There must be something in that hostile northern air that makes Minneapolis churn out so many great rappers, and the duo in Four Fists is no exception. The band comprises P.O.S (of Doomtree and Rhymesayers) and Astronautalis (who's worked with Tegan & Sara and Bon Iver). Although Four Fists' debut EP came out in 2013, they released their debut album just this month. Their particular style of abstract hip-hop is aggressive yet thoughtful, in that they'll either meet you in an alleyway or a library (as evinced by their band name being an F. Scott Fitzgerald reference). Ever subversive and humorous, P.O.S. and Astronautalis didn't exactly name their five favorite albums when we talked to them, but simply the five things most influential to their sound. We dig.
Catch Four Fists to the face at 191 Toole. 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29. $17-$20.
The Joe Strummer Documentary
"The Future Is Unwritten"
Everyone should watch this documentary, but especially every artist in their 30s. There is a lot to be learned from Strummer's journey from asshole punk frontman into the joyful, loving man he became in the end. There are so many valuable lessons in there, and they are scattered all over this album as well.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Flappers & Philosophers
There are so many lessons in this thing. Very small to very large. And I personally think the writing in the short stories is where he shines hardest. Every third sentence is the most beautifully constructed sentence.
Rancid
Demos From The Pit
It's like putting the first self-titled Rancid record in a blender. Lyrics and musical parts totally rearranged. It's an awesome peek into different styles and approaches to songwriting.
Mushroom Dust
Um, 'shroom dust
Yamaha Motorcycles
Stef (P.O.S) has a 1978 Yamaha sr500, and Andy (Astronautalis) has a 2004 Yamaha YZ450f (you can see us riding them in the video for "G.D.F.R."), they are super clunky, tricky, weird, mildly dangerous, and fun as hell ... soooo ... just like us.