Isaiah Ikey Owens - Looking For Lauryn Hill In Lakewood

Isaiah "Ikey" Owens, one half of the Look Daggers (w/ 2Mex), keyboardist for The Mars Volta and leader of his band Free Moral Agents has quietly released his own solo debut.

Cop it and spread the word:
iTunes

Look Daggers Detroit Bar Video

Because of Chris Clawson's broken arm (Look Daggers drummer), the Daggers band could not make it out, but if you know Ikey, you know he has a million musicians in his rolodex. So, Ikey took members of his other band Free Moral Agents, added his brother Eugene (once the musical director for Lauryn Hill's band) on bass, and viola, you have a show.

The crowd: as the "Free Moral Daggers" started their set, they were greeted with chants of "Rae-kwon, Rae-kwon" and of course, "Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang." Unfazed by the restless audience, 2Mex continued his raps and the band continued their musical destruction. As the chanting continued and grew louder, 2Mex took it upon himself to leave the stage, go into the crowd of people, and literally rap directly in their faces all while holding the mic to their mouths as they continued to chant.


I was waiting for a fight to break out. But, slowly and surely, the audience began to quiet down, and chants of "2MEX" became more and more audible, even from those who were once screaming for Raekwon. I have never seen a crowd as hostile (and drunk) as that turn from talking sh-t to giving huge props...a complete 180 in my book.

I think it's safe to say that the "Free Moral Daggers" won the crowd over.

Look Daggers in the OC Tonight: 8.7.09

Look Daggers (2Mex & Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta) will be opening for the Chef...Raekwon! Head over to the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa and witness greatness.

We previously reported that the show was canceled due to Chris, the Look Daggers drummer, breaking his arm, but Ikey found a few special replacements and it looks like this is going to be an incredible show. Get there early!

Look Daggers: Prospector Photos

The Prospector was filled to the brim this past Thursday. Was it because this was the first Look Daggers show of the year? Was it because the Daggers were set to unveil some new material they've been rehearsing and recording all week? Was it because The Prospector holds less than 100 people?!? It's probably a combination of all three, but it's safe to say, 2Mex, Ikey and the rest of the Look Daggers performed one of their meanest sets in their history.





From rifling through hits like Call U Later & New Wave Spazout with razor sharp precision (and even adding new twists to the jams), unveiling unreleased, upcoming hits from 2Mex's solo album, and introducing the newest member of the Look Daggers family, incredible vocalist Mainey Wilson...the Look Daggers were definitely in the house.




Hey Ikey! Let's get some more shows cracking!!!

*Live show photos by Mike Panganiban

Look Daggers @ The Prospector: Thursday, July 23

Tomorrow! Thursday, July 23rd will mark the first official Look Daggers show of the 2009! Wow, it really has been a long time since I've seen the band together on stage. I know Ikey has been grinding for his other band Free Moral Agents and we all know 2Mex is the hardest working man in underground hip-hop. What a blessing it is for these two talented individuals to get together again to rock a show.

The Prospector
2400 E. 7th St.
Long Beach, CA 90804
(at the corner of 7th St & Junipero)
21+ / $5

Look Daggers: Suffer In Style Sale

In preparation for the Look Daggers first official show of the year, the generous folks at Up Above Records are hosting a little online sale leading up to the Daggers show next week.

So for all of those in desperate need of new music but don't got the money, now is your time! I mean, you do want to be singing along at the show, right?

Sale price on both the CD+DVD & 2LP+DVD of Suffer In Style and the Before You Say No 7" plus FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the Continental US. Now until July 23rd.

Click here to be directed to the Up Above online store
Coupon code: JULY23