The renowned live sets are also unique because Beats always plays within the crowd, never onstage.
“People are always curious, and it gives the audience the chance to walk up and see that I’m playing everything out live,” he said.
And why pay to watch someone stand there and push an oversized keypad of illuminated buttons?
“Because I’m not scared to perform my music live in real time without the assistance of a computer metronome that makes it fail-proof,” he said.
“I’m not embarrassed or afraid to fuck up,” the always humble Beats said. “It gives people something more realistic.
“I can perform my albums live — not a lot of hip-hop producers can say that.”
OFF THE COUCH
Dust off the 2002 classic O.S.T. and peep out LA rap duo PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS on Friday, August 8, at a must-see show at the Living Room. Their self-proclaimed brand of “BBQ and kickback rap music” will have the indie backpacker sect wiling — think the Pharcyde meets Jurassic 5. Also, longtime wackadoo comedian NEIL HAMBURGER is on tour behind his first country music album and will stop by on Sunday , August 10. Call 401.521.5200 for info on both shows. On August 7, Rehoboth-based trio THE WIPPETS (not to be confused with UK indie kids the Whippets) break out the banjos and washboards at a free show at Nick-a-Nee’s. Call 401.861.7290 for more info. Also tonight, FURLONG head-lines at JR’s Bourbon Street Rock House (401.463.3080) before sharing the stage with fellow Providence rock hopefuls FOR THE LOVE OF SLOANE on Friday at Cats (401.722.0150) in Pawtucket. FTLOS released their debut EP Bitter on White Noise Records in May; it’s available on iTunes and definitely worth checking out. FLOBOTS’ hit single “Handlebars” is currently all over the radio, but the Denver crew has been releasing albums since 2001 and will open for the Zappa-gypsy noise spectacle that is Gogol Bordello at Lupo’s on Friday. Dial 401.331.5876 for details.
This weekend, Club Hell and Jerky’s Bar on Richmond Strret in Providence host the NEW ENGLAND DEATH FEST, a decibel-shattering slugfest. Doors open at 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday for 26 hours of death metal in two days — yikes. There’s also a pre-show on Friday at Jerky’s. Hit myspace.com/newenglanddeathfest for more. But, the big news is at Twin River on Friday, when New York’s legendary all-female tribute band LEZ ZEPPELIN takes the stage at the Lighthouse Bar. Admission is free and, trust us, this one is gonna be bananas. Call 877.82.RIVER.
