MC Lars at Nottingham Rock City, UK
Reviewed on Feb 15, 2006 by scary mary
MC Lars is a kid full of confidence and pride in his music; his programming skills are refreshing, and his lyrical ability puts most bands to shame. MC Lars mixes laptop produces beats with perfectly timed satirical lyrics which range in content from mp3 downloading to SAT test scores.
Andrew Nielson (AKA MC Lars Horris) bounds on stage for the opening track ‘Hurricane Fresh’ to a programmed intro which asks ‘will these kids like me?’ The evidence from the following 30 minute set points to the affirmative. It may take a few songs for the crowd to warm to MC Lars’ unusual music, but when they do they hang on every word.
‘Mr Raven’ is the first audience participation track of the evening which sees the crowd repeatedly scream ‘Mr. Raven’ and to MC Lars credit sees him evade the balls of rubbish thrown at him from the few malcontents in the crowd.
‘Stat 60’, MC Lars’ most techno based song goes down a storm creating en masse pogoing. MC Lar’s forthcoming single ‘Download this Song’ which features an Iggy Pop sample and chorus vocal sung by BFS’ Jared is the highlight of his set. A polemic against labels who sue kids for downloading music, MC Lars lyrically excels: ‘Hey Mr. Record man, still living off your back catalogue from 1982…’ the joke is indeed on you.
‘iGeneration’ and ‘Signing Emo’ round off the night with MC Lars bringing three audience members onstage to make up a parody version of the thankfully defunct emo band ‘Hearts that Hate’, whilst the emo filled audience ironically sing ‘die’ until they’re hoarse.
MC Lars’ set here tonight was a success, if not judged by the ecstatic crowd, certainly evident in the swarm of kids buying MC Lars merch after his set. This kid is on the up, good luck to him.
MC Lars’ new LP ‘The Graduate’ is out in May
MC Lars is touring the UK throughout May
