The sound of summer 2001? (Okeeblow - Scapegoat Wax)

Member Name: Phwip

Product:	Okeeblow - Scapegoat Wax
Date:	14/06/01 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funky, Diverse, Individual

Disadvantages: -

Scapegoat Wax make some of the funkiest, freshest new music I have heard in a long time. Marty James, singer/songwriter/producer from Chico, California, is the driving force with a "revolving door" for other artists contributing. The album, Okeeblow, is not out yet (release date June 19th) but for me this is going to be the soundtrack of the summer. The single "Aisle 10" is out and is getting some US airplay. I've heard nothing of them yet over here, but hopefully it won't be long.

The most obvious comparison is with Beck, in that both blend a range of different musical styles but with a hip hop feel to it all. If you liked Odelay I'm sure you'll love this. This music is often fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. I have heard about twelve tracks which are all fantastic, not really a dull moment. Standout tracks for me are the single "Aisle 10", "Space To Share", "Eardrum" and "Freeway", although as I said they're all great.

"Aisle 10" is an upbeat ode to a girl who shops at the store where he works. This is perfect music for driving on a hot summer day with the volume up loud. "Space To Share" is a beautiful song that shows off his melodic songwriting skills and his voice. It's nice to hear from a band that does a lot of rap and more percussive stuff that he can really sing. I hope there'll be lots more like this to come in the future. Poppier songs like this are well balanced with the harder sounds of songs such as "Eardrum".

I wondered whether Scapegoat Wax should be in the hip hop category. He describes his music as hip hop, and certainly this is often a starting point. But he doesn't seem too concerned about restricting where he goes from there, fusing diverse styles and sounds from the past and present (such as the jazz-tinged "I'm In A Dungeon"). But the finished product is
fresh and unique.

There is a Scapegoat Wax website www.scapegoatwax.com with news, videos, downloads and a message board. Scapegoat Wax are signed to Grand Royal, home of the Beastie Boys and At The Drive-In. You can download the Aisle 10 single and also a great remix for FREE from their website www.grandroyal.com.

UPDATE: 20 JUNE 2002
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Well a lot can change in a year. Grand Royal went down and Scapegoat Wax are now signed to Hollywood. Also they are now a band with full time guitar and bass. Anyway, the album Okeeblow was as fantastic as I expected with a few cool songs that I hadn't already heard. And although I didn't hear anybody else listening to it this was certainly my album of 2001.

Now they're gigging in the UK supporting the Fun Lovin' Criminals. I was so pleased when I found out the first ever UK gig was going to be in Norwich where I live. The gig was fantastic although the crowd was dull. I guess a new band can't expect too much response: I was hoping for a real party but never mind. Once they are better known the gigs will rock. Now there is a new album coming out which will have about half of its songs from Okeeblow and the others new tracks. There is also a new single, "Lost Cause", coming out in the US although they will be releasing "Aisle 10" here first.

I still love this music and I'm sure that some day soon Scapegoat Wax will be really big.

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