some of you, but its just that time again.
The nominees for the Providence Phoenix 2008 Best Music Poll have been announced, and POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE has been nominated for BEST HIP HOP ACT in Rhode Island.
You may recall that last year both Poorly Drawn's Storm Davis and former PDP member Symmetry were nominated as solo artists, and math being what it is, PDP nation was split in 2, as were the votes, and the trophy went to another act.
However, SD did win the 2007 Best Album award for Kegstand Poetry, and that shows what happens when we all rally behind the same cause.
That victory led to coverage and opportunity for PDP that wouldn't have come along otherwise, and we're grateful beyond words to all of you that helped make that happen.
This year the Phoenix saw fit to nominate Poorly Drawn People as a unit, so we'll have the strength of the fans, friends, family, and stalkers from all 5 of our camps.
So this is our plea to you: a second chance in an election year to cast a vote that counts. We can't promise to cut your taxes or make the streets safer, but we promise to flirt with your girlfriend, drink up your whiskey, and if your vote leads to publicity that gets just one more fan in our corner, maybe Storm Davis will leave you alone for 5 minutes and ramble endlessly in pseudo-inspirational but slightly psychotic prose to them instead of you.
You can either begin your ballot with the first category, or go directly to Best Hip Hop.
Select "Poorly Drawn People" from the list of nominees.
Click 'Submit'
When you've finished your vote, click 'Cast Your Ballot'
Scroll down and enter your name and email address.
Click 'Submit'
Finished!
THE BALLOT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ONLINE UNTIL THURSDAY APRIL 3, SO VOTE EARLY (AND OFTEN, MULTIPLE EMAIL ADDRESS HOLDERS!)
Again, any support you can give is truly appreciated. Vote, forward this to friends who can spare 5 minutes and are willing to take a listen, post in their blog, and spread the word. The only reason we've been able to achieve what we have in the past 3 years is because of you, and this will be no different.
We've got a weekend of live Poorly Drawn People coming up for you, plus some other events on the horizon to tease you with, so let's get right into it:
THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 14, BISHOP'S LOUNGE in NORTHAMPTON MA...
You may have caught PDP's newest affiliates, The Problemaddicts at the March 6 show at the Living Room, where they made a heavy impression on attendees and acts alike. If you missed it, don't worry, we're bringing them back on Saturday April 5, but if you're in the Northampton MA area or down for a Friday night road trip, they're bringing us out to their home turf to warm up the crowd before they rock with a live band!
The Problemaddicts / Poorly Drawn People Bassment Soundz / Meghawatt Bishop's Lounge 41 Strong Avenue Northampton MA 21+ $5 Doors 10pm
THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 15, THE LIVING ROOM in PROVIDENCE RI with BOOT CAMP CLIK...
PDP open for the legendary BOOT CAMP CLICK, who bring members Buckshot, Sean Price, and Smif N Wessun (aka the Cocoa Brovaz) to town. Come see your mid-90s headphone sounds spring to life as BCC runs thru the classics, and catch PDP homies Romen Rok and Chachi rock along with Starrs & Murph, Meal Tix, and Point Blank.
***NOTE: PDP WILL BE PERFORMING EARLY, IN THE 9 O'CLOCK HOUR. PLEASE PLAN YOUR NIGHT ACCORDINGLY IF YOU'RE COMING TO SEE US.***
Boot Camp Clik / Poorly Drawn People / Romen Rok Chachi / Starrs & Murph / Meal Tix / Point Blank The Living Room 23 Rathbone St Providence RI ALL AGES $20 Doors at 8pm
COMING NEXT MONTH: PDP follow up NOTHING STAYS GOLD!
The last PDP mixtape/CD sampler, Nothing Stays Gold, dropped last September and proceeded to exceed every and all expectations we had set for it. Since you seemed to dig it so much (and we thank you for that), we pushed back the next proper PDP release, Storm Davis & Dox's Robot Rock & Necktie Blues, in order to bring you another batch of music from SD, Dox, Reason, Entity, and DJ Sterbyrock. We'll hit you with the title and details soon, but we can tell you that the compilation will drop on SATURDAY APRIL 5 at THE LIVING ROOM, with FREE CDs FOR THE FIRST 50 PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOOR! So mark your calendars and clear some space in your iPod, new tunes are just 3 weeks away!
OTHER PDP EVENTS COMING UP:
Friday March 21, Cousin Larry's, Danbury CT Live with D_Cyphernauts/Antfarm Affiliates Saturday March 22, Local 121, Providence RI DOX spins underground & old school hiphop with DJ Save1 Saturday April 5, The Living Room, Providence RI Mixtape Release Show with The Problemaddicts and more!
PLEASE DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO...
If you don't find Poorly Drawn People particularly interesting, but somehow wound up on this site, might we suggest:
Wednesday March 12 Whalebone Jackson play their gruff soul rock n' roll at the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House in Providence RI. www.myspace.com/whalebonejackson for details.
College night hiphop for dat azz. You'll be starting the weekend early anyway, so come down those beers with Poorly Drawn Peopleat the Living Room. Not that anyone will be drinking on a school night of course, but you get where we're going with this.
The night is brought to you by Conscious Insanity, the recently-formed trio of rappers Ax Butane and Sens One, with DJ Janks Da Rezolution.
There are about sixty or so acts on the bill, so PDP will be making the magic short, sweet, and early: Janks has told us that we'll be holding down the 10:30 spot, so you can peep our 15 minutes and you'll still have plenty of time to get to the Complex for some Absolut VD afterward.
We'll be "smoothly" transitioning right into a set by Labeless Illtelligence with a collaborative run-through of "Poorly Drawn Illtelligence's Scribbled Smarts" from Nothing Stays Gold.
Now you know where we'll be on Thursday night. The rest is up to you.
THURSDAY MARCH 6 2008
Conscious Insanity presents:
POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE (Storm Davis / Reason / Dox / DJ Sterbyrock) Labeless Illtelligence Need Not Worry Chachi Spit Personalitys The Problemaddicts Abu Bless Slim Pickens
with sounds by DJ Sterbyrock hosted by Swerve One
THE LIVING ROOM 23 Rathbone St Providence RI ALL AGES doors 9pm $8
It's that time again... shows, shows, shows. The weather should begin its turn any minute now (or at least in June, this being New England... but we're getting closer), and so we begin our attempts to get you (and ourselves) out of the caves, cribs, and cocoons and into the beams of the streetlamps and stagelights.
Here's the basic info, we'll give you the details as each individual date comes upon us (pause):
THURSDAY MARCH 6 // THE LIVING ROOM, PROVIDENCE RI Janks & Sens of Conscious Insanity have long been supporters of PDP, coming to shows, rocking their PoorlyDrawn gear, and keeping the word out there. So when they asked us to jump on board their first bill at the Living Room, we were happy to do so as a way of saying thanks.
FRIDAY MARCH 14 // BISHOP'S LOUNGE, NORTHAMPTON MA The Problemaddictswill be bringing PDP out to their hometown for some Massachusetts love, god willin'.
SATURDAY MARCH 15 // THE LIVING ROOM, PROVIDENCE RI Here's one for the ages, or at least, the aged: Poorly Drawn People open for Boot Camp Clik (Buckshot, Sean Price, Smif N Wessum) along with Romen Rok, the 401 AllStars (Chachi, Meal Tix, Starrs & Murph) and Point Blank. Brought to you by Lifted Productions and BasementFlavor.com. You'll be hearing a lot more about this show from us very soon, beleedat.
FRIDAY MARCH 21 // COUSIN LARRY'S, DANBURY CT D_Cyphernauts host a monthly hiphop event in Danbury, CT, and were kind enough to invite PDP down for the March installment.
SATURDAY MARCH 22 // DOX @ LOCAL 121, PROVIDENCE RI Supadeejay Dox (yes! Dox of Poorly Drawn People!) puts down the old school and underground hiphop favorites you never knew you had to get you up and vibing. DJ Save1 comes along for the ride.
SATURDAY APRIL 5 // THE LIVING ROOM, PROVIDENCE RI The first show we've thrown since last September. Sure, we've done some others, but this is the first time since we unleashed Nothing Stays Gold upon you that it will have the 'PDP Presents' endorsement across the top of the flyer. Come end the 7-month hiatus with us and we'll give you something special to take home with you... but more on that later. Also appearing: The Problemaddicts, and more to be announced. Stay tuned.
From the
"You Scratch Our Back,
We'll Take You Behind the Middle School
& Get You Pregnant" file:
We try not to ask you for too much without giving you something in return, so while you're marking those calendars feel free to download some music to mark 'em to, courtesy of our brethren over at Labeless Illtelligence!
The "Lads Sans Labels" (as they're called in Scotland) have a new, absolutely FREE project for your listening pleasure called Intox-I-Rox Solid: Stink Talk.
Intox-I-Rox is comprised of Labeless mastermind Cas Uno on the vocals, and sometimes-rapper, sometimes-producer Rock Solid on the beats. Stopping by to share their perspective on world events are Esh the Monolith, Ams Uno, and Dirty Ice of Busted Fro.
Take a listen and share with urrrbody you know. Here's the details from ChrisUno EndCrews himself:
"Rock on the beats, me on the rhymes.
Some special guests here and there.
Planned on releasing double CD w/ Rock's "JuanEPstein" release...Ish didn't work out w/ getting our hands on Rock's project, so we decided to toss this ish out there for free along w/ all the rest of the current, trendy, keep Hip Hope alive type of cats....IF? it ever works out that we get to obtain Rock's project, this will be re-released in it's intended format.
In the summer of last year, the hiphop blog wakeyourdaughterup.blogspot.com (one of Vibe Magazine's "Dirty 30: the Top 30 hottest spots for Hip Hop on the Internet", October 2007) named the title track off of Storm Davis' Kegstand Poetryto its own Top 30 Songs of the First Half of 2007 (#16).
This past December, WDYU mastermind Trav invited PDP's own SD to be a panelist for their year-end awards, and SD (along with 8 other contributors) provided nominations for the categories that would be awarded when the list was published.
After wrestling with his "conscience" (such as it is), Storm submitted his albums and artists with as little a degree of bias as possible (that is, without listing a single release by self or Poorly Drawn People, save for naming Dox's "Buying Back Your Past" on his subjective-by-definition list of Top 10 Favorite Songs of 2007).***
On January 14, 2008, Wake Your Daughter Up unveiled its Second Annual WYDU Awards. Despite Storm's lack of tampering with the voting process, PDP made out quite fine, appearing on the positive side of multiple categories:
Storm Davis was named twice on the Top 100 Songs of 2007 - "Bethany" (produced by Entity) at #85, "Kegstand Poetry" (produced by Dox) at #25.
Kegstand Poetry (the album) was named as one of 3 to receive Trav's Late Pass Award (given to records released the previous year that slipped through the cracks).
Poorly Drawn People's Nothing Stays Gold mixtape received an Honorable Mention in the Best Mixtape category, losing out to Mick Boogie & Little Brother's And Justus For All.
You can view the full listing of winners and charts here. Selected write-ups are published below for your convenience.
Big ups to Trav and all of the WYDU mind squad for the support. Check out the rest of their excellent work while you're over there.
Top 100 Songs of 2007
85. Storm Davis of Poorly Drawn People - Bethany (from Nothing Stays Gold)
Storm Davis is another example of an artist that I enjoy because I can relate to his subject matter. Storm released his "Kegstand Poetry for the Recovering Alcoholic" in 2006, but I didn't discover the music until earlier this year, thanks to Krooked over at HHB. This track might be a little "emo" in nature, but I've never been one to shy away from that. A lovely piano sample accompanies Storm as he displays a tightened up flow about a girl, of course. I look forward to hearing more from Storm in the coming year and I'm sure I'll be pimping his music to the rest of you. http://www.myspace.com/stormdavis
25. Storm Davis - Kegstand Poetry (from Kegstand Poetry for the Recovering Alcoholic)
How can you not like someone who took their name from a 1980's major league pitcher? Alright, most likely, 90% of you don't know who the original Storm Davis was, but don't make that same mistake twice. The hip hop version of Storm Davis is a New England MC that released his creatively entitled "Kegstand Peotry for the Recovering Alcoholic" (one of the best names for an album ever) in 2006. Like Rip Van Winkle, I was fast asleep on it until a blog posted the album up in May of '07. On the strength of the name alone and Krooked giving it his approval, I downloaded the album. It would become my second favorite album of the year that wasn't released in the year 2007 (Juggaknots take home the first place prize, being mentioned as first on my blog). The anchor song for the album would "Kegstand Poetry", a fun sing-a-long song that would be great in any karaoke bar after nine to ten cold frosty ones. There were multiple nights this past year that I would be singing at the top of my lungs along with this song in my apartment after a trip to the bars. Would have liked to seen this released as a single or further up in the track listing and this could have been every drunken b-boy's theme song.
Trav's Late Pass Award: Favorite Albums From the Past Couple Years That I Discovered This Year
2. Storm Davis - Kegstand Poetry for the Recovering Alcoholic
I downloaded this earlier in the year strictly off the fact the dude took his name from an old 80's Major League Baseball pitcher I used to like. I also think Krooked from HHB gave it the seal of approval as well. I ended up liking it so much that I tracked it down as a used copy at a local CD store (sorry Storm, hopefully the press this year made up for it...haha). Armed with a cool voice and subject matter that was easy for me to relate to, Storm Davis dropped the soundtrack of my summer with the track "Kegstand Poetry" along with other quality tracks. Now I'm just waiting for the new album...dammit!
***Full Disclosure Regarding Favoritism:
SD may have abstained from self-specific promotion, but friends and collaborators were a different story altogether: Storm nominated Prolyphic's Times Table Scrapsfor the category of Best Lost & Found / Unreleased Album of the Year; and Jon Hope & Statik Selektah's The Audacity for both Best Mixtape and Best Free Album. Alas, the Kegstand Poet's influence was less than impressive; neither release made the cut for the final awards. But you should still seek them out and give a listen.
DJ Sterbyrock officially joined Poorly Drawn People in August of 2007, after DJ Dusty Frazier's relocation to Orlando, Florida, and the departure of DJ Fantis.
He immediately made his presence known by filling the considerable shoes of Dusty during PDP's live shows. In September, he solidified his contribution to the crew with his first release under the Poorly Drawn banner, Meltin' Platters of Wax, a live mixshow of classics recorded on his legendary SterbyrockRadio: Afterschool Special program (heard on 90.3FM WRIU, Wednesdays 3-6pm, or streamed on the web at http://www.wriu.org/).
Ster's right-hand man SwerveOne held down the hosting duties on the disc, which sold out in the span of the first 2 PDP shows where it was available. Clearly, something would have to be done to feed the public hunger for dilapidated, blended pools of vinyl.
And so, Supadeejay Sterby returns to kick off both 2008 and his revamped and revitalized Sterbyrockradio: Warped Wax Wednesday show with Meltin' Platters of Wax 2, a 24-track live blend of the finest hiphop dug directly from actual milk crates. No Serato on this mix. SwerveUno returns to share hosting duties with DJ Al Bums (of HQ The Fridge, last seen as the live show DJ for Labeless Illtelligence).
Finally, membership in the forum of fans and friends of PDP reaps rewards: you and yours are (quite possibly) invited to a hush-hush performance of Poorly Drawn People at a birthday party for Labeless Illtelligence's ESH THE MONOLITH!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008 The Gemuse Gallery 131 Washington St 4th Floor Providence RI FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
performances by POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE (Storm Davis / Reason / Dox / DJ Sterbyrock) AWKWARD LANDING (Boston) VICE VERSAH (Boston) NEED NOT WORRY (Formulatin' Fathers) SNEAKY PETE (00Agents) and more to be announced
with sounds from DJ AL BUMS DJ SAVE1 DJ STERBYROCK SWERVE ONE and CAS UNO as DJ I-Want-My-Money-Back
BYOB or $5 Cups for the Pabst Blue Ribbon kegs (for the hipsters) and hard liquor beverages available. Starting around 9PM and running till the breakadawn or the lackalikka. PDP will perform somewhere between 11-1.
If you've seen PDP live these past couple of years, odds are you've witnessed Labeless Illtelligence rocking before we go on. They're the ones cussing out the soundman, hurling pieces of the stage at the crowd, and occasionally challenging that same crowd (or other artists on the bill) to fistfights during their sets. So obviously, we refuse to stop booking them, and work with them every chance we get.
This Friday, we get to celebrate the chaos caused by these ultimate rap warriors as one of their own turns 26.
Come on, people: This is a birthday party for a guy named "ESH THE MONOLITH." Just think of the possibilities.
Come before the bar, come after the bar, or join us for the long haul, but don't complain no one throws good parties anymore. If you received this invite, you may bring or invite whomever you'd like, cuz we know you only roll with good people, right?
Email stormdavis@gmail.com to confirm your status as invitee, RSVP, or with any questions.
Hope to see you there to help us kick off the 2008's musical mission properly.
Providence, RI-based hip hop collective Poorly Drawn People (emcees Storm Davis and Reason, producers Dox and Entity, and DJ Sterbyrock) have joined forces with Washington D.C. fashion upstart Aplomb Clothing!
PDP's Storm Davis first met Aplomb's chief designer Matt Corrado (AKA Chew) in Providence in 2005. Maryland native Chew had approached Storm about collaborating on a musical project (Corrado, in addition to being a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, is a talented producer). Although the duo made some initial progress, the project never materialized. Davis and Corrado stayed in touch after the latter moved to the District.
Three years later, with each entrenched in new and promising artistic projects, the relationship was renewed with a different slant: Davis' Poorly Drawn People crew have agreed to act as walking billboards for the adventurous designs of Corrado's Aplomb line, and PDP will be infused into the soundtrack that accompanies some of the most promising and exciting street gear on the East Coast.
What does this mean to PDP fans?
"You'll be blessed to see us in more new t-shirts than ever before, which I'd imagine is incredibly exciting for many people, as only about 50% of our fans have expressed interest in seeing us perpetually nude," says Davis. "And we'll be harassing you to buy even more products than we do now. We're still the same questionable sellouts you've come to love and/or tolerate, but now we give advice on which gear you should rock. Because, frankly, they're remarkably fresh."
Why join forces with Aplomb?
"We identified with them, an artistic camp coming from out of nowhere and laying it all on the line without any guarantee they'd be received positively," Davis explains. "Plus, they asked."
Keep an eye out for PDP/Aplomb collaborations in 2008!
More about Aplomb, from the company's site:
"One thing all three owners could recognize when they decided to start Aplomb was an overwhelming need for creative commerce in the D.C. area. Specifically, our nation's capital had no nationally recognized apparel companies to call its own. And so, Aplomb Clothing began to take root…Throughout the preliminary years we received numerous expressions of doubt primarily because of our roots in the D.C. market. At the time, everyone seemed to disregard Washington as a unique city with its own creative hub. We started as, and remain, three different yet cohesive owners with a vision to create clothing that reflects our style and experiences. We don't want to be an indie, urban, or skate company..we want to be us. Throw out boundaries because we are never completely dominated by one trend, one movement, or one style. In the beginning the three Aplomb pioneers consisted of a hopeless entrepreneur on his 5th job that year, a Georgetown graduate student working corporate finance, and an artist whose job required 4% of his awe-inspiring talent. Back then our main goal was simple, to exceed our peers' expectations, and hell, even our own. We have made sacrifices, talked shop with our loyal customers, linked up with D.C. visionaries who share our perspective and strived to bring Aplomb to you. There is a sweet feeling of accomplishment when you put everything on the line, struggle, and succeed. Aplomb continues to represent the style and experience of its architects with a passion. Hailing from D.C., we are a brand that everyone can relate to and be a part of. Keep an eye out for our aggressive expansion nationwide, showcasing our vision that spawned from the land of politics. Inspiring apparel, inspired by you…"
