Death Grips - Echoplex - December 6, 2012

By Katrina Nattress Fri., Dec. 7 2012 at 9:38 AM

Categories: Hip-Hop, Last Night

Katrina Nattress

Death Grips
The Echoplex
12/6/12

Better Than...a quick, aggressive fuck in a public bathroom

It's been a turbulent year for noise-rap duo Death Grips, whose label Epic Records were poised to release their debut album The Money Store before the band leaked their work No Love Deep Web without Epic's consent. The album has a picture of member Zach Hill's dong on the cover. Oh, and they also canceled a 30-day tour when they were at the pinnacle of their buzz.

Katrina Nattress

So there was much anticipation last night at the Echoplex; a swarm of eager fans squished up next to the stage, awaiting MC Ride and Hill. The Sacramento-based twosome hit the stage quietly; Hill went over to his drum kit, cigarette in mouth, and MC Ride took his place at the front. They looked at each other, stripped off their shirts, and exploded.

For the duration of the 45 minute set, the tatted MC Ride flailed, gyrated, and banged his head, flinging sweat everywhere. He collapsed on the ground, slamming it with his hands, and jumped into the audience, embracing the sea of hands grabbing at him. Hill pounded his kit like he was trying to destroy it, occasionally standing up to pound with even more force.

Katrina Nattress

Following a recording of Hill-produced beats, Death Grips tore through selections from their mixtapes and albums, which sounded even better live. "Get Got" became more schizophrenic as MC Ride shook his body dramatically, and "Guillotine" impressed as well.

The set closed with "Lock Your Doors," and after Hill gave a quick "thank you," the two gathered their crumpled shirts and left the stage, without appeasing the crowd with an encore. Not having done much in the way of interviews this year (though this one was good), you'd think MC Ride and Hill would have something to say. But their unpredictability continued last night, and that's probably how most folks preferred it.