I can't think of any hit songs in the states by a hip-hop artist with a strong British accent, but if there was ever a contender for crossover appeal, it’s "Thou Shalt Always Kill," the first single from the project known as Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip. The song is a mixture of new cultural commandments for the 21st century and witty social satire- clever modern philosophy with tongue planted firmly in cheek, delivered through vocalist David Meads' chopping Brit-tinted flow: "Thou shalt not judge a book by its cover / Thou shalt not judge Lethal Weapon by Danny Glover / Thou shalt not buy Coca-Cola products / Thou shalt not buy Nestle products / Thou shalt not fall in love so easily / Thou shalt not use poetry, art or music to get into girls’ pants / Use it to get into their heads."

The comically accurate new modern testaments are backed by Dan Le Sac’s surgically precise beat-heavy electronic backing. It’s a great track, despite the inevitable sign-of-the-times novelty label. But don’t write them off as one-hitter quitters- after hearing an advance of their upcoming debut Angles, it's clear that these guys have a bright future waiting for them.

I racked up an astronomical international phone bill while talking to the immensely-bearded modern prophet Meads. His passion for the music made talking to the jazz poet/hip-hop Moses an exciting ride, even if it cost me an entire paycheck to do it.

---

CraveOnline: You come from a big spoken word background, correct?


Scroobius: I started out doing spoken word, but it was only about two years ago when I started doing it. So it's not like I have some immense depth of background in the field.

CraveOnline: What first inspired you to take up music/poetry/performance?


Scroobius: A lot of old hip-hop acts that I loved, and generally one of the people that made me realize that you didn't have to separate spoken word and hip-hop were Saul Williams and Sage Francis, whose label we're now signed to in America. Our album's coming out on Strange Famous [Records]. That's just really been exciting, that one of the people who most influenced and inspired me is into what we're doing.

CraveOnline: How would you describe your sound to someone who's never heard you?


Scroobius: It's really tough. Dan makes kind of electro/hip-hoppy beats, and I do spoken word with an MC flare over the top of it at times.

CraveOnline: There are so many outlets and avenues to go down, we can barely grasp the opportunities in front of us.

Scroobius: As cheesy as it may sound, it's absolutely true that the world is a smaller place now because of the internet. You can find out about people from all over the world relatively easily.

CraveOnline: Unfortunately we're also exposed to all the horrors out there much more easily, and the media latches onto that, so it seems like the world's collapsing.


Scroobius: There's still very much a fearmongering going on. There has to be an enemy and a problem going on at all times. But I'm not sure that it's as controlled here in the UK as it is over there. It's just not as focused and planned and sensationalized.

CraveOnline: Are you worried that people might be simply looking at "Thou Shalt..." as a novelty hit?

Scroobius: When we recorded it, it was getting airplay all over the UK within a matter of weeks. So there was a panic about that, but what we did to combat it was basically just go out and gig constantly. We played a bunch of shows, to show people that there's more to us than just that song. But that song got us so much coverage, and we're really grateful for that, so it's not a problem for us really. It's not like some big albatross hanging over our heads.

CraveOnline: Where do you hope to take your sound in the future?

Scroobius: We've never really planned any of it up to now, so we've not got a plan, sound-wise. Lyrically though, I'm worrying a bit because a lot of the new stuff I've written has been so dark. It's all just harsh subjects and bite. I'm a big fan in writing of having to learn something and do researching. One I've got.... God this is so grim, but it's about spousal abuse - bad, abusive and violent relationships. And then another one's about addiction to heroin. And these are things I've personally experienced, through either knowing people directly or direct experience.

CraveOnline: How do drugs factor in?

Scroobius: It all comes down to individuals. Regardless of drugs, different people perceive music in different ways. That can be influenced by lifestyle, family, weather, whatever. When I was younger, I tried my things here and there. I've got a friend who's a graphic designer, and he's at his most creative when he's stoned. Now, ninety percent of the people I know who get stoned are at their least productive when they're high, but he's just the complete opposite. Drugs have inspired some great, classic works over the years, but I also know many people who have been completely crushed by drugs. I have my personal beliefs and personal tastes when it comes to drugs, but I wouldn't want to air them because that only applies to me. It's purely in reference to my life and my specific mind.

CraveOnline: What three albums do you wish you’d written?

Scroobius: Man… good question. I’d have to just go with three of my favorites. Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane did an album together, and that’s just amazingly beautiful. They just work so well together, have such amazing respect for each other in the way John Coltrane will sit back and let Johnny sing, then step up at just the right time. Their use of one another’s strengths is fantastic. Rancid’s And Out Come The Wolves. That’s one of my favorite, if not my very favorite punk record of all time. The third…. damn, I don’t know what to go for. It’s painful… KRS was one of the first rappers to put it out there that what he’s spitting is poetry.

CraveOnline: Any other new acts out there that are holding your attention?

Scroobius: There’s a poet / MC called Polar Bear who’s just amazing. He really is. I’ve seen him live so many times now, and he’s just stunning. Check my MySpace- my top friends aren’t actually my friends, I try and make it just full of bands I’m into at the time. There’s also a guy named Gideon Conn who’s just an odyssey. I don’t know how well America’s going to get him, he’s very eccentric and his style is very unique.


Free Download: Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip MP3