I really enjoyed the Deltron 3030 album. Del the Funky Homosapien is one of my favorite rappers. Dan the Automator is an amazing producer and Kid Koala is the king of the turntables. Their futuristic band set in 3030 was a great combination of the three of them.
When this tour was announced–the 25th anniversary of their debut album–I grabbed tickets immediately. I brought my son with me (he was not born when the album came out) because I thought he’d really like the show. And he did!
After Kid Koala’s set, the trio emerged. Dan the Automator stood behind a massive bank of sound equipment, Kid Koala took his place behind his turntables and Del (Deltron 0) walked out and stood in the middle of the other two.
And then came the opening announcement from the album–and we were all thrilled.
Then Del started rapping 3030 and it was real. There were visuals on the screen behind them–perhaps videos from 25 years ago–or maybe new for the show. They often had lyrics on the visuals and occasionally, they showed the cameras facing Kid Koala’s turntables. (more…)
I’ve been a fan of Kid Koala for a really long time. His turntable skills are incredible. I was able to see him once (I can’t believe it was 7 and a half years ago). I’ve been wanting to catch him again ever since. And here he was, playing with Deltron and doing his own set. I didn’t know what the X Lealani meant, but we would soon find out.
Kid Koala came out and moved over to his three turntables. And as he started playing some records, he said, I’m Kid Koala and I’m here to play records incorrectly. And then his cameras turned on. He had cameras mounted above the turntables so you could watch his hands as he scratched and spun his vinyl.
His set was so much fun and having the cameras on meant you could see that he had taped marks and other notifications on his vinyl that helped him keep track of where to put the needle. Watching him spin the vinyl backwards to get it to exactly where he wanted it was amazing. He didn’t play any of his own songs, he played samples and snippets of songs and had everybody bopping along.
After a few minutes, he brought Lealani out (I think she was eating dinner with him at La Chinesca–my son and I ate at La Chinesca. And, lo and behold Kid Koala was sitting there two tables away. I was going to say hi, but with the cane I am not subtle or fast. So I assumed he would walk past us and I’d say hi then; but he went out a different way. Waah wahh.) Lealani is from Pomona California and Kid Koala introduced her as an incredible electronic musician. She had one of those light up boxes that makes sound. I don’t know what they’re called. There was a camera on her as well and her hands were incredible. She played elaborate beats and melodies on this box and the whole room was blown away.
Lealani left and Kid Koala played some more. And then Lealani came back out with a guitar. She sang a kicking punk song while Kid Koala played some drums. And then Kid Koala told us that he and Lealani had started a new band together and that they would be touring early next year. This band is called Distorter and I’ll be there when they come to town.
When this show was announced–Deltron 3030 playing their debut front to back– I grabbed two tickets immediately. I grabbed one for my son because even though he didn’t know the album, I assumed he’d enjoy the show.
In addition to enjoying his company, I enjoy picking him up on the way to Philly because it usually means we can get there super early. Which we did–although traffic was a little heavier than I expected. But we had time to get food at La Chinesca. And, lo and behold Kid Koala was sitting there two tables away. I was going to say hi, but with the cane I am not subtle or fast. So I assumed he would walk past us and I’d say hi then; but he went out a different way. Waah wahh.
I had looked at the previous show and they were done by around 10:20, which was great because we were going to grab churros (yum!) for the ride home. However, the previous show did not have the extra opening act, Lord Sko.
I was expecting Kid Koala to come out to his turntables. But instead, a person came out with a laptop and got us hyped up for Lord Sko.
His logo reminded me of Newport cigarette ads. And moments later he came out. He had on a big winter hat with ear flaps. You could barely see his face but you could see his long hair. And you could hear him quite clearly. I always think it’s weird when an opening act whom I assume few have heard of, tries to get the crowd hyped up by yelling at us to put our hands up. I mean, have man, the bar is low, but you have to earn the love.
Anyway, he began rapping and his flow was really good. Hiphopdx said of him
A true student of the culture, his sound is nostalgic yet fresh, fearless yet effortless. From standout tracks to a fire 2025 project, he’s building momentum fast. Hip Hop heads — don’t sleep on this one
There was some technical difficulties with the laptop, but Sko handled it very well. He even did a freestyle while the laptop rebooted.
I cam away from his set with respect for the guy (who is like 20) and I’d happily see him again.
After thirteen years, alternative rap supergroup Deltron 3030 is back. If you’ve forgotten, Deltron 3030 is comprised of Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien and DJ Kid Koala. Evidently the album is chock full of guest stars (which I usually dislike, but the guest stars are a weirdly unexpected bunch–David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, chef David Chang?–so I’m curious to hear what they are going to add to the sound.
Okay even I admit I don’t really remember what the first Deltron album sounded like, but if memory serves this seems to be picking up in that same spacey vibe that made Deltron so weird and fun.
There’s a story going on here, told in Del’s awesome rapping style–mellow and trippy with big words and convoluted phrasings. Of course, this is only track 2 on the record so I don’t know exactly what the story is about. But I know that Deltron 0 is back and I’m pretty excited to hear the whole thing.
You can hear this track on NPR and you can watch the intro track (featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt) here:
[READ: September 20, 2013] Almost Silent
This book collects four of Jason’s previous books “Meow, Baby,” “Tell Me Something,” “You Can’t Get There from Here” and “The Living and the Dead.”
“Meow, Baby” (2006) is a collection of “short stories” from Jason. They feature the same (looking) cast of characters as most of the other Jason books I’ve read (anthropomorphic animals), but there’s a few additions: a mummy, a zombie,a skeleton and a vampire. None of the pieces are titled and the only way to know when each is done is when you see his signature. This is just to note that if there is a mummy in two stories, it’s good to know he’s not necessarily the same mummy.
The stories are quite funny with variations on mummy stories (wrapping your head in a bandage after you are hurt, getting an erection(!)), and vampire stories (the same looking guy is always following him with a stake) and some very amusing domestic scenes with skeletons. I enjoyed the one where the mummy comes out of the sarcophagus, looks at a newspaper and then walks back into the sarcophagus with a look of despair on his face (his face is still covered in bandages—Jason has an amazing way of expression even with people who have no faces). There’s also a whole series of skeletons who climb out of their graves and go about mundane tasks . There’s even a guy dressed like the Terminator who has some funny moments where he misses the opportunity to say his trademark lines.
The last few pages are three panel strips—like daily cartoons . Were they ever shown in newspapers? These show that Jason is also very funny at punchlines, not just dark stories and black humor. True, all of these three panel comic are black humor (with the same cast of zombies, vampires, mummies and skeletons), but he really makes some funny and unexpected strips here. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 