Fun lovin' Criminals - Still so COOL!!!

****

Too cool for Oxford... and they know it!!!

Fun lovin' Criminals **** are back and playing their fist classic album 'Come find Yourself', which was such a big hit for the band... and included singles like 'The Fun lovin' Criminal' and 'Scooby Snacks'. This band in the 90's were just the epitome of cool, coming off the back of the hit single 'Scoopy Snacks' which came out of and sampled Quentin Tarentino's movie 'Pulp Fiction'. Hailing from New York, Huey Morgan, Brian Leiser and Steve Borgovini and later Maxwell Jayson and a little bit later Frank Benbini (Who is actually from Leicester in the UK and joined the band after meeting Huey at Nottingham Rock City back in 2003.)​ were never off the the radio or off MTV. 

You have heard all the hits and fell in love with Huey's distinctive husky voice, you couldn't mistake this band with any other. I just love bands that are unique and this band is most definitely one of kind, no one has sounded like them before... and I don't think ever will. Even though they take influence from other acts like all bands and genres including Blues, Funk, Rock, Rap / Hip Hop and Soul. And they are faultless in their takes on all genres.

Huey goes into action with the Groove in Hip Hop / Stoner vibe of 'Passive / Aggressive' which has been given new life in 2016, and sounds as good as it ever did when it was first released. You should have seen Huey in action on this track it was one of the highlights of the set, and their was so many in tonights set. They then get their groove on with 'The Grave and the Constant', a groove ridden, chilled Funk interval.

The place goes crazy for the bands mega hit 'Scooby Snacks'... "Running around... robbing banks, all whacked up on Scooby Snacks!!!" and the festival friendly 'Smoke 'Em' a song about lighting up and getting high... and knocking out people that get in your way every time you just try to live your life. In 1996 you could not go anywhere without hearing these songs, they really set the tone for a time in my life.

They get heavier with 'Bombin' the L', which has a riff at the beginning that sounds like Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water'. Showing the versatility of the band... yes they can play Rock music to if they want to. Then turn it up again with the Psychedelic laid back 'I can't get with That', a track that really shows off Huey's vocal tone to the best of it's ability. It's a voice that is so distinctive, that this track really stands out... even with it's chilled vibe.

The big back up the pace with the brilliant single 'The King of New York', which has a real feel of the streets. You feel you are back in New York fighting for your life on the streets with the back up of the FLC. There are still many of great moments in the bands set like their chilled laid back version of the Louis Armstrong hit 'We have all the time in the World' and of course the title track of the record 'Come find Yourself' and the brilliant 'Crime and Punishment'. 'Beer Hug' is fun... but 'Methadonia' is a track that is not one of my favourites. So maybe this is the low part of their set for me.

A member of the audience, is getting rather rowdy and their is some great banter between the band members about him. Apparently he wanted the so called "Miller Beer" song which Huey announces, he did really well off "Yeah! I loved doing that commercial, and I still get a beer whenever I want from it". Well the guy got what he wanted... the song he had been calling for 'Loco', so he had nothing to complain about. This song is so chilled, you can imagine yourself in the hot sun in Mexico city... so is a great Summer track.

Check Out! the Video Trailer for the Miller Beer commercial Feat. Fun lovin' Criminals and the Track 'Loco'' Below...

I really can't believe 'Korean Bodega' was such a big hit, most of the song is the same lyrics over and over again. I think it's because it's quite catchy and you can sing-a-long to it... and isn't that what a good Pop song is any ways. Well I have to say in a strange way, I really enjoyed this track. So maybe Huey and the boys, have something with the silly ness of this tune.

When of the other best songs in tonights performance is 'Love Unlimited', and Huey really has a sexy voice that would give Barry White a run for his money. "Barry White saved my Life"... well maybe not your life... but maybe your sex life. Cause I don't think their was ever a guy with a more sexy voice as Barry White the "King of Love", who's voice would get any girls knickers ending up on your bedroom floor. 

They end the set with 'Big night Out', which is a very fitting track... cause we all had a very cool night out with the FLC. Yes! I would say it was a big night too... because it was brilliant and if you weren't friends with Huey, Brian and Frank before. You are now and you feel that they are part of your family to. So this is a band that really connects with their fans and will be around for many more years to come. This is the definitive Fun lovin' Criminals gig, so what more would you want?.

 Fun lovin' Criminals - Setlist
-----------------------------------------------
Set 1: (Come find Yourself)
The Fun lovin' Criminal
Passive / Aggressive
The Grave and the Constant
Scooby Snacks
Smoke 'Em
Bombin' the L
I can't get with That
The King of New York
We have all the time in the World
Bear Hug
Come find Yourself
Crime and Punishment
Methadonia
-----------------
Set 2: Greatest Hits (Encore)
Coney Island Girl (Extended Instrumental)
Loco
Up on the Hill
Korean Bodega
Love Unlimited
Big night Out

Review and Photo's Dan Devour 

Check Out! the Video for 'The Fun lovin' Criminal' Below...