MC CHRIS OWNS!

I can't let Eric and Wilson have all the fun posting their concert-going experiences.

On Saturday night, the commenter you know as Fock and I attended a concert put on by MC Chris. If you are an avid watcher of Adult Swim—the Dada-esqe comedy, not the anime, which I've never been a fan of (sorry, Richard)—you have certainly heard MC Chris as MC Pee Pants on Aqua Teen Hunger Force and as Hesh on Sealab 2021. In episode 9 of Sealab 2021, the crew attends an MC Chris show, where he performs the unbelievably brilliant "Fett's Vette." And thus began my love of MC Chris.

He's actually not a bad rapper. Sure, he's a squeaky-voiced white guy, but he's got serious flow. He loves the genre; his music really doesn't qualify as parody. It's simply his unique take on hip-hop. (I can't heap enough praise on MC Chris' musical partner John, who gives the hip-hop a decidely drum-and-bass flair and is willing to sample Bach.)

Most importantly, though: MC Chris is a geek, plain and simple. Fett's Vette is about Star Wars. He name-drops Dairy Queen. He opens his latest album proclaiming "MC Chris owns." He raps about tripping on Robotussin. MC Chris gives "geeks, nerds, and losers" (his phrase) access to popular culture, providing a legitimate peek into a musical genre that has never really spoken to them. I watched a clean-cut tubby guy wearing a Jabba the Hutt t-shirt and a death-metal-y pierced guy in a Cannibal Corpse t-shirt both purchase the same MC Chris shirt. Do you think either of those guys listened to much hip hop before MC Chris? He was even interviewed by Slashdot, making him as big as Wil Wheaton.

With his musician behind him clicking on a Powerbook, MC Chris worked more as a stand-up comedian for the geeks, nerds, and losers who also has a few cult-popular tunes. He thanked the World of Warcraft players for leaving their houses for the first time in 20 days. "I know how you guys are with sunlight." He performed the above-linked Hesh birthday song for an audience member. MC Chris knows his audience, and he gives them exactly what they want. His set was short on tunes, but heavy on attitude, stage presence, and hilarious, self-flagellating rants. Fock and I laughed uproariously.

I was also incredibly impressed by his gratitude and appreciation of his fans. He stood at the merchandise table and gave autographs and took photos with fans until the line was gone. Fock and I were able to get a personal introduction thanks to a random mutual friend (thanks, Annie). I found him to be incredibly genial and gracious of our support. And he autographed my CD.

So I encourage you to check out MC Chris. You can download a few songs from his website, and his album Eating's Not Cheating has some excellent moments, like the dialogue at the end of "Toothpickspliffs," where the urinating sound effect is questioned—"Why are you peeing? It's a song about weed." Maybe you won't get all the references like us geeks do, but you'll appreciate the beats, I assure you.