Album Notes

SUCKAPUNCH | PSYCHOPATH SOCIETY
 
Sometimes things happen because they're supposed to, sometimes things happen because they're forced to. Think adaptation, evolution, or when humankind discovered the elements and an understanding will arise about the birth of Suckapunch, because they happened right on time...
 

Emerging in 2002 from a painful void where hip-hop was rarely saying anything anymore, Suckapunch immediately made an impression with razor-sharp socio-political acumen and an intelligent production of infectious electronic rhythms. After opening for the mighty KRS-One early on in their career, Portland's Music Liberation Project was left reeling, "Suckapunch... out-performed even the headliner." Although the press made the statement, Keith Schreiner and Mic Crenshaw, the core of Suckapunch, have backed up these words with their second and latest record, Psychopath Society. The talent and the cause is blatant with tasty dancefloor grooves like the remixed "Success" and body pounding "Heavy Gang Terror" being added to the Suckapunch catalog.
 
The musicians behind Suckapunch are as much a surprise mix as the sounds the group emits. Keith Schreiner and Mic Crenshaw both brought flourishing solo careers to the table. Keith had left the path toward a phD to pursue the uncertain freedoms that the life of an artist can afford. While serving as the backbone of Portland's club darlings Dahlia, Schreiner eventually found himself offering his talents and gracing the boards for a colorful production slate that included everyone from the Dj DRC to the award winning film soundtrack to the occularust to sessions for Sheryl Crow.
 
Meanwhile, Mic Crenshaw was proving his worth in the world of words, fronting the well-established Hungry Mob and taking top spot at Portland's 2001 Poetry Slam Championships. Although entrenched in hip hop, Mic also possesses a deep love for rock, and these elements appear in Suckapunch's sound through the infusion of guitar virtuoso Dale Morris, who received his formal training by gigging with the world's best gospel and blues singers. The result is pure Suckapunch: raw, organic, methodical, blended and purposeful beats saturated with conscious fire.
 
Impossible to be characterized under a single CD superstore classification, Suckapunch draws upon and manipulates everything from hip-hop, trip-hop, break-beat, drum and bass, to rock. All the while, they're dousing your ear with a political lyrical kick so strong and informed, they could easily be mistaken for agents of espionage on behalf of the working man. Suckapunch ferociously exposes everything from poverty, race, and social lethargy, to the war machine, corporate capitalism, bigotry, and beyond.
 
While their freshman record, 2004's Pocket Change Philosophy certainly played it's part in turning people's heads and challenging numbed minds, the timing and intensity of their sophomore effort goes one further by offering the solutions. Psychopath Society is poised to gather, inspire, and unite a generation of free thinkers and booty shakers that are not only looking forward to a brighter future, but are willing to do what it takes to make it happen.
 
"It's a global movement...so consider this recruitment!"

http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=5410

http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=5854