Recharged Rock-Rapper Everlast Makes an Impressive Showing

“We got some B-boy-country-blues . . . baby,” said Everlast, strapping on an acoustic guitar at the start of his show Wednesday at the House of Blues. The former House of Pain rapper’s words only began to describe his new music. If he’d listed all the elements found in the set that followed, though, he’d still be talking now.

Fortunately, the music spoke volumes. With fellow former House mate DJ Lethal and Cypress Hill’s B Real among those in the roiling crowd, Erik “Everlast” Schrody offered what may be the most exciting rock-rap gene splicing since the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right.” But this isn’t just new party music--it carries real depth and warmth.

It was certainly beyond anything by the 311 or Sugar Ray. It even went past the already engaging, distinctive music on Everlast’s fast-rising “Whitey Ford Sings the Blues” album, from the saloon blues growl of “7 Years” to the Black Sabbath-via-Sonic Youth hurricane of the closing “Hot to Death.”

Tying it together were not only his hip-hop roots (pushed forward in reworked House of Pain hits, including the party anthem “Jump Around”), but inventive touches by an impressive five-man band--Keith Ciancia’s space-age keyboard sounds, Patrick Freitas’ turntable interjections and Bron Tieman’s wah-wah steel guitar, among them.

Expanding the lyrical themes, Everlast prefaced his thoughtful songs with comments touching on his near-death experience in February when he suffered heart failure, as well as the Muslim faith he embraced after leaving House of Pain. He said don’t judge others. He said value life. He said love your mom (his was in the audience). He’s making the most of his new start, literally and artistically.