VIDEO: Yea Big + Kid Static//Grim

...it's been entirely too long since we've heard anything from Chicago's dynamic duo, Yea Big + Kid Static. Like a desperately needed shock to the system, we came across this new clip from the band's new disc, The Future's Looking Grim. Dig this graveyard dance party then go grab the album...

Yea Big + Kid Static

...in case you weren't paying attention, we've got a HUGE weekend coming up in the Gem City this weekend. Several great touring bands will be heading into Dayton this weekend, among them will be Chicago hip-hop duo, Yea Big + Kid Static. Although it's been almost a year since we last saw them, we have not forgotten the incredibly high-energy set these two deliver. With their self-titled debut out on Jib Door and their relentless touring schedule, better make plans to catch them at Blind Bob's this Saturday, or wherever they'll be close to you on their current tour...

MP3: Yea Big + Kid Static "We've Built A Time Machine That Runs On Beats. We Shall Only Use It For Good"
MP3: Yea Big + Kid Static "Speak the Facts"
MP3: Yea Big + Kid Static "Duck, Mother Fuckers!"

Apr 24 The State House w/ We Are Hex and DJ LVX Bloomington, IN
Apr 25 Blind Bob’s w/ Human Reunion/The Motel Beds/Trunk Bound Regime Dayton, OH
Apr 26 Monster House Columbus, OH
Apr 27 The B-Side Cleveland, OH
Apr 29 Death By Audio Brooklyn, NY
Apr 30 Bay State College Boston, MA
May 1 WTF Fest II @ Cape Playhouse Cape Cod, MA
May 2 Eclectic Wear w/ Brava Spectre and The Zookeepers New London, CT
May 3 COPY Gallery w/ Sweatheart, Juiceboxxx and Rahfee Malik Philadelphia, PA
May 6 Comet Ping Pong Washington, D.C.
May 7 Rumors w/ Diamond Black Hearted Boy Richmond, VA
May 8 529 w/ Airoes, and Thy Mighty Contract Atlanta, GA
May 9 Caledonia w/ The Buddy System Athens, GA
May 10 Pilot Light w/ Fistful Of Crows Knoxville, TN
May 12 The Firebird w/ Gentleman Auction House St. Louis, MO
May 13 1009 n clinton st. w/ Harder To Fall Bloomington, IL
May 14 Private Birthday Party Indianapolis, IN
May 15 The Hideout w/ The Hood Internet Chicago, IL
Jun 13 The Mill w/ Datagun Iowa City, IA

Yea Big & Kid Static Cover The Human Reunion

...this just came across our desk and we just had to get it up here for ya's. The Human Reunion have brought through Chicago's Yea Big + Kid Static a number of times. It's no surprise then that YB+KS would do something like do a mash up of the entire debut EP from Human Reunion. On top of that, this clip features some excellent fire antics from The Soul Fire Tribe. Check it out...

Human Reunion/Yea Big + Kid Static/The Goody Two Shoes @ Pearl 5.15.08

...as the brutally cold rain fell down on this Thursday night, those who were undeterred received a very special treat this night at the Pearl in the form of one incredible show. Opening the evening, the always-splendidly-dressed The Goody Two Shoes hit the ground running, sounding the best we've ever heard them. Truly, the band has put in some very hard work and it is really beginning to pay off. The sparkle of their choruses that were once buried under murky guitars and shaky rhythms were delivered on this night with a confidence and sense of purpose. We understand the band is currently in the studio working on some new tracks. We're most certainly looking forward to more from The Goody Two Shoes...




...next up were the dynamic duo of Yea Big + Kid Static from Chicago. Their ability to bring fun and a sense of humor back into hip-hop effortlessly won over the audience on this night. As the pair winded and weaved through the crowd, jumping on every surface they could find, and even inciting many in the audience to break loose and just dance, we could not have been more grateful that Yea Big + Kid Static continue to make Dayton a regular tour stop...




...closing out the evening, Human Reunion offered up their finest in electronic manipulations. The driving rhythms of drummer Ian Kaplan and bassist Alan Baker undeniably anchor this band. As the synths and angular guitar work slashes across the sound, the band's songs continue to shine through. We're hoping that the band is able to release it's debut before too long and get it out to the masses...

Human Reunion/Yea Big + Kid Static/The Goody Two Shoes-Tonight @ Pearl

...as if this week has already been a good one, there's a really great bill over at Pearl tonight. Headlining will be the always-exciting Human Reunion,, who have been bringing it on strong since their return to activity last month. They'll be hosting Chi-town hip-hop duo Yea Big + Kid Static, who you absolutely have to catch. Seriously. Opening the evening will be garage mainstays The Goody Two Shoes....

...we spoke earlier this week with Yea Big + Kid Static's Stefen Robinson (a.k.a. Yea Big) about their upcoming visit to Dayton. Here's what he had to say...

The Buddha Den: For our readers who aren't familiar with Yea Big + Kid Static, can you tell us a little bit about how the project started? What were you each doing before?

Yea Big: We met through the internets. I was looking for a vocalist to work with and Static came to my rescue. Before our union we both had solo projects and various other things/bands going on. But once we started working together we quickly realized we were way better together than apart, so this project became the focus for both of us.

TBD: You infuse an incredible dose of humor and self-deprecation into your particular brand of hip-hop. What made you decide to go that route?

YB: That's just the type of dues we are. Static writes all of the lyrics, and he has a particular knack for his kind of smart, humorous, and as you called it "self-deprecating" style. It's easily relatable shit, i think.

TBD: It's great that you continue to make Dayton a regular stop when you're out. What is it that keeps you coming back to Dayton? How do audiences react to your live show both here and throughout the country?

YB: The people are what keep us coming back to Dayton. we love the bands we've gotten to play with here, and all the folks involved with booking the shows, and the audiences are always super fun, and all the awesome people who have lets us sleep on their floors. It's just a good time whenever we come. we get relatively warm responses pretty much everywhere we go these days. It's actually really heart-warming. Even when we are in a town we've never been to before performing for 10 people, those 10 people really come through for us. We're lucky to meet so many nice folks, for sure.

TBD: When we caught at Therapy Cafe back in October, your debut disc had just come out on JIB. How has the response been to your album? How have things changed for you since it's release?

YB: The response to the album has been decent. It sells well on the road. We've gotten some solid reviews and whatnot. Things haven't changed a whole lot since the record came out, except we're finding that more people do know who we are these days. But that could be for any number of reasons.

TBD: What can people expect from the live Yea Big + Kid Static experience?

YB: Dynamic hip thrusts and shimmies.

TBD: Is there anything else that you'd like our readers to know?

YB: We both really like Tim Fite's new record, Fair Ain't Fair. You should check it out.

...so, get down to Pearl tonight and check out Yea Big + Kid Static, as well as Human Reunion & The Goody Two Shoes. You know it's gonna be a good one...

Nightbeast/YeaBig & KidStatic/LVX/Shake Your Fusion/Revampire @ Therapy Cafe 10.8.07

Although rarely employed as a venue for bands, Therapy Cafe served its purpose fairly well this warm October evening....

Opening the night was a rare appearance by the art-noise outfit Revampire. Their set began as a brutal deconstructionist onslaught, melding Brainiac danceability with U.S. Maple's uncompromising ethos. Near the end of the set, however, things quickly devolved into chaotix freestyling with a number of people coming and going from the stage. Initially, the onlookers were intrigued by the unique and challenging sound, by mid-set though, most were leaving in droves to seek shelter and solace on the patio....


next up were the eighties-hipster synth pop of Shake Your Fusion. While there have been several acts nationally that have picked up the 80s mantle and made new use of the relentlessly maligned decade, this simply was not one of them. In many ways, it felt like a joke that was only minimally funny the first time you heard it being told for twenty minutes. With one member toting around a period-correct keyboard, one dressed in suit and tie handling the laptop, and the other two looking like they raided their older cousins wardrobe, this outfit was long on looks but short on substance...

The night rebounded strong, however, as LVX hit the stage. Hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, this set was nothing but relentless high-energy as LVX paced the stage like a lion stalking his prey. Still, a lion that you would want starting up your party...


Wheeling in from Chicago was the one-two-punch of YeaBig & KidStatic. This set was the real deal: old-school eighties-style hip-hop chocked full of humor, self-deprecation, and infectious beats that got even the most jaded on the scene cracking a smile and bobbing their head. This was some of the most fun hip-hop I've heard in a long time. And to top it all off, they closed with a cover of the Golden Girls theme...yes, that's what I said...



Closing out the night was the inimitable Nightbeast. Following YeaBig & KidStatic, however, proved a challenge to which few could have risen. Sadly, on this night, the force of Nightbeast was simply no match...

Overall, it was a great night of music. It would be great to see Therapy used more as a venue for bands of all stripes....for more photos from the evening, go here

Monday Therapy

Tonight at the ever-trendy Therapy Cafe, we have an extremely interesting bill. Yea Big + Kid Static from Chicago bringing some old school hip hop with havey doses of electronica heaped on top. L V X will serve up some electronica from Bloomington. The force of nature that is Nightbeast (pictured above)will be on hand for some serious synthy vintage sounds. Also on tap is the ambient art punk experimentation of Revampire, featuring members of Human Reunion & Fuck Uppers. Opening the night will be Shake Yr Fusion from middletown.

It's a cheap show at $3. Looks like doors open around 9, but don't expect any action until 10. It's an 18 & up show as well. Shake off yr DMF funk and get out....