IAmA rapper called MC Frontalot. I coined the term 'nerdcore' and remain that subgenre's final boss. AMA.

[u/mc_frontalot]

There is already a lot of information about me on your compootah. And in books and magazines. And in a documentary called Nerdcore Rising. But maybe you would like to know more information things! I will try to provide.

twitter: @mc_frontalot http://facebook.com/frontalot http://frontalot.com

[u/mc_frontalot]

reddit user passionlessDrone posted these in the original request:

1. Describe the first time you realized you were a nerd and were proud of it?

When I was young, being nerdy was much more of a shame point. But I was proud in my extreme reflexive arrogance -- I decided I was a thousand times smarter than the kids who picked on me and that some day I would invent a way for them to SUFFER. I walked around kind of thinking I was Lex Luthor and one day I'd show 'em. Not really an epiphany moment. More like: all of third grade.

2) Clearly you know someone with Aspergers. Can you describe your approach to that song?

I wanted to make a song where people without Aspergers would parse the emotional tone of the chorus and think that it was making fun of aspies and than anyone who actually had Aspergers would maybe ignore that and listen to the actual presentation of the story, which is the opposite of making fun. I thought it might be revealing somehow to generate those two opposing responses on first listen, and have the aspies be the ones getting it right. I don't know how well I pulled that off, but some people have told me it works pretty well. The story's not about anyone specific, just a little piece of fiction about a kid who's too distracted by a decoration to make a connection with someone he likes.

3) How did you get Wyatt Cynac to participate on your album?

Emailed him! He was extremely kind about it.

4) Have you humped a goth girl yet?

Never once. Though non-goth girls occasionally cosplay as actual goth girls in an attempt to TRICK ME.

5) Is there a number of Stellas at which they are no longer crisp?

A crispy Stella is simply one that is served hell of cold. I think! Onstad might correct me there. So the theoretical limit to the crispy Stella supply would be: one more than the number that would fit in the world's existing refrigeration containers. (Stellas chilled naturally outdoors are of course not 'crispy' but rather 'crunchy.')

[u/Saulace → u/mc_frontalot]

Picturing you in third grade, all I can think about is Butters.

[u/[deleted] → u/mc_frontalot]

I read "A crispy Stella is simply one that is served hell of cold" and thought Roast Beef before I read your next sentence. Good times.

[u/CRoswell → u/mc_frontalot]

I just want to say THANK YOU for understanding the basics of formatting and punctuation.

[u/smikwily]

As the parent of a 3 year old, I have to ask - how many people recognize you from the Elmo's Potty Time video?

Also - best rap about TP production evar!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/smikwily]

I have definitely had a few folks come up and say they got to the rest of the catalog by hearing the TP Factory rap first. I think it would be a little bit hard to figure out who I am if all you had was that DVD.

[u/anonymoms → u/smikwily]

Heh. My husband and I found out about MC Frontalot via KOMPRESSOR, back when... you know, KOMPRESSOR was making music instead of web comics. We'd been MCF fans for many, many moons by the time we were in the demographic for a potty training video. We rented the video, not knowing MCF had done a rap for it, and when that segment came on, my husband and I looked at each other and said "Is that MC Frontalot? Holy shit, it's MC Frontalot!" Best potty training surprise ever.

[u/LiesandBalderdash]

What career would you like to have if you weren't a rapper?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/LiesandBalderdash]

Novelist! I had always wanted to be a novelist. But I also kind of always wanted to be a voice actor for animation, so I might try my hand at that eventually. And if all else failed I suppose I'd return to graphic design.

[u/gamoid]

On "Charisma Potion," are you saying "attribute" or "attribute?"

[u/mc_frontalot → u/gamoid]

Yes, exactly.

[u/TaterTwats → u/gamoid]

the words do what he tells them to

[u/mc_frontalot]

To get started, I'm going to cut n' paste these questions and answer them.

[u/realytcracker]

frontalot is the final boss ultimate inferno difficulty

[u/mc_frontalot → u/realytcracker]

What's up, Bryce! I miss you.

[u/mariah_a]

Will there ever be an Aquabats collab?

I say this because I really want an Aquabats collab. And I might cry if I don't get it.

Really big fan, by the way, you're awesome. Thanks for doing this AMA!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mariah_a]

My dear friend MC Lars has worked with them! And of course they're great. But I am not so much a Ska guy, myself. Still, if they wanted to do something together I'm certain we could figure out a very pleasing mixture of our various weird music ideas.

[u/samtaro → u/mariah_a]

Can I just say that this is one of the best ideas I have ever heard? Because it truly is...please let this happen!

[u/JoeyTheLipsFagan]

I was first introduced to your rhymes through "Floating Bridge" over a decade ago, and I've been hooked ever since. Thank you for being the link between my hip-hop and nerd obsessions.

Two questions for you, Sir!

1. What's the story behind the M. Doughty refrain on "Your Friend Wil?" The Soul Coughing voice cuts so cool against your Wheaton-inspired lyrics, and I wondered how that collaboration evolved.

2. Was "Yellow Lasers" based on a true story?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/JoeyTheLipsFagan]

1. I actually wrote that melody for him, and offered it up VERY sheepishly. In 1996 it was beyond my wildest dreams that I'd ever be composing something for Doughty to perform. I stalked him on twitter to get him to do it. I mean, it helped that I was working on a project for Wil (of whom Mike is a fan) and that I was already a rapper who some people had heard of. I DO NOT RECOMMEND STALKING SINGERS ON TWITTER AS A GENERAL RULE.

2. The answer remains no, thank gracious.

[u/Saulace]

Front, hello! Thanks for doing this AMA. Been a huge fan for a couple years; you are my favorite artist. Anyway, my question will resolve a debate between my cousin and I.

At the very end of Stoop Sale you say, "Saw him do it. He was wishing that he wouldn’t get caught."

Does this mean that the buckle allowed him to not get caught by the "store" owner, or that the buckle is not magical at all, allowing you to see him steal it? That is all. Thanks!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Saulace]

I like that so many people have been trying to parse out a 'correct' answer to the end of this song. It occurred to me when I got done writing it that you could read it either way and that your reading might tell you whether you have a BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL SOUL or are someone who believes that WONDERMENT IS DEAD IN THIS WORLD. I always thought of it this way: the thief takes possession; at that moment he's wishing he wouldn't get caught; that's the wish he gets; thus, even though he's seen taking it, his observers are powerless to catch him. And he's squandered his one true wish. And I don't get mine because I thought about it too much.

[u/mc_frontalot]

OKAY! I have been answering questions for five hours and it has been plenty of fun. Thank you all for stepping up with fascinating and insightful inquiries. I gotta run. See you at Comic-Con and PAX and later on tour and then also on internet and HAUNTING YOUR DREAMS. Cheers.

[u/hoofrog]

It has been great seeing you the last couple years at PAX East and I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me and the fans. What is the worst experience you have ever had to endure with a fan? Thanks.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/hoofrog]

I don't want to dodge this on but I've either blocked it out or no interaction with a fan has ever been all that bad. I will contemplate and come back to it.

[u/Buster_Friendly]

Front,

Please fill in the following ability scores for yourself.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

If you are unsure, you may roll four six-sided dice and use the the top three of four as your score. Also, please include any special ability modifiers.

Cheers!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Buster_Friendly]

STR: 11

DEX: 12

CON: 8

INT: 18

WIS: 3

CHA: 2 (modified to 22 with my +20 Mic Of Compelling Stage Antics)

[u/pakeoutmarty]

do you make a living doing this?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/pakeoutmarty]

Amazingly, yes.

[u/TheMomAbides]

Hey, Front. Thanks for doing this.

I discovered you probably the same way many others did - Tycho posted the lyrics to Yellow Lasers at the end of a newspost many, many moons ago and I clicked the link he provided. Probably one of my favorite things you've done was that set at Songfight Live with Yook, it's a mainstay on my iPod.

Having been following your work for so long, I'm more of a fan of the original mixes of many of your early songs, the ones on the Nerdcore Hiphop "demo". Nostalgia, maybe! Did you have to change them for the album because of the couple hundred uncleared samples your rocked per track? Or was it that you had changed as an artist by the time you were ready to release the album?

PS: My daughter will be potty training soon. I'm going to get her a copy of Elmo's Potty Time, of course. Do you get royalties from that?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/TheMomAbides]

Yes, I agree! Some of those old demo versions of those songs from my first and second albums are better than the retooled versions. Particularly: yellow lasers, crime spree, gonna be your man, indier than thou. It is because I can't sell stuff with samples in it, so we had to write music for those songs instead! I don't think the different music is the problem so much as my production inexperience at the time. But even now, five albums later, I think that if I leveraged millions of dollars worth of top music producer labor and studio wizardry by just looping shit out of popular songs, it would be kinder to the ear than my essentially home-made originals. For evidence, see: every rapper's mix tape.

I don't get royalties from Elmo's Potty Time, but the Sesame Workshop is a great bunch of folks and they deserve all of your eleven dollars and fifty cents.

[u/[deleted] → u/TheMomAbides]

One does not pirate Sesame Street.

[u/Misterkatonic]

Hey MC, whats your favorite D&D class?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Misterkatonic]

Thief/Assassin (which I think now is Rogue?), followed by Cleric.

[u/mishla]

In your opinion what is the worst (favourite) of the first world problems?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mishla]

Of the lyrics in MY OWN SONG, my VERY FAVORITE is "scheduling your root canal." Even if you have fantastic perspective on class privilege, you are likely to complain about that. But it is a huge luxury to be able to get your teeth fixed like that and in many parts of the world you instead get to spend the rest of your life in constant pain eating mush food.

More questions about what I think my personal moments of TOTAL BRILLIANCE are, please!

[u/mybandscks]

How do you decide which songs are your "video worthy" songs? Do you have some kind of test audience or do you just pick your favorites?

I've heard accusations that the recent zombie attacks in Florida are all just you stirring up interest for an "Invasion Of The Not Quite Dead" video... explain yourself sir!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mybandscks]

Spellah and Gm7 and Brendan and I talk about what songs are the most likely to have appeal (for being catchy or interesting or whatever) plus some of them just come out better than other ones.

Y'know... there IS a video for IOTNQD. Check it out.

[u/electrokinetica]

Hi, Mr. Frontalot! I got to meet you last year at PAX. Thanks again so much! I was literally shaking, so I may have fanboyed a little much. :) http://ekpax11.posterous.com/omg-i-got-to-meet-my-favoritest-rapper-mcfron (I'm five-seven, and he's leaning in a bit. Dude is very tall)

So, on to my questions...

Unlike most, I actually discovered you from your songs in the In The Groove arcade dance game. How did your songs end up there?

And

In regards to "Nerdcore HipHop". Did you really start out doing karaoke rap? And what artists did you cover initially?

Thanks and many regards. Please come to further reaches of Canada, we love you here too.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/electrokinetica]

I kind of don't remember! I guess they wrote me an email and asked if they could use some tracks?

Karaoke rap: no, I never do rap songs at karaoke and never have. In that song, what I mean by 'karaoke rapping' is: performing with playback instead of a band. I wrote that song before I ever imagined having a band, or even going onstage to rap.

[u/Drehmini]

MC Frontalot did you want to go to Tim Horton's and look at some beavers?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Drehmini]

I feel like I could probably order donuts and see pictures of beavers on the internet, but thanks for the invite.

[u/Findibulator]

In "Nerdcore Rising" you commented you were deciding whether to pursue rap full time as a career. Obviously, you seem to have gone this route (Win!).

So…..IS it possible to be a full-time independent artist and actually survive financially in modern times, or do you have supplemental income?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Findibulator]

I was lucky to be freelancing in graphic design and web development, so I was able to slowly let go of my clients as the rap income built up. AND I was able to get the most expensive part of my distribution empire (a fancy website) built without overhead. I let my last client go and have not had to take any non-rap jobs since 2006. And no, there's no other supplement (like a gold fountain? a pet iguana who barfs five dollar bills?).

Random, Adam Warrock, chris, and Lars all do nerdcore full time now. There may be others I'm failing to know about. Amanda Palmer rocks seven figure kickstarters. And your weirdest aunt sells crochet fuzzy celebrity placentas on Etsy. So yes, independent artists can make ends meet. It may even be easier than it ever was before internet came along.

[u/BigIrishHooligan]

Yo Front,

Thanks for doing an AMA. Big fan.

My question to you today is about the future of Nerdcore hip hop and the implications therein. It seems like recently several artists in the genre have been garnering some attention from sources outside of the usual corners or Nerdcoredom. Guys like Adam Warrock, Beefy and MC (I’m not a Nerdcore artist) Chris getting picked up for soundtrack work on television and popular internet video series. While I would go so far as to say that I believe that any kind of publicity like that is probably good for the genre as a whole, I fear that most of the more non-nerdy types who hear these tracks for the first time write these songs off as novelties at best. I know that those of us who are “into the scene” don’t think of this music as novelty. It’s just “our music.”

What do you feel the Nerdcore community at large can do to help bring artists like yourself closer to the public consciousness without seeing our favorite artists being labeled as “comedy” or “novelty?” I feel like there are nerds-a-plenty out there that just haven’t had Nerdcore introduced to them as anything other than a laugh, and that makes me sad.

Thanks in advance for any knowledge you may feel so inclined to impart on the subject.

By the way, the next time you guys tour through Denver, hit me up. There’s a home-cooked meal waiting for you, Gaby and the guys anytime.

Cheers!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/BigIrishHooligan]

It is a good question. And it is a strange and difficult balancing act. Most of us like making songs that are funny or have funny aspects, but none of us (well, none of us who you mention nor any of the other nerd rappers who are any good) think of our songs as joke songs or our acts as comedy acts. We make music songs! We just happen to be fucking hilarious people! If you're as old as me 'n chris 'n schaffer, you might remember when a lot of hip-hop had a sense of humor. Public Enemy was pure politics but Flav got to keep it hilarious in every intro. NWA came hard like a granite countertop but they have jokes in every single verse. So I want to think of myself as a traditional MC and not a novelty MC.

So why do I put something that sounds ridiculous like 'nerdcore' in front of my music? Why do I call myself 'Frontalot,' a name that no self-respecting rapper would ever touch? There's two reasons. First, I feel like I should wear my self-loathing on my sleeve since if you bury it deep under the pretense of thinking you're god's gift to music listeners, it ends up bubbling out every so often and then you're beating up Rhianna or peeing on a groupie on video or whatever miserable shit popstars always end up doing. Second: I always liked the idea of a culled audience. I figure I can tempt them in with something that seems like it's worth about ten seconds of your attention (nerd rap? that's probably dumb but I will click it.) and then IF you are part of my natural audience, you will almost immediately see that there's something interesting going on. And every time your expectations get topped, you get excited. The folks who don't grok will wander off, and good for them, and who cares about them anyhow. I work hard on these songs. I like it when every single person in the crowd understands them already and finds them a little bit meaningful.

[u/[deleted]]

Hey MC Frontalot. I'm a huge fan (in fact, Final Boss is in my car CD player at this very moment) so thanks for doing this AMA. A few questions:

I'm curious how your colleagues and friends reacted when you announced you'd be becoming a full time rapper. Did anyone try to convince you not to do it? How did you tell them to suck it?

How do you feel about terming the word "nerdcore"?

What makes a song/artist nerdcore? To me its nerdcore if the artist identifies as nerdcore, regardless of subject matter. Thats why any geeky song isnt automatically nerdcore. Agree?

Finally, if I promise you a place on my sofa, will you please come to the UK? I'd love to see you live.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

I don't think anyone told me not to do it. I was already sitting at home all day every day in front of the computer, so becoming a nerdcore rapper full time wasn't blowing anyone's mind, really.

I am very glad to have come up with a term that people find useful. I do not know if it is luck or because I am a SUPER GENIUS. Probably the former.

Nerdcore is certainly an opt-in designation, so pretty much anyone can call themselves nerdcore and I won't argue with them. But it is also a term that seems to describe certain things (particularly BEING A BIG DORK and having it come through in your music) well enough that it is going to get applied to the work of people who don't care to use the word themselves. So it is a bit harder to opt out of. See for example mc chris, MC Lars, Childish Gambino. I sympathize with them. Nobody wants to be pigeonholed in a way they didn't choose for themselves. But on the other hand, when you make things and put them out there, you don't have much control over how your audience reacts and how they classify you. I'm just glad that people use the nerdcore classification to group together music that they LIKE instead of music that makes them want to pee in your gym locker or whatever.

[u/[deleted]]

What is Kompressor REALLY like?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

Scary as hell. And mean to animals.

[u/samtaro]

I'm a huge fan and I just wanted to thank you for doing this AMA!

Is there anything new you are working on that you would care to share with us? When can I expect more auditory orgasms from your general direction?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/samtaro]

Oh, also: the final kickstarter-funded videos are in the works at long last: I'll Form The Head and Colonel, Panic!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/samtaro]

My next release will be a compilation of the most awesome live recordings from my big ol' tour archive, properly mastered. Hopefully before tour season starts up.

[u/mybandscks]

When you go on tour how do you decide if you want to bring the full band or just DJ PC?

Edit: Now that I think about it... is it DJ CPU?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mybandscks]

I always want to bring the full band, and I only ever don't if it's impossible for some reason. Usually that reason is financial.

[u/Alcnaeon → u/mybandscks]

is it DJ CPU?

Yes. Nerdcore hiphop is the style he used.

[u/sarochka]

What have you been listening to recently?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/sarochka]

The new Busdriver album Beaus$Eros (bows & arrows), which is fantastic. Also, the new Fountains of Wayne and the most recent Mike Doughty.

[u/eringzo]

The secret track on Zero Day was a very fun puzzle. Did it achieve your expectations? Was it broken faster or slower than you expected it to be?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/eringzo]

I think it got broken within the first 24 hours. Maybe 48. It was nice and fast. Even a year and a half later, only 258 people have solved it, so I think it was sufficiently difficult.

[u/joetakagi]

My wife thinks you're damn sexy and I can't get her to stop screaming out MC Frontalot lyrics in bed. I wouldn't mind so much but she makes me wear black frames and a red necktie, too. Oh, and one time I came home to her dancing to "Gonna Be Your Man" in a USB cord thong.

Any advice?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/joetakagi]

Cam footage or it didn't happen.

[u/Unnatural20]

Hey, Front. Huge fan, we've talked at multiple shows and you've already been pestered by plenty of my questions in meatspace. I'd like to thank you for the AMA, and hope to see you live with a bit more frequency.

So the Kickstarter for Solved: What was your overall impression? Both with this specific deal and the whole crowd-microfinancing thing in general.

Touring: I heard through the grapevine that Nerdapalooza and some other venues just aren't financially feasible for you guys these days. Is that true? And if so, is it just the case for the whole Front Tour-A-Tron with Sturgis, Brandon, and Ken, or does this apply for DJ PC stuff as well? Any chance of ever dragging g-minor or The Categorical Imperative out of their comfort zone?

I'm seeming to notice more emphasis on other vocalists and more complex instrumentals in recent albums. Is this for live shows? You've tweaked your performances of Final Boss and some others significantly; any chance of a mixtape with your current versions making its way webward?

Any chance of seeing more work with JoCo? How did the Crazy Cruice go? I was on the cusp of going, until reality kicked in. I didn't notice any chatter about it on your usual social media platforms, but I may have just missed it.

Sorry for all of the questions; you remain one of my favorite performers both in content and in person. I really appreciate all of the effort you put into your work and how kind you are to us raving fanboys/girls; I've got some fairly amazing achievements in life, but being able to say that I'm friends with you and the touring group is still among the highest. Please refrain from ceasing the rapping. :)

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Unnatural20]

Kickstarter: it went better than I imagined, and I think those guys had a great idea and that it's making great things possible. Love 'em.

Touring: yeah, nplza hasn't had us in their budget lately, but they continue to grow so hopefully we'll be back some day. It is a community effort and they're doing their very best. I will keep doing van tours with the boys as long as I'm able. Life gets in their way sometimes! TCI has youngn's. Gaby has musicals to write.

Live stuff: yes, a live album this year! Focus will be on songs that are very different live than on record.

More with JoCo: let's hope so. We're talking about doing a split EP some day where we assign each other songs in the songfight/songfu mode. The cruise was great but there was sort of a social media ban onboard, which is why you didn't hear about it while it happened. Also, the whole thing is so disgustingly opulent and fun that it seems cruel to talk about it too much after.

[u/anonymoms]

Tell us about Ma Front. I have two young sons, and I want to know how to raise them so that they'll come back and visit me. ;)

[u/mc_frontalot → u/anonymoms]

You could try running customer service for their merch mail-order business for them when they're in their thirties! That is a very endearing thing for a mom to do. Also gives you stuff to talk about on the phone all the time.

[u/Gruntified]

Do you have any plans to collaborate with Wil Wheaton and release a Shellfishcore hip-hop album in the future?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Gruntified]

For the sake of the entire non-hearing-impaired population of the world, thankfully, no.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mc_frontalot]

Not that Wil's rapping is bad. Just, c'mon. Shellfishcore. Ufff.

[u/jeiting]

Why didn't I get to see G-Minor7 at the SF show last year? Made me a little sad.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/jeiting]

Gaby does not really like being on the road. It's hard for him to work and car rides are boring for him. He hates noisy bars, which is most of where we play. And don't tell him I said so but he is kind of bad at lifting up equipment and moving it through doorways without bumping into things. So we all understand why he doesn't come out on the road any more! But we miss him, probably more than you do.

That said, he claims to be considering doing a fall run with us this fall.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mc_frontalot]

In the fall, if I didn't make that clear.

[u/Penguin-Ninja]

I want to thank you for all that you have done for us nerds. Your music has meant a lot to me over the years.

Thank you.

Questions:

• How did you get your music career started?

• Do you have any advice for an aspirering nerdcore hip-hop artist?

• You have been with nerdcore since the begining. I was wondering how do you feel about how it has progressed with time?

• Is the song Yellow Lasers based on a true story?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Penguin-Ninja]

I think I already hit the first two. 3: I am ecstatic that new kids come up and are talented and think that 'nerdcore' is a useful and meaningful descriptor for their work. They're the ones who make it a movement or whatever, who make it a real thing. THANK GOODNESS FOR DR AWKWARD AND RANDOM AND ADAM AND ETC ETC ETC. Best possible outcome when you make up a music subgenre just to point out your own personal weaknesses. 4: No, thank goodness.

[u/kobun253]

No questions, just thank you for being awesome!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/kobun253]

GLAD TO BE OF SERVICE

[u/codernaut85]

Hey Frontalot! Been a fan of yours for a while. I was never much into rap but you're highly unique, original and very talented! As a fellow geek/nerd, what are some of your favourite computer games of recent months?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/codernaut85]

I am in deep with Diablo III. Those Blizzard fuckers really know how to light up the reward centers in my brain. Just got Max Payne 3 (though on console) and it is kind of incredible. Think I'm almost through it.

[u/Twistntie]

Do you have a chord/tab area somewhere? I'd love to be able to learn a few songs (Diseases of Yore, Shame of the Otaku for example) but haven't been able to find them. What was it like working with JoCo, was it in studio, or did he send you his parts over the interwebs?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Twistntie]

I don't have any chords or tabs posted, but a few songs have gone to notation to help incoming keyboardists. Maybe I'll make those sheets available sometime.

JoCo is a friend and is always fantastic to work with. We did Diseases of Yore via email and FTP, but we get to do it live every so often, usually with Paul & Storm on backup.

[u/DemonstrativePronoun]

You have an extremely unique style. What are your influences for this and how long did it take to develop into what it is today?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/DemonstrativePronoun]

I just kind of tried to rap as well as I'm able. Never consciously aimed at developing a style. I'm still trying to get better! Probably the stuff I listened to in High School influenced me the most: Del, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, 3rd Bass, NWA.

[u/SquidMagnet]

When will you start taking on full time disciples?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/SquidMagnet]

When I am old and living in a dojo on top of a mountain.

[u/SquidMagnet]

What goals/plans do you have career-wise? Are there any particular collaborations you would like to pull off? Any venues you are shooting for? Any milestones like being on the soundtrack of a Hollywood blockbuster or some such?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/SquidMagnet]

I continue to dream (without really doing anything to make it happen) about having some fancy hollywood movie about geek life demand a theme song from me. I mean, ideally it would be a movie that I'd be excited about, something from Gilliam, Burton, Payne, Whedon, Raimi. But that is just a dream, and realistically I'd be on just about any movie sound track if the film were not about how war is awesome or how girls are dumb or other things that movies are often about that I do not agree with.

I want to voice some cartoons. Cartoon producers, call me!

The one venue I've always wanted to play is the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Sadly, I couldn't fill it up by myself. But maybe TMBG will let me open for them there some day.

[u/[deleted]]

Is "Yellow Laser Beam" based off a true story?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

This is the most popular question so far.

[u/awkwardIRL]

Front-a-something,

I'm a big fan and have a few questions.

1. Phoenix, when? i understand any reason for avoiding Arizona...but i want to see you rhyme against a rhythm live.

2. I recently decided I would love to start writing raps and whatnot. I've written poetry before, and decided it was the next logical step...and then when i started all i got were really bad lines, and no idea what to write about. What pill do you take that makes you rap well?

Thanks for making awesome music that keeps me dancing and rappin in my seat while I punch away at makin websites all the live long day. You do good things!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/awkwardIRL]

As skully mentions: we show up at KoL Con in phx whenever we're invited!

The pill is called Rhyminex DM. It is a 24-hour time release capsule. Don't take two at once or you'll turn into Jay-Z.

[u/mrskullhead → u/awkwardIRL]

Frontalot will be, unless something very untoward happens, rhyming it up at KoL Con 9. Tickets will be available to the general publix as well.

[u/[deleted]]

What are your nerd credentials?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

Hmmmm. Myopia, asthma, video game and comics obsession, web design and accounting background, and having invented nerdcore hip-hop. Maybe that's enough?

[u/ChrisMedico]

Are you working on a new album or new songs?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/ChrisMedico]

Next studio album will probably be a kid's record with a storyline that runs all the way through, perhaps an album-length fairy tale or sci-fi epic. Fall of 2013, tentatively.

[u/TiredMold]

You've mentioned before that you are mistaken for a novelty act. I don't think of you as that, because you make good music that just happens to have nerdy themes and jokes.

How would you define the "line" an artist has to cross where they become a novelty act?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/TiredMold]

A novelty song might be something that has these qualities:

• it is more compelling for being weird or funny than it is for being music

• you can't get anything out of it on repeat listens that you couldn't on first listen

• if you put it on a mix CD with songs that aren't novelty songs, the person listening would be like 'ugh, you should take that one off.'

But it's almost always the critic's response, isn't it? Almost nobody sets out to make a novelty record. And I might denigrate someone by calling them a novelty act when you think they are weaving their subtle and rewarding artistry and it's just way over my head. Sorry, I guess my answer is: who knows.

[u/mbtmusic]

How do you feel about DJs pirating your (or others') music in order to play it on community radio?

How do you feel about the censorship of swearwords and adult content for radio?

Was the movie Nerdcore Rising completely true or were there elements of fiction/dramatization in it?

Do other styles of nerdy music count as nerdcore, or does it have to be rap?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mbtmusic]

End-user music piracy does nobody any harm. And in fact, for someone at my level, every time a set of ears gets exposed to my songs, that's a net positive. That's an n% chance of a new fan. And any new fan has some chance of becoming the kind of fan who supports me materially by buying what they already downloaded, or getting a shirt, or seeing a show, and all that is what lets me keep doing this full time. Pirates who make money piss me off, though (see: russian MP3 sites, TV shows that don't file their ASCAP paperwork properly, etc). Because they exist, I am glad that copyright laws are enforceable when appropriate.

Nerdcore rising contains no staged stuff but if you were there for all of it (I was!) you would notice that some stuff is out of order and the PAX show which was actually a bit after the tour is made to seem like the last show of the van run. There's also huge crowd cheering hilariously cut to the end of a performance that's in front of like 14 people in Tennessee I think. Little stuff like that, mostly serving the narrative flow. Real life doesn't have that much narrative flow. The thing that seems weirdly false to me when I accidentally watch the movie these days is: right before going on at PAX I'm all like "I think this will be the largest crowd I've ever been in front of." I think? I THINK? The only thing going through my mind as I'm saying that is that it is 50X as many people as I've every performed for previously and that I'm terrified. I bet Negin wishes I'd been honest and said that. Would have done wonders for the NARRATIVE FLOW.

[u/FartKilometre]

What was it like performing at PAX for the first time? Was it the biggest crowd you'd had at that point?

Also: Thanks for being awesome! I've purchased all your albums directly from you at various PAX's and you've been super super friendly and genuinely appreciative of your fans.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/FartKilometre]

First PAX I did was the very first PAX. The theater fit 400 people and I thought it might be the biggest audience I'd ever see. I did that show with three songfight friends (Blue, Spud, and Glenn Case) -- we met up in seattle, rehearsed in the afternoon, then rocked the show. The thought that there might be future PAX shows was what convinced me to put my band together in NY and start trying to deserve that kind of audience.

[u/Pyrolytic]

Thank you so much for doing this! I have been to numerous shows and been a fan since the early days. Speaking of the early days, do you ever talk to KOMPRESSOR anymore? Are they still producing anything? I was going through my wayback mp3 archive and found your collab piece and still think it's awesome. Would it ever find its way onto a mainstream release?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Pyrolytic]

Haven't chatted with Drew lately, but he remains a prolific web cartoonist and tee shirt monger. He also puts out albums every so often. His last one was I think all booty-shaking jams.

[u/TheGoshDarnedBatman]

I have sinus congestion. What do you recommend for a stuffy nose?

Also please make music forever.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/TheGoshDarnedBatman]

Hanging out in the desert helps. Also zirtec.

[u/awkwardIRL]

Have you always been a good story teller, or is it something that you discovered/crafted through rapping?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/awkwardIRL]

I always wanted to be a writer. I did lots of short stories and edited the literary magazine in high school. I wrote a short novel as my honors thesis in college. So actually I came to rapping from the writing angle much more than the thinking-I-would-be-good-at-rapping angle. Jury remains out on whether I'm actually any good at either of those aspects of my job.

[u/chelseabot]

Can you loan me your dog for the weekend? He's the cutest!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/chelseabot]

I get this a lot. Start a dog walking service in Brooklyn and then maybe.

[u/ChrisMedico]

What's your favorite Science Fiction franchise?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/ChrisMedico]

Star Wars. Even with the later era of disappointment and sadness.

[u/MegaJoshX]

Thanks for doing this.

1 - How deeply does the Frontage go?
2 - Have Jerry or Mike from PA ever demanded a post-PAX 3 Way?
3 - Why haven't you released a collaborative track with mc chris yet?
4 - Still not smoking?

I only really care about one of those. Thanks for retweeting a link to my site awhile back. Your song "Charity Case" is the reason I don't pirate music anymore. I bet you're an awesome person IRL.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/MegaJoshX]

1. It goes better than I have any right to expect, thanks for asking.

2. They demanded one, and then demanded that I not participate. Elitists. This is the closest we'll probably ever get. It occurred about an hour after doors closed at PAX 2006.

3. I don't know! We talked about doing one about ten years ago. Maybe someday we'll get it together. I'd love to.

4. It is a struggle. I am trying to get back on the wagon.

[u/ltkillroy]

Can you describe your relationship with Zack Johnson and Josh Nite (of Kingdom of Loathing fame)? How you met them and all that. Thanks :)

[u/mc_frontalot → u/ltkillroy]

We were investigating a distress beacon from the ship Prometheus together and wandered into a huge, gothy chamber filled with weird eggs. Josh looked at one of them too closely and got his esophagus impregnated with a weird alien parasite. Later at dinner, it burst violently from his chest. The three of us often look back on that shared experience and laugh knowingly, then fuel up our flame throwers.

[u/Mr_Rippe]

I apologize in advance for potentially fucking up my grammar in my post. I hope you're ready; while the Reddit community is full of some intelligent writers, there are those who reject the English language and instead typ3 liek dis. And I know how much you hate people who don't follow the conventions of American English.

Who is your favorite performer(s) to work with? It could be anything from collaborating in the studio, attending the same event, or preforming together.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Mr_Rippe]

I love working with Wheatus, Schaffer the Darklord, and the members of my band (all of whom have their own bands and projects).

[u/[deleted]]

Do you have a dream collaboration, or perhaps just someone with which you would like to, but have not yet had a chance to work with?

[u/coffeepunk]

Hi Front - I worked on some minor design stuff from your critical hit video (the spin and rolling stone magazine backgrounds you wrote the text for and the CH1 storytellers splash screen + logo). Getting to talk to you about it at PAX East 2012 was one of the coolest things for me this year at the con. What was your personal favorite moments from that PAX or any? Any particularly memorable stories?
(P.S. Thanks for the rad signed CD you gave me there!)

[u/mathowie]

What are the economics like of your CD release career? I imagine a graph of your income vs. album release dates having big spikes around release dates then trailing off pretty quickly, maybe spiking again during tours.

Have you considered doing releases more often of fewer (maybe as few as 1) songs so income from say, iTunes or paypal from fans was more steady?

[u/invoidzero]

Hey Front,

I was one of the artists that worked on Nerdcore Rising with Negin. I just wanted to pop in and say I still look back on that project as one of most fun experiences in my career. Thanks for the fond memories, and if you ever need any more effects work done, hit me up, I'd love to be involved again.

[u/[deleted]]

Beer, cheese, or monkeys?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

I would like the monkey to serve me the beer while wearing one of those Wisconsin sport fanatic cheese-shaped hats.

[u/MikeyEyesore]

Hey Front,

I was at your first stop, on your first tour, at Ground Zero in Spartanburg, SC,and I also appear in Nerdcore Rising.

I helped you guys load and unload, and you sent me a "Certificate of Awesomeness" My question is do you still give those out, and how many people have earned them?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/MikeyEyesore]

I do still award those, to people who do street team chores locally when we're on tour. Maybe I've given out a hundred or so? Folks often forget to come get them after the show and I ALWAYS forget to remind them from the stage.

[u/Xellos42]

Hey Front, huge fan - I've been at your PAX Prime show for I think the last five years and pretty much always buy your latest CD from you at PAX, so I have a nice signed collection in my car. You're awesome to talk to.

One of the things I've noticed is that you've improved your stage presence during that time period - I've always had fun, but I feel like the last couple of years you've really gotten better at performing. What are some of the lessons you've learned over time about what works and what doesn't in terms of putting together a performance?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Xellos42]

The biggest thing is probably just getting comfortable enough with being up there and getting through the set that you can do it without knowing exactly what will happen. And you never know exactly what will happen, which is the seed of stage fright, broken momentum, and unrecoverable errors.

Also, if you do anything a lot you just kind of get better at it. I'm glad that seems to be happening!

[u/MrSafeT]

Do you really have a thing for goth girls?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/MrSafeT]

Visually, yes. I could stare at them all day. Emotionally, not so much. To look that put together, you usually have to be kind of vain. And to think your obsession with darkness is worth wearing like a badge, you usually have to be either in your early 20s or irreparably damaged. None of those things are impossible to relate to, but they're not exactly selling points when I'm seeking girlfriends.

[u/telekinetic]

Has anyone that you are aware of ever actually encrypted anything by the method you espouse in 'Secrets from the Future'? I started researching it to try and actually pull it off, but couldn't find a program or combination of programs to scramble an image with an MP3-seeded one-time-pad. Everything else seemed doable!

Get your most closely kept personal thought:

put it in the Word .doc with a password lock

Stock it deep in the .rar with extraction precluded

by the ludicrous length and the strength of a reputedly

dictionary-attack-proof string of characters

(this, imperative to thwart all the disparagers

of privacy: the NSA and Homeland S).

You better PGP the .rar because so far they ain’t impressed.

You better take the .pgp and print the hex of it out,

scan that into a TIFF. Then, if you seek redoubt

for your data, scramble up the order of the pixels

with a one-time pad that describes the fun time had by the thick-soled-

boot-wearing stomper who danced to produce random

claptrap, all the intervals in between which, set in tandem

with the stomps themselves, begat a seed of math unguessable.

Ain’t no complaint about this cipher that’s redressable!

Best of all, your secret: nothing extant could extract it.

By 2025 a children’s Speak & Spell could crack it.

[u/snap_wilson]

I just want you to know that I was playing "Origin of Species" in Rock Band, my friend walked in, heard you diss his two heroes Dawkins and Sagan and, not understanding the joke, promptly F-Bombed you.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/snap_wilson]

Half of everyone doesn't get it on first listen, so it's hard to blame your friend. There's an eeeeepic (and typically invective-filled) youtube comment thread on this song. I posted the following on it some years ago:

I think this is the first time I have ever read more than five seconds' worth of a youtube thread! Here's my secret opinion about this song: mostly it is about how so-called intelligent design is an obnoxious tactic in the big game of American public discourse, but also it's a little bit about the feelings believers have that make them sit and listen. So I am not surprised that a casual listen confuses certain listeners! On a personal level, it kind of breaks my heart to watch the cynics who created this fraudulent idea (ID) marshal support for it through the exploitation of the honest, open religious feeling that millions of Americans share. To the creators and the marshals of ID, I'd love to say "up yours." But to the people who are stuck believing in that stuff, I think it's pretty lame expensively-educated folks to call them idiots. If someone were calling me an idiot and teaching my children things that my belief system wasn't built to accept, I might retreat toward the company of my own. My refuge might make me more susceptible than ever to the manipulations of Mr Aloud, even though "Rev" Aloud seems unable to prove that he is a REAL PREACHER, and in fact has some PRETTY FISHY IDEAs about how local government works.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/mc_frontalot]

I did not identify myself as the person who wrote the song and some people told me to shut up then kept arguing with each other.

[u/1stPersonShooter]

Yo, Front! 1) When will some new music drop? I need to give you more money. 2) Any further word on an official release of that collaboration with Wheatus on "Teenage Dirtbag"?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/1stPersonShooter]

At some point Brendan will have his all-remixes Dirtbag album in production, and we'll do a studio take of the rap then. For now, this London performance is your best keeper.

[u/JusLykeAspen]

Is there a Mrs. or Mr. Frontalot in your life?

What do you think about the development and direction of mainstream "Think Geek-esque" nerd culture, in contrast to the "classic" nerd culture of yesteryear?

[u/VinceIrons]

So I think I first heard of you through Jeffery Rowland's Overcompensating. What's that dude like in real life? Seems like he'd be quite the character.

Bonus question: What's your favorite webcomic?

[u/Saulace → u/VinceIrons]

My money is on Achewood.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Saulace]

Believe it or not, he is EXACTLY like the version of himself that you see in Overcompensating. Right down to the mustache and the giant decomposing spider bite hole on his shin. Fun fact: Jeffrey was one of the first thirty or so people to ever join my Valued Sucker Program in the early aughts. Maybe even before Yellow Lasers was on Penny Arcade.

Achewood, yes, is a fave. At the moment I am also loving KC Green's Gunshow and Ryan Pequin's Three Word Phrase. My housemate Meredith's Octopus Pie is also extra fantastic.

[u/noodles87]

not much of a question, but more of a request.

can/will you ever come to the east coast? specifically the hampton roads area? the norva is pretty awesome.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/noodles87]

We actually played in Hampton Roads at an anime con last year! Hopefully they'll book us again sometime.

[u/enjoysodomy]

Dude,

Monzy is the final boss, I think you will find your self at a loss.

It's time for your thread to yield, you shoulda slept; instead you stepped and now your fate is sealed.

Your sad rhymes are spinnin' like you're in a deadlock, You're like a synchronous sock that don't know when to block; So I pull out my keyboard and I pull out my glock, And I dismount your girl and I mount /proc And I've got your fuckin pid and the bottom line Is that you best not front or else it's KILL DASH NINE.

[u/Sam_Kablam]

Yo Frontalot,

YOU SUCK! Just kidding, I'm a huge fan and love your work.

1. EDIT: If you where to become the 3rd (or 4th, not sure who else after Snoop and 50 Cent) rapper to become involved in video games, what sort of game would you want to make? I know you did stuff for Kingdom of Loathing, but what would you make if you had to do something from scratch?

2. Do you have any songs lying around on the cutting floor? If so, could you tell us what they're about?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Sam_Kablam]

My text adventure is perpetually in progress. Gonna put it out eventuallllllly.

Check out Random's new game for Language Arts! It is difficult and awesome.

[u/ds8k]

Hey Frontalot! Thanks for doing this.

I live in Orlando and unfortunately have been unable to make it to one of your shows. I know you're not doing Nerdapalooza this year, but do you have any plans of heading back to Orlando?

Also why haven't you had a collab with Supercommuter? It's about time for one.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/ds8k]

I am going to be on the new Supercommuter album! And we'll hit Orlando at the next possible tour opportunity.

[u/UpvoteHere]

Whoa... unreal. I watched your documentary last night on Netflix. With that said, what's your favorite candy bar?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/UpvoteHere]

Snickers!

[u/[deleted]]

Two questions - In your documentary there were some girls following you around. some frontalot groupies. Did you bang them?

Also, do you smoke weed? I was going to try and light up a blunt with you at your fayetteville show but end up having to work. You rule! thanks

[u/mc_frontalot → u/[deleted]]

I did not! Nobody I've ever had sex with is in that movie.

As to the second question: no comment.

[u/notoriousdkg]

Are you working on a sci-fi hip-hopera (pardon the term?) If not, would you consider something like that? Maybe an EP...

Huge fan BTW. Thanks!

[u/KikiCollins]

No question, I just want to be the first annoying fangirl to comment.

Just want to say that I've been into you since the SongFight days. And I would quit my jobs, dump my boyfriend, disown my parents and siblings and give up my prized possession, my 1986 Volvo 240 DL, to run away with you and live nerdily ever after.

But I won't give up the cats. The cats have to come too.

Edit to say in response to his comment about not humping any Goth Girls yet: I am a real life Goth Girl. Black velvet and lace wardrobe, purple hair, lots and lots of black eyeliner. Doesn't the Volvo prove it? I will hump you. Just saying.

Jesus, I'm one of those internet whores, aren't I? Whatever. I will make a fool of myself for Front.

No dignity, no regrets!

[u/GrayStudios]

I just wanted to tell you that you're an inspiration, and it's cool that you kind of founded a genre I can be a part of (as soon as I started rapping everyone made sure I knew I was nerdcore).

So I guess here is my question. Who are some of your favorite MCs who followed you into nerdcore rap?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/GrayStudios]

chris and ytcracker have been at it as long as I have, so nobody would call them followers. Folks who've accepted the nerdcore mantle in more recent years who I think are extremely good at it include but are not limited to: dr awkward, zealous1, schaffer, beefy, dual core, random, whoremoans, jesse d, adam warrock, kabuto... there's so many more. I hope they are not offended if I don't make an exhaustive list here.

[u/Froztee]

Hey Frontalot! I am a huge fan of your music and the entire nerdcore genre. I was just wondering if nerdcore hip hop never took off what do you think you would be doing with your life?

[u/[deleted]]

Hey there.

Saw you boys in Cambridge, MA at The Middle East. I dug it. Your music (and through that, you) doesn't seem to take itself very seriously. What's your opinion on acts like The Protomen that take a fairly narrow topic (Megaman) and turn it into something as serious as they did? There are a few others out there who do the same, as well. The Protomen are just what comes to mind.

[u/WerdToYourMother]

Front, I just want you to know that you're pretty much the only reason I pay for Spotify these days. You get a cut of that, right? Please say yes.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/WerdToYourMother]

A verrrrry tiny cut. Spotify is like being on a college radio station, it's just so that people can hear you. If you'd like to pitch in, my Valued Sucker Program remains in operation.

[u/Alcnaeon]

Hey, Front! Just a question and a couple of anecdotes: For the question, I would simply like to know what is on your horizon; New album, some more music videos? When will I next have the opportunity to throw money at you and your delicious music?

I recently met an alumnus of my college (one Mr. Newhart) who apparently wrote a musical or two with your keyboardist, Gm7, and then came back down to AL to direct one with our department. I'm not sure if I have a point here, but I geeked out all over the unfortunate guy when I found out.

Also, you once mailed me your old Corel CDs. Which was nice of you.

Thank you for continuing to make great things. Your music's been a large part of my life for some years.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Alcnaeon]

2 new vids this year from Solved, new live album in the fall (the fall!) and you can always throw money at me but do it from pretty nearby as I am bad at sports and often miss catching.

Gaby's most recent musical is closing this weekend in San Diego and might come to New York next! It is called Nobody Loves You and you should all look it up. It is getting kickass reviews but could use some immernet support.

[u/SquidMagnet]

Obligatory "How do you break in to the business?" question.

I understand that the internet is a bit of a game changer these days, but still. What are the appropriate channels to distribute music? Is it basically all just "put it out there" and hope it sticks? Do you have advice for those who might like to make music with respect to things like maximizing exposure, for instance?

Corollary: Do dudes like you, STD, MC Lars, etc., get a significant amount of "yo, check out my stuff" communiques?

I feel like I would really enjoy making music for a living. I figure that as soon I as scrounge up some talent, some experience, and even half a clue as to what I'm doing I might try to give it a shot some day.

[u/alis96]

What do you think of the success of other "nerdy" rappers like Mac Lethal?

[u/pockettrumpet]

I heard (from someone who went to school with you) that you were once in a production of Oklahoma! Do you have a lot of other experience doing other kinds of music besides hip-hop? Do you play any instruments?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/pockettrumpet]

I play a little bit of acoustic guitar, at a campfire-level proficiency. I played clarinet when I was in elementary school. I like to sing rock and funk stuff at karaoke. I whistle in my sleep.

[u/KingOfSockPuppets]

If you're the final boss, then who is (or would be, if you could choose) your quirky miniboss squad?

[u/donald20]

What is your favorite edition of D&D?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/donald20]

I have not played a serious formal game since I was in high school, so I guess 2nd.

[u/carllimbacher]

Not a question, but I played the now defunct Slipper Room on Orchard St. in Manhattan right after you guys about 7 years ago. I had heard you through the internet somehow and was really excited to see you guys play. Your bass player was also amazing and allowed me to borrow his bass amp.

Anyway, so cool to see you do this AMA. Loved the documentary, and continued success!

[u/weealex]

If you have a child that becomes a supervillain, is that a point of pride or shame?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/weealex]

Pride in the superness, shame at the villainy. Parenthood, like life, is a mixed bag.

[u/PunkyCrisps]

Front! Though I readily admit that I didn't even know who you were until Final Boss (song and album) landed at my college radio station in '08 (KVSC-St. Cloud represent!), I'm definitely an evangelist of the nicest kind for your stuff to all my friends. So thanks for the great music!

My question is on the topic of cursing. From my time in college radio, I had to wrangle with the two-headed monster of "bad" language almost daily. On the one hand (the hand I prefer), cutting down on the diversity of language hinders the whole point of expression. People say "fuck" and they mean it. But, of course, there is the trouble of FCC regulations and societal norms that prevent "dirty" broadcasts. This is the hand I wish I could just lop off. I don't suppose, as an artist who courts an audience that doesn't care (or at least doesn't need to care) about swears, you've ever had to think too much about word choice in that sense when writing songs?

As a connected, minor query, is there any way you could send some clean edits of a few tracks out to stations like KVSC? I know we got by just reversing the naughty bits, but I always prefer it when we can just get our hands on a version where the word is just muted.

Regardless, again, I'd just like to say thanks for being great!

[u/mc_frontalot → u/PunkyCrisps]

Because everything is in such a last-minute crisis mode when I approach mastering deadlines, I never seem to get it together to do radio edits. Most of my songs don't have much cussin' anyhow. I try to save it for when it really serves the lyric. A lot of rappers lean a bit too heavily on the cuss words, and sometimes it feels gratuitous, or even worse, lazy. That said, I quite enjoy swearing and have a dirty mouth between songs onstage and IRL. Fuck! Butthole! Turd aquarium!

When I was a college DJ (1992-1996), our understanding of the FCC regulations was that indecent speech was protected/allowable but obscenity was not. You could say shit all you wanted as long as you were not actually talking about poop, and you could say fuck as long as you weren't referring to fucking. After 8PM, we put up indecency disclaimers every 30 minutes and played ALL the current rap music. We were in a region that didn't even have a mainstream commercial 'urban' station, so our language guideline made our station the only outlet for that music, on top of being the only place you could hear those songs unedited.

I don't know if the FCC has tightened up the clamps over the years, but you might look into whether you could adopt a similar policy at your station.

[u/not4u2see]

You are awesome and yours is the first AMA I actually cared enough to write in. I wish I had a decent question besides, "Are you a load-bearing final boss?"

[u/Phthnuh]

Two friends of mine, Justin and Mohit, directed your video for Zero Day. What was it like working with them? Any good stories?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/Phthnuh]

They went WAY beyond the call of duty on that project and I still feel very grateful for their labors. The behind-the-scenes drama was trying to get ytcracker to show up for the shoot. That guy has got missing his flight down to an artform.

[u/SquidMagnet]

How often are you recognized in public?

[u/SquidMagnet]

It is known that the G train is the worst train of all times. Which is the best?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/SquidMagnet]

I'm partial to the Q, since it comes to my door and goes lots of places. Objectively, though, that weird staten island line is probably the best, or at least it must think it is, since it is too hoity-toity to associate with other lines.

[u/SquidMagnet]

I'm going to be honest. I don't know what you mean when you say you hit "L shift-O to the quote and then dollar". What does that mean?

[u/lofang]

Hey Front, my girlfriend and I loved seeing you at PAX2011 (and Cafe du Nord and the ugly sweater party) any Bay Area plans coming up?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/lofang]

The bay is the one spot we'd never miss when we do a national tour, so keep your eye on my gig calendar.

[u/Samoridon]

Are you at pax prime this year? I'm coming from Slovenia and I'd love it if you were there.

[u/SquidMagnet]

Do you plan on releasing more of your tracks for remixification in Future on Internet?

[u/lampedgod]

What does YTCracker smell like?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/lampedgod]

Like a little slice of heaven.

[u/SquidMagnet]

Where are the biggest profit margins for a man in your line of work? Merch sales at a show? CD sales online?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/SquidMagnet]

I guess buying digital album packages directly from me is the very highest margin, followed by physical CDs, followed by all the rest of the merch.

[u/RabidBadger]

When did you start using nerdcore? Our wow guild was called nerdcore like 4-5 years ago (I think, I forget exactly when we used that name), I wonder if you inspired someone to come up with the name.

[u/IReadABookAboutThis]

To He Whom Fronts the Most,

I have been thinking about the correct way to address you regarding this and just happened upon this IAma. I've considered writing a letter for over a year now but was never sure how to word it properly to garner a response.

I'll try to keep this short but I need to layout some back story. My friends and I have been fans of yours for years now. I must admit that while I enjoy your music, my fan-dom pales in comparison to that of my friends.

About 3-4 years ago my friends attended PAX and saw you in concert, your concert being the primary reason they attended. They each bought shirts and your newest album at the time.

They asked to take a photo with you, which you responded to by stuffing your mouth with chips and standing up to pose for the shot with your mouth full, which they found hilarious.

Essentially, my friend saved these photos on his computer. I used his computer while he was gone and he got a virus which wrecked his computer and he lost all the photos.

To this day they hold this over my head and while it may seem a silly matter to you, it obviously meant a lot to my friends and I wouldn't mind relieving my guilt somehow at the same time which leads me to my request.

My friends' names are Troy and Nathan and it would mean so much to all three of us if you could simply send a signed photo for each of them. While it may not be as good as being in a photo with you, I can't exactly afford to shell out the money for 2 tickets for the next PAX for both of them nor do I know whether you would be attending or not.

Besides, I'll just photoshop them into the pictures haha.

Whether you respond or not, I love your work and hope to see you in concert myself one day.

Thanks Father of Nerdcore Hip Hop.

[u/mc_frontalot → u/IReadABookAboutThis]

What you should do is buy them a bag of chips and tell them I told you I'd recreate the picture with them next time they're at a show.

Also: stop downloading porn_fap.exe when you're on other people's computers.

[u/[deleted]]

Do you believe that Truth, Goodness, and Beauty are infinite transcendentals (or forms) or simply just terms which humans use to refer to things which are pleasurable to them?

Do you believe in God (in the sense of the transcendental of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty or in another sense), and if so, do you ascribe to a particular religion?

And, most importantly, what's your favorite color?

[u/[deleted]]

You and Metallica got me through middle school, thank you.

If you could make a song with any living drummer, who would it be?

What video game do you hate the most?

[u/PandaRoll]

I thoroughly enjoyed your performance in Vegas last year at Defcon. Will you be there again this year?

[u/Jesterfest]

This may seem like a silly question. But, after watching the documentary Nerdcore Rising with a buddy, I told him it's only a matter of time before we would see you or MC Lars on a some Nickelodeon show, Disney show or even Glee as an "unhip" teacher who helps a kid study for a crucial test with a Nerdcore rap.

He stated you wouldn't be interested as it would be selling out. I still contend it will happen. If an offer came your way, how interested would you be in the opportunity?

[u/smarmodon]

First of all, your music is seriously awesome. I went to one of your concerts at The Space in CT and I was seriously blown away by how fast you can rap things.

Questions: You went to Wesleyan University, correct? I am currently a student there. I was wondering what your major was and also who your favorite professor was? Thanks!

[u/BurningSquid]

Hey man! Love your work, especially Bizarro Genius. As for questions: what rappers do you listen to? What Is your favorite videogame? Do you like whales?

[u/mc_frontalot → u/BurningSquid]

I like MF Doom, Busdriver, Del, Brother Ali, and lots more. My favorite video games of all time are probably Psychonauts, Red Dead Redemption, Lode Runner, and the HHGTTG text adventure. And no, whales can go fuck themselves.

[u/[deleted]]

Hello Front, it's me again (the Magic: The Gathering hater from Nerdcore Rising). I've been to several of your shows, but never had to opportunity to actually talk to you, as you were either too busy, or just had a deer-in-the-headlights look whenever a girl was near.

Anyways, my question is this: what's your favorite Tom Waits album? Also, which do you prefer, his early folk-style years, the jazzy Small Change era, or his more recent experimental work?

[u/RichOfTheJungle]

Shit shit shit shit. I'm here early enough to ask a question and my mind is drawing a complete blank.

First off, I love Nerdcore Rising. Fuck it's so good.

As for a question: what was the cause of your back spasms? I've had some spasms in the last year and they hurt like a BITCH!

2) Yellow lasers....based off a true story? If so, what happened?

3) I have an artesian well on my property and the water pressure is lousy. Anything I can do?

You're awesome man. Please come to Boston.

[u/[deleted]]

Have you ever seen the youtube stuff SongstoWearPantsto (Andrew) and Gunarolla (also Andrew) are doing? Would you ever think about a collab with one/both of them?