I can spell “awesome” in three letters — P.P.T.

by Steve Smith of West and Clear

Once someone asked my friend Doug Bryan what kind of music he liked. He replied, “I like good music.”

What he said.

I agree with the man. What I want to know is if it’s any good or not. Great music transcends genres — Beethoven, Duke Ellington, Merle Haggard, The Clash. Great is great. There are absolutes in life. Which brings us to the topic for today. P.P.T.

Is P.P.T. good music? No. P.P.T. is great freaking music. But I can hear what some of you are probably saying now. “But I really don’t like hip hop music.”

I’m thinking … sucks to be you. You are missing out.

I think that P.P.T. – the local hip hop virtuosos known individually as Pikhasso, Picnic and (Fort Worth’s own) Tahiti – are something special. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself when they play Modern 'til Midnight this Friday at 10 p.m. (Admission is $15; FREE for Modern members). It’s almost unfair to call them hip hop because – like me – they love music. That comes through in their latest album, Denglish, which references everyone from the Beatles to Parliament to the Pet Shop Boys. It’s a fun English-tinged romp.

And if you show up on Friday, you will never have more fun at a concert. Period. These guys will rock your ass.

My one hope is that Cory Watson from Black Tie Dynasty will make an appearance. Cory’s pretty special in his own right. And when he takes the stage with P.P.T. – well, it’s like a unicorn eating a bowl of glitter. Unfiltered awesomeness.

Please pardon me while I gush just a little more. Another great Fort Worth band, The Theater Fire, will take the stage at 8. But that’s a whole other post about their greatness. My batteries are run down now. Just be there. I know I will be.