DJ Rah2k & The Empire Present Mistah FAB, I Found My Backpack. Apparently, the hyphy movement is dead. So says Mistah FAB in the opener to his new mixtape, a surprisingly defensive eulogy called “Blame Me.” Rapping over a hypnotic, down-tempo beat supplied by Droop E, FAB snaps back at his detractors, owns up to his yellow-bus antics, and reestablishes himself as a common man rapper. It’s a change for the better. (Faeva Afta)
At the Rockit Room (406 Clement St., San Francisco) on Saturday, Mar. 5. 9 p.m., $15, $20
The B Stars, Behind the Barn with the B Stars. It’s not every honky-tonk band that opens an album with a paean to a tattoo-less woman. Singer Greg Yanito can’t help but sound disappointed as he croons over a double-time bass line: No hearts, no birds, no four-letter dirty words. Humor notwithstanding, the B Sides often bemoan the ugly side of human relationships. But their music is rickety and pure. (Rust Belt Recordings)
At Amnesia (853 Valencia St., San Francisco) on Thursday, Mar. 31. 9 p.m.
Nobunny, Raw Romance. The two latest releases from trash-rock star Nobunny originally dropped on cassette, but this week the singer regaled us with a full twelve-track disc of demos, complete with hand-claps and bizarre samples. His tambourine and guitar overtake his vocals on most songs, which give them a rough-demo quality. His voice is a scratched, pixelated croak. (Burger)
At the Knockout (3223 Mission St., San Francisco) on Wednesday, Feb. 9. 9 p.m., $10.
Dum Spiro Spero, Illegitimus Non Carborundum. It turns out there’s no reason to be intimidated by the completely incomprehensible title of this disc. It’s actually catchy, worldish folk music composed for a five-member string band, whose instruments include banjo, saw, bass, and violin. Bowie Johnson sings in an unfussy alto, harmonizing with bassist Rik Murray. “Eleven Arrows” is pure mountain hamlet swing. (I Am We Productions)
Dum Spiro Spero|Rik Murray|Bowie Johnson|Nobunny|Burger Records|Mistah FAB|Droop E|DJ Rah2K|Faeva Afta|The B Stars|Greg Yanito|Rust Belt Recordings
Local Licks
This week we review Mistah FAB, The B Stars, NoBunny, and Dum Spiro Spero.
By Rachel Swan
Mistah FAB|The B Stars|Nobunny
Rockit Room|Amnesia|
