Flobots Talk Solar Powered Gig

In a nod towards the future, Flobots performed in San Diego on a solar powered stage courtesy of Sustainable Waves. The band teamed up with social and philanthropic entity Stay Classy for their tailgate party outside PETCO park on July 12.

Flobots and the event used no outside help to power the bands, amps and the stages, and guitarist Jessie Walker talked about it.

Video clip :

 Flobots On Playing Solar Powered Show

"That was a pretty great thing that they did that. The stage was entirely solar powered, and I think it was one of the few anywhere that are entirely solar powered. It felt great to be a part of that. If we were ever in a situation where we're carrying around our own stage, I think we would certainly try to move in that direction if at all possible."

So, did a passing cloud past the sun dampen the bands performance? Walker and singer Jonny 5 talk about the logistics of how Sustainable Waves pulled it off.

 Flobots On Logistics Of Solar Powered Stages

[Walker] "The technological advancement of that thing was such that I think it would last a whole day or something when it was charged. It can go an incredibly long time. It was surprising." [Jonny 5] "People weren't allowed to wear sunglasses for some reason. I think it interferes with the (ability to run).' Maybe not. I could be wrong."

Flobots are currently on tour in support of their album, Fight with Tools. The follow-up to their first single, "Handlebars," will be "Rise."

Comments

[evening_crow]

...umm, i've always wanted to say "first."

haha...

but really, that's pretty cool. I really wonder how that works out.

I also ordered their cd two weeks ago and it'll be getting shipped today probably (barnes and noble; ordered it with 2 books that were barely gonna be released).

Love them...

[VoodooChild15]

Handlebars is such a badass song.

[Kartman]

Flobots are pretty cool. Sure, they're nothing revolutionary, but Handlebars sure is a catchy tune.

[espplayer400]

yeah, handlebars is cool. but thats their only good song. and as for a solar powered gig? i hope theres an overcast.

[Mlrc]

Fight with Tools is such a great album. Mayday!!, Rise, and Handlebars are three fo the best songs on the album, and they are great.

meh, radiohead does that every show

[NightEmbers]

I would go see them just to check out that stage, well their pretty good too and the violinist is hot

[alaub1491]

Does Radiohead really?

I feel like flobots are a one hit wonder band. None of the rest of their album is even close to the quality of handlebars.

[Polak]

You've got to be kidding me man. What about Mayday? Same Thing? Never had it? Rise? , etc , etc. The album itself is great, the lyrics are powerful and the arrangments are fantastic.

[daytripper75]

i like Flobots. they arent something amazing, but i enjoy listening to them.

i think we need to get more stages like that. i know its not always possible, but it would be a good idea.

[TheIceCreamMan]

They're definitely not revolutionary or anything, and the album is nothing special, but if they keep moving forward, they have potential. I like the guy's voice, I like his rapping style, and their lyrics are brilliant. They just need more interesting instrumentation and they'd definitely shatter any suggestions of another One-Hit Wonder.

[theocao]

handle bars is such a horrible song he like speaks in mono tone 80% of the song and he can't even like rap its just horrible.

[OThugSd]

I like to hear news like this, but Flobots are pretty awful. The only people who like them are the people who don't actually listen to rap in general and don't realize how bland their lyrics are and how their vocalist can't rap for shit.

[Symmetry4321]

I like the whole solar powered thing, it's just not entirly possible to do in the Uk as it's raining all the time

[MetalHead73]

theocao wrote:

handle bars is such a horrible song he like speaks in mono tone 80% of the song and he can't even like rap its just horrible.

Actually he only talks in that mono tone for the first minute.

Then shit goes crazy.

also, Handlebars has really, REALLY great lyrics, and it's rare to see that today.

[Fatal Instinct]

White rap. 'Nuff said.

[Don't Panic Ok?]

^By the way Brer Rabbit is the lead MC and is black

Ah, I love the Flobots, saw them in concert. I hope this goes down.

[funkbass369]

i saw them in richmond. i was right in front of their hot violist... =)

[SGmaniac1021]

sounds like crabgrass to me

[BigBassFishing]

Fatal Instinct:
Eminem. Nuff said. Listen to infinite then talk shit.
But yeah, Flobots aren't that great. handlebars is sorta catchy i think though

[large_slug]

i saw them at the boardwalk for 10 bucks. they put on an awesome show. by the way, OThugsD, my favorite artist is lil wayne and i still love the flobots

[original=punk]

This band is a sham. Maybe if they backed up their lyrics with actual activism I'd rethink it, but the truth is they write about stuff they don't believe in, because they know being "different" sells.

Other bands in this vein of faux social-conciousness: Against Me! and anti-flag

[Infamou$17]

MetalHead73 wrote:
also, Handlebars has really, REALLY great lyrics, and it's rare to see that today.

...Rare? Um I think you need to come out from under that rock, have you never heard of Atmosphere? Lupe Fiasco? Eminem? Cannibal Ox(well actually I bet barely anyone on here knows who they are)

[Infamou$17]

And that's just to name a few. There is so much talent out there nobody knows about cause everybody's throats are too full of Lil Wayne's d*ck to think about anything else

[wombcat]

This band is a sham. Maybe if they backed up their lyrics with actual activism I'd rethink it, but the truth is they write about stuff they don't believe in, because they know being "different" sells.

Other bands in this vein of faux social-conciousness: Against Me! and anti-flag

What the hell is this article about, the Flobots trashing a national forest? No, it is about the Flobots using renewable energy in a "different" way. Also, They're trying to do there part by doing what they do best, music. If you look at someone like John Lennon, that's basically what he did (other than lay in a bed).

[daytripper75]

OThugSd wrote:

I like to hear news like this, but Flobots are pretty awful. The only people who like them are the people who don't actually listen to rap in general and don't realize how bland their lyrics are and how their vocalist can't rap for shit.

i listen to quite a bit of rap, and i still like them. i dont see how you can say the only people that enjoy them are those that dont listen to rap that much.

[VaiSatchLaiho]

I hope this was not for some stupid effort to appear "green" and socially conscious of global warming. I hate that so much. Conservation for conservation's sake isn't half bad though.

[tugboat]

VaiSatchLaiho wrote:

I hope this was not for some stupid effort to appear "green" and socially conscious of global warming. I hate that so much. Conservation for conservation's sake isn't half bad though.

It's one way when it's about something else, but helping the environment isn't anything to be trendy-or-not about. I think it's a great idea, regardless of how shitty I think their music is.

[zero27]

OThugSd wrote:

I like to hear news like this, but Flobots are pretty awful. The only people who like them are the people who don't actually listen to rap in general and don't realize how bland their lyrics are and how their vocalist can't rap for shit.

wow... solar power is pretty cool but dude, speak for yourself.

[STOJDub]

theocao wrote:

handle bars is such a horrible song he like speaks in mono tone 80% of the song and he can't even like rap its just horrible.

What's mono tone have to do with it?Never heard of Gangstarr have we?
Pretty cool about the whole solar powered thing.

[tim311mahoney]

flobots are pretty unique, johnny 5's lyrics flow a lot differently than many other rappers out there. what other bands do you see incorporating hip-hop viola and horns together into a live show? Not to mention Mackenzie Roberts is gorgeous.