So, if you’ve been living under some kind of broadband-impermeable surface for the past year or so, you may not have heard about the new album being released imminently by the two young men known as Aftershock (previously known as Dyvers. Made the connection yet?). I recently had the pleasure of meeting Blunt at the Optamus launch and expressed my sincerest apologies for being unavoidably booked out on the night of their auspicious album launch, so the least I can do is bring some attention to their upcoming show. Their new album is poignantly entitled, So This Is Vandalism?, and it boasts features from the legendary Mac Lethal, Intelekt, Smiley, Verdikt, Bitter Belief, Porsah Laine and production from Chasm, Cochise, Mysc and Enve.
I’ve heard rumours that there exists 250 copies of this bangin’ new LP to be given out for FREE at the album launch, which is worth more than the $15 entrance fee (at least in regard to content!) at the spacious Kingsway Football Club on Skeit Road, Medely. Whatsmore, this is an ALL AGES event. Are you fucking kidding me? I can remember being an underage young’un wishing for dope all-ages hip hop shows and cursing the Jebus of hip hop for the rarity of such events. And for those of you that are grown-ups, alcohol is available for your drinking pleasure.
Featuring on stage will be (in order of appearance, kids) Petey, AKA & Freethought, Adam Wynne, Ranga, Defekt & Sever, Intelekt, Complete, Porsah Laine, Bitter Belief and finally, Aftershock. This is more hip hop than you can cram into your cranium for $15 anywhere else I can think of! So, all you young heads, polish off your kicks and your bedazzled straight-brimmed caps and get your butts down to the Kingsway Football Club, Saturday June 26th. The show kicks off at 6pm until 12:30am, and for all you broke-as-fuck sooks waiting for your next Centrelink payment, the club boasts cheap food and drinks to appease your need for sustenance. If you’re not there, your priorities are questionable. Except for mine of course, I have a legitimate excuse. Parenthood negates a hip hop show. I say that kinda regrettably. Cast your eyes downward for my interview with the lovely Blunt, talkin’ all things Aftershock.
Tell me about your new album that you will be launching on the night?
The new album is titled "So This Is Vandalism?”. The central theme is about Hip Hop, "Society's" opinion on it versus the people who live it. It questions the aesthetics of the art form and also its image in the media as it’s closely tied with graffiti, which is becoming more and more of an issue. Although we aren't proper graffers ourselves, it comes hand in hand with the culture, and we like to think that we represent the crews out there doing their thing and taking a stand for what they believe in. The title "So This Is Vandalism?" doesn't refer to just graffiti though, it’s to do with all of the hip hop culture, and is aimed at those who criticize the artform for what it is. The album features Mac Lethal (USA), Intelekt, Smiley, Verdikt, Bitter Belief, Porsah Laine and producers such as Chasm (AUS), Cochise (USA), Mysc and Enve (USA).
How long has this album been in the making?
The album is been in the making for around 6-12 months. However we [have] been sitting on the idea and planning it for 2 years. Tell me about your prelude release before this album? Who was involved?We released a prelude EP to this album titled "So What Is Vandalism?”. It featured Thorts, Complete and the FreekStyles.
(This is available to download online at http://www.myspace.com/dyversmusic)
Why did you change your name to Aftershock?
We were originally named Dyvers (pronounced “diverse”) and we changed our name for a few reasons, but the main one was after our music had changed and grown over such a long period of time it just wasn't fitting any more.
How do you and Mysc know each other?
We went to school together in primary and high school and were always good mates and hip hop was the main thing we have in common. In fact if we never rapped together we'd probably have went completely different ways in life.
What MC's inspire you when you write?
All the greats, Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, Nas, Rakim, Big L, Big Pun. But from Oz, Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso, Seth Sentry , MC Hard life lol.
Who are your favourite artists you've worked with and performed with?
There are many but obviously our crew, The Psych Ward. Hunter from SBX and Soma.
What’s your involvement with 'Unsigned Hype' DVD due to be released this year?
We had a single of the Dyvers-City mixtape named 'Rock With Me' which was just a throw back 90’s track to chill to. We filmed all of it in our local hood, being Maddington and The Ogdens Pub in Gosnells. Also off the same mixtape was a song named "It Wasn't Us" which featured Intelekt and Hunter from SBX, which Intelekt used as his song for the DVD, so luckily we got on the DVD twice.
(Yeah, me too, we know how to work the system. If you don’t know about Unsigned Hype DVD, check out the preview on youtube! It’s all WA and it’s all hip hop. Well. Sort of.)
What do you guys plan on making in the future?
Apart from a lot of gigs, we've already got a mixtape in the pipeline which will be featuring some really dope emcees from Perth and abroad, so it’s safe to say we aren't going anywhere.
Who, in your opinion, should we be keeping an eye on in WA? Who wins the all-round dopeness awards?
Aftershock lol. The Psych Ward, but also definitely Bitter Belief, the Down South Crew, and the FreekStyles or Delta Forse for a live set, they're awesome. The list could go on and on but them off the top of the head.
(Umm, I’m sure you meant to say Kadyelle? Geez Blunt, I gave you the perfect segway!)
-Kadyelle.
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