Category Archives: Rap

The Awesome: Mixtapes (& Their Alter Ego, Wooky Stax)

Maybe it was the excessive beer intake last night, but I woke up this morning to the strangest dream I have had in a while.  Not to bore you with details, but the dream ended with me in a convertible telling Ryan of Cincinnati/Detroit pop-punk act Mixtapes about this other dream I had within the dream that involved a James Bond like India adventure.  He looked at me like I was high and then got mad at me when I asked him what it would take for him to sing me some Wooky Stax.

I took that as a calling today to write a little something something about Mixtapes as well as their alter ego known to many as Wooky Stax.

For those of you who do not know of the pop-punk act Mixtapes, you my friends are missing out.  

The male and female front-kinda-sorta-duo sing about everything from thinking that Strung Out is a “mediocre version of the skate punk 90s” to not staying up all night and just kicking it at home drinking Diet Coke.  The band is unique in that they are not looking for the fame and do it for fun (well at least I think they do).  Most of their material has been released for free on the interwebs through various sites and they never seem to stop touring.  They also have a handful of 7″ vinyls out for all you collectors out there.

They are a prolific band you need to check out.  I’ve seen them live a couple times and it is a riot.

Visit the Mixtapes Bandcamp page

Download Mixtapes Maps on Death To False Hope Records

Check out other Mixtapes releases on Animal Style Records

Then there is Wooky Stax…

Wooky Stax is Mixtapes’ alterego rap project.  I do not care what anyone says, I love it.  It is far from the greatest hip hop and probably was created as a joke to the ever so hardworking rap music industry (can you sense the sarcasim?).  Ryan and Maura do their best to rap over samples and honestly…it’s kind of catchy and it’s hella free.

Download the Wooky Stax EP Smile

Beastie Boys – “Make Some Noise”

The Beastie Boys still have it. Have what you ask?

Talent. 

“Make Some Noise”  stars a whole slew of Hollywood making for a entertaining as hell video.  I am sure you have already seen it, but it is too hilarious not to share. 

Wondering what is going to happen next? Me too. There is a 30-minute full version of this video that is probably going to be released right around the time that Hot Sauce Committee Part II drops on May 3rd.

I can’t wait.

Wharf Rats (aka P.O.S & Chris #2 of Anti-Flag) Announce Debut EP Release on No Sleep Records

Once upon a time, rapper P.O.S. and punker Chris #2 of Anti-Flag were just minding their own business on a Warped Tour.  To make a long story short, they met, became friends and formulated a collaboration of sorts called Wharf Rats with the help of a couple more friends who also fancy themselves musicians.  They all recorded material on the mobile recording studio that was offered during the Warped Tour during their down time and a side project was born.  Don’t worry, it is not a rap punk pop rock mash, it is actually very D.C. Hardcore-ish…

Wharf Rats - Capital Gains

The band actually is full of musicians you have probably heard of before:

  • P.O.S
  • Chris #2 (Anti-Flag, White Wives)
  • Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire, Black Lungs)
  • Chachi Darin (formerly The A.K.A’s)

At this time there is only a 2 song 7″ EP up for grabs on the No Sleep Records website (available May 31st).  The 7″ actually has the two songs on one side while the other side is etched with some sweet artwork.  It’s limited to only 750 copies and includes a free digital download.  The project is limited only to those two songs with no mention from the band yet on a full length in the works or anything else for that matter.  That can always change though…

According to Wikipedia,  Wharf Rats actually are a group of concert goers who have chosen to life drug and alcohol free.  I am not sure if these punk rock Wharf Rats are, but regardless, I am a fan of their full time projects and really am digging what they have created.

Currently they have their song “Capital Gains” streaming on Spin.com for you all to hear.  See for yourself why I am digging this.

Click here to hear “Capital Gains” by Wharf Rats on Spin.com