Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Dead Prez Photos & Review

Dead Prez Photos & Reveiw
Enlightening The Masses With Revolutionary Music
Written by Fox Johnson
Concert Photos by David Oppenheimer

Dead Prez is the longtime hip hop duo who's intrinsically anti-establishment outcry has been at the forefront of the worldwide music movement, promoting human equality and justice. The group consists of M-1 and stic.man who together have collaborated with many top musicians since forming Dead Prez including: Talib Kwali, Midnite, Dj Drama, Chuck D, Outlawz, Dj Green Lantern, and Big Pun. Currently they are touring with dj/emcee mikeflo as their third man. The duo's music has been featured on :the movie Slam, as the introduction song on every episode of the Chappelle’s Show, on the soundtrack for the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious, on a Dead Prez documentary called It's Bigger Than Hip Hop, as well on two video games NBA Live 2007 and SKATE.


Although their influence has covered much of the entertainment industry pandora they have remained vigilant to the spread of social justice, while continually voicing opposition to corporate control. Dead Prez draws much inspiration from social activists: Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and Huey P. Newton. As exclaimed in their song Malcolm Garvey Huey, saying “study Malcolm Garvey Huey“. Stic.man and M-1 also reject the ridiculous musicians lifestyle portrayed in mass media. Instead Dead Prez promote knowledge, healthy living, community, veganism, and eliminating racism. None of which, most of the media industry has any true interest in.

 Despite all of this Dead Prez's music has become wildly popular allowing their inclusion on some mainstream media as mentioned earlier, but on their own terms. The duo play a modest amount of tour dates each year around the world ranging from Asheville NC and Austin TX in the US, to Oslo Norway. The duo have even set up impromptu concerts for people who cannot afford to pay and see their already scheduled show, as they did in South Africa. Regardless of location Dead Prez always find themselves drawing exuberant crowds ready to be engaged with a conscious revolutionary message.





























Monday, July 11, 2011

Phish Summer Tour 2011

Phish Summer Tour 2011

Words by Fox Johnson
Concert Photography by David Oppenheimer

Click photos for large view.

Phish is back at the forefront of the summer tour scene again this year. They have a run of 33 shows all in the US; many being sold out in advance. Starting their summer tour at the more obscure Bethel Woods Center For The Arts on May 27th, in Bethel NY. After covering most of the east coast on the first leg of Phish's summer tour, they return to NY to headline their always popular jam out 'Super Ball' July 1-3, in Watkins Glen NY; which is in the ninth consecutive year.

 On the evening of June 17 as part of Phish's east coast run, they entertained an ecstatic crowd at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre; in Charlotte NC. The group playfully cranked out many expected songs now entrenched in Phish milieu. The first set included a trove of these beloved songs like: I Am Hydrogen, Bouncing Around the Room, Sample in a Jar, and an especially spirited Wolfman's Brother, to pull attendees into the right frame.

The second set Phish produced was what turned an enlivened but tranquil event at the Charlotte outdoor arena; into the full tilt barn burner of a night it ended as. Opening the second set with their joyful tune Backwards Down the Number Line immediately impacted energy onto the sea of Phish fans.
They progressed with songs including Weekapaug Groove, then producing an extremely jammy fusion; that shifted into the always ethereal Ghost. Icculus profoundly found its way into a Phish set for one of only a few times in past 15 years, to the delight of the crowd and their giddy front man Trey Anastasio.  Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon wore David Mayfield Parade shirts and they projected the image on the shirts onto the big screen and declared David Mayfield as their god, Icculus.


Phish also performed a resounding cover of Pink Floyds song Bike. After some intense vacuum work they ended the second set with a blistering Chalkdust Torture and You Enjoy Myself. Phish did of course crank out a delightfully rollicking encore set that included Wilson, and ended with a brilliant cover of the Rolling Stones song Loving Cup. This all resonated the crowd thoroughly, as the essence of a Phish summer tour that will always be remembered.


Next Phish travels to the western US with a spellbinding first ever appearance at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood CA on August 8. They also are to be found at the highly anticipated Outside Lands festival at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco CA on August 12-14. Out of a talent rich group of entertainers, Phish will be the only band playing this festival to perform two sets. Eventually finishing out with a three night consecutive run at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City CO, September 2-4; to end a prodigious Phish summer tour season.






























































All photos © 2011 David Oppenheimer - All Rights Reserved
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