Heiruspecs
Encyclopedia
Heiruspecs is a live rap/hip hop
band based in Saint Paul, Minnesota
, specifically the Midway neighborhood. The band's name is based on a deliberate misspelling of haruspex
.
Their album, 10 Years Strong, was released in December of 2007. It is a compilation of new and old songs, many taken from Live from the Studio and Antidisestablishmetabolism
, both of which are now out-of-print. The most recent Heiruspecs recording is the self-titled "Heiruspecs
," and was released on December 13, 2008. In November 2009, the band announced that they were working on a new album called "We Are the Future."
The band is mostly known for their live performances. In contrast to many contemporary hip hop groups that use sampling
and turntable
s, Heiruspecs emphasize a raw, live sound, their roots and local scene. They have also been known to do shows with Minnesota-local hip hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment
. They have a very upbeat sound and are typically on tour for at least half of the year. The group style has been compared to the live hip hop band The Roots
.
. They met while taking a studio recording arts program there. Sean (Twinkie Jiggles) would play bass while four or five drummers would rotate in and out of freestyle sessions, and Felix would rhyme throughout the whole process. Early Heiruspecs music contained trombone and saxophone, but these were absent on Small Steps and A Tiger Dancing. In 2004 Heiruspecs was named the best live artist in the Twin Cities by City Pages
.
In commemoration of 10 years of St. Paul pride and good Hip Hop music, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
declared December 22 Heiruspecs Day in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Heiruspecs took an unofficial hiatus after their tour van was totaled in 2005.
The most recent Heiruspecs recording, "Heiruspecs
," was released on December 13, 2008.
In summer 2010, the band was in the studio working on a new album.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
band based in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, specifically the Midway neighborhood. The band's name is based on a deliberate misspelling of haruspex
Haruspex
In Roman and Etruscan religious practice, a haruspex was a man trained to practice a form of divination called haruspicy, hepatoscopy or hepatomancy. Haruspicy is the inspection of the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the livers of sacrificed sheep and poultry...
.
Their album, 10 Years Strong, was released in December of 2007. It is a compilation of new and old songs, many taken from Live from the Studio and Antidisestablishmetabolism
Antidisestablishmetabolism
Antidisestablishmetabolism is the first album released by the hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was released in 2000 under Interlock records. Some tracks were recorded live.-Track listing:#Kung fu#State of the Union#If you like this#I Write raps#Pauses...
, both of which are now out-of-print. The most recent Heiruspecs recording is the self-titled "Heiruspecs
Heiruspecs (album)
Heiruspecs is a self-titled album by Saint Paul, Minnesota hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was recorded at The Hideaway Studio in Minneapolis, with producer Joe Mabbott. The album was released on December 13, 2008 at First Avenue....
," and was released on December 13, 2008. In November 2009, the band announced that they were working on a new album called "We Are the Future."
The band is mostly known for their live performances. In contrast to many contemporary hip hop groups that use sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
and turntable
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
s, Heiruspecs emphasize a raw, live sound, their roots and local scene. They have also been known to do shows with Minnesota-local hip hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment
Rhymesayers Entertainment
Rhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
. They have a very upbeat sound and are typically on tour for at least half of the year. The group style has been compared to the live hip hop band The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
.
History
Heiruspecs formed in 1997 when the members were attending St. Paul Central High SchoolCentral High School (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
Central High School of Saint Paul, is the oldest high school in the state of Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866 in downtown Saint Paul, Central has educated many leaders in business, government, literature, arts, sciences, and education throughout the state of Minnesota and the United States...
. They met while taking a studio recording arts program there. Sean (Twinkie Jiggles) would play bass while four or five drummers would rotate in and out of freestyle sessions, and Felix would rhyme throughout the whole process. Early Heiruspecs music contained trombone and saxophone, but these were absent on Small Steps and A Tiger Dancing. In 2004 Heiruspecs was named the best live artist in the Twin Cities by City Pages
City Pages
City Pages is an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It features news, film, theatre and restaurant reviews, and music criticism. It is printed in a tabloid format, and is available free every Wednesday...
.
In commemoration of 10 years of St. Paul pride and good Hip Hop music, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman (politician)
Christopher "Chris" B. Coleman is a Minnesota politician and the mayor of St. Paul. He defeated incumbent mayor Randy Kelly in 2005 and took office on January 3, 2006.- Family and early career :...
declared December 22 Heiruspecs Day in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Heiruspecs took an unofficial hiatus after their tour van was totaled in 2005.
The most recent Heiruspecs recording, "Heiruspecs
Heiruspecs (album)
Heiruspecs is a self-titled album by Saint Paul, Minnesota hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was recorded at The Hideaway Studio in Minneapolis, with producer Joe Mabbott. The album was released on December 13, 2008 at First Avenue....
," was released on December 13, 2008.
In summer 2010, the band was in the studio working on a new album.
Members and Former Members
- Felix (vocals)
- Muad'dib (vocals, beat box)
- Twinkie Jiggles (Bass)
- dVRG (Keys)
- Peter Leggett (Drums)
- Josh Peterson (Guitar)
- Martin Devaney (Saxophone)
- Brett Bullion (Drums)
- Bryan Alvarez (Trombone)
- Al McIntosh (Trumpet)
- Noah Paster (Percussion, 808pad)
- Tasha Baron (Keys)
- Tim Glenn (Drums)
- Alex Danovitch (Keys)
- Alex Oftelie (Drums)
- Conor Meehan (Drums)
- Joshua Herbst (Drums)
- Kevin Hunt (Drums)
Discography
- Live From The Studio (1998)
- AntidisestablishmetabolismAntidisestablishmetabolismAntidisestablishmetabolism is the first album released by the hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was released in 2000 under Interlock records. Some tracks were recorded live.-Track listing:#Kung fu#State of the Union#If you like this#I Write raps#Pauses...
(2000) - Small Steps (2002)
- A Tiger DancingA Tiger DancingA Tiger Dancing is the third album by the hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was released on September 28, 2004.The Song "5ves" appeared on the Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle Soundtrack.-Track listing:All tracks by Heiruspecs...
(2004) - 10 Years Strong (2007)
- HeiruspecsHeiruspecs (album)Heiruspecs is a self-titled album by Saint Paul, Minnesota hip hop group Heiruspecs. It was recorded at The Hideaway Studio in Minneapolis, with producer Joe Mabbott. The album was released on December 13, 2008 at First Avenue....
(2008)