Concert Review: The Cool Kids @ The Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI 8/4/07

Are they old school? Are they new school? Are they really the ‘new black version of the Beastie Boys?’

If you don’t know who I’m referring to, they call themselves The Cool Kids, an up-and-coming hip-hop duo out of Chicago composed of two members: Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks.

“Sayonara to afros and old flows.”

Family, friends, hip-hop headz, music lovers, regulars, first timers, and everyone in between were all there to see them perform at The Blind Pig last Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ann Arbor is somewhat of a crossroads for Chicago and Detroit alike, a spot where everyone can meet in the middle. It has long been a resting spot for blues, Motown, punk and techno. The Blind Pig has hosted numerous famous acts: MC5, Bo Diddley, Nirvana, and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few.

On Saturday night, the 30-year-old nightclub hosted none other than The Cool Kids for their first Michigan performance. For Inglish, who was born in Detroit and raised in Mount Clemens, it was somewhat of a homecoming.

“Welcome to Bedrock.”

Bedrock indeed. The group hit the stage at about 12:30 a.m. after a long anticipation had been built up by the crowd. As Mikey encouraged everyone to “Come check the noise / It’s the new black version of the Beastie Boys,” they fittingly spun right into their own version of the Beasties’ “Paul Revere.”

They kept the crowd jumpin’ throughout their entire set. From the old school sounding “88” with heavy guitar and hollow snare, to the heavy bass-thumping “Flossin.’” They separated “people from the squares like a nicotine patch.”

Inglish, donned in Gucci frames and red Nikes, and Mikey, laced in gold chains and a pair of Jordan’s, rocked their newest jam “Pump Up The Volume” in true Eric B & Rakim form. And if you know anything about The Cool Kids, you know they love their bikes. (See: Black Mags)

“I gets busy as a bee with my bike grips.”

Speaking of gettin’ busy as a bee, that guy Mikey… he-he-he rocks. And if you don’t believe me, then kick rocks. “Action Figures” and “I Rock” (formerly known as “Mikey Rocks”) are a testament to that. Just look at this dude and the way he floss! Both jams were rocked in Ann Arbor that night.

The Cool Kids kept the crowd movin’ and dancin’ the entire show, because if your friends don’t dance, then they ain’t no friends of mine. They handled their biz till they had the achin’ ribs. With a different level of coolness than most kids, the “C-O-O-L-K-I-D-S” have begun their takeover. Are you ready? The music speaks for itself. Head to the polls for the voting.

Check them out at: Their Myspace page, Mikey Rocks Myspace Page, and Chuck Inglish’s Myspace page.

*All photos by Mike D’Orazio

Also read this review @ http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/08/07/092801.php

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