Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut EP

The Papercut EP is a four song sampler from Fueled By Ramen‘s newest artist, Gym Class Heroes. It’s being released in order to create some anticipation for their new album, The Papercut Chronicles, which will be in stores on February 22nd, 2005; and it’s probably not what you would expect to hear from a FBR band.

You see, Gym Class Heroes aren’t your typical punk band. In fact, they aren’t any sort of punk band. They are a hip-hop band straight out of New York which caught the eyes and ears of Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) who decided to give them a chance and see what they could do on the punk scene.

Gym Class Heroes have roots in both the hip-hop and punk scene, which you can hear as soon as the first track (Taxi Driver) starts playing. They instantly start dropping names which will probably ringing a bell to any FBR fan. From the opening line of “I took cutie for a ride in my death cab” to “At the drive in watching soft porn and you could tell by the trail of the dead that there was something in the popcorn. Hopped in my cab destination midtown just to get up with some kids that like to get down; ” they mention more bands then you would think possible. These rhymes are only the first to catch your attention during the EP.

Unlike most hip-hop bands, Gym Class Heroes use live instruments and musicians rather then relying on loops and samples, a much more personal way to do it all. And although you may not expect to hear a band like Gym Class Heroes on the Fueled By Ramen roster, it will impress many skeptics and will succeed in creating great anticipation for their upcoming album. The Papercut EP is a good sample of what to expect from the band; and costing less then a toonie, it is definitely worth it. Take a chance, and give up 15 minutes of your life to experience a music genre which you might normally ignore, but might enjoy if given the chance. And by the way things are looking, this probably won’t be the last time you hear the name of Gym Class Heroes.