Four Fists at The Echoplex, Los Angeles

Four Fists, the collaboration between hip-hop artists P.O.S and Astronautalis, are on tour following the release of 6666 on October 12. Despite 6666 being filled to the brim with bangers, their Echoplex show turnout was fairly small. Nonetheless, hardcore fans up at the front raised their hands and sang along. Perhaps it was the timing of the show—the opening act went on at 7:15 and Four Fists took the stage around an hour later.

The duo, backed with a DJ, engaged with the audience every step of the way, looking into the crowd as they held the mic and encouraging them to sing along. Most of the songs on the setlist were from 6666, which “pools not just their talents but their experience to create a work that bristles with a collective tension. ‘It’s way easier working with friends,’ says Stef (P.O.S). ‘It gets your juice moving quick. I think with what’s happened with our pairing, we have little chunks of each other that don’t come out in our own music.'”

The door at the entrance of the Echoplex was buzzing from the bass as they took the stage. “Let’s get a late dinner after this… like a European” Andy Bothwell aka Astronautalis said to the crowd. Punk music definitely had a presence in these artists’ lives. Joe Strummer of The Clash is referenced at least twice in the album, through the song “Joe Strummr,” which is pretty much their most melodic song, and “Nobody’s Bizness,” which references lyrics from “White Riot.”

The duo, who frequently guest appear in each other’s work, also performed songs off their individual album to the crowd’s appreciation, including the softer, more lyrical “The Story of My Life” by Austronautalis. During “Wanted/Wasted,” Andy had the crowd joining in with hands in the air, singing, “we’re the best in the world!” He pointed to the crowd, “you’re the best in the world,” he sang to which they cheered.

Stef laughed as he said, “we messed up twice,” referring to the times he forgot to come in and rap on the last song. “You were all smiling,” he continued to explain that the crowd had distracted him. The audience didn’t seem to mind and actually embraced their openness. They went into “G.D.F.R,” a solid track featuring chip tune arpeggios and wobbly synths.

After “Sick,” Stef broke into an impromptu R&B lick, showing the crowd a little bit of vocal ability as he sang to the lyric, “I’m lying.” After “Nobody’s Bizness,” Stef said, “our set ended with that song… everything else is popcorn.” And they took turns taking the lead on the last three songs before closing the night with on a high note with booming basses that had everyone dancing.

Setlist:

1. ?
2. MMMMMHMMMMM
3. Coriolanus
4. Wanted/Wasted (P.O.S)
5. G.D.F.R
6. Joe Strummr
7. The Story of My Life (Austronautalis feat. P.O.S)
8. Sick (Austronautalis feat. P.O.S)
9. Kurt Cobain (Austronautalis)
10. Bobby Hill
11. Dork Court
12. 6666
13. Nobody’s Bizness
14. Thieves/Kings