Audible Mainframe

There’s no debate about it: Audible Mainframe has taken their place as one of hip-hop's most profound outfits. There are other groups that posture rap tactics over live musicianship, but Audible is the only one perched on the ridge where rhyme and rock climax. At the recent Mass Industry Committee Awards – Boston’s first hip-hop award show – the seven man crew pocketed first prize for Best Live Group, while Audible’s front man, MC Exposition, snatched the trophy for Best Underground Artist, and the group’s DJ, JayCeeOh, rode away with Best Turntablist. Audible’s architects called for strong pillars. Lead guitarist Lethal D, drummer Johnny 5 and Exposition laid the blueprint in a college recording studio five years ago. In order to interpret their influences from groups like The Roots, Rage Against the Machine and Radiohead, their plan called for a string popping bass hound like B. Ryan, world class scratching from a DJ like DJ Mutt, and some horns to push the envelope. With Bobby MoBetta on tenor sax and Highlife on trumpet and keys, the design was complete. Soon after forming, Audible was selected to record an album on Emerson College’s imprint, Emerson Records. The honor, which is given to one group each year, came on the heels of their shafting 35 rival rock bands to win the 2003-2004 Beantown Meltdown Battle of the Bands, and subsequently becoming the first hip-hop act to play live on Boston’s rock staple, 107.3 WAAF. Audible capitalized on the deal by producing Framework, their debut that charted at #14 on the CMJ add list. They supported the album with dozens of performances from New York and Burlington to Pittsburgh, Philly, Portland and San Diego. In Late 2005 Audible released their follow up EP, War to be One, this time with a guided scope outside New England. With Boston in its back pocket, Audible rode its buzz out West to plant some seeds. There, they were greeted by two eager crowds at San Diego's, and L.A.’s legendary On the Rox. In between their own studio albums, Audible lends its collective talents to other artists. Beyond the obvious appearance on MC Exposition’s 2006 release Take A Penny/Leave A Penny, the band collaborated with hip-hop icons Tek and Steele of Smif N Wessun on a live anniversary edition of the duo’s 1996 classic, Dah Shinin’. To compound the list of legends they’ve worked with, Audible opened for and backed Def Jam originator Slick Rick at his tour stop in Boston, MA. On top of Audible’s countless write-ups, critical acclaim, MySpace props and recent awards, the group’s knack for rocking crowds of all shapes, tastes and sizes remains its dominant accomplishment. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Audible Mainframe has a way of making you appreciate the hip hop genre on a new level. First off, is their poetry that triggers chills as they cut to the raw core of social issues abroad and at home, from the plight of forgotten Iraqi children to political corruption, homelessness and close-minded cultural paradigms on our own soil. Esoteric poetry deserves only the highest quality in live hip hop cuts and this, they deliver without a hitch. The bottom line is that there are no corners being cut in this album. All around, it shines. Food for the mind, food for the compassionate humanity in us all, food for discriminating ears. Yum." -Tamara Turner (CDBaby.com) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "There are essentially three types of organic outfits with boom-bap front men: the good, the bad and the Korny. Audible is at the top of the first heat, with an ability to touch masses while barking at the Black Thought/Kweli demographic." -Chris Faraone (Boston Weekly Dig) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "This is one of Boston's best live local groups, guaranteeing a high-energy, original performance no matter what the venue." -Jessamyn Cuneo (Boston Live Magazine)