While the rest of us were resting, recovering and re-embracing our 9-5s (uhh 7am-7pms) post Black Clover Beerfest our buddy Akream in the deep north was back to grinding on his upcoming album and putting the finishing tweaks on a track called "Beautiful Skin." (Hope you liked that run on sentence babies, I have plenty more where that came from. Stick around.) The track in question of course features one of our favorite Kansas City folks Mr. Mac Lethal. Its a far departure from Akream's previous body of work showcasing the softer more positive and uplifting message he's been promising with this project. When asked what information he'd like included with this debut his reply was simply, "My goal is to, with every track, make people smile. That is all." So there you have it kids, kick back relax and enjoy (Lovefest Online & AGM giving you the exclusive first listens) : Akream- Beautiful Skin ft. Mac Lethal (produced by Akream himself.)
And for those suckers who missed seeing Akream tear it down at Beerfest have no fear he'll be hitting the road again soon in early 2010. In the meantime keep an eye on his twitter for progress on the album and all other things Akream.
Juggling at sixteen seems like a relatively harmless activity until you meet Cut Throat of The Cut Throat Freak Show. Trading juggling lessons for fire breathing lessons in Venice, CA a natural evolution into an entire Sideshow was taking place. Linking up with a junior high friend, Fiasco, Cut Throat and Fiasco started doing their first shows in Lancaster, CA. Fire was juggled, glass was eaten and walked on, and shit was eaten. Yes. Shit sandwiches were served up for the show.
Here I sit, after a long day of plane rides for both Cut Throat and myself in Kansas City, MO. We’re both getting ready for Black Clover Beerfest. Me by drinking a couple of beers while waiting for our ride. Him by making a shopping list consisting of a cock pot, light bulbs, fuel, beer bottles, lighter, torch handles, AAA batteries, and a cardboard heckler sign. What’s more amazing is what TSA lets fly - firecrackers, eye hooks, BB guns, and 8 gauge piercing needles.
How did Cut Throat end up at Beerfest? I’m glad you asked. James Lynch, the sometimes tour manager for Black Clover, was heading out to Warped Tour in 2002/2003. Needing some volunteers to help load in and load out Cut Throat stepped up to the call of duty. When you are someone that lights your cock on fire and puts hooks through your eyes it’s not long before you’re showing off your talent. James was curious and started learning some of the Sideshow acts. Not many people can say “I’ve taken flesh hooks with James Lynch.” Cut Throat may be the only one that can.
Having gone through a few different line-ups, including a not so convincing Transvestite, the current roster is a solid one. DIM produces the music for the sideshow. Having evolved from a member of a punk band to now creating the electronic music for the Sideshow, DIM has been a main player for the last four years. Resident taxidermist, Slightly Curious, learned how to preserve little creatures from a slightly handicapped deaf man. She now creates anything you could imagine; pigeons with wings, mice with crab claws, two to three headed ducks and chickens and big eyes on anything that wouldn’t normally have them. Scratchy the dead sea squirrel is the last member of the lineup (which TSA also has no problem letting through the x-rays, although not without questionable glances to Cut Throat and Slightly Curious). Cut Throat is on his own this weekend and improvising somewhat due to TSA confiscating his dull flesh hooks that would normally be used to suspend himself, but leaving him with the firecrackers. I can tell you - the cock pot is definitely happening. Yes folks, this is the modern day Sideshow and it’s an exciting addition to an otherwise traditional hip hop weekend.
