Nerdcore Rising

D: Negin Farsad

One could argue that the Beastie Boys are the true progenitors of nerdcore (“Shadrach, Mesach, Abednago,” anyone?), but participants in this now-named genre (originally “nerdcore hip-hop”) orbit more specifically around tech and gaming geekery without bothering to aspire to any form of cool. Nerdcore Rising follows the national tour of MC Frontalot (Damian Hess), a polysyllabic rapper who wears a spelunking flashlight and seeks to one day “be both revered and passe like Madonna,” backed by a surprisingly capable nerd band. Amid live shots and slo-mo geek strut interludes, the nerdcore nation (including hip-hop producer/crossover nerd Prince Paul and a guy sporting a security-algorithm tee) discusses the nature of nerdery, music downloading, cultural appropriation, and Internet porn addiction. Wookie calls are made, persistent back pain is experienced, and a groupie is acquired; we also witness a time-lapsed, two-hour explanation of Magic: The Gathering. “The goal is to be funny without being a joke,” says one fan; Nerdcore Rising walks, and rocks, that line with skills to spare.

Friday, March 14, 1pm, ACC

This article appears in March 14 • 2008.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US