Instead of tuning in to Adult Swim tonight, fans of Cartoon Network's off-kilter animated comedies can catch a character from the shows live in Athens.
Rapper mc chris, known for his high-pitched voice and pop-culture-referencing verse, will bring his Revenge of the Nerd Tour to The Union, 18 W. Union St. Doors open at 9 p.m., and admission is $12.
The rapper, born Chris Ward, gained exposure as his raps appeared on Sealab 2021 and Aqua Teen Hunger Force, two popular Adult Swim shows, performed under the guise of characters Hesh and MC Pee Pants. Ward was living in Atlanta, working as a voice actor and production assistant on the Adult Swim shows, but his music career has taken precedence this year. He has been on tour most of the time since February and will continue touring for two months straight after tonight's show.
I've never done it before
Ward said. We just figured we'd try to get in front of as many people as possible before we try to make a new album.
Athens is a characteristic stop on the tour. In the past week, Ward has visited Bowling Green and Ann Arbor, Mich., among other college towns.
Our music is popular with college kids. We're going to where people like us pretty much he said.
After opening acts the Ergs and SNMNMNM, Ward takes the stage with his DJ, John Fewell, and performs raps covering topics from Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett and his vehicle of choice (Fett's Vette) to Super Mario's quest to sleep with Princess Toadstool (Super Mario Brothers Rap).
Ward met Fewell while living with a punk band called Dirt Bike Annie in Jersey City, New Jersey.
I lived with a pop punk band
and we had shows in the basement
Ward said.
Fewell attended some of the punk shows, and word spread that he sometimes produced rap beats. I just asked him to make some beats with me
and the rest is pretty much history
Ward said.
Using the Dust Brothers' collage-style production on Beck's Odelay and the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique as their template, Ward and Fewell have assembled two albums in home studios, Eating's Not Cheating and Knowing Is Half the Hassle. They plan to put out a third record next year.
It isn't really hip-hop. It's some sort of weird hybrid of a bunch of things
Ward said. Among the music that has influenced Ward is Motown, his first love, and witty lyricists such as Elvis Costello.
He's definitely one in a long line of nerd rockers
you know? Like Buddy Holly
he said.
- Chris DeVille
