Busdriver
Encyclopedia
Busdriver is a rapper from Los Angeles
currently signed to Epitaph Records
and Fake Four Inc
, one of the earliest films focusing on hip hop culture. Farquhar began rapping at age 9, and by 13 he had released his first album, as part of the group 4/29. At the age of 15, he attended open-mic nights at the Good Life Cafe in 1993. A regular at the Project Blowed
open mic during the mid-1990s, he would be introduced to fellow underground artists, leading him to being a guest on at least 20 singles. He first recorded in 1995 with Chillin Villain Empire, and was featured on Fat Jack's Cater to the DJ in 1999.
Busdriver released his first album, Memoirs of the Elephant Man, in 2001, followed by This Machine Kills Fashion Tips and Temporary Forever
in 2002. 2003 brought a collaboration with fellow underground artists Radioinactive
and Daedelus for the experimental LP The Weather
. He followed those albums with 2004's Cosmic Cleavage
(produced by longtime collaborator Daddy Kev
) and Fear of a Black Tangent
in 2005, which included a sample of the song "Turtles Have Short Legs" by Can
on the track "Avantcore". In 2005 he was also enlisted (along with Vic Booz and Subtitle
(now Giovanni Marks)) as a "Corn Ganggster", rapping with The Unicorns
' offshoot project, Th' Corn Gangg
. He later appeared on the Islands
' album Return to the Sea
, on the song "Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone." Nicholas Thorburn
once again worked with Busdriver featuring him on the track, "Crony Island," from Reefer's self-titled debut released in November 2008. Busdriver's last two albums have been released on Epitaph Records
, including his most recent album, Jhelli Beam
, which came out in June 2009. In late 2010 he released a free mixtape called Computer Cooties.
A single from his upcoming album, as of yet untitled, was released on Polyvinyl Records in April 2011. The single features the song "Ass To Mouth" and was printed on a limited run of blue vinyl. In 2010, Busdriver started a band, Physical Forms, with a former member of The Mae Shi
, Jeff Byron. The band has been described as "DIY punk" and "experimental pop" with members of the band displaying a reluctance to label their sound. Busdriver is the singer in the group and writes most of the music with Byron and other members. Physical Forms released a split 7" with Deerhoof
on Polyvinyl Records called Hoofdriver. An album is due in late 2011. Another project of Busdriver's in 2011 is a duo called Flash Bang Granada, a collaboration with rapper Nocando
. As of March 2011, an album is rumored to be near completion.
Busdriver gained a small amount of mainstream recognition when "Imaginary Places
", from Temporary Forever, appeared in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground
in 2003.
Busdriver has worked with MCs such as MC Paul Barman
, Aceyalone
, Myka 9
, Abstract Rude
, 2Mex, Rifleman Ellay Khule, and the band Toca, among others. His primary producers have been Paris Zax, Daedelus, Daddy Kev
, Omid, Nobody, Fat Jack, Loden
and Boom Bip
. He was also featured on Z-Trip's album Shifting Gears
. He's also worked on two albums with DJ D-Styles.
Busdriver is the executive producer of the album Watergate
for the rap group Thirsty Fish made up of fellow Project Blowed
artists Psychosiz
, Dumbfoundead
, and Open Mike Eagle.
Busdriver was on an episode of Blind Date in which he was completely shy and awkward.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
currently signed to Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
and Fake Four Inc
Fake Four Inc
Fake Four Inc. is an independent record label based in New Haven, CT. It was founded in 2008 by Ceschi and David Ramos. According to an interview with Ceschi on Ugsmag.com, the Ramos brothers started Fake Four with help from San Bernardino, California's Grimm Image Records and Dayton, Ohio's Squids...
History
Born in Los Angeles, he was introduced to hip hop at an early age, his father Ralph Farquhar being the screenwriter for the film Krush GrooveKrush Groove
Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
, one of the earliest films focusing on hip hop culture. Farquhar began rapping at age 9, and by 13 he had released his first album, as part of the group 4/29. At the age of 15, he attended open-mic nights at the Good Life Cafe in 1993. A regular at the Project Blowed
Project Blowed
Project Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
open mic during the mid-1990s, he would be introduced to fellow underground artists, leading him to being a guest on at least 20 singles. He first recorded in 1995 with Chillin Villain Empire, and was featured on Fat Jack's Cater to the DJ in 1999.
Busdriver released his first album, Memoirs of the Elephant Man, in 2001, followed by This Machine Kills Fashion Tips and Temporary Forever
Temporary Forever
Temporary Forever is an abstract rap album by hip hop artist Busdriver. It was released in 2002 on the Temporary Whatever label.-Album information:...
in 2002. 2003 brought a collaboration with fellow underground artists Radioinactive
Radioinactive
Radioinactive is an underground hip hop artist from Los Angeles. He has released a number of solo albums, as well as collaborating with artists such as Busdriver, Daedelus and Antimc. He is currently signed to Stranger Touch Records, from which Soundtrack to a Book was released in 2006...
and Daedelus for the experimental LP The Weather
The Weather
The Weather is a collaboration album among Busdriver, Radioinactive and Daedelus, released on February 18, 2003. Fitting in with the style of music each artist is known for, it can described as alternative hip hop with avant-garde and experimental influences...
. He followed those albums with 2004's Cosmic Cleavage
Cosmic Cleavage
Cosmic Cleavage is an album by Busdriver, released in 2004 on the Big Dada record label.-Track listing:...
(produced by longtime collaborator Daddy Kev
Daddy Kev
Daddy Kev is a prolific underground hip-hop and electronic music producer, recording engineer and record label owner. Pitchfork describes him as "one of the Los Angeles underground's most visionary producers.....
) and Fear of a Black Tangent
Fear of a Black Tangent
Fear of a Black Tangent is an abstract rap album by Busdriver. Two of the songs feature other rappers such as Abstract Rude and Ellay Khule. Several other artists were instrumental in the production of this album; "Reheated Pop!" was produced by Omid, "Unemployed Black Astronaut" by Paris Zax,...
in 2005, which included a sample of the song "Turtles Have Short Legs" by Can
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
on the track "Avantcore". In 2005 he was also enlisted (along with Vic Booz and Subtitle
Subtitle (rapper)
Subtitle is a Los Angeles based rapper/producer who is known both for his solo work and his collaborations, both with other rappers and bands such as Islands and The Mars Volta.- Career :...
(now Giovanni Marks)) as a "Corn Ganggster", rapping with The Unicorns
The Unicorns
The Unicorns were a Lo-Fi/Indie Pop band from Montreal, Canada formed in December 2000 by Nicholas Thorburn and Alden Penner , who were later joined by Jamie Thompson in December 2003.-History:...
' offshoot project, Th' Corn Gangg
Th' Corn Gangg
Th' Corn Gangg is an indie pop/hip hop band from Montreal, Canada. The band was founded by Jamie Thompson and Nicholas Thorburn as a direct off-shoot project of The Unicorns several months prior to their December 2004 break-up, but prior to the formation of Islands by those same two musicians.Th'...
. He later appeared on the Islands
Islands (band)
Islands is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.-Return to the Sea:In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April 2006...
' album Return to the Sea
Return to the Sea
Return to the Sea is the full-length debut by indie rock band Islands. It was released April 4, 2006 on Equator Records.The cover painting is "The Sea of Ice" by Caspar David Friedrich, 1824.-Track listing:# "Swans " – 9:31...
, on the song "Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone." Nicholas Thorburn
Nicholas Thorburn
Nicholas Thorburn is a Canadian musician who has fronted The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway. He has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."...
once again worked with Busdriver featuring him on the track, "Crony Island," from Reefer's self-titled debut released in November 2008. Busdriver's last two albums have been released on Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
, including his most recent album, Jhelli Beam
Jhelli Beam
Jhelli Beam is the eighth studio album by American rapper Busdriver. It was released on June 9, 2009.-Tracklisting:...
, which came out in June 2009. In late 2010 he released a free mixtape called Computer Cooties.
A single from his upcoming album, as of yet untitled, was released on Polyvinyl Records in April 2011. The single features the song "Ass To Mouth" and was printed on a limited run of blue vinyl. In 2010, Busdriver started a band, Physical Forms, with a former member of The Mae Shi
The Mae Shi
The Mae Shi are an experimental punk band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002.-History:The band was formed by Tim Byron and Ezra Buchla, who had known each other for years, having spent time growing up in the Los Angeles suburb of Claremont together—Jeff Byron and Buchla were classmates at...
, Jeff Byron. The band has been described as "DIY punk" and "experimental pop" with members of the band displaying a reluctance to label their sound. Busdriver is the singer in the group and writes most of the music with Byron and other members. Physical Forms released a split 7" with Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
on Polyvinyl Records called Hoofdriver. An album is due in late 2011. Another project of Busdriver's in 2011 is a duo called Flash Bang Granada, a collaboration with rapper Nocando
Nocando
Nocando is a West Coast battle rapper and member of the hip hop group Customer Service. He is the 2007 Scribble Jam champion, host of Los Angeles club the Low-End Theory, and is currently on Alpha Pup Records....
. As of March 2011, an album is rumored to be near completion.
Busdriver gained a small amount of mainstream recognition when "Imaginary Places
Imaginary Places
"Imaginary Places" is a single released by Busdriver on his album Temporary Forever. This song is featured in the video games Tony Hawk's Underground and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX....
", from Temporary Forever, appeared in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground, abbreviated to THUG, is a skateboarding video game, available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox platforms released in 2003. A PC version was released exclusively in Australia as a budget release in 2005. This version was ported by Beenox. In 2004,...
in 2003.
Busdriver has worked with MCs such as MC Paul Barman
MC Paul Barman
Paul Nathaniel Barman better known as MC Paul Barman is a Jewish- American emcee from Ridgewood, New Jersey, who attended Brown University....
, Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
, Myka 9
Myka 9
Myka 9 is a musician/rapper from Los Angeles.-History:Originally known as Microphone Mike, in the 80s he was a member of the MC Aces with Aceyalone and Spoon Iodine. As one of the founding members of Freestyle Fellowship, Myka 9 was instrumental in the scene at the Good Life Cafe in the early 90s...
, Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude is an American rapper, from Los Angeles, CA. He is the MC for the hip hop group Abstract Tribe Unique , alongside dancers Zulu Butterfly Prince and Irie Lion Locks, Turntablist DJ Drez, and Underground Hip Hop producer, Fat Jack...
, 2Mex, Rifleman Ellay Khule, and the band Toca, among others. His primary producers have been Paris Zax, Daedelus, Daddy Kev
Daddy Kev
Daddy Kev is a prolific underground hip-hop and electronic music producer, recording engineer and record label owner. Pitchfork describes him as "one of the Los Angeles underground's most visionary producers.....
, Omid, Nobody, Fat Jack, Loden
Loden (musician)
Loden is the alias of Belgium based producer Jolan Koks. He started getting attention after releasing on Dutch labels such as the now defunct , who also released his debut record Valeen Hope in 2005....
and Boom Bip
Boom Bip
Bryan Charles Hollon, better known as Boom Bip, is an American producer and musician. His music is mostly instrumental, but over the course of his career he has collaborated with several vocalists. He is currently signed to Lex Records, which, until 2005, was a division of Warp Records in the...
. He was also featured on Z-Trip's album Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears (DJ Z-Trip album)
Shifting Gears is the major label debut of Z-Trip, and the only release on Hollywood Records. It features guest artists such as Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Soup of Jurassic 5 and Chuck D of Public Enemy...
. He's also worked on two albums with DJ D-Styles.
Busdriver is the executive producer of the album Watergate
Watergate (album)
Watergate is the sophomore studio album by American rap group Thirsty Fish, released May 10, 2011 on Mush Records. The album is executive produced by Busdriver of Project Blowed and is a follow up to the 2007 album Testing the Waters.-Track listing:...
for the rap group Thirsty Fish made up of fellow Project Blowed
Project Blowed
Project Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
artists Psychosiz
Psychosiz
Michael Greenwood is an American video game designer known by the stage name Psychosiz as a West Coast rapper and member of hip hop groups Customer Service and Thirsty Fish....
, Dumbfoundead
Dumbfoundead
Jonathan Park , better known by his stage name Dumbfoundead, is a Korean American battle rapper originating from the Los Angeles Underground's Project Blowed...
, and Open Mike Eagle.
Busdriver was on an episode of Blind Date in which he was completely shy and awkward.
Studio Albums
- Memoirs of the Elephant Man (1999)
- This Machine Kills Fashion Tips (2002 compilation, recorded 1995-2001)
- Temporary ForeverTemporary ForeverTemporary Forever is an abstract rap album by hip hop artist Busdriver. It was released in 2002 on the Temporary Whatever label.-Album information:...
(2002) - Heavy Items Such As Books, Record Albums, ToolsHeavy Items Such As Books, Record Albums, ToolsHeavy Items Such As Books, Record Albums, Tools is an album by Los Angeles hip hop artist Busdriver. This full length album and was self released by the artist in 2003.-Track listing:...
(2003) - Cosmic CleavageCosmic CleavageCosmic Cleavage is an album by Busdriver, released in 2004 on the Big Dada record label.-Track listing:...
(2004) - Fear of a Black TangentFear of a Black TangentFear of a Black Tangent is an abstract rap album by Busdriver. Two of the songs feature other rappers such as Abstract Rude and Ellay Khule. Several other artists were instrumental in the production of this album; "Reheated Pop!" was produced by Omid, "Unemployed Black Astronaut" by Paris Zax,...
(2005) - RoadKillOvercoatRoadKillOvercoatRoadKillOvercoat is an abstract rap and alternative hip hop album by Busdriver. It was released on 30 January 2007 by Epitaph Records.-Track listing:...
(2007) - Jhelli BeamJhelli BeamJhelli Beam is the eighth studio album by American rapper Busdriver. It was released on June 9, 2009.-Tracklisting:...
(2009) - Computer CootiesComputer CootiesComputer Cooties is the ninth studio album by American rapper Busdriver. It was released on October 6, 2010. It was available on Busdriver's website for a limited time.-Tracklisting:# Thick Enough # Computer Cooties# Man Baby...
(2010) - Beaus$Eros (upcoming January 16, 2012)
Singles
- Imaginary PlacesImaginary Places"Imaginary Places" is a single released by Busdriver on his album Temporary Forever. This song is featured in the video games Tony Hawk's Underground and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX....
(2002) - AvantcoreAvantcore"Avantcore" is the second single by the underground hip-hop artist Busdriver from his album Fear of a Black Tangent. It was released January 18, 2005, through Mush Records. Includes a sample of the song "Turtles Have Short Legs" by Can on the track "Avantcore"...
(2005) - Take Two Copies with Z-Trip on Shifting GearsShifting Gears (DJ Z-Trip album)Shifting Gears is the major label debut of Z-Trip, and the only release on Hollywood Records. It features guest artists such as Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Soup of Jurassic 5 and Chuck D of Public Enemy...
Hollywood Records (2005) - Kill Your Employer (2006)
- Sun Shower (2007)
- Ellen Disingenuous (2008)
- Me-Time (With the Pulmonary Palimpsest) (2009)
- Leaf House (Animal CollectiveAnimal CollectiveAnimal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
cover) (2011)
Collaborations
- Busdriver Meets Daedelus - Live Airplane Food with Daedelus (2003)
- The WeatherThe WeatherThe Weather is a collaboration album among Busdriver, Radioinactive and Daedelus, released on February 18, 2003. Fitting in with the style of music each artist is known for, it can described as alternative hip hop with avant-garde and experimental influences...
with RadioinactiveRadioinactiveRadioinactive is an underground hip hop artist from Los Angeles. He has released a number of solo albums, as well as collaborating with artists such as Busdriver, Daedelus and Antimc. He is currently signed to Stranger Touch Records, from which Soundtrack to a Book was released in 2006...
and Daedelus (2003) - Live Radio Show with 2Mex (2004)
- Taxed Jumper (2006)
- BeatsWaySICK with ModeratModeratModerat is an electronic music project that originated in Berlin, Germany. It started as a collaboration between Sascha Ring, also known as Apparat, and Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary, also known as Modeselektor...
= Modeselektor + Apparat + Pfadfinderei (2009) - Party Rap Sucks - with ThemselvesThemselvesThemselves is an Oakland-based hip hop group, made up of rapper Doseone and producer Jel . Dax Pierson, from the affiliated group Subtle, has played keyboards for the group, though he is not considered an official member. To date, the group has released three full-length albums and two singles...
TheFREEhoudiniTheFREEhoudiniThe Free Houdini is the third album of original material from Oakland-based rap duo Themselves and a return after a six-year hiatus that saw the members spend the majority of their time on their other band Subtle...
(2009) - Hoofdriver with DeerhoofDeerhoofDeerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
(2010) - Pretentious Friends with ModeselektorModeselektorModeselektor is an electronic music band formed in Berlin, featuring Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary. The group draws heavily from IDM, glitch, Electro house and hip hop. In an interview the group said regarding their sound: "Happy metal, hard rap, country-ambient, Russian crunk. We don’t like...
(2011) - 10 Haters NocandoNocandoNocando is a West Coast battle rapper and member of the hip hop group Customer Service. He is the 2007 Scribble Jam champion, host of Los Angeles club the Low-End Theory, and is currently on Alpha Pup Records....
and Busdriver as Flash Bang Grenada (2011)
External links
- Busdriversite.com
- Busdriver bio on ProjectBlowed.com
- Epitaph's Artist Profile, "Artist Info: Busdriver"