Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz = Hail Mary Mallon @ Amoeba SF

Trecked up to Amoeba on Monday to see Aesop Rock. Having all his gear stolen the previous night before the Fillmore show, the turnout at Amoeba was quite large as it clearly encompassed much of the crowd who lost out due to the cancelled show the night prior. The room was packed with aisle upon aisle of locals as well as people who were boasting about how far they drove to come watch the show, staying extra nights in the city due to their cancelled show misfortune. Die hards do it right.

The show was, as you can only imagine, fucking off-the-chain fantastic. Props to Big Wiz who had minor problems the whole show while working with brand new gear; still rocked it. Rob Sonic also was nothing short of amazing ..and then there's Aesop who slayed and then filet'd us with his sheer intensity and charisma. As the crowd chanted lyrics off a new track Take the brain out, leave the heart in... Take the brain out, leave the heart in... the back and forth energy between the crowd and the stage alone was enough to disconnect self from brainpiece and just be part of the collective audience members throwing their arms and fists and words at the stage.

Homemade Mummy - Aesop Rock

Take the brain out.. leave the heart in

I would also like to say that seeing rap and hip hop artists live is quite an experience, and even if you aren't particularly fond of the genre - take my word for it - go see a show anyway. You'll thank me later, promise. The connection and interactivity between the artist and the stage is completely different than the vibe at any other type of show. You really just have to get your bad self out to a show - you'll thank me later, promise.

Here's a handful of photos I took and a few video clips because what the hell, why not.
As well as some tracks you should probably hear from the new album (aka the whole album...) - Skelethon - which you can download on iTunes here or listen to below.


Aesop Rock - Skelethon (full album)
 Womp womp. 

Thanks Aesop for having such a great beard and putting on a killer show. 

Today a thousand sea lions got up and left a pier
They had successfully invaded and secured for 20 years
Some said it was the food supply or shifting weather patterns
Truthfully a whole community of scientists are baffled
In '89 maybe 10 showed up at the wharf
As if guided by the trident of poseidon to cavort
Each a lumbering and boisterous glutton
Like a half-ton annoyance ‘til the heart-warming story went public
You'll need a montage, animals arriving in droves
A bottom dollar turns a nuisance to the pride of your cove
Which bring us back up to this morning when the colony dove
I got a couple unsubstantiated thoughts of my own they go
Maybe it'd feel more majestic and less fatty
If a 12 year old wasn't beaning it with salt water taffy
Every 5 fucking seconds, sounds like your basic
Liberating moment of collective "fuck fame" shit


...and then Aesop Rock jumped up and clicked his heels.