Gym Class Heroes

From the moment Gym Class Heroes walked on stage the charisma of main man Travis ‘Schleprok’ McCory was evident for all to see. Asking the audience to lock little fingers with the person standing next to them it was a curious way to meet a young Scottish chap called Derek who had assured me that Gym Class hereos would be ‘fooking brilliant!’ First track was the classic single ‘The Queen And I’ and instantly the Barfly audience kicked into gear. What makes Gym Class Heroes such an attractive live proposition is that like NERD they use live instruments instead of pre-recorded beats and loops to deliver their particular brand of hip hop. There are elements of rap, rock, R&B, and funk in GCH’s melodic sound. Hailing from upstate New York this tight six-piece outfit combine these influences with casual ease and overlay witty lyrics conveyed in typical NYC rapper fashion. At times reminicent of the Red Hot Chili Pepers, Cypress Hill and Rage Against the Machine the six-piece played tracks from last album ‘Papercut Chronicles’ and the newly released ‘As Creul As School Children’ such as ‘Shoot Down The Stars’ and the myspace tribute ‘New Friend Request’. Towards the end of the set ‘Cupid's Chokehold’, incorporating Supertramps ‘Breakfast In America’ lyrics, brought the audience to a crescendo along with 'Taxi Driver' and ‘Pillmattic’. As the night came to a close I had to agree my new found friend Derek was right, Gym Class Heroes were indeed ‘fooking brilliant!’.