Fun Lovin' Criminals
Encyclopedia
The Fun Lovin' Criminals (often referred to by their acronym, FLC) is an American alternative hip hop
/ alternative rock
group from New York City
. Their musical style is primarily eclectic, covering styles such as hip hop
, rock
, funk, blues and jazz. Their songs often deal with life in New York City
, as well as urban life in general. As a band, they cover such issues as organized crime
, recreational drug use
, violence
, poverty
and politics
. Their songs are often gritty or existentialist in nature, but are just as often humorous or satirical. They are best known for their hit "Scooby Snacks
" which features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino
. According to Huey they sold approximately 10 million albums worldwide.
The band gained a large following internationally, notably in northwest Europe
, around the release of their first two albums in the late nineties.
and Steve Borgovini after Leiser, who was already friends with Borgovini, met Morgan at the club where they both worked. They started playing together and would provide the entertainment for the club when a booked act failed to show up. It was during one of these stand-in gigs that they came to the attention of EMI
and they were offered a record deal. Come Find Yourself
, the band's first album, was released in 1996 by Capitol Records
and included "Scooby Snacks", the band's biggest hit single to date. It features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino
, interspersed with rap verses and a sung, anthemic, chorus. Come Find Yourself had a slow rise up the UK album charts, finally peaking at #7. But as discussed above it failed to make any impact in the US. The success of the album prompted the re-release of "Scooby Snacks" as a single. It fared much better on the second time around, reaching #12 when previously it had peaked at #22.
100% Colombian, released in 1998 by Virgin Records
, had a far grittier sound to it tempered by three upbeat songs, and several downtempo tracks, including "Love Unlimited", a tribute to Barry White
. However, "Korean Bodega
", one of the aforementioned upbeat songs, was the biggest hit from the album, reaching #15, their second highest placing single so far after the re-release of "Scooby Snacks".
Their 1999 album Mimosa, released by EMI
was a Lounge album
consisting of laid back covers and different versions of earlier released tracks. It sold well enough but was their weakest selling album yet and remained so for some years. It was around this time, in 1999, that Steve Borgovini left the band. He was replaced by Maxwell Jayson aka Mackie, originally just temporarily in case Borgovini returned.
from Leicester
, UK
, who had previously worked with the band as Mackie's technician.
But two years later the band released Loco, again under EMI, which had all new songs including the eponymous single "Loco" which became their biggest hit yet, reaching #5 in the UK singles chart. It was the only single release to reach the UK Top 40 from the album and its success helped send the album itself to #5.
Their final album under EMI was a "best of" compilation called simply Bag of Hits released in 2002. It was released in both one and two disc versions, with the second disc being full of remixes of FLC songs by other artists. EMI released this album against the wishes of the band who were not happy with the two disc version. However despite their objections it reached #11 in the UK album charts.
After parting company with EMI they were picked up by Sanctuary Records
in the UK and with them released their fourth studio album, sixth overall, Welcome To Poppy's
(2005). While it got strong, but not fantastic, music reviews it failed to live up to the commercial success of any of the previous albums, peaking at #20 in the UK album charts and the best selling single from the album only reached #61.
In 2007 the band played alongside artists such as 9Lies from Ireland and Sugababes
at the Vena Festival in Poland.
EMI continued to release their back catalogue and unreleased songs on two more albums but the band themselves didn't bring out a new album until 2005 when they released Livin' in the City, still under Sanctuary Records. This was very much a love letter to New York with many songs, just like in their debut album, extolling the virtues of New York.
In June 2008 they performed at the Glastonbury Festival
playing on the Jazz World Stage, they last played the Festival in 1999, on the Pyramid Stage.
was released to commence a Europe-wide tour which kicked off in Manchester. Legal wranglings with their previous manager meant this album was their first official output in five years, although they had played live during this time. A party album to celebrate the end of their troubles - Classic Fantastic is soaked in sunshine and has a much cleaner sound than previous albums. Fast and Frank had produced much of the album in London, while Huey recorded his parts in New York. The album reviews range from a negative rant from NME - to being hailed as this Summer's good time album - generally the album received favourable reviews. Classic Fantastic
was the first album on Kilohertz, their own label, and signalled a new business model for the FLC - based on touring their famed live shows rather than relying on dwindling record sales alone. Singles from the album were the well received title track "Classic Fantastic" followed by "Mr Sun". The official video for "Mr Sun" was cancelled due to volcanic ash, a montage of old home movies was used in its place. The third single was the double A-Side "We the Three" and "Keep on Yellin" featuring South London's Roots Manuva, released 16 August 2010. During July 2010 the boys recorded a special series of songs with Roots Manuva
the project dubbed Criminal Manuvas was recorded at Maida Vale
studios for BBC 6 music; songs included a reggae Scooby Snacks
and a re-version of Witness
.
As of Sept 2010 the boys were again on tour - which was interrupted due to a death in Huey's family. During the tour a new live album was announced, featuring new and old tracks, to be released late 2010.
In April 2011 they released their first live album, titled Fun, Live and Criminal via Pledge Music.
, Huey has appeared on Jack Osbourne
's Adrenaline Junkie, a Boy-Racer show Slips, sat in for Jonathon Ross
and Dermot O'Leary
on BBC Radio 2
, appeared in the Soul Boy
as a Dick Van Dyke
accented London record shop owner, voiced a character in the Scarface: The World Is Yours
video game, and most bizarrely appeared with his dog, Sugar and Liza Tarbuck
on Liza & Huey's Pet Nation
on primetime SKY TV
. He also bought himself a (now known to be fake) Lordship somewhere in Scotland.
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
/ alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Their musical style is primarily eclectic, covering styles such as hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, funk, blues and jazz. Their songs often deal with life in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, as well as urban life in general. As a band, they cover such issues as organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
, recreational drug use
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
, violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
and politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
. Their songs are often gritty or existentialist in nature, but are just as often humorous or satirical. They are best known for their hit "Scooby Snacks
Scooby Snacks (song)
"Scooby Snacks" is a song by alternative rap/rock band Fun Lovin' Criminals. The song is from their debut album Come Find Yourself. It is the band's biggest hit single to date....
" which features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
. According to Huey they sold approximately 10 million albums worldwide.
The band gained a large following internationally, notably in northwest Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, around the release of their first two albums in the late nineties.
Formation and first albums: 1993-1999
The band was formed in 1993 by Huey Morgan, Brian LeiserBrian Leiser
Brian Andrew Leiser , is a member of the band Fun Lovin' Criminals, plays bass, keyboards, harmonica, and the trumpet. He attended Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua NY, graduating in 1990....
and Steve Borgovini after Leiser, who was already friends with Borgovini, met Morgan at the club where they both worked. They started playing together and would provide the entertainment for the club when a booked act failed to show up. It was during one of these stand-in gigs that they came to the attention of EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and they were offered a record deal. Come Find Yourself
Come Find Yourself
Come Find Yourself is the first album released by the band Fun Lovin' Criminals. It was released on February 20, 1996.- Track listing :All tracks by Fun Lovin' Criminals, except where noted.# "The Fun Lovin' Criminal" - 3:11...
, the band's first album, was released in 1996 by Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and included "Scooby Snacks", the band's biggest hit single to date. It features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
, interspersed with rap verses and a sung, anthemic, chorus. Come Find Yourself had a slow rise up the UK album charts, finally peaking at #7. But as discussed above it failed to make any impact in the US. The success of the album prompted the re-release of "Scooby Snacks" as a single. It fared much better on the second time around, reaching #12 when previously it had peaked at #22.
100% Colombian, released in 1998 by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, had a far grittier sound to it tempered by three upbeat songs, and several downtempo tracks, including "Love Unlimited", a tribute to Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
. However, "Korean Bodega
Korean Bodega
"Korean Bodega" is a single released in 1999, and was the final single taken from Fun Lovin' Criminals's second album 100% Colombian.The release of the single was cross-promoted by a electronica version of the song arranged by Garbage, on which singer Shirley Manson performed a guest vocal for the...
", one of the aforementioned upbeat songs, was the biggest hit from the album, reaching #15, their second highest placing single so far after the re-release of "Scooby Snacks".
Their 1999 album Mimosa, released by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
was a Lounge album
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
consisting of laid back covers and different versions of earlier released tracks. It sold well enough but was their weakest selling album yet and remained so for some years. It was around this time, in 1999, that Steve Borgovini left the band. He was replaced by Maxwell Jayson aka Mackie, originally just temporarily in case Borgovini returned.
Mainstream success: 2000-2008
The band's third studio album, Loco was released in early 2001 and by this time it was clear that Borgovini was not going to return so a permanent replacement was found in the form of Mark ReidFrank Benbini
Frank Benbini , born in Leicester, United Kingdom, is the drummer in the Fun Lovin' Criminals, following on from their original drummer Steve "O" Borovini and Maxwell "Mackie" Jayson...
from Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, who had previously worked with the band as Mackie's technician.
But two years later the band released Loco, again under EMI, which had all new songs including the eponymous single "Loco" which became their biggest hit yet, reaching #5 in the UK singles chart. It was the only single release to reach the UK Top 40 from the album and its success helped send the album itself to #5.
Their final album under EMI was a "best of" compilation called simply Bag of Hits released in 2002. It was released in both one and two disc versions, with the second disc being full of remixes of FLC songs by other artists. EMI released this album against the wishes of the band who were not happy with the two disc version. However despite their objections it reached #11 in the UK album charts.
After parting company with EMI they were picked up by Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
in the UK and with them released their fourth studio album, sixth overall, Welcome To Poppy's
Welcome to Poppy's
Welcome to Poppy's is an album by the band Fun Lovin' Criminals. It was released on September 9, 2003.-Track listing:# "Too Hot" - 3:16# "Stray Bullet" - 2:47# "Living on the Streets" - 3:45# "Lost It All" - 3:01# "Friday Night" - 4:18...
(2005). While it got strong, but not fantastic, music reviews it failed to live up to the commercial success of any of the previous albums, peaking at #20 in the UK album charts and the best selling single from the album only reached #61.
In 2007 the band played alongside artists such as 9Lies from Ireland and Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
at the Vena Festival in Poland.
EMI continued to release their back catalogue and unreleased songs on two more albums but the band themselves didn't bring out a new album until 2005 when they released Livin' in the City, still under Sanctuary Records. This was very much a love letter to New York with many songs, just like in their debut album, extolling the virtues of New York.
In June 2008 they performed at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
playing on the Jazz World Stage, they last played the Festival in 1999, on the Pyramid Stage.
Recent years: 2009-present
In April 2010 Classic FantasticClassic Fantastic
-Track listing:# "Mars" - 3:00# "Classic Fantastic" - 4:30# "The Originals" - 2:38# "She Sings At The Sun" - 3:35# "Keep On Yellin'" - 3:12# "Jimi Choo" - 2:14# "El Malo" - 4:10...
was released to commence a Europe-wide tour which kicked off in Manchester. Legal wranglings with their previous manager meant this album was their first official output in five years, although they had played live during this time. A party album to celebrate the end of their troubles - Classic Fantastic is soaked in sunshine and has a much cleaner sound than previous albums. Fast and Frank had produced much of the album in London, while Huey recorded his parts in New York. The album reviews range from a negative rant from NME - to being hailed as this Summer's good time album - generally the album received favourable reviews. Classic Fantastic
Classic Fantastic
-Track listing:# "Mars" - 3:00# "Classic Fantastic" - 4:30# "The Originals" - 2:38# "She Sings At The Sun" - 3:35# "Keep On Yellin'" - 3:12# "Jimi Choo" - 2:14# "El Malo" - 4:10...
was the first album on Kilohertz, their own label, and signalled a new business model for the FLC - based on touring their famed live shows rather than relying on dwindling record sales alone. Singles from the album were the well received title track "Classic Fantastic" followed by "Mr Sun". The official video for "Mr Sun" was cancelled due to volcanic ash, a montage of old home movies was used in its place. The third single was the double A-Side "We the Three" and "Keep on Yellin" featuring South London's Roots Manuva, released 16 August 2010. During July 2010 the boys recorded a special series of songs with Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva
Rodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
the project dubbed Criminal Manuvas was recorded at Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
studios for BBC 6 music; songs included a reggae Scooby Snacks
Scooby Snacks
Scooby Snacks are a fictional food item. They are used as a form of incentive payment for the cartoon characters Scooby-Doo and Shaggy from the Hanna-Barbera series Scooby-Doo and its various spin-offs.- Composition :...
and a re-version of Witness
Witness
A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge about an event, or in the criminal justice systems usually a crime, through his or her senses and can help certify important considerations about the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event first hand is known as an eyewitness...
.
As of Sept 2010 the boys were again on tour - which was interrupted due to a death in Huey's family. During the tour a new live album was announced, featuring new and old tracks, to be released late 2010.
In April 2011 they released their first live album, titled Fun, Live and Criminal via Pledge Music.
Other projects
During this period Huey has made some waves as a personality on TV and radio. As well as winning Bronze for his acclaimed The Huey Show on BBC 6 MusicBBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
, Huey has appeared on Jack Osbourne
Jack Osbourne
Jack Joseph Osbourne is an English media personality, best known as the son of musician Ozzy Osbourne and music manager Sharon Osbourne, and brother of Aimee and Kelly Osbourne.-Early life and family:...
's Adrenaline Junkie, a Boy-Racer show Slips, sat in for Jonathon Ross
Jonathon Ross
Jonathon Ross is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He played with the Adelaide Crows.A well-built, strong key position player, Jonathon Ross had the potential to go far...
and Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
, appeared in the Soul Boy
Soul Boy
Soul Boy is a 2010 Kenyan drama film, written by Billy Kahora and directed by Hawa Essuman. It developed under the mentorship of German director and producer Tom Tykwer in Kibera, one of the largest slums in the African continent, in the middle of Nairobi, Kenya...
as a Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke
Richard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
accented London record shop owner, voiced a character in the Scarface: The World Is Yours
Scarface: The World is Yours
Scarface: The World Is Yours is a video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. The game is based on and is a quasi-sequel to the 1983 motion picture Scarface starring Al Pacino reprising his role as Tony Montana, with André Sogliuzzo providing Montana's...
video game, and most bizarrely appeared with his dog, Sugar and Liza Tarbuck
Liza Tarbuck
Liza Tarbuck is an English actress and television and radio presenter, and daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.She trained at the National Youth Theatre and RADA graduating in 1986 alongside Clive Owen, Rebecca Pidgeon and Serena Harragin.-Acting:...
on Liza & Huey's Pet Nation
Liza & Huey's Pet Nation
Liza & Huey's Pet Nation is a show which shows different celebrities bringing in their pets. It is hosted by Liza Tarbuck and Huey Morgan, with their dog co-host Wilf....
on primetime SKY TV
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
. He also bought himself a (now known to be fake) Lordship somewhere in Scotland.
Discography
- Come Find YourselfCome Find YourselfCome Find Yourself is the first album released by the band Fun Lovin' Criminals. It was released on February 20, 1996.- Track listing :All tracks by Fun Lovin' Criminals, except where noted.# "The Fun Lovin' Criminal" - 3:11...
(1996) - 100% Colombian (1998)
- Loco (2001)
- Welcome to Poppy'sWelcome to Poppy'sWelcome to Poppy's is an album by the band Fun Lovin' Criminals. It was released on September 9, 2003.-Track listing:# "Too Hot" - 3:16# "Stray Bullet" - 2:47# "Living on the Streets" - 3:45# "Lost It All" - 3:01# "Friday Night" - 4:18...
(2003) - Livin' in the CityLivin' In The City- Track listing :# "I Love Livin' in the City" - 3:45# "How It Be" - 3:57# "That Ain't Right" - 3:06# "The Preacher" - 2:47# "Ballad of NYC" - 5:36# "Is Ya Alright" - 2:52# "Gave Up on God" - 4:55# "City Boy" - 3:14# "Girl with the Scar" - 4:23...
(2005) - Classic FantasticClassic Fantastic-Track listing:# "Mars" - 3:00# "Classic Fantastic" - 4:30# "The Originals" - 2:38# "She Sings At The Sun" - 3:35# "Keep On Yellin'" - 3:12# "Jimi Choo" - 2:14# "El Malo" - 4:10...
(2010)