2/3 of the weworemasks bears will be in attendance of the most pretentious show that’s ever come to houston in a long time. not bad when you compare this festival to giants like ACL and bonaroo – we get 4 or 5 huge acts for a mere $15.

tonight we’ll be catching:

-the homie fat tony
-h.i.s.d., a local hip-hop crew.
-the octopus project
-the sword
-we’ll get a rare broken social scene appearance
-close the night with explosions in the sky.

tomorrow:

-the wild moccasins (locals)
-buxton (locals)
-voxtrot
-what made milwaukee famous
-gettin’ high with devin the dude
-hangin’ brain with of montreal (and subsequently killing myself due to their terribleness. sorry, aj!)

not too shabby. look forward to some videos from the event next week.

more later.

-grizzly c/o sunbear. panda wasn’t invited – it’s ok, though. he’s passed out in an alley way in the suburbs of dallas <3

Thanks to our bro Fat Tony at Ride BMX, you can hit up their site to get a look at our new summer releases including the Alter Ego, Agent, Defy and Wanted.  Check it!

congrats to my dude fat tony for winning a 2009houston press music award for the best underground hip-hop. there’s a lot of good up-and-comers in this city, so it’s nice to see him cop one. this is his second year in a row picking up the award. here’s to a 3-peat in 2010’s.

fat tony on myspace.

and don’t forget to grab his free album, the creation of fat tony.

-grizzly

my boy fat tony has dropped a free album of sorts. i’ll ignore the fact that he didn’t wanna release it through weworemasks and i’ll forgive him.

anyway, this is the creation of fat tony; somewhat of a musical journey through fat tony’s career from 2007-2009, and it also includes two new songs from his upcoming album, rabdargab — so get on this shit immediately and look out for fat tony to destroy yall’s speakers later on in 2009.

fat tony on myspace.

download:

fat tony, born anthony lawson obi, is a local rapper from my hometown of houston, tx. he’s well-known around here for his live shows and has been deemed one of URB magazines ‘next 1000 artists.” not to mention, he was the winner of the 2008 houston press winner for the hottest underground hip-hop act in houston.

he’s currently writing and recording for his upcoming album, RABDARGAB. most of you outside of houston probably don’t know what the fuck this is, but there used to be a kid’s commercial to promote reading lists in schools and shit that basically stated:

RAB = READ A BOOK
DAR = DO A REPORT
GAB = GET A BUCK

wild as hell. i got the chance to ask him a few questions to introduce you guys to some southern knowledge. hit the jump for the interview and a download of tony’s 2008 mixtape.

Roshan Bhatt, weworemasks: First off, what’s the significance behind your moniker, Fat Tony? For the record, you don’t look very fat.

Fat Tony: I was birthed Fat Tony Obidiyah Geofferey Jones. From the vagina to the recliner, I was blessed with the name from day one. Never let go of the it even though I rapped under other aliases from time to time such as “A.O.” and “Hamster Cunt.” If I had a $1 for every time I heard someone say “Nigga you ain’t fat,” I’d be reasonably wealthy, and most likely ballin’ the fuck out.

WWM: What was it like starting a hip-hop career in Houston?

FT: It was like waking up out of a surreal, lucid happy dream and being dropped into a juvenile detention center. Saw and felt much immaturity & inexperience, some egos, a few inspirational helpful fellows and a lot of wishful thinking. Definitely helped get my feet wet as a much younger Fat Tony and was well-received (plus motivated) by some memorable friends. It took being involved in a few different groups and styles to grow into what I do these as Fat Tony. The only constant is change.

WWM: Are you a fan of Houston hip-hop, as far as what got popular back in 2005? What about the stuff that stayed underground (i.e. Z-Ro)?

FT: I love Houston rap. 2005 pop Houston rap was cool and all (every major artist had at least one single I was pretty into), but it never hit me as hard as southside Houston music did during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The local favorites like Z-Ro and Slim Thug have been tight to me, but I’ve always been into pretty much the same group of Houston affiliated folks. UGK, Screw, Devin would be my top favorites far as albums go, but it’s a bunch of singles I fucked with very tough. Yungstar’s “Knockin Pictures Off The Wall,” Fat Pat’s “Tops Drop,” Hawk’s “You Already Know,” Scarface’s “Fuck Faces”… All the hits.

WWM: Do you feel the need to distance yourself from this type of hip-hop? Judging by the sound of your music, you’re going for a more intelligent and positive approach — is that true?

FT: I’m going for a more tight ass music approach more than anything. I’m not distancing from anything, just making what I want to express. It’s “positive,” but making a big deal out of such a thing is a bore. I’m here to entertain and wreck.

WWM: What do you feel that you have to bring to the table of the hip-hop community?

FT: A different voice and good artistry in my character, a will to fuck things up and make beauty out of boredom…but more than anything I feel I’ve got to bring good records. Actual songs that people can enjoy whether they relate to, just get entertained by it, learn something new from it, or (if I’m lucky) all 3 of those things.

Also, The fight for tight ass music. The fight for more originality and individuality. The fight for less preaching on rap records. Pretty much an all-out war for music that doesn’t blow.

WWM: Who or what are your biggest influences in hip-hop? This could be emcees, producers or even non-musical.

FT: UGK, Q-Tip, Nas, Jay-Z, Houston rap singles and E-40. Rappers that are just straight characters like Lil Wayne and Ghostface. Even Busta when he was in his heyday.

Production wise — Pimp C, Q-Tip, Three 6 Mafia, The Neptunes, Kanye, Timbaland and J Dilla on the Slum Village “Fantastic” albums. My tastes have changed throughout my life but these folks have always been consistent favorites.

WWM: Your last mixtape was a joint venture with The Tipping Point (note: a local Houston sneaker boutique) and Fly 68. How was it working with them?

FT: Titillating. All night sessions. A few friends came through bearing gifts. Really helped get our spirits in order to make a rad CD. Everyone involved in it had a good ol’ time making it pop off. Especially with the skits!

WWM: Considering your music is more positive lyrically, (see: Love Life EP) who would you like to collaborate with most that’s making music currently?

FT: The throwed musicians. The real artists that actually write songs and want a wide audience to get with it. Those that understand completeness and song writing, but haven’t forgotten what a good pop song is. Rappers that can actually wreck and be interesting, not drivel. I’ve heard enough redundancy for one lifetime. The-Dream, Kanye, Lil’ Wayne, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Big Boi, E-40, Bun B, Ghostface, The Neptunes.

WWM: You’ve been known for your energetic live shows. What do you enjoy more, recording or performing, and why?

FT: I love recording for the art and technique of it, but nothing hits me like performing. Connecting with folks face to face while I’m wildin’ to my shit being loud as hell. There’s nothing like it. I kinda miss that shit when I’ve been too long without touching a stage.

WWM: If you could start over and do anything differently, would you?

FT: Travel more early on strictly for music reasons. Whether it was for performances or seeking opportunities. Moving around definitely boosts my drive every now and then. Too much of the same can make things stagnant for the creative process. Total bummer but, you know, things get better when my focus is right.

WWM: Any last words for the readers of weworemasks?

FT: Love your life. Don’t settle for bullshit music. Or settle for any weak work, period. Quality, always. Buy “RABDARGAB,” the debut full-length when it’s all over your internets and my merch table.

fat tony’s web presence:

add fat tony on myspace.
follow fat tony on twitter.

download fat tony’s mixtape, in conjunction with the tipping point and f68:

-grizzly

I am all for self promotion, but you have to be able to back the claims up. If you are saying that you are the best, then I shouldn’t be able to find others that whoop your ass at whatever you do.

Yeah, like we use real beef...SUCKERS!

Here is where Burger King comes in. I don’t have a problem with the their title (although anyone who has had a BK burger knows that there are several fast food outlets that totally KILL BK, like Jack in the Box, IN and OUT, or Nation’s here in the Bay Area, or SONIC to name a few) but their marketing leaves something to be desired.

The Telegraph talks about the product

Just in time for the festive season, the company has released its very own men’s body spray, Flame.

Not recommended for vegetarians, Flame is being promoted as “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broilled meat”.

While the smell itself might not inspire confidence, the price will.

Flame is on sale for the credit crunch-busting sum of just $3.99 (£2.65), suggesting the Burger King promotions department has realised their contribution to the fragrance market might work best as a novelty stocking-filler.

Flame, a body spray for men, was launched this week online and in a selection of US stores – it is sadly not available in the UK, and now even has its own website, the appropriately named firemeetsdesire.com.

The site proudly proclaims to prospective buyers: “The Whopper sandwich is America’s favourite burger,” before going on to extol the virtues of a perfume that smells like cooked meat.

“Flame by BK captures the essence of that love and gives it to you. Behold … now you can set the mood for whatever you’re in the mood for.”

Really?

Merry XMas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivas, or whatever you celebrate…

You have chosen correctly, Herschel Shmoikel Pinkus Yerucham Krustofsky

Last night, my girlfriend and I were trying to remember all the Simpsons Mob quotes and as it turns out Frankie the Squealer and Johnny Tightlips are the two most genius characters EVER.  And so, I deliver quotes in droves.

Fat Tony: Did you have a nice flight, Johnny Tightlips?
Johnny Tightlips: I ain’t sayin’ nothin’.
Fat Tony: I understand. So how is your mother?
Johnny Tightlips: Whoa, hey, who says I have a mother?

Fat Tony: Johnny Tightlips, can you see the shooter?
Johnny Tightlips: I see a lot of things.
Fat Tony: You know, you could be a little more helpful.

Louie: Had enough, squealer?
Frankie The Squealer: Did you know Fat Tony’s real first name is Marion?
Legs: You just don’t learn, do you?

Fat Tony: Now some unpleasant news. I have learned that someone in this room is a squealer.
Legs: We’ve narrowed it down to either Johnny Tightlips or Frankie The Squealer.
Frankie The Squealer: Okay, it’s me! I can’t help it! I just like squealing! It makes me feel big!

Mafia Guy: Johnny Tight Lips where’d they hit ya?
Johnny Tight Lips: I ain’t sayin’ nothin’.
Mafia Guy: Then what do I tell the doctor?
Johnny Tight Lips: Tell him to suck a lemon.

Pure genius!

As for more random stuff, the parents of a baby in New Jersey were denied having a personalised birthday cake made for their son because his name is “Adolf Hitler”.  Uhhhh, pretty cool/weird.
They have a daughter called “Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie”.  Most hilarious/insane couple ever!  Story

Ja det blev inte så jätte mycket firande men som i unga år när jag var på granskär och såg solen gå ner över norrlandet i Gävle Så såg jag idag solen gå ner över Toronto. Från världens högsta utkikspunkt skapad av människan, CN-Tower.

Har fördrivit tiden med att vandra runt i Toronto idag igen. Kollade på fotbollen och åt på en ‘food court’ precis utanför Hockey Hall of Fame och insåg inte att klockan blev så mycket att det hade stängt när fotbollen var över. Så det blev inge hall of Fame idag. Hoppas det kan bli en annan gång.

Fotbollen gick ju bra. Jag höll på Turkiet så blev först ganska besviken i slutminuterna men sen nästan lika glad som Kroatiens tränare, i slutsekunderna. Skönt. Jag håller på turkiet för att våra pizzaguy “Fat Tony” i Whistler höll på dom. Han gav oss lite rabbater och så på slutet. Samt tre för två deal en morgon vid 3-tiden.

CN-Tower var coolt. På första observationsplanet hade de även en bit glas golv. Jag tordde inte de skulle va nå problem för mig att gå på de. Jag har aldrig varit höjdrädd. Men när jag kom dit så gick det inte det närmaste jag kom var att sätta ena foten på det och vikten på den foten. Men då sprakade det lite i glaset eller fogen eller nått så det blev för obehaglig att göra något mer. Jag vet u att det skulle hålla om jag stog och hoppade där men det gick inte. Det ver en av de första mentala spärrar jag stött på där jag vet att jag inte kommer skada mig men ändå inte kan göra det. Konstigt! Jag fick iaf en bild (med min nya kamera) när jag står med ena foten på glasgolvet. Ni får se sen.

När solen hade gått ner tog jag mig ner till gatan igen och gick en mindre om väg hem längs Young st. Det var mycket folk ute ikväll och lite olika spontana street performers visade vad de kunde. När jag närmade mig Hostelet blev det lite obehagligare. Mörka gator och lite skumt folk. Men jag är nog ganska paranoid nu när jag är i storstan’.

Det blev en skön dag till slut med lite nya äventyr i minesbanken.

Imorgon blir det tidig morgon och First Aid Course
PEACE.