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Diverse lineup, including P.O.S., drives PacSun Tour

Photo by IVOR KARABATKOVIC

His introspective lyrics and honest reflection have earned P.O.S. street cred.

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2009

TAMPA - It's a throwback of sorts.

PacSun, the easy breezy Cali-inspired clothing store, has officially kicked-off a nationwide tour featuring Saosin, P.O.S., Innerpartysystem and Eye Alaska. There's even a local battle of the band contest where the winners get to represent their city.

The eclectic lineup is a smorgasbord of talents with sounds ranging from punk to rap. The party comes to the State Theatre in St. Petersburg on Dec. 9.

Music lovers should check out the entire show regardless of preferences, said Minneapolis-based rapper P.O.S. (aka Stefon Alexander).

"You should come at the beginning and see everybody, that's how I feel about all shows, and they how's you learn about new music," he said. "Everything and everyone is so different."

Event organizers agree. The tour takes the music playing in the stores on the road, said Josh Hubberman, manager of Music Marketing for PacSun.

"The diverse lineup this year makes me very excited," Hubberman said. "Kids aren't just listening to one genre of music these days and PacTour is a great place for them to be exposed to new music styles."

P.O.S., who dropped his most recent album "Never Better" in February, is a member of the Rhymesayers, the Midwest hip-hop collective kicking up serious dirt. His introspective lyrics and honest reflection have earned him street cred.

Although lesser known than his label-mates Atmosphere or Brother Ali, the man with an unlikely punk rock past can hold his own, and, is coming into his own. Following the PacSun tour P.O.S. will headline his tour, and then hit the studio to work on another album.

Part of expanding as an artist also means letting go of what you think of the music industry as a whole, he said.

"I feel like music is going alright (laughs), I don't think about the industry anymore," he said. "I just think about what I like and what I stumble upon. But it makes a difference, if rappers can't sell millions of records, you have to rely on your friends and what you do best."

PacSun Tour featuring Saosin; $16-$18; 7 p.m. Dec. 9; State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 895-3045; pactour.pacsun.com

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.

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