Jurassic 5 is Right at Home in the Lone Star State

AUSTIN - Stubb's was overwhelmed by the infectious grooves created by Los Angeles-based hip-hop act Jurassic 5 on Thursday.

Jurassic 5 seemed right at home in the lone star state. The group's special blend of old school hip-hop and terminal turntable work played well to the Austin crowd; many of whom were veterans of previous Jurassic 5 invasions.

Opening up for Jurassic 5 was a group called the Beatnuts. Unfortunately I arrived late and barely caught its last song.
I don't think I was the only one who arrived late. There was a line down the block at 8:45 p.m. and Jurassic 5 was scheduled to go on at 9 p.m. Personally I think 8 p.m. is a little too early to start a concert especially if it only lasts until 11 p.m., but who listens to me.

After I finally made it in the gates, I was devastated to find out the cheapest beer was $4 a pop. Think about that. That comes out to $24 for a six-pack, $48 for a 12-pack, and $96 for a case. I guess the $26 they got per ticket wasn't going to cut it. Anyway, I bit the bullet, drained my college fund and had a couple of beers while I waited for J5 to take the stage.

Jurassic 5 did not disappoint. Opening the show with a couple of high-energy tracks off the new album, Power in Numbers, J5 grabbed the crowds' full attention from the word go. The MCs were rhyming in unison, handing the microphone off to one and other like a hot potato. It made me wonder when these guys had a chance to breathe.

The highlight of the show came earlier than expected. Only three songs into the set, the four MCs took what appeared to be a smoke break of some type, leaving the stage to DJs Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark.

What these guys were doing was almost indescribable, but I'll give it a shot. Cut Chemist was on the turntables and Nu-Mark was on drums belting out a beat that had every ones heads bobbing. It's not the norm to see a rap act break it down and actually play an instrument. Nu-Mark was skilled to say the least. At that point I was already impressed. Then, they took it to the next level. Nu-Mark sailed the drum sticks into the crowd and ran over to what appeared to be a mixing board attached to two baby toys of some type.

They were the ones that make electronic tones when you press big different colored buttons. Nu-Mark made something from nothing: music from baby toys. It's something you have to see to believe.

The remainder of the show was fun but tame in comparison. Jurassic 5 ran through the hit list, performing songs from both of its major label releases, Quality Control and Power in Numbers, as well as songs from their earlier self-titled independent release. The Stubb's crowd got its moneys worth. But when the lights dropped and J5 ran off the stage no one was ready to leave. The crowd called for "more, more, more."

That is exactly what Jurassic 5 delivered. Coming out to perform one of the longest and most enthusiastic encores I've seen in a while. The encore consisted of three songs, two with guest MC Juju from the Beatnuts and then Cut Chemist demolished the needles on his turntables.

All six members of Jurassic 5 stayed onstage signing autographs for at least 25 minutes. It was testament to their loyalty toward their fans.

Sure the beer is not cheap, but there is no better place to see a sensational show on a cool clear night than Stubb's.