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The RFT did a better job on these guys than I could.....
'Some hip-hop acts sound dope on their records but fall flat on stage. Others complain about the St. Louis scene but do little to actually improve or support it. And then there's the rare hip-hop act that sounds great through headphones, puts on an amazing live show and fully embraces the (thriving) St. Louis scene. Earthworms is just such a group. The four members (Mathias, Black Patrick, Kama and DJ Mahf) live to make music, and while they play to packed houses in St. Louis, they're far from complacent. 'We don't want to just be known as a 'local band,'' Mathias says. 'Our sound works well out West,' offers DJ Mahf. 'There are underground hip-hop scenes emerging in Phoenix and all over California.'
'We want to tour in Europe,' adds Kama. 'London. South of France. Toulouse would be nice.'
The guys laugh, but they're also dead serious. Earthworms is in this for the long haul, and they've already put in a ton of work. They started on their newest album, Bottle Full of Bourbon, immediately after finishing their debut record, No Arms, No Legs, Just a Head and a Body. That debut sealed Earthworms' reputation as a seriously talented crew, but Bourbon is even better. Drawing on rap, rock and funk influences, these seventeen tracks showcase the group's range. And while such a high track number usually sends up some red flags — as in, oh great, another overly bloated hip-hop album — each song sounds fresh and essential. Earthworms collaborate with STL wunder-producers Crucial and Helias, and an impressive roster of performers (including Chicago emcee Hi-Fidel and the Urge's Steve Ewing) contribute their talents.
Earthworms has found many fans in St. Louis, and they give much of the credit to their label, the locally owned F5 Records. 'Everyone respects the F5 label,' says DJ Mahf. 'They keep vinyl alive by constantly dropping wax.'
F5 is taking over digital distribution of Bottle Full of Bourbon, while the Earthworms themselves are hitting the streets to make sure the album is available in record stores. F5 is also releasing Earthworms ringtones. (Thanks to such ringtones, says Mathias, F5 labelmate Nato Caliph 'is blowing up in Norway!')
This week's CD-release party — which will truly be a party, complete with a live band and guest performances by Midwest Avengers, 40 'Til 5 and Steddy P, plus on-the-spot T-shirt screen-printing by artists Ben Shepard and Ben Goeke — isn't all the crew has planned. They're planning a fourteen- or fifteen-date Midwest tour and may make a series of music videos (with an LA filmmaker who works with DJ Mahf's brother, the comic artist Jim Mahfood).
The Earthworms are refreshingly humble, but the fact is: Their schedule wouldn't be so packed if their music wasn't so good. The tracks never sound dashed-off. The album is completely free of obnoxious skits. The songcraft is consistently excellent.
'We put a lot of work into our verses,' says emcee/b-boy Black Patrick. 'We work on them for months at a time.'
On Bottle Full of Bourbon, the hard work pays off — and then some. Raise a glass to Earthworms, won't you?' |
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For now, check out what InsideSTL has to say about the album:
'The Earthworms take full advantage of DJ Crucial's lush and diverse background of beats for their follow-up release. Despite the album's staggering 67-minute run time, the 17 tracks flow seamlessly from one to the next. It is a perfect representation of F5 Records' sound, and a style that seems unique to St. Louis. Of course, a host of notable guests are featured on the album, including local favorite Steve Ewing on 'Get Up!' |
Bottle Full of Bourbon
(CD)
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1. The Great Escape
2. Slippin 
3. Get Up! feat. Steve Ewing
4. Bottle full of Bourbon
5. The Island of Misfit Toys
6. Fiddlesticks feat. Intellect MC
7. Pot Luck
8. Backside
9. Seadu
10. The Laugh's on All of Us
11. Small Victories feat. Pidgeon John & Hi Fidel
12. Dang!
13. Waiting
14. Downtown Express feat. Haiku
15. Turn Tables feat Chris Rocchio
16. 7 Days a Week feat Eyecon
17. Rap Hands
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