Lyssa Beyer

Students looking to get out and experience a different spin on typical hip-hop shouldn’t miss Friday and Saturday’s featured artists at The Stones Throw, 304 Eau Claire St. Local artists will be joining nationally known acts, The Crest on Friday; Golden and Heiruspecs on Saturday, at the downtown venue.

“Hip-hop shows are probably one of the best-drawing shows in Eau Claire,” said Andrew Pernsteiner, booking and promotions representative for The Stones Throw. “We expect to have really good turn-outs for both nights.”

On Friday, The Crest will take over the stage with its Midwestern hip-hop vibe. The Crest consists of rappers AD and Jack Cracker and producers DJ Strabble and Jayson Blare. The group first got together in 1997 and has released 11 self-distributed albums.

“(The Crest) have a really good draw here in Eau Claire,” Pernsteiner said. “Even if you don’t really care for hip-hop, they’re not that hardcore, gangster rap.”

He described The Crest’s style as “intelligent rap.”

Cracker, one of the group’s founding members of The Crest, said fans should “expect a kick-ass show.” The group has performed regularly in Eau Claire since 2001, though it has been performing live shows for 10 years.

“It’s pretty much going to be the event you do not want to miss,” Cracker said. “It’s going to be rocking.”

Sophomore Mike Moran, a Madison native, is a fan of The Crest and has seen them perform live three times, though he said he probably can’t attend the weekend’s show. He said he likes The Crest’s style of mixing other songs for the beat but adding its own lyrics.

“They’re more underground for people who listen to that type of music,” Moran said. “I listen to them all the time.”

The Crest will be putting out a new album this fall, titled, “Cheerful Robots,” Cracker said.

“Our fans are great,” Cracker said. “They put up with us and our antics every time we come to Eau Claire.”

As for Saturday night, both featured acts are nationally known.

Heiruspecs is another live hip-hop band from the Minneapolis and St.Paul area. Sean McPherson, a bass player for the group, said the group has performed in Eau Claire over a dozen times, but especially likes coming to The Stones Throw under its new management.

“We’ve always loved playing there and now it’s better and more exciting,” he said. “We love playing Eau Claire. The energy (here) . feels great.”

The group’s style of performing as a live band, as opposed to pre-mixed beats, makes their live performances unusual, McPherson said.

“It makes things a lot clearer as far as things are being created,” he said. “I think there are a lot of people that connect with that.”

Sophomore Kyle Christianson is a fan of both The Crest and Heiruspecs, he said, adding he likes the underground, Midwestern feel to the music. He said Heiruspecs will present a style of rap that isn’t like what is typically seen on television and radio.

“What the guys are bringing to the style has definite values,” he said of the group’s lyrics.

Golden, a Minnesota-native rapper who works with the Black Eyed Peas, will also be performing on Saturday night before Heiruspecs. He said when he has come to Eau Claire in the past, the crowd has been “mad energetic.”

“I enjoy playing there because the people that come out make it a really positive experience,” Golden said.

Pernsteiner said the weekend’s concerts will provide some great exposure for local artists, as well. Featured artists include Eff’d Up, Breakneck The Mage, Fathom, Romes and Dj BeZe, all artists from the area.

Golden said he hopes people will come out and give the groups a chance, since it’s not a typical hip-hop show. There will be sweating, jumping around and lots of energy, he said.

“Hopefully they just take away from it that it’s just music for music’s sake,” he said.

McPherson of Heiruspecs agreed that people shouldn’t miss the weekend’s shows.

“I think often we will create believers in hip-hop who otherwise might not check it out.”