thepaintedman rates this:

Remember the 90’s dance music machine C&C Music Factory? Well, this is by no means them. Rather, it’s the newest release by Jason “CookBook” Soto and Rene “Uno Mas” Palma, C&U Music Factory, released on Just-US/Audio Sketch Book Records. Presente!

Complete with some great guests like Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Pigeon John, Site Raw, Sareem Poems (fka Sharlock Poems of LA Symphony), DJ Rhettmatic, King Charizmatic, Scarub of Living Legends, and Raquel Rodriguez, this CD demonstrates the skills of Cook and Uno, two Latino MC’s with pride for their roots and love for their fans and their craft. If you aren’t familiar with this duo, suffice it to say that they’ve been around the block a few times and have been doing it together for over a decade. Formerly part of the well-known Christian hip hop collective LA Symphony, they’ve continued to forge on despite the demise of the seminal outfit. In the past few years, they’ve released a few releases together, many made available to their fans for free, and Cook released his first solo effort last year. Now, with C&U Music Factory, they continue their legacy of releasing great hip hop that is both commercially viable and uncompromising, something very uncommon in today’s big budget bling rap world.

15 tracks and a bonus cut makes 16 tracks in all. All 6 are solid, but there are a few that standout to me. “When You Rock & Roll” features Evidence, another great MC, making the duo a trio; this is a great hip hop track with a fun hook, plus I like any hip hop track that has the words “rock” and/or “roll” in the title. “Our Life Sounds Nice” just flows so perfectly, if it doesn’t make you bounce (like I am doing in my chair as I type this) then you may need to check your pulse. “Just-Us” has a rock vibe to it and some Santana-like intricacies in the guitar work, which is always a good thing for me (a guy who named his son Cash Hendrix); Raquel’s vocals are great in the hook and Site Raw lays down a nice verse. “AM Radio” is all about the verses that Cook, Uno, King, and Sareem lay down, with a perfectly understated backbeat. “Where Ya Been All My Life?” features my favorite MC, so how can it not be fresh?

But my favorite track is “Monster Mosh”. This is quite possibly due to my recent interest in all things monster and horror related, but I think that it can also be credited to the hot beat and the playful and entertaining lyrics. Complete with references to too many horror flicks and monster myths to name, the lyrical content is extremely fun. The chorus is very catchy as they “turn hip hop audiences into a mosh pit”. I guess all there is left to say about this track is that the diabolical laughing at the end is kinda creepy and I’ll have to make a point to find out who that was next time I get the chance to talk to the fellas.

Overall, it’s fair to say I’m not hip hop authority, but when a 16 track CD has 8 or more tracks that will be continually getting play on my iPod for weeks, months, and years to come, it’s also fair to say that this is a solid outing. Enjoyable, sometimes thought provoking, and always fun… once again Cook and Uno show that they love hip hop, their God, and making music together.

In honor of my son, Cash Hendrix, turning 1 year old today, it’s time for a list of my 10 favorite Johnny Cash songs. Starting at 10, I’ll count down to my absolute favorite. Sit back and enjoy, feel free to comment with your favorite Cash tracks, as well.

10. “Jackson” with June Carter Cash

9. “The Man Comes Around”

8. “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” cover of traditional spiritual “Run On”

7. “Hung My Head” Sting cover

6. “Man in Black”

5. “Father and Son” Cat Stevens cover with Fiona Apple

4. “Rusty Cage” Alice in Chains cover

3. “Cocaine Blues”

2. “Folsom Prison Blues”

1. “Redemption Song” Marley cover with Joe Strummer

Honorable Mention: “One” (U2 Cover), “Hurt” (NIN Cover), “Solitary Man” (Neil Diamond cover), “I Won’t Back Down” (Tom Petty cover), “I’ve Been Everywhere” (Lucky Star cover), “Thirteen” (Danzig cover), “The One on the Left”, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (Kristofferson cover), “Highwayman” (w/ Kristofferson, Nelson, and Jennings), “I Walk the Line”, “Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man” (w/ June Carter Cash), and “Daddy Sang Bass”)

I have a young son named Cash. He likes when the Happy Monster Band comes on TV… and so do I.

No need for an intro… without further ado, here’s Heather from Kissing Cousins…

Hi Heather, thanks for doing this interview for my readers. Let’s start out simple. Can you tell us about yourself a bit?

I have lived in Los Angeles for 9 years, originally from Birmingham, AL. I also play bass in Summer Darling with my husband. I like chocolate and red lipstick.

How about the rest of the band, like who does what?

If you mean instruments then: Beth plays drums, Kara plays flute/keys/bgv, Melissa plays bass, Alexis plays glock/keys, I play guitar and sing. If you mean hobbies, then that list would be way too long.

How long have you gals been rocking together? Did you know each other before becoming a band?

We have been a band since late 2005. Beth, Rhea, Kara, and I. Alexis is an unofficial member, which basically means she plays with us when she can. Melissa joined last year after Rhea moved away. We are all very close friends. I have known Beth and Alexis the longest going on 9 years. Kara married my former bandmate of Summer Darling/Map and Rhea is his best friend. We met Melissa last year watching her band Shiloe.

I’ve reviewed all of your releases for one site or another. I have compared your sound to bands like Portishead and The Breeders at different points, as well as the obvious comparison to PJ Harvey. While I think these comparisons are of merit, I’d rather ask you where you think your sounds comes from… influences, bands you like, etc?

Well, I love all of those gals! PJ is one of my favorites and of course Blonde Redhead, Radiohead, but I really like 60’s and 70’s rock. New music faves include: Deerhunter, Tweak Bird, and Restavrant.

Your sound has been pretty consistent, but I think this newest release shows a bit more raw power and can be a bit harder than the other stuff, if I remember correctly… would you agree? And, if so, what brought on this harsher edge?

I definitely agree. We have always been a loud band live and I think it finally just seeped into the writing style. A natural progression.

Ok, so, at this point in my interview I usually veer away from music a bit, so I won’t break my trend. Besides music, what other types of things do you occupy your time doing?

Dodgers baseball and other girlie stuff.

Excited about any of the Summer movies that have come out or are on their way?

I am so stoked for Harry Potter that I have entered several contests trying to see an early screening or the IMAX premiere. Public Enemies and Moon.

I am also very stoked on the new Potter flick. Speaking of fun “kids” movies, I have a son, his name is Cash Hendrix. I also have a dog named Strummer. Do you ever find yourself naming pets or children, or anything for that matter, after favorite musicians?

My girl cat is named Polly Jean, my boy cat Marley, and my dog is named Penelope (Pinback).

Ok, so here’s where I usually bring it back into music and start to wrap up the interview. Is that ok with you?

Sure.

Well, here’s a question I haven’t had the chance to ask anyone at VBM before despite working in some manner with Jeff for some time on reviews or shows or whathaveyou: What is Jeff like?

Cloud is RAD! and tall. He loves having a good time, can talk to anyone, and is very generous. We love him!

He always comes off as super supportive of his musicians, do you find that he is always behind you with what you are trying to do in your music?

He definitely gets excited for us.

Who do you think is his favorite member of your band and why?

Me, of course! No explanation needed!

Ha. Well, I guess the wrap up starts now. Plug your new album in 10 words or less.

Shang-ri-las meets Black Sabbath with killer flute solos!

Coming out to the east coast at all? We’d love to catch a show out this way sometime.

We will get there!

Keep in touch with us here at TPM, looking forward to more from you and the other gals. How about leaving the readers with one final profound moment or perhaps some words to live by?

Tater tots.

Pictured below is Beefy w/ his buddies in Optimus Rhyme. Who is Beefy? Let’s find out.

Beefy? What’s up with the name?

I’m a big guy. Someone was trying to make fun of me on a message board once and called me MC Beefy Bee and I liked the Beefy part, so I used it. Then it just kinda morphed into Beef Thompson over the years. I likes it. How about you?

I appreciate that, I am also quite a large fellow… So, besides your name, tell the readers a little bit about you.

I’m a nerdcore hip-hop artist from Southeast Washington. I’m very much into my Xbox and iPhone and have been a comic book nerd for years. I’ve put out 2 full albums and a bunch of free EPs that you can get at my website and I’ve done shows with people like MC Lars and YTCracker in Seattle, Portland, and even Amsterdam. I’m also very sexy. Don’t deny me. You’ll just look foolish.

I have a couple of your albums, personally my favorite song is your cover of Frontalot’s “Nerdcore Hip-Hop”… not sure why exactly, I just dig it a lot. In fact, I like it a lot more than the original. Is Frontalot an influence on you, who else in the Nerdcore scene do you consider an influence on what you do?

Front is definitely an influence. I can’t write like him at all, but he’s cleaver with his concepts and is an amazing performer. I look up to the big acts in Nerdcore like Lars, mc chris, and YTCracker. I’m also a fan SJ the Wordburglar for his wordplay and punchlines. My favorite band and biggest influence is Optimus Rhyme, a Nerdcore Seattle act that sadly broke up recently. It sucks. Hard.

Nerdcore aside, who are some you you favorite hip hop artists?

I grew up on Notorious BIG and Jay-Z so that was my base. I’m a big fan of the first few Gym Class Heroes albums before it got really radio-friendly. Big fan of Lupe Fiasco and early Kanye West and Eminem. That’s honestly about it.

How about other music?

I’m a White Stripes fan. I don’t know if it makes me less manly but I dig Regina Spektor. Tenacious D is the greatest band in the world, but everyone already knows that. I’ve listened to Sublime’s 40oz to Freedom a million times and was in love with the first Gnarls Barkley album. I don’t know if that last one counts as hip-hop or not though.

Good stuff, Sublime is likely my favorite band of all-time and that is their best album, hands down. On the topic of other musical styles, what type of music is the scariest? I just re-read Lords of Chaos, about the Black Metal scene, but I find myself still most afraid of most Country music.

I don’t like music that seems like it’s pissed off at me. I don’t want my music to scream at me. I don’t get that whole scene. If it works for some people that’s cool, just not my cup of tea. I don’t know if I’m really afraid of it since it’s all just a big act when their on stage. I think balls deep Christian music scares me the most. Those people really really believe.

Christian music can indeed be a bit frightening. So let’s move beyond music for a minute, shall we? As a Nerdcore artist, I thinks it’s safe to assume that you are a self-proclaimed nerd (as am I). What are your nerdiest traits and tendencies?

Like a lot of nerds I can carry entire conversations using nothing but movie and TV quotes. It’s like speaking a different language. Besides that I don’t think there’s really one particular thing that is my nerdiest quality. I have a <3 and a Bullet Bill tattoo, so I'm clearly hardcore. Oh, I know, I've made albums worth of songs about things like Street Fighter and board games. That's pretty nerdy.

I actually got a Star Wars Father’s Day card from my 7th month old son, how awesome is that? You have any kids?

My girlfriend has a year and a half old daughter we call Nugget and she gave me a Batman chocolate box for Valentine’s Day. It might have been the greatest day ever. I’ve been involved with the little one since she was 5 months old so I get all the joys of changing diapers and cleaning up after her but lack the ability to make decisions or call her a daughter, so it sucks a little but I loves her so I allow it.

That’s really cool, great V-Day gift… so back to music… or rather, hip hop feuds. I believe the reason Nerdcore isn’t more prominent in the national scene is that there are no publicizedhardcore beefs and feuds like in every other sub-genre of hip hop. I am requesting that you start one now, by dropping me a short freestyle about a Nerdcore artist of your choice.

How out of the loop you are sir. Nerdcore started with nothing but beefs and fighting. I should know because it seems like I started 90% of them. It’s actually just finally calmed down. And I already made a diss song called “Diss Missed” that was on my Private Dick EP. People dug it. Not so much the people dissed in the song though.

Well, I guess I’m a late bloom in the Nerdcore scene… care to start a feud with me?

Fuck you. I hate you! Feud Status: IT’S ON!

Well, that’s just too much for me sir! This interview is over! By the way, take care and keep in touch.

I change my mind. I love you. Let’s be BFFs. Feud Status: BFFs!

The above picture is of my father’s day card from my son, Cash. It is a card by Jean Francis Bean that my wife got on Etsy. Etsy is awesome, it’s like the Amazon for awesome handmade and vintage stuff.

Anyway, here are some updates now that my incredible first Father’s Day is over.

To begin, let’s start with what’s coming up this week on TPM:

-My review of Lords of Chaos, a fantastic study of the Black Metal scene that I just re-read, should be up before I go to sleep tomorrow.

- The Young Werewolves most recent album Cheat the Devil is fantastic. A review will be up on Tuesday.

- A review of the self-titled EP by The Skylife will be posted on Wednesday.

- An interview with Art Wong and the Greenwood should be up on Thursday.

- Beginning this Friday, the 10 in 10 feature will become weekly-ish, hopefully as a Friday thing.

- I will also be getting a review up of Spin’s Purplish Rain FREE tribute to Prince. It comes out Tuesday… get it for on Spin’s website.

Here’s some other stuff coming up in the next few weeks or so:

- RAA and UUVVWWZ are on their way as I speak. Expect reviews of their stuff soon.

- For my metalhead readers, an interview with Culted of Relapse Records will be up in the coming weeks. Expect a review of their new album in early to mid July.

- Pioneer indie label Taang! is sending over new albums by Everybody Out! (featuring former Dropkick Murphys guitarist) and Evacuate. Expect reviews of both in the next few weeks.

-Expect a movie review or two thrown in this or next week. I did just watch Ultrachrist! this weekend. It will be hard to put it into words, but I’ll do my best.

Other cool stuff:

- I just started getting followed by a guy on Twitter in a group called Mob Zombie. How can hip-hop about zombies not be considered inexplicably rad? I hope to get in touch and get an interview and/or review hooked up soon.

- CookBook’s I Love the 80’s is officially out on Tuesday. Don’t forget to get your copy… it’s FREE!

Well, I guess that’s it. Enjoy what’s to come on TPM, my toil is your gain… well, at least I hope it is.