Per the norm for music shows, the night started with a line. As I am waiting in line in front of House of Blues I notice that a few feet away Slug, Sean Daley from Atmosphere, and Eyedea, Michael Larsen from Eyedea & Abilities, are posing for pictures with fans.
Slug Thanking Fans at House of Blues
After the photo sessions die down Slug starts walking up the line shaking everyone’s hand, mine included, and thanking the fans for coming to the show. For being the MC in the headlining act, this is quite remarkable. Slug’s line appearance exemplifies how much he appreciates the fans and the support.
House of Blues is a cool venue. HOB is much larger than I imagined. There is a balcony, which the under aged attendees are placed. The main floor is for 21 and over only. There is a large bar opposite the stage and there is also a small stand to the right of the stage where beers can be purchased easily without forcing your way to the back.
House of Blues San Diego
There are a few TVs which display the stage at various locations in HOB, including a cool lounge area located through a passage way to the right of the stage. HOB also places speakers in the bathroom so there is never a point you cannot hear the show, which I definitely appreciated. HOB’s walls are covered with art which gave the venue a theater artsy feel, which I dug.
I was to the right of the stage and in this location the bass drowns out the highs a bit. If you are able to secure a spot in the middle of the floor make sure not to relinquish the spot. Attracted to God was the opening act. ATG consists of guitarist / vocalist Nate Collis, drummer Brian McLeod and bassist Brett Johnson. These names might seem familiar as all three worked on Atmosphere’s When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. The few songs I caught were solid. ATG’s sound is rock for sure, with touches on country, blues, 70’s rock and a small pop element. All in all, they rocked. ATG ended their set with a sweet instrumental track.
Attracted to Gods’ live instrumental track live from House of Blues:
Eyedea & Abilities took the stage next. Eyedea & Abilities is the pairing up of well-known freestyle battle champion and underground rapper Eyedea with the skilled DJ Abilities. Eyedea’s notable wins include the televised Blaze Battle sponsored by HBO (2000) and a victory at Scribble Jam (1999). DJ Abilities is known for winning three DMC awards and for his work on his mixtapes and 1200 Hobos.
Eyedea & Abilities Set List:
1. “Man vs. Ape” (E&A)
2. “Burn Fetish” (By the Throat)
3. “Junk” (By the Throat)
4. “Now” (E&A)
5. DJ Abilities Scratch Session
6. “Time Flies When You Have A Gun” (By the Throat)
7. “Glass” (E&A)
8. “Hay Fever” (By the Throat)
9. “Head Tripping” (From Kristoff Krane’s Album This Will Work For Now)
10. “Spin Cycle” (By the Throat)
11. Freestyle
12. “By the Throat” (By the Throat)
13. “This Story” (By the Throat)
Eyedea moves all over the stage and really gets into the songs. Eyedea started the show off by saying, “If you wanna talk to me after the show, I would be fucking surprised”. I thought this was hilarious. E&A focused on their new album, By the Throat, performing seven songs from the album which features hazy keyboards, catchy choruses, jabbing guitars, and some of the most obscure turntable sounds to date. By the Throat is a must have for any underground hip-hop head.
In particular, “Spin Cycle” really grabbed my attention with a melodic chorus sung by Eyedea, some ill rhymes and an DJ Abilities scratch session this track is legit. “Spin Cycle”, as Eyedea explains in this video from a previous show, is about pseudo-friendships and trying to find your place in the world. Eyedea brought up a guest MC for one song, Kristoff Krane, to perform “Head Tripping” from Kristoff Krane’s This Will Work For Now. Eyedea and Kristoff traded rhymes back and forth which reminded me of the Beastie Boys at times. Eyedea kicked a dope a cappella freestyle which I will call Control is Your Art.
Eyedea’s Control is Your Art Freestyle live from House of Blues:
If you have not heard some of Eyedea’s freestyle / battles check out Eyedea owning! Eyedea & Abilities closed out the set strong with two new tracks from By the Throat, “By the Throat” and “This Story”.
Atmosphere took the stage next and wrapped up this awesome show. Atmosphere includes rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/producer Ant (Anthony Davis). Atmosphere is on the “When God Gives You Ugly” tour to celebrate the re-release of 2002’s God Loves Ugly (which had been out of print) as well as their latest studio LP When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.
Atmosphere Set List:
1. “Less One” (Sad Clown Bad Spring 12)
2. “GodLovesUgly” (God Loves Ugly)
3. “One of a Kind” (God Loves Ugly)
4. “Puppets” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
5. “The Rooster” (Sad Clown Bad Fall 10)
6. “Shoulda Known” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
7. “Blamegame” (God Loves Ugly)
8. “Saves the Day” (God Loves Ugly)
9. “Painting” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
10. “Yesterday” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
11. “Guarantees” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
12. “Modern Man’s Hustle” (God Loves Ugly)
13. “Fuck You Lucy” (God Loves Ugly)
14. “Lovelife” (God Loves Ugly)
15. “Vanity Sick” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold - iTunes Bonus Track)
16. “Like the Rest of Us” (When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold)
17. “Not Another Day” (Sad Clown Bad Spring 12)
18. “Purple Rain” (Request from Audience, just chorus)
19. “Trying to Find a Balance” (Seven’s Travels)
20. “Guns and Cigarettes” (Lucy Ford)
21. “Always Coming Back Home to You” (Seven’s Travels)
21. Freesytle
22. “Sunshine” (Sad Clown Bad Summer Number 9)
Ant came out to the stage first with keyboardist Erik Anderson, backup vocalist Mankwe Ndosi and guitarist Nate Collis. They jammed for a quick minute then Slug ran out and started the set off strong with “Less One”, the tale of a routine traffic stop. Atmosphere then when right into “God Loves Ugly” the title track from the popular God Loves Ugly album. This being the When God Gives You Ugly tour this set included the majority of the God Loves Ugly album. HOB erupted at this point as it did all night. I have been to many shows in similar venues and this was the loudest. San Diego loves Atmosphere!!
Slug delves right into his personal issues and this is a defining feature of Atmosphere’s lyrical content. Watching Slug perform personal songs live is amazing because you know how much of him is in the song and went into making the song. During this show the especially personal songs included “Yesterday” and “Fuck You Lucy”. “Yesterday”, from When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, is about Slugs’s relationship with his father and is accompanied by one of the most uplifting piano riffs I’ve ever heard. Ant knows his way around a piano!
“Fuck You Lucy” focuses on Slug’s ex-girlfriend and is from God Loves Ugly. Atmosphere put out three EPs baring Lucy’s name: Ford 1, Ford 2 and Lucy Ford EP. These EPs were later compiled into a single album Lucy Ford: Atmosphere EPs. “Fuck You Lucy” is an emotionally filled track. Slug still has feelings for Lucy at this time and the song is Slug’s outlet for all his feeling about Lucy and the relationship.
During the show Slug seemed genuinely amazed at the enthusiasm the crowd was displaying. During “Guarantees”, the popular track off of When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, nearly the whole crowd was singing along with Slug. After Slug finished the song he said, “You know the words, whatcha need me for. Hold up”. Right at this point Slug decided he was going to freestyle a third verse. I believe he wanted to reward us for knowing his song or maybe he just did not want anyone singing along! In the third verse the man at a dead-end job is paranoid about getting laid off and contemplates killing his boss.
Video of “Guarantees” live from House of Blues:
“Always Coming Back Home to You” was really awesome live. The guitar riff is so catchy, can’t help but sway from side to side. Atmosphere kept everyone moving the whole night. Towards the end of the show Slug whipped out a freestyle, before which he provided a warning he was not good at freestyleing and then went on to kick a sick freestyle for about three minutes. Atmosphere ended the well rounded set with the feel good “Sunshine”. The chill piano riff and uplifting summer minded lyrics lingered with all the fans as they walked into the San Diego night humming …
Sunshine, sunshine, it’s fine
I feel it in my skin, warming up my mind,
Sometimes you gotta give in to win,
I love the days when it shines, whoa let it shine
