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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2005)
BY STEVEN SAWADA ‘I knew it was a good song. But I had no idea it was going to blow up as much as it did, I always knew my music had the ability to reach all those people.’ — Tom Shimura, aka Lyrics Born Lyrics Born Calling Out Underground rapper scores big, returns to Eugene. T VE Sad Panda ©2005 PABST BREWING COMPANY remixer line-up reads like the roster for an he fact that Coke and Motorola both indie hip hop all-star team. DJ Spinna, DJ licensed “Calling Out,” the hit sin- Shadow, Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, E-40, gle from Lyrics Born’s debut solo Jumbo of the Lifesavas, Evidence of Dilated album Later that Day, for huge ad campaigns Peoples, Dan the Automator, KRS-One and should come as a no-brainer to anyone who Joyo Velarde all lend a helping hand. has followed the career of Tom Shimura, aka On the remix of “Pack Up,” Evidence, Lyrics Born. Hearing that hook played a hun- Jumbo and KRS-One split open dred times on TV got a little tir- Lyrics Born’s already mind- ing, but the funky blasé attitude Lyrics Born, blowing original. Jumbo adds a behind the song was infectious Money Shot, muddy, elephantine bounce to and truly harkened back to the Genus Pro, the bass line, and both Evidence days of real party hip hop. It was Default and KRS-One slice up fiery, on- hard to hate the underground, 9 pm, Tues, 10/25 point lyrics. It’s like a jazz track, Japan-born, Nor Cal-raised rap- WOW Hall, where all the individual players per for making a buck off of a $10 adv / $12 dos have a chance to shine while song when the song itself was adding a fresh dimension to the so dang hot. entire composition. “I knew it was a good song. But I had no Shimura explained that working with new idea it was going to blow up as much as it producers and musicians has opened up pos- did,” Shimura said over the phone from sibilities for future projects. “It reminded me Atlanta. “I always knew my music had the of how much I missed working with other ability to reach all those people.” people,” he said. Although a new album of all Months into the release of his follow up, original songs is in the works, Lyrics Born is remix album Same !@#$ Different Day, currently wrapping up the production work Lyrics Born has hit the road again, this time for Joyo Velarde’s debut album, which with a full band backing his speedy rhymes should be completed by the year’s end. He and baritone melodies. He explained that in- said he is also producing Pigeon John’s new corporating the funk band into his live per- album, both of which will be released on formances has allowed for a lot of experi- Quannum. mentation and improvisation while on tour, Money Shot, the steady locomotive pick- expanding on but still embracing the tradi- ing up steam all around town, will also per- tional tools of hip hop: the turntable and the form, along with Genus Pro (who should microphone. have a new album debut any day now) and The new album features original material Default, the group with the hottest hip hop as well as revamped and remixed tracks from night in town. Later that Day. The guest musician and ew “Sad Panda's music bridges the gap between The Cure-like and Depeche Mode-like sounds of their era and adds the genius of our more modern craftsman such as NIN and Beck. Mesh it all together and you’ll have a club hopping and a cult following this brilliant writer wherever he goes.” — Anthony Lombard, www.Melodymatrix.com See them live tonight. Check EW’s Nightlife page for more details. OCTOBER 20, 2005 49
