The first seeds of Psycho Realm were sown in the tough downtown Pico-Union neighborhood, right across the street from Doheny Park. First-generation Americans and the eldest two of the four Gonzalez boys, Jack and Gustavo, a.k.a. "Duke," grew up in the contentious neighborhood in the mid- and late-1980s.
"Our side of town is the 'Sick Side' of town. They have the South Side, North Side, East Side, whatever. Our side is the Sick Side," Jack explains over a lunch of Argentine Lomo and Mimosas on Hollywood's Melrose Avenue one recent Sunday, fresh off a series of concert dates in Italy.
The patriarch of the Gonzalez family came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 15 and supported his family by painting cars. Their house was filled with music: classic oldies, which surface prominently in Psycho Realm's tracks, along with regional Mexican music and giants of the 1960s and '70s like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.
Immersed in hip-hop as a middle-school student, Jack's neighborhood friend, Yonjo, got ahold of a record featuring a guy out of Miami rapping in Spanish. They threw it on the turntable and, inspired by what they heard, the boys wrote a Spanglish rap about all of the friends they grew up with and the growing specter of neighborhood gang warfare that would crest just a few years later in the early 1990s.
Older brother Duke was attending Cal State Northridge (CSUN) at the time, and Jack and Yonjo made the trip out one weekend to see Latin hip-hoppers A Lighter Shade of Brown play the on-campus pub. When the following act was late to the stage, a deejay friend of Duke's threw on an instrumental beat and persuaded Jack and Yonjo to get on stage. Their song about the neighborhood characters got the crowd going crazier than the headlining act, and Jack was hooked.
Eventually, Yonjo dropped out to work for his family's business, Duke got in on the act, and his days at CSUN soon came to an end as well. "I think he went with the intention of doing something, but didn't know what he wanted to do," says Jack. According to his little brother, Duke spent most of those two years with his '79 Regal backed up to the door of his dorm room, juicing up the batteries on his hydraulics with free electricity, courtesy of the Cal State University system. When the party was over, he left.
By now Jack was attending the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies' (LACES) magnet high school Mid-City. Always a talented writer, he once won an essay contest for an opportunity to travel to the Soviet Union, but those plans were derailed by the ill-timed collapse of communism. Jack also played first-chair trumpet in the band and rubbed elbows in Miss Cox's music class with Lucas MacFadden (a.k.a. DJ Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5, Ozomatli and the Brainfreeze projects with DJ Shadow), and a certain actor you may have heard of named Leonardo DiCaprio.
Jack admits that he and his boys used to give Leo a hard time, but when they ran into each other years later at a Playboy magazine party, there were no hard feelings. "He was like, 'Hey, your music's tight.' I was like, 'You're acting's dope,'" Jack remembers.
After graduating from LACES, Jack also took a stab at higher education, attending Santa Monica College on scholarship, taking random courses for credit like weight training. "My dad always wanted us to do the college thing," he says. "Get a good job, make eighty-, a hundred-thousand-dollars a year. Live the good life, you know?" But with an infant daughter to support (he's now the proud father of five girls) and a waning interest in academics, Jack decided that his energy was better spent working and nurturing Psycho Realm's music.
About that time, Psycho Realm caught what could be considered the band's big break. It was 1993 and they were playing a free "End Barrio Warfare" show at the Olvera Street Plaza downtown, which happened to be attended by B-Real of Cypress Hill. B liked what he heard, met with Jack and Duke after the show, and eventually signed Psycho Realm to his production company and the Ruffhouse/Columbia/Sony label, mentoring the fledgling duo. "He was a good mentor," says Jack. "He helped us structure our songs more.
Live shows, he taught us how to work the crowd."
B-Real was so impressed with Psycho Realm that he actually wanted to join the group and make it a trio, but Jack and Duke were reluctant to let anyone else in the fold. "We had the mentality of the old rock bands: If you can't do an album on your own, you ain't shit," says Jack. The brothers told B-Real they would pass, but he was persistent. "We told him if you're going to be in the group, you've got to do all the promotional stuff, too. You don't get superstar status. And he was down with it, so we were like, 'Let's do the whole album.' And we did the whole first album with him."
The Big Debut
When it came time to put out their self-titled debut album in 1997, Jack and Duke were adamant that it was credited only to Psycho Realm, minting them as their own brand. Sony didn't go for it. "On everything, every sticker, it said, 'Featuring B-Real of Cypress Hill,' " recalls Jack. "You can't really blame them because they're sinking so many dollars into it. They're going to go for the marketing aspect." It wasn't all bad news, though. Even now, when Cypress Hill comes up, Psycho Realm usually gets a mention, and vice-versa.
Timing was not on their side, however. Simultaneously, Cypress Hill, Nas, and the Fugees were all on the Ruffhouse label, and they all had big radio hits. Not being a radio-friendly group, Psycho Realm fell into a no-man's land, and consequently fell through the cracks. "They didn't know what to do with us," laments Jack. "Two Mexican guys from L.A. rapping. They were just like, 'What is this? How can we market this?' "
Psycho Realm eventually decided it was best to part ways with Sony. "Sony did give us a worldwide promotional campaign, so we're known all over the world now," says Jack. "We can go to Europe and have promoters pay us to do shows. And we have fans that are coming to the shows all over the world – Mexico, South and Central America, Europe, Australia."
With a DIY work ethic, the Gonzalez brothers have also cultivated a vast network of independent distributors around the globe, keeping their music, their fans – and their profits – close to their chests. Jack breaks it down: "Instead of making eighty cents a record, we're making six or seven dollars a record. It's more of a direct contact with the streets, too, because on a day-to-day basis I'm going around to stores dropping off product. People at the shows buy it, people see me on the streets. I'm out there every day. It's being accessible. I think a lot of people can relate to us and the fact that we're in everybody's face, we're standing next to everybody, it makes it that much more real."
The ugly face of Los Angeles street violence got a little too real for Psycho Realm in late January 1999, just a month before their second album, "A War Story, Book 1," was scheduled for release on their own Sick Symphonies label. After a Delinquent Habits show at the El Rey theatre, Duke and a few friends went in search of late-night nourishment, ending up at Tommy's burger stand at Beverly and Rampart. Following an altercation in the parking lot, Duke was shot in the neck, severing an artery, with the bullet ending up right between the "L" and the "O" of his "Los Angeles" tattoo.
War Story II
By the time Jack made it to the scene, Duke was already on his way to County-USC Medical Center, and only his jacket remained in the street, ringed by yellow police tape. He caught up with Duke in the hospital hallway, barely alive and disfigured by swelling, bandages and clamps. Duke survived, and the police arrested the shooter, but his injuries left him a quadriplegic at 28.
Jack calls the months after Duke's misfortune "The Dark Ages." "I wasn't really doing much," he says. "Not really making music, just cruising the streets." Duke eventually convinced Jack to get back to making music, and he hooked up with dedicated foot soldiers of the Psycho Realm promotion machine and fellow Angelenos, Street Platoon. Together they recorded "The Steel Storm," released in 2001. Dad went to nursing school so he could care for Duke full time and Psycho Realm eventually got back on track.
Now, along with his musical contributions, Duke runs Psycho Realm's cyber-domain, maintaining the Web site and mailing list. And L.A. hip-hop's favorite sons released their long-awaited third album, "A War Story, Book 2," in November 2003. On one of the 15 new tracks, "Poison Rituals," MTV News' Kurt Loder even recounts the night Psycho Realm's lives changed forever at the burger stand. Standout and single-worthy tracks also include head-bobbing party track "Good Times" and street anthem "The Killing Fields."
By all appearances, Psycho Realm barely missed a step. When they threw a record-release party at the El Rey, the same theater where they attended the Delinquent Habits show that fateful night in 1999, Sick Soldiers lined up around the block, and the 600-plus fans that were turned away incited a near-riot. The L.A.P.D. even showed up, decked out in riot gear, though the situation eventually ended peacefully.
"We do it all ourselves," says Jack. "For two guys [Street Platoon], me and my brother, who's quadriplegic, we're not doing too bad."
ONLINE:
For a list of independent retailers carrying Psycho Realm's catalogue, tour dates, news, and merchandise, visit www.psychorealmonline.com.
Art of Execution
The Psycho Realm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lets start this with scandalous war criminals
Who act heartless, parade in harmfest
Don't let arms rest and dwell in darkness
Our search accomplished finding fugitives who're in
Hiding
Crime abiding, ridingthe storm
Spilling blood people dying
Evidence on puzzled faces leave traces of killer's
Scent
Why'd you kill'em for?
They weren't part of any war, now they're scarred
You can run but oyu can't hide from bounty squads
Murder dogs at execution point wait with blood lust
Sound unjust but you will be targeted when the guns
Bust
Hook:
Look out, bullets are going to fly like rain
And anybody taht's meant to die will get slain
Trained ourselves to kill ignore pain
And now were spraying these bullets holes in your frame
Execution style murdering is entering
In your town like wild wind
Coming in murder bells are ringing
And our souls are full of sin
And singing about execution
(Duke)
The art of making your body fall apart
Is brought to a start instruction of god
The enemy is tied to poles and then shot
Courtesy of the bullet-bring murder squad
Leaders on the opposite side of us lie
Get set up execution-style and then die
Looking at the grey of the sky
The eyes of victim are full of surprise and ask why?
Why you want fill us with holes and kill those
That wrote out justice for the people
Fuck that, the govering old man is cold
And responsible for the souls that got stole
(Jacken)
Tie 'em, to a pole release their soul
Cover their eyes they se no more
Blind to the fate they're headed for
Feeling the pain from bullet holes
A waiting execution, fusion of the bullet-flesh union
Leaving your numb, few guns is all it takes
For you to die at the stake, break you some
Of fed proper pop a gun you're ammo stopper
Rock a felon with body droppers nobody stop us
Coppers stand by and observe the nerve of post-war
Operas
We walk the crooked path
Payback wrath with a trigger blast
Last laugh but the aftermath, we murder too
Now we wear the killer's mask
Hook:
Look out, bullets are going to fly like rain
And anybody taht's meant to die will get slain
Trained ourselves to kill ignore pain
And now were spraying these bullets holes in your frame
Execution style murdering is entering
In your town like wild wind
Coming in murder bells are ringing
And our souls are full of sin
And singing about execution
The Psycho Realm's Art of Execution tackles the subject of military and war crimes from the perspective of the perpetrators. The song starts by addressing the ruthless behavior of war criminals who show no remorse for their actions. The lyrics go on to describe the hunt for fugitives who have committed crimes against humanity. The song's hook talks about the violence and bloodshed that is to come, with bullets flying like rain, and the inevitable fate of those who are meant to die.
The second half of the song offers more detail about the art of execution, describing the process of tying up the victims and shooting them execution-style. The lyrics use vivid imagery to convey the pain and fear felt by the victims and the cold and calculated nature of the murderers. The song ends on a somber note with the realization that the killers themselves have become numb to the violence and have taken on the identity of the killer's mask.
Overall, Art of Execution is a powerful commentary on the violence and inhumanity of war crimes and the dehumanizing effects it has on soldiers who engage in them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lets start this with scandalous war criminals
We begin by discussing war criminals who act heartlessly, show off their power and destroy everything in their path.
Who act heartless, parade in harmfest
These criminals act unfeelingly and put on a show of aggression and violence.
Don't let arms rest and dwell in darkness
We must not allow the weapons used by these criminals to go unused or forgotten, and they thrive in dark, shadowy places.
Our search accomplished finding fugitives who're in Hiding
We have successfully discovered those who have been evading capture, due to their lawbreaking actions.
Crime abiding, ridingthe storm
These fugitives continue committing crimes and deceiving others, while experiencing the consequences of their actions.
Spilling blood people dying
These criminals are causing harm and death to innocent people.
The innocent receive evil sent lead, die in bewilderment
The innocent people are killed, dumbfounded by the wickedness of those taking their lives, with evidence of the killers left behind.
Evidence on puzzled faces leave traces of killer's Scent
There is evidence on the faces of the victims showing the killers' actions and possible identity.
Why'd you kill'em for?
The perpetrators are asked why they killed the innocent victims, who were not a part of any war or conflict.
They weren't part of any war, now they're scarred
The victims were not involved in any war, yet they have suffered lasting scars and trauma from the brutal attacks.
You can run but oyu can't hide from bounty squads
The perpetrators can try to flee, but they cannot escape the teams tasked with capturing and punishing them.
Murder dogs at execution point wait with blood lust
The dogs awaiting the execution of the criminals at the designated location are eager with bloodthirsty desire.
Sound unjust but you will be targeted when the guns Bust
It may not be fair, but the criminals will be targeted and punished when the guns are fired and the execution takes place.
The art of making your body fall apart
The criminals use the technique and skill of breaking down the human body in order to carry out executions.
Is brought to a start instruction of god
The violent actions are motivated and justified by the belief that such killings are following instructions from a higher power.
Courtesy of the bullet-bring murder squad
The murder is carried out by the squad entrusted with using the bullets to kill their targets.
Leaders on the opposite side of us lie
The leaders of the opposing side, who are against the criminals, are targeted by their violent actions.
Get set up execution-style and then die
The leaders are set up with a premeditated plan for their execution and carried out.
Looking at the grey of the sky
The victims, about to be executed, look up into the grey sky before meeting their death.
The eyes of victim are full of surprise and ask why?
The victims are surprised and in shock at their impeding death, and they question why they must die in such a way.
Tie 'em, to a pole release their soul
The criminals are bound to a pole, with their ability to roam free and engage in criminal behavior removed.
Cover their eyes they se no more
Their eyes are covered so that they cannot see what is coming - either their executioners or what lies beyond life.
Blind to the fate they're headed for
They are unaware of what is about to happen, and the fate has been decided for them.
Feeling the pain from bullet holes
The criminals suffer the physical pain associated with being shot before their death.
A waiting execution, fusion of the bullet-flesh union
The convergence of the bullet and flesh marks the planned and intentional execution of the criminals.
Leaving your numb, few guns is all it takes For you to die at the stake
Death is a quick process, and it only takes a few bullets to render someone numb and kill them in an execution-style death.
Break you some Of fed proper pop a gun you're ammo stopper
The perpetrators have no qualms about breaking the law and shooting their guns, becoming the killers who stop any ammunition.
Rock a felon with body droppers nobody stop us
They take out criminals with deadly force, and no one can halt their actions.
Coppers stand by and observe the nerve of post-war Operas
Law enforcement lets the scenes of war and murder unfold before them, watching from the sidelines.
We walk the crooked path
The perpetrators are aware that their actions are twisted, but they continue down this path of violence.
Payback wrath with a trigger blast Last laugh but the aftermath, we murder too
These criminals believe in revenge and using their guns as a way to gain the last laugh, even if it means committing murder.
Now we wear the killer's mask
The perpetrators continue to perform these crimes, hiding their identities behind the mask of a murderer.
Look out, bullets are going to fly like rain And anybody taht's meant to die will get slain Trained ourselves to kill ignore pain And now were spraying these bullets holes in your frame
The criminals warn others to beware of the bullets raining down on them, with those marked for death getting slain, and how they are skilled in killing and can inflict pain without remorse.
Execution style murdering is entering In your town like wild wind Coming in murder bells are ringing And our souls are full of sin And singing about execution
The method of execution style killings is spreading throughout communities, like an uncontrollable wind, and the perpetrators are acknowledging their wrongdoings while singing about their criminal activities.
Contributed by Kaylee A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.