Theoretics

Inside Seattle’s rich hip hop community there are and have been groups mixing new technologies with old school techniques by incorporating a live band, such as The Physics, Dyno Jamz, and now the vigorous Theoretics. The seven piece ensemble is lead by two front emcees, Mark Hoy and Chimaroke Abuachi, whose masterful lyrics are complemented by the strength of their backing saxphoist Art Brown, guitarist Cameron Peace, keyboardist Ben Krulewich, bassit Birch Pereira, and drummer Adam Gross. Since the release of Theoretics’ debut self-titled album last year, many have praised the relentless musicians for their passion.

The Stranger’s Dave Segal explained that “Live hiphop still provokes skepticism among some purists of the genre, but Seattle’s Theoretics do their damnedest to quell such doubt,” and SSG Music’s own Joe Gustav said about a previous Crocodile performance that they “solidified themselves in Seattle’s music scene earning comparisons to bands such as The Roots.” Their expressive sound is constantly evolving, and for this week’s show, new songs from Theoretics will be featured where they depart from their “Rap N’ Roll” sound to songs that are more electro inspired.

The “Eclectic Take on Hip Hop” will continue with Eclectic Approach. Originally classifying themselves as a hip hop project, the group quickly realized that their sound was stylistically more diverse, leading to their group name. Eclectic Approach also has a live band, with their bill being Jowed Hadeed on vocals, guitarists Ryan Jander and Justin MacDonald, drummer Brian Paxton and bassist Seth Humphrey. Together the group recorded their last album with producer Justin Armstrong (Death Cab For Cutie, Dave Matthews) who helped hone their rock and hip hop styles artistically. Eclectic Approach are known for their intensity live as well as their humor, so make sure to get to The Crocodile in time to watch both headliners perform!

The opener for the night is also an impressive team; a duo from Mill Creek called Imaginary Friends. Together DJ Bebop and MC Joe Black create “socially conscious and imaginative” sounds, pushing the boundaries of hip hop music aside with inspirations from multiple genres.

Look below for instructions on to win a pair of tickets to this exciting set of performances! - SSG Music

Inside Seattle’s rich hip hop community there are and have been groups mixing new technologies with old school techniques by incorporating a live band, such as The Physics, Dyno Jamz, and now the vigorous Theoretics. The seven piece ensemble is lead by two front emcees, Mark Hoy and Chimaroke Abuachi, whose masterful lyrics are complemented by the strength of their backing saxphoist Art Brown, guitarist Cameron Peace, keyboardist Ben Krulewich, bassit Birch Pereira, and drummer Adam Gross. Since the release of Theoretics’ debut self-titled album last year, many have praised the relentless musicians for their passion.

The Stranger’s Dave Segal explained that “Live hiphop still provokes skepticism among some purists of the genre, but Seattle’s Theoretics do their damnedest to quell such doubt,” and SSG Music’s own Joe Gustav said about a previous Crocodile performance that they “solidified themselves in Seattle’s music scene earning comparisons to bands such as The Roots.” Their expressive sound is constantly evolving, and for this week’s show, new songs from Theoretics will be featured where they depart from their “Rap N’ Roll” sound to songs that are more electro inspired.

The “Eclectic Take on Hip Hop” will continue with Eclectic Approach. Originally classifying themselves as a hip hop project, the group quickly realized that their sound was stylistically more diverse, leading to their group name. Eclectic Approach also has a live band, with their bill being Jowed Hadeed on vocals, guitarists Ryan Jander and Justin MacDonald, drummer Brian Paxton and bassist Seth Humphrey. Together the group recorded their last album with producer Justin Armstrong (Death Cab For Cutie, Dave Matthews) who helped hone their rock and hip hop styles artistically. Eclectic Approach are known for their intensity live as well as their humor, so make sure to get to The Crocodile in time to watch both headliners perform!

The opener for the night is also an impressive team; a duo from Mill Creek called Imaginary Friends. Together DJ Bebop and MC Joe Black create “socially conscious and imaginative” sounds, pushing the boundaries of hip hop music aside with inspirations from multiple genres.

Look below for instructions on to win a pair of tickets to this exciting set of performances! - SSG Music

The twist this Seattle-based seven-piece group brings to the table is a big, booming instrumental arrangement—which includes a sax and a stand-up bass. This, combined with the deft rapping of the group’s two MCs, combines for a live set ideal for moving a sweaty Bumbershoot crowd.” - The Stranger

The Theoretics were up next, and immediately won over our spirit that evening. To sum these guys up it's simple, One cannot fully understand Northwest Hip-Hop without seeing Seattle's own THEORETICS live! Their music is inspiring, intelligent, and funky. The Theoretics are fronted by two formidable MC's that play well off each other, backed by a full-live band that could give the entire ROOTS Crew a run for their money. Even if Seattle is a bit North, this is still West Coast Hip-Hop featuring: highly kinetic, jazz-infused, funk n' roll, with upbeat thoughtful lyrical content. - They Live - For Young Moderns

Live hiphop still provokes skepticism among some purists of the genre, but Seattle's Theoretics do their damnedest to quell such doubt. The seven-piece ensemble skillfully raps and sings over intricately arranged, orchestral funk. The songs exude an earnestness and positivity that may rub some the wrong way, but anyone who sympathizes with the do-gooder spirit of local hiphop acts like Macklemore or Blue Scholars will warm to Theoretics' righteous, fist-raising compositions. - The Stranger

Their solid hiphop-soul-rock is packed with breathless, inspirational lyrics and a feeling-it-funky sound. - The Stranger

Some would say that if you have much more than a DJ and an Emcee that is really isn’t hip hop anymore. There is certainly an argument to be made for that school of thought, that is how it all started. However, seven piece Seattle based Hip Hop outfit THEORETICS are definitely more than your basic DJ / Emcee crew, and they are definitely Hip Hop. Blending together live drums, guitar, bass, keys, and saxophone, THEORETICS create a soulful mix of Jazzy Hip Hop Anthems.

Fronted by Chimaroke Abuachi a.k.a.”I Adjust” – Vocalist and Mark Barrett Tongish Hoy a.k.a. “Diztortion”, THEORETICS bring a lot more to the scene than just great Hip Hop, they bring a message. Though there are some socio-political edges to their lyrics, the main message seems to be hope. The track “Can’t Turn Back Now” is all about pushing back at life and taking your dreams all the way no matter what. The more introspective ” Quiet Place ” is about transformation, and looking for answers in a harsh reality. If you are tired of over inflated blingy Hip Hop, THEORETICS will be a breath of fresh air. - Seattle Show Gal

Theoretics, with Gravity. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 7:30 p.m. $9. All ages. Theoretics is exactly what the Seattle hip-hop scene needs--what any scene looking to maintain an edge needs, really--at the moment: a funky fresh infusion of live instrumentation and Jurassic 5-style lyrical showmanship. The seven member-strong outfit isn't earth-shatteringly original or mind-bogglingly good. They sound a bit like a mix between The Physics and The Saturday Knights, who sallied forth into the local consciousness riding a wave of hype and good intentions only to sort of peter out. But Theoretics doesn't seem to have that kind puffery stalking them right now, which is a good thing. It'll give them the space to continue making danceable, feel good tunes that sound like this city looks in the summer. KEVIN CAPP - Seattle Weekly

Maybe I am in the minority here but I dig going to a show and seeing an emcee or two (or three) on stage rocking a sold out show to a live band. There is definitely no shortage of bands in Seattle. I mean we're home to some of the greatest grunge, rock, and alternative bands of all time. I'm fairly sure that if I were to spit into the air, with a good breeze, I could hit about 10 people who are in a band or have a band. There is, however, a shortage of hip-hop bands (a la The Roots) where the creativity is constructed first through the mind of the musicians and not on a board with drum machines, computers, and mixers. A sound where the music is new, it's organic, and you get the feeling (when you listen) that timeless hours were spent in a rehearsal spot somewhere or in someone's basement/garage perfecting the sound and timing. Theoretics is one of those bands.

I first met Mark Hoy a few months back at Faire Gallery where he hosts The Cornerstone. The Cornerstone is held on the first Saturday of every month and is a night dedicated to spoken word, freestyle cyphers and comes complete with DJ, live band, and artist showcases. It really is dope, you should check it out sometime. Anyway, I got to chop it up with Mark for a while after the show and he told me about a couple things he had going on musically, one of those being the Theoretics. I finally had the opportunity to hear/see them a week or two ago at their album release party at Hard Rock Cafe. I have to say that I was truly impressed.

Theoretics is made up of vocalists/emcees Mark Hoy, Chimaroke Abuachi and musicians Birch Pereira (Bass), Cameron Peace (Guitar, Loops), Arthur Brown (Alto Saxophone), Ben Krulewitch (Keyboards), and Adam Gross (Drums, Percussion) and label themselves an "alternative hip-hop" band. Their self-titled album, Theoretics (which you can purchase here or here) is creatively in that mix. That sound is accomplished through guitar riffs, keyboards, and drums that you get from an alternative sound mixed and mashed with hip-hop emceeing/vocals and completed with the smooth jazzy sounds of saxophone and the upright/double bass. I would be remissed if I failed to mention that both Hoy and Abuachi are more than capable "vocalists" as well, and that emceeing and lyricism it just a portion of that talent. I wish that you could have seen Hoy cover a Radiohead joint at the release party or the other song that he performed with Shaina Rae (from the band Alabaster) specifically for the release party. Both were actually incredibly dope to hear...and for only those in attendance. Oh, and I have seen Hoy blaze the mic in a freestyle cypher at The Cornerstone and he is definitely no slouch there either.

"Theoretics" is highlighted by more than a few good tracks. The lead single, "Higher", is about having the passion to not be held back from achieving your dreams. Hoy and Abuachi sing "you can't hold me down/you see these wings". The band also shot a video for this track, directed by Garrett Wesley Gibbons. You can see and feel the animation on Abuchi's face as croons "go high, go high, go high, go higher" throughout the chorus. Check it out... - All You Can Eat Hip Hop