F.ar F.rom Y.a A.verage

So everyone knows that I LOVE supporting local music and sometimes "local-ish" music as well, but I am VERY selective about who I'm hyping up. If you see them here its because I see something that I feel needs to be shared with everyone. Now I know I'm not the all knowing OZ and that not everyone will agree with me because we all have differing opinions, but usually I tend to have a common ground with most music listeners out there. That being said most people know that I am a "MUSIC SNOB" especially when it comes to Hip-Hop. I used to listen to a lot of "Crap-Rap" & "Gangsta-Rap" when I was in high school, which actually have more in common than they might think. Allow me to explain..

"GANGSTA-RAP":
Gangsta rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths.Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts.... more

"CRAP-RAP":

music which "tries" very hard to become real rap, but sadly it doesnt make the grade. many new "Rap Songs" seem to be landing into this category, songs such as "Crank Dat", "King Kong" and "Chicken Noodle Soup" have landed in the thick of the Crap Rap Action... also noted are the TERRIBLE dances which tend to be associated with the songs..more...
Thank you Wikipedia...

A lot of the "artists" now a days fall into both of these horrible genres of "music". Some of them even made tracks that defined times in our lives, but as a whole they have no staying power. This is why over the last 10 years, with the help of my wife, I have found myself stepping farther and farther away from the "main stream" music scene and relying more my "Underground" and local musicians to keep me groovin'. This brings me to the title of this post. Far From Ya Average of FFYA is a San Diego based "Hip-Hop" group, that I want all my true COOL BIRDS to give a listen to and show some love!

 Their debut CD "Introducing...The LP" from Hyperbomb Records/ Def Jam Digital/2011 Raw Gully Entertainment is almost like a trip down the "Memory Lane" of Hip-Hop. The beats alone are like a time machine back to a time when Hip-Hop was good, back to a time when it took 2 to make a thing go right and Rappers where Delighted to bring you dope party tracks. Back to a time when "sampling" wasn't so common placed, and when it was used they were paying homage to the original artists not adding an extra "half beat" to claim it as original (see Vanilla Ice). Now that's not to say that FFYA didn't sample on the album, but they DID do it with RESPECT and it WASN'T 90% of their album. As a matter of fact, most of the album has original beats....BIG PLUS IN MY BOOK!!! There are few things I hate more when it comes to music, than an over produced and sample packed album. BE ORIGINAL!!!

Before I let you hear some of their music let me give you a bit of info about FFYA..a bio if you will, straight from their own words. I give you FFYA...

Far From Ya Average was created with the sole purpose of bringing a

new and exciting form of hip hop to the world. They refuse to stay

inside the box and their style fully represents that statement. Fans

of any genre of music, from jazz to metal, can find something to love

in the sound created by these San Diego, California residents. Created

in 2008 by K-Rock and Stryve, F.F.Y.A. has set out to become a hip hop

collective of sorts...boasting collaborations with a truly eclectic

mix of MC's and recording artists. After bringing Hypebomb's own

Defshon into the fold, they truly have become an unstoppable force.

They have been consistently rocking shows with truly unforgettable

performances in many different Southern California venues and clubs

and are in the process of finishing their debut album. K-Rock and

Defshon handle most of the production duties bringing elements of

their own unique influences so that the music stays as eclectic as the

lyricism. They are a part of the NO CEO: I'm My Own Boss hip hop

movement born in San Diego and currently spreading across the US so

look for F.F.Y.A. to rock a venue near you soon!

These guys have a little something for everyone, weather its the party crowd with tracks like "FIRE" or something a little deeper like "DARK ALLEY", FFYA will make your head bob.  I will admit that I'm always real sketchy about a lot of San Diego "Hip-Hop" because I get it pushed on me everywhere from the local burger joint to the streets of downtown, and most of it really sucks. I was however surprised at how well this album was put together. It has a good mix of songs ranging from the West Coast "sign tossers" to grimey "battle tracks" that can almost put you in a fight mode. Overall I would give this album a strong  8 out of 10, based on beats, album flow, and lyrics. Each song was stronger than the next and if you get a chance to see them you should, and if you don't find yourself grooving...well then you might want to get your pulse checked. 

If you want to look them up and do more listening here are the links to all their work so far as well as Facebook and Twitter info and booking info too..

Our artist page is at: www.reverbnation.com/

farfromyaaverage

Soundcloud page: www.soundcloud.com/

farfromyaaverage

Twitter: @FantomRock

Find us on Facebook at "Far From Ya Average"

Artist email: Ken Erwin/ alecempire999@gmail.com

Label email: Shontaye Lucas/ shoshot77@yahoo.com

Management email: VS Promotions/ vic2dao@yahoo.com

 

Well there you have it, my latest artist review. PLEASE support local artists everywhere!!! Until next time...

Editor & Chief of The Penguin Gazette,

Rudy  

Feb's "DmB" Winner

Well COOLBIRDS its that time again where I introduce you to the great artist behind this month's "DmB" (Design my Blog) contest! I swear these logo's get better and better every time and I just keep receiving more and more entries....AND I LOVE EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!!! My Penguins are the BOMB (circa 1995)!!!! Now onto the intro...

This month's logo is a very playful picture showing me getting ketchup'd by a wonderfully bald artist by the name of Frank Jordan of Company Man Comics. This daily updated comic (yeesh, over achiever much? lol!) takes stabs at everything in the headlines including government, by making them easy for even us......hmmmm....we'll say "Politically Challenged" individuals. Here are a couple of examples..click to make bigger..REALLY FUNNY STUFF!!! (For a character list click here)

See I told you!!! I recently caught up with Frank via the almighty internets and asked him a few questions. Seeing as how he knows himself better than I do, I think I should let him do the talking. Here we go...

Name: Frank Jordan

Age: 37

Where do you live: Phoenix, AZ

When did you start your comic and what inspired you to do it? 

I started Company Man Comic back in 2000. I haven't drawn a thing in a couple of years prior and my GF at the time got me a sketchbook. She wrote in it that she believed in me and that there's inspiration all around me. One day I was on the bus going to work and the bus stopped at a light. I looked up and had seen three 30 something guys in shirts and ties playing Hackey-Sack. I just wondered what their office life is like. I started roughing out 3 characters from those guys in the sketchbook and that was the start of it all. 

Out of all the comics you've written, which one would you say you're most proud of and which one is your favorite? (please send link) 

I'm proud of this one I did to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. http://companymancomic.
com/stripview.asp?strip=1292  This one I did a 'What if they mated?' kinda thing... I love it!  http://companymancomic.
com/stripview.asp?strip=1289 

Where do you see yourself (in relation to your comic life) in 2 and 3/4 years from now? (thats 2 and 3 quarters, gotta be random)

 I see myself being a welcomed guest and panel speaker at San Diego Comic Con. No longer will I have to get a registration like the regular nerds LOL!
What did you think of this contest process and will you tell others about it?

 I thought it was cool and fun! I've already told folks about it.

 What is the last thing you want to be known for saying or doing or both?

I want to be known for giving people that 'Spit your coffee out when you read my strip' reaction and of course, making people laugh.

Lastly, do you have any questions for me? Do you do a webcomic? 

Oh and I guess more lastlier (lol) is there anything else you want to tell my readers, which will probably soon be your readers soon? Check out Company Man Comic! It's updated Monday-Friday and it's more fun than your last team meeting! 

To answer your question Frank, no I don't "webcomic". I draw a lot, but I'm not too thrilled with how scanning my work looks. I need to find a good computer program to use or app for my tablet, until I can find that I will just have to stick with pencil and paper. So what if it's a little "old-fangled" I like it.

Well guys and girls that wraps up another wonderful "DmB" artist interview, PLEASE go check out Frank at Company Man Comics and browse the vast library of funny, witty and extremely clever comics that will delight you all! Follow him on twitter too, its the best way to keep up on his greatness! Frank, my friend, you are and always will be a COOL BIRD 4 LIFE!!!

Editor & Chief of The Penguin Gazette,

Rudy