Kids Shows. I picture a room full of executives creating programming for the ‘Ages 1 to 5’ set like this: Dimly lit room that smells of cigarette smoke, Rogaine, and bad intentions. Around the table are a conglomeration of pale skinned characters who look like they either work for the IRS, or are involved in Organized Crime. Their leader, a husky voiced woman who resembles Danny Devito, says things like, “How do we shut these kids up in 30 minute blocks?,” and then the whole room proceeds to maniacally laugh as they plot to destroy us all. End Scene.
I have probably watched more kids shows over the years than the program director for Nickelodeon. For Example: I know WAY too much information. I know the name of Dora’s pet monkey. I know the exact height and weight of Clifford the Big Red Dog. I know how Perry the Platypus takes his coffee. Heck, I even heard a rumor that Sid the Science Kid cheats on his taxes (You can’t claim your toy microphone as a dependent, homeboy).
I even find myself curiously drawn into the “plot lines” on occasion. Me: “Bella, why does Binky look so sad and why won’t he talk to Arthur? Is it his schoolwork or is it that his head looks like a 10 pound sack of potatoes?” However!, I have to draw the line somewhere. And for me, that line stops with the engines of Sodor.
Unfortunately, my horrifically wonderful 2-year old, Teddy has taken a real shine to Thomas. Theoretically, I support this. Come on, Coal-Powered locomotives doing masculine, blue collar work all day? That sounds like the bomb. The problem is that they’ve apparently hired a crack team of chimpanzees to write their episodes. And I may be missing the point, but why are these paranoid Choo Choo’s always so concerned with “looking silly”? And why are 10 ton trains scared of the fat guy in the top hat? Does he abuse them when no one’s watching? These are questions that need answers, gosh darnit! Perhaps, the programs British undertones confuse my simple American mind. Regardless, something’s gotta give.
Three weeks ago, I made a concerted effort to block the audio out and read a magazine while it’s on. I thought I had been successful until this past Sunday. I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night in a full sweat screaming, “Oh my Buffers!!!” Two days later, I stubbed my toe on the stairs and yelled out, “Fizzling Fireboxes!” Now, to be fair, that’s probably better than other things I could have said, but I’m a grown man and this just won’t do.
I do hope that you’ll put me on your prayer chain, list, etc. We are good, relatively sane people and need all the help we can get. Please pray for my wife, Mary as well. The other day, I overheard her singing the Max and Ruby theme song in the shower.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg “Manchild” Owens
Anonymous asked: What is your favorite beat made by Dust? What is your favorite beat of all time (regardless of producer)?
Favorite beat by Dust. Hmmm. Good question. Really hard to nail that down because I’m so moved by what he does. I LOVE “Will Not be Sold” that was on the PnD record. I always love rhyming on his production. It’s really more than music with me and him. I think there’s something pretty outstanding in the chemistry when we make music. Favorite Dust beat might just be something off the new record we’re working on!!!
Favorite beat of all time. Again, tough to say. I have a real affinity for “Bridging the Gap” because I think it was such a special song for Nas, but again, tough to nail down.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg “Manchild” Owens
Anonymous asked: Will Deepspace5 ever tour nationally? My favorite collective never comes out West.
Anonymous,
Deepspace5, as a collective…touring…in a word…No. It’s really a logistical issue at this point. You’re talking about 10 grown men, only 3 of which do Music full-time at this point, coming from 5 different states. The other 7 of us have full-time jobs, so weekends are our only real option. We’ve been approached a couple of times about doing weekend shows, but the cost to bring us in is pretty substantial, as you can imagine. So, if anyone out there has a wealthy benefactor and a love for underground hip-hop and would like to fund a DS5 reunion show, let us know. We’re down.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg “Manchild” Owens
After 14 years, We’ve decided to make this one available. Grab your piece of Deepspace5 history in this classic EP by the Pride. Soul Heir the Manchild (Glad I shortened that name), Sintax and High Tech the Recon put this thing together with help on production by Jendor the Praying Mantis. I personally got pretty nostalgic listening to these songs the past couple of days.
$5 for the Download, $10 for the CD (Includes Shipping).
Thanks to Jason “High Tech” High for digging out the old DAT tape and pulling this together with me. Thanks to Joe “Sintax” Brewer for having raps that hold up over time and probably having the best head of hair in DS5.
Thanks to Mikey Dooks at www.seraphimaesthetics.com for the Artwork and Layout. As always, he’s a lifesaver.
We hope you enjoy.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg Manchild Owens
Black Wednesday to Black Friday
Yes, we all know about Black Friday, But I wanted to get the jump on things this week.
From NOW until Midnight, Friday, 11/25, ALL Album Downloads at www.manchild.bandcamp.com and www.marsill.bandcamp.com are only $4 !
Blue Collar Session Download is $2
It’s your shot to fill up your Ipod with the illest catalogue and not break the bank.
Plus, you don’t have to wait in line at 3am.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg “Manchild” Owens
I just wanted to take a second to put a plug in for my man, Mike Tandiama and Seraphim Aesthetics. For the past couple of years, most visuals, album art website help has been handled by mike. Super professional, unbelievably quick turn-around and integrity coming out of his ears. If you need work done, he’s the guy.
http://www.facebook.com/Seraphim.aesthetics
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg Manchild Owens
Wow. This one was…It was heavensent. I don’t know how lucky a blogger can get. Get a napkin. You may have to wipe the cheese from your computer screen.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg Manchild Owens
Too Clever Church Signs
I almost wrecked the car when I saw this baby. Had to do a U-turn and snap the photo.
This is Wordplay at its finest.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg “Manchild” Owens
Anonymous asked: Did you guys ever have the chance to sign with a label like Def Jux or Rhymesayers? If so, why did you decide to pass on the deal?
Anonymous,
We did a one-off deal with ILL Boogie,which, at the time, was distributed through Caroline like Def Jux and Subverse were at the time. We also were talking with Bigg Jus about doing a deal with Subverse (his label) before he walked away from that situation. We ultimately decided to do our deal with Gotee because they caught the vision and had everything we were looking for. We didn’t necessarily want to send out a grip of packets and “get signed” just to be a B-level artist on a label we had no personal connection with.
The truth is, in full…a label is a label. Some better than others, of course. I have no complaints with who we rolled with.
Deepspace5 Recordings is still alive, though.
Life Don’t Rhyme,
Greg Manchild Owens
