West Coast Tour delivered the funk

Thanks to the letters of a dedicated fan, People Under the Stairs skipped their usual reservation at Motel 6 to enlighten Boise with a live and energetic performance. The vibe Sunday night was far from lame as PUTS’s West Coast Tour had the crowd at the Big Easy getting down in true house party fashion.

Deep respect for the groups reciprocated into mad love for the fans, as Glue, Giant Panda, Time Machine and PUTS rocked the mic. PUTS’ Double K said it was a beautiful thing to have fans in Boise reciting lyrics that he and Thes One have been laying down since 1998.

Double K and Thes One were authentic and kept it real as they did what they do best, represent that old school flavor. PUTS gave the audience a sneak peak at their upcoming 2006 release, “Stepfather,” and the audience responded with much love. When asked what he had to say to aspiring DJs, Double K expressed the need to “make sure it’s funky; hip-hop is missing the funk right now so whatever you do make sure it’s funky, and if you don’t know what the funk is go back and study it,” Double K said.

Double K knew hip-hop would be an important part of his life when he first heard Doug E. Fresh and The Show. “I had my first talent show in the third grade; we did the “Fat Boys is Back” and I just knew that was it,” Double K said. If anyone out there is wondering what Double K is feeling right now, he’s digging a 12-inch “E-Flat Boogie” by Trouble Funk, which he found in his favorite spot to dig for records, Stockholm, Sweden.

Jaysonic and Comel of Time Machine, broke down the logistics about how hip-hop has also been an influential factor in both of their lives since they were young kids. Now it is their day job. “Everyday I realize that hip-hop is such a dominant part of my life,” Jaysonic said. Comel doesn’t view hip-hop as a dominant part of his life; however, music has always been an integral part in the progression of his life. “I really don’t see it as a dominant part in my life. I always grew up around music, so its just natural. I mean, what else would I be doing?” Comel said.

Glue kicked off the night on a political rampage set to beats and guitar riffs. Giant Panda took the stage next and switched the vibe up to keep the crowd grooving. Newman, Maanumental, and Chikaramanga checked the crowd out to see if they were feeling “a-h-h-h-ll right.” Then DJ Chikaramanga decided to “take it back y’all” with some “ol’ school hip-hop.” In fact, according to the groups bio, “In the animal kingdom, the giant panda is a symbol of resilience for all animals at the brink of extinction. In the unforgiving world of hip-hop, Giant Panda is a symbol of remembering traditions without forgetting progression.”

With a twist of the wrist and quick equipment check, Time Machine stepped onto the stage. To kick off their set, the guys from Time Machine put together “a little something special for their first show in Boise.” Spitting acapella rhymes back and forth, Comel and Jaysonic, with DJ Mekalek on the turntables, flowed right into the “Spelling Bee.” Right before round two, Jaysonic had to “squash the violence” as two girls attempted to brawl in the front row. After sending a shock wave through the audience, Time Machine took it from the top. When it was time for “Personal Ads” the ladies in the crowd weren’t so ambitious to contribute to their designated part. But, as the track played on, more and more females shouted out that they were “looking for Mr. Right” after listening to Jaysonic’s endearing lyrics about a his desire to find a lady “who likes to cuddle a lot, get close and nibble kiss. A homebody lady, sweatpants lady who makes a tasty red sauce, marinara gravy.”

Jaysonic ended the interview with an introspective message to music fans of all genres, “Music is music and the only thing that makes it good or bad is whether you like it or not. At the end of the day there is good music with all sorts of differences, and that’s what we are trying to make.”

To view more photos check out this slideshow

Amber Fuger / Asst. Culture Editor

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