Now, there's nothing we love to do more than to shed light on some seriously creative folk who're following their own muses, locking themselves away in the darkest corners of their basement, pounding out one nugget of brilliance after another even when the naysayers have already voiced their doubts and snubbed their noses. We've already professed our love of comic books here on the Ripple, with our post about Road Crew Comics, and their story of life on the rock and roll road. Today, we're going to bring you another glimpse into the multi-talented mind of a comic artist/musician, Mike Hampton, and his bastard of a creation, Captain A-hole.First terrorizing comic book shows and shops in 2001, Hampton began writing and drawing the raving adventures of the intrepid rapper, Captain A-hole, while also writing and rapping all the music that comes as a free CD with each issue. Captain A-hole was originally created as an accumulation of everything Hampton wanted to say as a sarcastic response to the managers and customers at work, the people who said he shouldn't be making a certain kind of music, the people who doubted him and his talents. The Captain was a way to release all those aggravations in the form of music. Follow the raging temper and tongue-in-check humor of Captain A-hole as he leads you through the rap life, getting writer's block, battling with other rappers, and drops you into his rabbit hole of surreal hilarity in such titles as Captain A-hole's Guide to Customer Service, and Captain A-hole's Guide to Dating. Both of these book, as well as the entire 5 issue Captain A-hole series, come complete with a CD of the Captain's music, locked in step with the story.
As I write this, I'm listening to The Captain's latest single "Captain A-hole's Guide to Customer Service." and one thing that's abundantly clear is that the mad Captain knows his shit. This isn't just some crappy, throw-away pap dropped onto a CD and dumped in with a comic hoping to boost sales. Featuring some pretty damn flawless production by the Captain's partner, Lotis, the Captain has a haunting, melodic Hip-Hop sound, and a smooth rapping style for his emotional, yet taunting lyrics. Toss the whole salad together with some tasty harmony vocals, guitars, and synths, and toss in a sarcastic middle finger shoved defiantly in the air, and we got a fun ride going.
"I Hate My Job," is a slow, percolating number rapped over a gorgeous acoustic piano melody. Swirling synths, floating over the driving bass, get the head bobbing in motion, while the lyrics speak to every one who ever had to work a shitty job to make ends meet."How many people can't stand their job," the Captain cries out, pleading the case of every employee who's ever wanted to blow the head off of their manager. All told with tongue firmly in cheek, it's in the humor that the truth lies. Shades of Coolio's "Gangster's Paradise," seem to echo through the music. And that incredibly smooth beat and piano continue on."Customer Service," starts off with a thumping synthesized beat, instantly snapping you into the song. It's hard not to find a comparison to Eminem with the snotty tone of the vocal delivery, and that's a compliment. Cause this D.I.Y. rapper should be heard in the same playlist as Slim Shady. Shouting out the plight of everyone who's ever gotten stuck dealing with some G.E.D.-armed customer service clerk, the Captain finds the words to vent every frustration that's ever caused your arteries to bulge. "Let me tell you two words that make me nervous/ one: customer/two: service." We got a great groove here that just drives the song home. Some great beats and a uniqueness and freshness that makes it stand out above the crowd. Nice stuff.
If all that's not enough, Hampton also writes and draws another series of comics, Hot Zombie Chicks, and puts out some full-length CD's under the Captain A-hole moniker.
If you 're a comic fan and fan of some damn fine hip hop, this A-hole is worth checking out.
--Racer
www. 916halo.com/
www.myspace.com/916halo
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