Last Night Lifesavas @ Chop Suey
posted by on May 10 at 13:02 PM
Seattle is becoming a certified hiphop Mecca. Last night’s Lifesavas show at Chop Suey was like a rogue’s gallery of classic heads—in the audience were Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler of Digable Planets, former Jurassic Fiver Chali 2Na, Vitamin D (who’s presumably working w Chali on his solo joint), local intellectual hoodrat Gabriel Teodros, and our own hiphop scribe extraordinaire Larry Mizell, Jr.
It wasn’t as crowded as it should’ve been for an album release party for a local hiphop act poised to break into the bigtime this year, but that’s Seattle for you, too. In New Zealand they call it “tall poppy syndrome”—everyone comes up together, achieving the same modest success. The one flower that grows higher than the rest is the first to get chopped down. Blue Scholars can pack two nights at the Showbox but Lifesavas can’t fill Chop Suey? Weird.
But that’s a different matter. Lifesavas are awesome performers, MCs Vursatyl and Jumbo the Garbageman pumping each other up, clowning each other, backing up verses or spitting them back and forth. They came out with several tracks from their debut, songs that fit comfortably, timelessly, alongside De La Soul on the true-school continuum. Reverend Shines handled the decks, mixing Lifesavas tracks, throwing in the occasional scratch or sample. Even for a smallish crowd—the room was maybe half-full—the band gave it full-force and the folks up front were fully absorbed.
Side note: How many times have the words “Say HO!” been uttered at hiphop shows? How many times have people been told to put their hands in the air? These tropes have gone beyond familiar, beyond expected, beyond tired even and are now ingrained into the very DNA of the hiphop concert. But that’s also a different matter.
Even Lifesavas brand new tracks, swimming in ’70s-style fonk and soul production, sound like old favorites. “The Dead Ones,” about rampant materialsm, worked a la-la chorus, followed by “Shine” and “Celebration.” These tracks bore a bit too much similarity, with “me, us, you, they” sort of repeated choruses. Still, Jumbo and especially Vurs delivered each song with such unerring gusto, lyrics perfectly enunciated and emphasized, that they were gripping.
Lifesavas came out for a two-song encore and again the crowd—or at least what was left of what little there was to begin with—ate it up. They’re about to embark on a five-week national tour to support their brilliant new album Gutterfly. It’ll be interesting to see if they get more love outside their own home region.
hmm, another hiphop show where emcees wave towels in the air, tell you to wave your hands, and get mad when you don't. Borrrringg.
Cant i just watch and enjoy my drink? i dont want to feel guilty because i enjoy my music in a different way than the emcees want me to.
I don't know what I feel stronger: The admiration for the passion and intelligence of this Slogging's writing or my genuine guilt and shame for not being at what sounds like a transcendent show. If only I could get a time machine and piss off the backed up emails and packages I was handling last night and have experienced this instead. Thanks for a great report, Jonathan.
aren't the lifesavas from portland? that totally debunks your argument...
yeah they from portland, but obv the writer either didn't know that or not being from seattle thinks portland and seattle are the same thing (boooo). nice review of the actual event, even if the premise of the post is wrong.
But to call something a Mecca is to imply that people are travelling to it.
So Seattle is getting more hip hop shows, more acts are coming here, it is becoming a...Mecca.
And I would call a Portland band local, in the NW sense. We states have to stick together.
Pull your head out. Portland is part of your region. It doesn't matter how you feel about it. It's part of your market. It's a fact. Get over yourself you fucking finger wagging Seattle pussies. Jesus. Bitch bitch bitch.
estey - you definitely shouldn't miss Black Anger this weekend opening for Blue scholars. and even tough @6 might not agree, Scholars at Showbox with a 9 piece backing band, and Kidz in the Hall and Black Anger opening is a great show. But for sure check out the Lifsavas new album. Very good.
I'm glad people are noticing that JZ goes above and beyond on his Lineout concert reviews. I told him the same thing at the show, that his Fleet Foxes/Cave Singers Lineout post was really descriptive, thoughtful reporting. That people wish they'd seen the artist or vow to catch them next time is a tremendous result. JZ: keep em coming.
BYW, I heard C.Suey only presold 60 and sold 90 tix at the door. It felt more crowded than that to me. Anyone? Right, right?
that should read "BTW" (it's short for by the way, but much handier to use)
When Lifesavas set started the floor was 80% full and the bar area was pretty packed. Around the middle of their set is when people started to leave, and by the encore there were maybe 50 or 60 people still there. Claiming that attendance was really that sparse the whole time isn't accurate reporting.
great review. dope show.
and @ 1...
if u didnt come to get it on- then stay your dead ass home!
David -- I totally plan on being at the early show; wouldn't miss it for the world. Thanks for the reminder.
I haven't been keeping up with Lifesavas since we covered them for BANDOPPLER Magazine -- I will definitely pick up their new action. Thanks, my friend.
why did you call gabriel teodros a project whore? do you even know what "hoodrat" means?
Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler? Was he hitting on all the white girls?
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