The opening words on Minneapolis rapper P.O.S.‘ just-released second album, Audition, pretty much tell you what he’s all about. “First of all, fuck Bush,” he spits over a stuttering barrage of break beats, guitars, and drums. And for the next 45 minutes, he rips through a series of mostly political rhymes. P.O.S. — which stands for Promise of Skill, Product of Society, or Piece of Shit, depending on what day it is — has the look and aesthetic of suburban punk, combining hardcore noise with biting rhymes. It’s potent stuff — and much more convincing than anything Fred Durst will ever make.
Sat., Feb. 4, 9 p.m.

This article appears in Feb 1-7, 2006.