The CLog
Saying he has no fans, only friends, the stylishly scruffy, ex-screamo emcee Mod Sun sounds a lot like a blazed and blissed-out acolyte of the Laughing Buddha. The former drummer for kiddie punk bands Four Letter Lie and Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Mod Sun (aka Modern Sunshine) claims he's "here to clean minds of negativity and build confidence in others." That sounds strikingly similar to the fat and happy Buddha who preached the wisdom of contentment. Bailing on Four Letter Lie at the height of its popularity, Mod Sun forged his self-styled hippie-hop without any grounding in rap. Indeed, he cites Bob Dylan's intricate wordplay as a key influence. Mod Sun can't hit the high water mark of his idol, but his couplets are clever, the beats are fresh and his sunshiny message is genuine. On current cut "My Hippy," Mod Sun merges his message of joy with street smarts, Rasta, Zen and the sitcom detritus on TV Land. Cheeseball TV figures heavily in Mod Sun's orbit. Recent mixtape Blazed by the Bell is an affectionate, stoned shout-out to '90s sitcom Saved by the Bell. Mod Sun has fun with the flotsam and jetsam of our consumer culture, but he's not laughing at us, he's laughing with us. With Cisco Adler, Tayyib Ali and Pat Brown. $15. Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave. 704-343-9494.
