How a New York club stand-in act conquered the UK charts
In short: In 1993, three musicians began playing club gigs only when booked acts failed to appear. This accidental way of making music led to a global following, a massive hit with Tarantino-inspired samples, and a decade of chart-topping success in Europe.
Formed in New York City in 1993, Fun Lovin' Criminals emerged from the necessity of filling gaps in a club's entertainment schedule. The original lineup—Huey Morgan, Brian "Fast" Leiser, and Steve Borgovini—caught the attention of EMI after performing as stand-ins for absent acts. Their sound, described by various critics as a blend of hip-hop, blues, and rock, often explored the gritty or satirical sides of urban life. The group's musical identity is a diverse melting pot, incorporating elements of funk, jazz, and even punk. This eclectic style was showcased during their notable performances on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1999 and 2008.
The band's commercial peak arrived in the late 1990s, particularly in Northwest Europe. Their 1996 debut, "Come Find Yourself," featured the UK Top 40 hit "Scooby Snacks," which utilized samples from Quentin Tarantino films. While the album struggled to find an audience in the US, it climbed to number 7 on the UK Albums Chart. They followed this with "100% Colombian" in 1998, which produced the hit "Korean Bodega." Their discography includes the 2001 album Loco, which achieved a number 5 peak on the UK Albums Chart. They also released a compilation titled Bag of Hits in 2002, though the release of its second disc occurred against the band's expressed wishes.
Despite their international success, the band's history is marked by significant lineup changes and internal friction. In 1999, Borgovini departed, eventually replaced by Mark Reid (Frank Benbini) in 2003. The most profound shift occurred in late 2021 when founding frontman Huey Morgan left the group. Morgan later alleged that the band's remaining members had secretly trademarked the name while he was still a member, a claim that followed a period of strained relations and a decade of touring the same repertoire. Following Morgan's exit, Brian Leiser transitioned into the role of lead singer. The current lineup also features guitarist Naim Cortazzi, who joined the group in 2022.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fun Lovin' Criminals
- Also: Fun Lovin' Criminals
- Also: Wikidata — Fun Lovin' Criminals · CC0
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