On Saturday, Nov. 4, Til-Two Club hosts an album release party for "Fists Like Gotti" by San Diego trio the Parker Meridien, featuring Nathan Hubbard on drums, John Rieder on bass, and Jack King (aka Parker Edison) on vocals.
They formed nearly two years ago following a performance that resulted from, "Parker getting a gig offer to promote his 'Meridien' EP," Hubbard says. "So we started by doing a live version of Parker's single 'Apefood,' several tracks from the 'Meridien' EP and a Public Enemy cover. The 'Fists Like Gotti' album came out of that process."
It's a hip-hop project that King describes as, "something experimental," with lead singles "Park City" and "40 Foot Tall" setting the tone -- two trippy head-nodders held together by sticky melodies and even stickier grooves.
A synthesis of lyricism and musicianship, it's also an exercise in minimalism, full of open space that allows the musicians room to roam, like on the aforementioned "40 Foot Tall," where Edison twists and stretches: "Game goes swift as Greyhound / I stayed in eight towns / In two nights, pushin' white / Dummy, this is my new life / In my old one, I was on one."
Indeed, these tracks are just a preview but by the sound of them, they've put together a raw, ear-catching debut, filled with vibrant energy, and constructed from an approach just slightly left of center.
The Parker Meridien headline Til-Two Club on Saturday, Nov. 4, with support from DJ Pnutz, Scribe Sayar, and Orko Elohiem. $5 cover, doors open at 9 p.m.
J. Smith, aka 1019, is a San Diego native, rap fan and one half of the rap duo Parker & the Numberman. You can follow him on Instagram at 1019_the_numberman or on Twitter
