Bands/Artists: Atmosphere

Playing into the joke of the album’s title, I don’t remember when rocking shows across the country, getting paid and laid wasn’t fun, but nonetheless, Atmosphere is back with another dope album. You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having is 13 tracks of finely crafted music by producer ANT, who flexes... read more

If you’re any kind of follower of underground hip-hop happenings, then you already know that Slug and Murs’ second installment of their Felt tribute albums is out, and without much thought you can probably imagine that the album is heat. Well, your assumptions are correct, and if you thought the first was cool, then go ... read more

True, both the sound and sense of punk rock have always been rather subjective; but even so, many must agree that the majority of Punk-O-Rama Vol 9 has dodged the true spirit of the genre. While almost-old-schoolers like Bad Religion and Pennywise offer just what the patron might expect (and nothing more), the comp sandwiches in an... read more

Through its 10 year history, punk rock’s most infamous summer festival, the Vans Warped Tour, has garnered acclaim for propelling young talent to a national audience. With this latest two-disc compilation release, 50 bands have contributed songs showcasing their own brands of fury and fun. Highlights on disc one range from “The ... read more

This 12-inch is everything you would expect from a piece of wax that was graced by J-Live and Slug. Newcomer Invisible is overshadowed by the two underground champs, but what better way to get your name out than to feature the best. J-Live comes correct as always with “Don’t Get It Backwards,” a motivational song that is t... read more

“Who the hell is that guy? He looks like someone’s dad…”
– Random kid in crowd in reference to Bad Religion frontman Greg Graffin

If the Warped Tour is sagging due to its advanced age, it barely shows, save for some gray hairs on a few of the aging punker’s heads. I’m talking ... read more

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Warped Tour swung into the gaping maw that is the Sleep Train Amphitheatre on an unusually mild summer day, bringing with it scores of vaguely punk bands and thousands of even more vaguely punk spectators. What began 10 years ago as a mishmash of skate demos, shoe promotion and rock music has turned int... read more

On February 7th, Atmosphere played a sold-out show at the Fillmore, the third time in the span of one year. Joining them were Eyedea and Abilities, and Blueprint, who earlier gave a teaser at Amoeba on Haight. As with every show, an unknown group took the stage as the opening act. Usually I make a note to myself to remember their name but t... read more

In August of 2002, Chicago indie label Chocolate Industries released the original Urban Renewal Program CD, which featured the work of a myriad of hot artists like MCs El-P, Aesop Rock, Mos Def, Diverse and Mr. Lif, singers Miho Hatori (Cibo Matto) and Via Tania and producers Prefuse 73 and Rjd2, among others. This suppl... read more

That girl you like’s favorite rapper is back, and he’s up to his same old tricks. It’s funny, every time Slug and Ant drop a new opus there’s always a few more indie rockers and stylish females cruising the hip-hop aisle. This time will be no different. Seven’s Travels will definitely sat... read more

Say what you will about shows at the CSU, Chico campus; at least they start on time. Sure, they may be held on a dry campus, but they always do an impeccable job with the sound and lighting. Easier to find fault with would be the audience in attendance that night, but that’d be like shooting fish in a barrel. The important thing is... read more

Mike Nardone has been repping the underground for 15 years with his LA-based radio show, We Came From Beyond. This comp is thick like Guinness with MCs from coast to coast donating some of their best work that you’ve never heard. West Coast up-and-comers Lifesavas and Declaime team up on “Government Cheese... read more

The Synthesis caught up with Slug, the MC of Midwestern emo-rap duo Atmosphere while the group was touring Europe, shortly before returning to US soil and meeting up with the Warped Tour. Now, how exactly does a self-deprecating, Midwestern rap group fit in with Warped Tour, a traveling extreme sports and music circus known for br... read more

Back in 1994, when the very first edition of the Punk O Rama compilation series — the yearly sampler of bands signed to LA-based record label Epitaph — was released, the CD’s lineup was basically what the name implied; Bad Religion, NOFX, Pennywise and other such bands included on the compilation were... read more

The tracks on Felt aren't necessarily about Christina Ricci, but it's a great front behind which to make a hell of a good rap record. Produced by The Grouch (better known as one half of the duo, Eligh and The Grouch), Felt showcases the talents of both (Living Legends and Def Jux MC) Murs and (Atmosphere frontman) Slug... read more

Being a music snob, sometimes you have to deal with the heartbreak of losing one of your favorite underground groups to the rest of the world. At times it can be hard to deal with; it's like losing a girlfriend you thought was pure and down for the cause only to watch her evolve into a coke slut over time. As asshole as you think that may sound, I'... read more

Minneapolis MC and Rhymesayers crew founding member Slug is the reluctant leader of a growing army. The independent rapper and force behind the group Atmosphere (Slug and 1200 Hobos' DJ Mr. Dibbs) has suddenly found himself in the enviable position of poster boy for a growing national movement of hip-hop fans who can't - or won't - relate t... read more

Atmopshere - a.k.a. rapper Slug and whoever happens to be DJing or producing for him at any given time - has been honestly holding down Midwestern hip-hop for as long as Eminem has been selling himself to angry young suburban white kids. Unlike MTV's bleach-blonde bad boy, however, the enigmatic Slug is a Minneapolis, MN rapper w... read more

The Midwestern miracle of hip-hop, Slug of Atmosphere, ships out his newest single from the forthcoming album "God Loves Ugly." Slug has always been one to drop some thoughtful rhymes and he continues to do so on this release, however this time around with a little more maturity. Slug's rhymes somehow make an amazing balance betw... read more