2008 Woodie Awards
Gym Class Heroes
Unusual rap group creates a following with rap-less crowd
Justin Vaughn
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Gallery
- Page 1 of 1
Gym Class Heroes released their second studio album As Cruel As School Children July 25. It is a great album, and the production is fantastic.
I first saw them on Oct. 5, when Emery played at the El Torreon in Kansas City. I gladly paid $12 to get into the show and impatiently sat through the opening bands. When one of the bands walked onto the stage, the lead singer was in baggy jeans, a fitted cap and a pair of vintage Nikes. This wasn't just another scream-o band; it was Gym Class Heroes.
What ensued was crazy, to say the least. There were skinny little scene kids with their hands in the air, lyrics that rhymed but was nothing close to poetry. This was rap at a hardcore show;,which goes against everything these kids stood for. But they loved it; I loved it.
Travis McCoy (better known as Shleprock), the lead singer, stepped on stage and told everyone this wasn't about Escalades and Ice, and in no way was it degrading to women. The audience responded with respectful applause, and from then on, they had my attention.
After the show, I committed the name of the band to memory and patiently waited for the album to hit stores. Since then I have enjoyed this band; everything they do is so clever and refreshing. So when GCH had a re-release version of their album in November, I was quick to get my copy.
In their album, As Cruel As School Children, they stick with the indie, hip-hop sound, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The songs are clever and well written. Some of them have stories to tell, which include stories about the lead singer's previous relationships.
The lead singer of Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, brings back-up vocals for the song "Cupids Chokehold."
The best thing about this album is, even though they stayed true to the indie, hip-hop sound, it isn't repetitive. They have matured musically and lyrically, and that's something that I can always appreciate.
I first saw them on Oct. 5, when Emery played at the El Torreon in Kansas City. I gladly paid $12 to get into the show and impatiently sat through the opening bands. When one of the bands walked onto the stage, the lead singer was in baggy jeans, a fitted cap and a pair of vintage Nikes. This wasn't just another scream-o band; it was Gym Class Heroes.
What ensued was crazy, to say the least. There were skinny little scene kids with their hands in the air, lyrics that rhymed but was nothing close to poetry. This was rap at a hardcore show;,which goes against everything these kids stood for. But they loved it; I loved it.
Travis McCoy (better known as Shleprock), the lead singer, stepped on stage and told everyone this wasn't about Escalades and Ice, and in no way was it degrading to women. The audience responded with respectful applause, and from then on, they had my attention.
After the show, I committed the name of the band to memory and patiently waited for the album to hit stores. Since then I have enjoyed this band; everything they do is so clever and refreshing. So when GCH had a re-release version of their album in November, I was quick to get my copy.
In their album, As Cruel As School Children, they stick with the indie, hip-hop sound, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The songs are clever and well written. Some of them have stories to tell, which include stories about the lead singer's previous relationships.
The lead singer of Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, brings back-up vocals for the song "Cupids Chokehold."
The best thing about this album is, even though they stayed true to the indie, hip-hop sound, it isn't repetitive. They have matured musically and lyrically, and that's something that I can always appreciate.
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posted 4/04/07 @ 3:54 PM CST
Patrick Stump backs up vocals in Cupids Chokehold.
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