With the fall semester now in full swing, most students could use a night to unwind.
On Sept. 26, local bar Brewskis will feature a performance by feel-good hip-hop act Grits Green. The group will perform at 10 p.m. Admission is included in the bar’s cover charge.
Grits Green is a local hip-hop group fronted by Rha’gene Beal and Porter Dalton, known by their stage names Rhagenetix and Porta D. The duel MCs are uniquely completed by a live three-piece band comprised of guitarist Jonny Knoder, bass guitarist Greg Shaw and drummer Jeremy Beising.
Frontman Porter Dalton said, “We have been playing together now for over two years and released our debut album last December.”
Over the past two years, the group has been making waves among Ogden’s underground music scene. The use of hip-hop vocals embellished with live music offer a fun and interesting presentation.
“Grits Green is about having fun,” Dalton said. “We make fun music because we have fun making it.”
Since releasing their debut album, “Imagination in Motion,” at the tail-end of 2013, Grits Green has been served warmly by music critics. SLUG Magazine writer, Allie Russell said, “MCs Rhagenetix and Porta D have two completely different styles of storytelling flow delivery, which, surprisingly, clash well.”
With over 32,000 views on YouTube and nearly 2,000 Twitter followers, Grits Green is certainly making a name for itself. After performing for festival crowds in California and Colorado, Grits Green have spent the majority of 2014 touring Utah in support of its album.
According to Dalton, the group is now focused on the future. “Lately we have been writing new material, getting ready for our upcoming shows and (we) look forward to doing a little traveling in the next year. There are a lot of great venues to play, and a lot of amazing bands to fill them . . . we have performed at Brewskis before, it’s one of our favorite places to play.”
The upcoming performance by Grits Green is only one of many shows booked at Brewskis in the coming weeks. Moab natives, the blues rock act Stonefed will perform on Friday Oct. 3. at 10 p.m.
Nationally-known harmonica player Tony Holiday will perform on Friday Oct. 10. at 10 p.m. Speaking of his upcoming performance Holiday said, “We have played Brewskis many times over the years . . . Ogden is an interesting place to play music for sure. It’s always been good to me.”
Brewskis will also welcome local favorite, the Utah County Swillers on Friday Oct. 17. at 10 p.m. Lead singer Scott Willis said, “We’ve played Brewskis several times, we always have a blast there. They’ve got a great sound system and very cool bartenders, two things that always make for a good show!”
Willis praised Ogden’s unique contrast to his home in Utah County. “When I’m in Ogden, it feels like I’m in a different state,” Willis said. “I went to the blues festival last month and was shocked by how different the attitude is there.”
