The Fun Lovin' Criminals are an alternative rap / alternative rock group from New York City, United States. Their music is a blend of many styles, most notably hip
hop, rock, blues, and jazz, and their songs often deal with everyday life in New York City and
most big cities: organized crime, drugs,
violence, poverty, and politics. Their songs are often gritty and existentialist in nature.
They are best known for their hit "Scooby Snacks", which featured samples from films by Quentin Tarantino.
In their native US, they have somewhat of a cult following. However, the band gained a considerably large following
internationally, notably in northwest Europe, especially around the release of their first two
albums in the late nineties.
Line-up
The band was formed in 1993 by Hugh "Huey"
Morgan" (vocals, guitar), Brian "Fast" Leiser (keyboards, bass, trumpet, harmonica)
and Steve "O" Borovini (drums).
In 1999, Borovini left the band (after he, in the words of Huey: "went a little crazy and
departed to Peru") - finding later success with Needledrop and CC JONES. He was replaced by Maxwell "Mackie" Jayson formerly of notable New York
Hardcore bands Madball and the Cro-Mags. Mackie was then later replaced in 2003 by Mark Reid
(aka "Frank" or "The Rhythm Master") from Leicester, UK, who had previously worked with the band as Mackie's
technician.
Albums and other projects
Come Find Yourself, the band's first album, was released in 1995, and contained the hit
"Scooby Snacks", which contained samples of movies by Quentin Tarantino such as a line
from Yolande (woman who aids in the holding up of the restaurant) in the opening scene of Pulp Fiction and a line from Mr. Blonde
from Reservoir Dogs (when he has tied up the captured policeman) later on in the song.
100% Colombian, released in 1998, contained slightly less rock influences. Singles
included "Love Unlimited" (a tribute to Barry White) and "Big Night Out".
The 1999 album Mimosa mostly contained covers and different versions of earlier released
tracks, but the 2001 Loco contained all new songs, including the hit single "Loco" (number 5
in the UK), and a more relaxed sound.
Their next album, Welcome to Poppy's was released in 2003 and had a more upbeat, more rock-influenced sound. They are
currently working on a sequel to Maui Homicide 2000, a short film intended for the 2000 Maui Film Festival but banned for
its gritty and shocking content.
The album Livin' In The City was released in 2005 and contained the single "Mi Corazon".
Huey wrote a regular wine column for the British magazine Mondo from 1999 to 2000. Huey now lives much of the time in England and has developed a taste
for the traditional northern dish of pies and peas. So much so that he has a tattoo of said dish on his left shoulder. He is in
discussion with a Hollywood producer to take the childrens BBC programme Jossy's Giants
to the big screen with Jude Law as geordie football coach Jossy.
Huey appeared as guest presenter on UK comedy music panel show Never Mind The
Buzzcocks on 17th April 2006.
The Fun Lovin' Criminals appearead as the headline-act at the 'May Ball' party at the University of Derby on 12th May, 2006, and at the University of Hull 'End of Year Ball' the following day.
The group went on tour in October 2006 playing a few DJ Sets across the UK and Europe
Both Huey & drummer Frank appear in Brit Flick Clubbing to Death due for release in 2007.
Huey Morgan appears in the 2003, Irish made movie, 'Headrush' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339111/) as 'The Yank'. This movie also features music from the
Fun lovin Criminals & Adam Lynch.
Discography
Studio albums
Singles/EPs
From Come Find Yourself:
- 1996 "The Grave And The Constant EP" #72 UK
- 1996 "Scooby Snacks" #22 UK
- 1996 "The Fun Lovin' Criminal" #26 UK
- 1997 "King Of New York" #28 UK
From Mimosa/Come Find Yourself:
- 1997 "I'm Not In Love"/"Scooby Snacks" #12 UK
From 100% Colombian:
- 1998 "Love Unlimited" #18 UK
- 1998 "Big Night Out" #29 UK
- 1999 "Korean Bodega" #15 UK
From Loco:
- 2001 "Loco" #5 UK
- 2001 "Bump"/"Run Daddy Run" #50 UK
From Welcome To Poppy's:
- 2003 "Too Hot" #61 UK
- 2003 "Beautiful" #132 UK
From Livin' In The City:
- 2005 "Mi Corazon" #182 UK
External links
The fun lovin criminals run their band through their myspace using a webmaster.
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