MC Chris, The Gaskets rock Raygun

Disc jockey and rapper Chris Ward , aka MC Chris, headlined a concert at Nanci Raygun last Tuesday night. Other acts that night included DJ Krames, Luggage, and The Gaskets.

DJ Krames spins every Thursday night at Nanci Raygun. His influences include Mix Master Mike, DJ Q-bert, and 2-Trip.

His spinning served as the background noise as people started pouring into the club. He also spun between the other acts.

Next up was the local rap group Luggage, whose members, OXE Nfinity and Ben FM, described their style as underground rap. Their influences include ‘Lil Wayne and Danzig.

Having performed in Richmond for about five years, they have become regulars at Nanci Raygun. What is their motivation to perform? “We owe money to VCU, that’s why we need to succeed in the rap game.”

Their repetitive rhymes were interrupted only by them forgetting their own lyrics. Forgetting the words to your own song sounds bad and kills the mood. Their new album is called “Sign/us Pressure.”

The Gaskets isn’t a band you can easily define. “Synth-pop-hair-techno” is how the Gaskets put it, but that doesn’t do them justice.

The Gaskets were polished, energetic, and entertaining in a way that’s becoming rarer in today’s indie music. Teddy, the lead singer, was dancing and signing in a way that would make Ashlee Simpson ashamed she calls herself an artist.

The Gaskets are also MC Chris fans. They pulled the strings to get Chris to add Raygun to his tour list.

MC Chris, aka. MC pee pants from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, got his start as a writing and film student. He grew up in Libertyville, a suburb 30 miles north of Chicago. Not the most athletic growing up, he quickly identified himself as a nerd. Chris’ rapping was backed up by the talented DJ John, who did all his spinning using an Apple iBook.

Chris got his start making tracks and putting them on the Internet, while also writing for shows on Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim.” Since Chris got his start on the internet, he gives Internet downloads a thumbs up.

“It’s free publicity; a lot of kids download some songs and then buy a $20 shirt from my Web site,” he said.

Chris’s new album out now is called “Eating’s Not Cheating.” Chris said he chose the title because it represents to him that indulgence in itself isn’t a sin.

As for Chris’ involvement with Cartoon Network, he said, “I quit because I got a record deal (with DC flag records).

“Every one was cool, and I’ll miss working there.” Chris said he was recording some new dialog that will be in the upcoming seasons of “Adult Swim.”

His performance last Tuesday at Nanci Raygun was stellar. When Chris walked on stage, the first thing his said to the crowd was: “Hey there is a kid in a wheelchair in a chair in back, can you guys clear a path so we can bring him up front?”

He had a noticeable affection for the crowd. The crowd had been pulsing with excitement as Chris came on stage to play. They even began chanting his name in anticipation. John Ingram, a MC Chris fan, said he came to the show “because I love MC Chris’s loins.”

The Raygun performance was Chris’ second show ever. While he’s been on the internet for years, Chris is brand new at performing live. Considering his performance last night, I still find that almost impossible to believe.

After the tour, MC Chris hopes to collaborate with fellow rapper MC Frontalot and perform at the Penny Arcade Expo later this year. Details are all in the works, so if it does indeed happen, you heard it here first.