BAD TASTE Announce 'SIDE QUEST' Album Release Tour w/ So&So

Dynamite on the mic and on the decks, BAD TASTE are the Aotearoa hip-hop two man squad of Young Gho$t and Alphabethead. Based between Pōneke and Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the party-igniting force have announced their third album SIDE QUEST will be their first ever vinyl LP release — we're imagining turntable master David Morrison (Alphabethead) is looking forward to getting his mits on this.

Out in December, the new long player emerged as the pair sonically scribbled in the margins of their "their ‘serious’ album" BAD TASTE III, embracing spontaneity and such freewheeling reference points as Monty Python and (Psygnosis / Yes illustrator) Roger Dean, whose album art books are treasured by esoteric enthusiasts. Some clearly know how to live: "Fuelled by millet porridge, fireball whisky and nature walks, SIDE QUEST is a love letter to distraction, imagination and letting curiosity, rather than prescription, be the guide."

In their element on stage, naturally BAD TASTE will be touring the heck out of SIDE QUEST in the weeks ahead. They're teaming up with rapper So&So — who dropped his new E Tu EP on Friday — for a nationwide tour, starting in the windy city and culminating at Twisted Frequency festival with many must-catch stops along the way, including a support slot for US icons The Pharcyde. We can't wait to hear exactly what BAD TASTE have been cooking up, here's the official tour intel...

BAD TASTE
SIDE QUEST Album Release Tour

Wednesday 25th November - San Fran, Pōneke/Wellington with Staff After Party
Thursday 3rd December - The Interislander, Cook Straight with So&So
Friday 4th December - Pearl Diver, Ōtepoti/Dunedin with So&So, Cookie*
Saturday 5th December - Darkroom, Ōtautahi/Christchurch with So&So, Kommi, Infordin*
Sunday 6th December - Roots Bar, Tākaka with So&So, Simloco*
Wednesday 9th December - Meow Nui, Pōneke/Wellington with The Pharcyde
Friday 18th December - Porridge Watson, Whanganui with So&So, The Main Event*
Friday 1st January - Twisted Frequency, Cobb Valley

*Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Here's BAD TASTE's scorching 'THIS HEAT' from their ace 2023 album BAD TASTE II...
 

Check out So&So's new E Tu EP...
 

Press release:

Please join BAD TASTE this summer as they embark on a journey throughout Aotearoa. The duo composed of turntablist ALPHABETHEAD and lyricist YOUNG GHO$T are touring in support of SIDE QUEST, their upcoming debut album on vinyl! The album is a fantastical romp on horseback through a richly detailed, vinyl sampled Hip Hop landscape...

While working on their ‘serious’ album ‘BAD TASTE III’, the pair found themselves constantly distracted by a myriad of other musical pathways drawing them away from their main quest. Ghost would brush aside Alphie’s pre-chosen beats, preferring to pluck records straight from the shelf and create on the spot, fully embracing spontaneity and playfulness. Many of the verses were penned as the instrumentals took shape: stream-of-consciousness raps punctuated with surprising twists and turns. Fuelled by millet porridge, fireball whisky and nature walks, SIDE QUEST is a love letter to distraction, imagination and letting curiosity, rather than prescription, be the guide.

The duo's previous work has been described as psychedelic hip hop, inspired in equal parts by MF Doom and King Crimson. These two influences still shine bright as guiding lights on this album, but this time Monty Python and Roger Dean are added to the brew. SIDE QUEST is the closest the duo have come to a concept album; the intent being cohesion; an ebbing and flowing, crate-digging, time travelling rap adventure. Every track is a new chapter, and amongst all the lyrical action, time is still taken to survey the vistas, break bread and pour potions.

To celebrate the release of this record, they’re travelling up and down the country, linking up with friends new and old to perform in some of their favourite places. They’ll be joined for much of the ride by So&So, a deft lyrical rapper with roots on both Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Whanganui, as well as local heroes in each town they visit.

BAD TASTE are known for their energetic and theatrical live shows, with the combination of rapping and scratching forming a potent synergy. The pair has supported everyone from Odissee to Tamatha Paul, and they’ve performed at festivals such as Camp A Low Hum, Twisted Frequency, Welcome to Nowhere, Newtown Festival and Cuba Dupa.

These shows promise to be a delight to both the Hip Hop fan and the musically adventurous. BAD TASTE would love to see you!