24-7 Spyz
Encyclopedia
24-7 Spyz are a band from the South Bronx, New York, formed in 1986, originally consisting of Jimi Hazel (guitar), Rick Skatore (bass), Kindu Phibes (drums), and P. Fluid (real name, Peter Forrest) (vocals). The band is best known for mixing soul
, funk
, reggae
, and R&B
with heavy metal
and hardcore punk
. The fact that they are African Americans playing variations of heavy metal led critics to compare them to bands such as Living Colour
and Bad Brains
. Though they were pioneers in the fusion of these particular music styles, influencing many bands, they have never achieved substantial commercial success. After several lineup changes, the band broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2003 before releasing their first new album of original material in over a decade in 2006.
due to the eclectic mix of their music. The band would switch gears from Motown and soul
sounds with lush vocal harmonies to violent heavy metal
and hardcore punk
with ease, sometimes several times within the course of one song.
of Relativity
, signed the band, which, by now, included new drummer Anthony Johnson, and released their debut album, the genre-hopping Harder Than You
, produced by Bob Musso and Jimi Hazel, in December 1988. The first single was a cover of the Kool & The Gang song "Jungle Boogie." Critics and fans took notice of the band's left-wing political stance and the unique and original sound of their tight-knit, high-energy music. The album sold just under 300,000 units due to non-stop touring worldwide and became an underground hit. It remains a pioneering classic in the rock
/funk
/hip hop
genre made popular in later years by such bands as 311
, Limp Bizkit
, and Kid Rock
. The video for "Jungle Boogie" was the first video on MTV
to air on the specialty shows 120 Minutes
, Yo! MTV Raps
, Hard 60, and Headbanger's Ball.
The band's second album, 1990's Gumbo Millennium
, produced by Jimi Hazel and Tom Soares, was once again released through In-Effect Records. The album was much softer than the previous effort, focusing mostly on clean guitar and lush R&B harmonies and grooves although it still contained elements of thrash metal
and punk. The first single, "Don't Break My Heart!," while commercially viable, failed to receive radio airplay. Regardless, the album sold over 300,000 units once again due to massive amounts of touring and proved to be an underground success. It soon brought the attention of several major labels
. The band were soon opening for Jane's Addiction
on the Ritual De Lo Habitual tour. The tour brought the band to a new audience but their growing success could not halt the sudden departure of Anthony Johnson and P. Fluid. Fluid made the announcement of his departure during the band's live performance on the final date of the Jane's Addiction
tour. Allegedly, he had not made it known to his bandmates beforehand. Johnson followed suit and, as a result of the departures, the band dropped out of a planned co-headlining tour with Suicidal Tendencies
. Fluid soon made it known that he intended to start a new band named "The P. Fluid Foundation."
and Bad Brains drummer, Mackie Jayson. Jayson rehearsed with the band for a short time but soon left the band and was replaced by Joel Maitoza. The new lineup received rave reviews and the band was soon signed to East West Records America
, a division of Atlantic Records
headed by label president, Sylvia Rhone
. The company tested the marketability of the new band by releasing a five-song EP entitled This is...24-7 Spyz!
, produced by Jimi Hazel and Bruce Calder in 1991.
In 1992, the band received their largest commercial exposure to date by appearing in a Budweiser
television commercial that aired for the first five months of the year. Soon after, the hour-long Strength In Numbers
album, produced by Terry Date
and Jimi Hazel, was released and proved to be the band's most critically acclaimed release to date. The album saw the band depart from its New York hardcore
roots to concentrate more on heavy metal
and soul
. Unfortunately, by that time, popular music had begun shifting away from musical dexterity and in favor of the simplicity of grunge
. The album's single, "Break The Chains," received minor radio airplay and MTV exposure but Sylvia Rhone pulled the label's support before dropping the band altogether in the midst of what many feel was their creative peak. To add insult to injury, the label only pressed 18,000 pieces and allotted 2,000 for press purposes, thus making the disc widely unavailable almost immediately.
Disgusted by their dealings with East West and Sylvia Rhone, the band members began working on other musical projects. Hazel and Skatore looked to form a new band, Black Angus, with Follow for Now
drummer Bernard "Enrique" Coley. The Black Angus sessions were eventually recorded with drummer and longtime friend Carlton Smith of the Royal Crescent Mob
. Maitoza formed Shockhead with vocalist Joseph McCraw and Nixons bassist Ricky Wolking, recording one disc, entitled "Television", which was produced by Jimi Hazel. Brodnax concentrated on his band, Egypt.
, they reunited with Anthony Johnson and P. Fluid, now performing as Forrest (his real last name) to release Temporarily Disconnected
, produced by Jimi Hazel. The album was released exclusively in Europe
by the Enemy label, and was followed by a quick tour of the continent before Johnson and Fluid left the band once more.
Alternate versions of the next studio album were released in 1996. In March, 6, produced by Jimi Hazel, was released exclusively in Europe through the Enemy label. The album contained covers of The Association
's "Along Comes Mary
" and Love
's "7 and 7 Is
." The album was titled 6 due to it being the sixth release by the band. In September 1996, What Are Records released Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound
, the American
version of 6. The track listing would remain almost identical to 6 with the exception of the removal of "Along Comes Mary" and "7 and 7 Is" and the additions of "Earth And Sky" and "Save The World" as replacements.
Both versions of the album saw the band returning as a trio with Jimi Hazel on guitar and lead vocals, Rick Skatore on bass and Joel Maitoza returning to the drums for the first time in four years. Two tracks recorded before Maitoza's return featured guest drummer Carlton Smith of Royal Crescent Mob. Additional vocals were contributed by Doug Pinnick
of King's X
for the songs "Love And Peace" and "Yeah X 3".
The next release was the If I Could
EP, available exclusively through their fan club and featuring remixes and live performances of several songs. In 1998, a disagreement between Hazel and Skatore led to the dissolution of 24-7 Spyz.
guitarist Chris Caffery
and Spread Eagle
vocalist, Ray West. After the release of the album, Skatore suffered from a collapsed lung. Despite their prior disagreements, Hazel came to the aid of his friend by performing together as 24-7 Spyz for a benefit concert at New York City
's CBGB
's. Proceeds from the show went towards Skatore's medical bills.
In 2002, Hazel released his first solo CD, 21stCenturySouthBronxRockStar on his own label, The Gumbo Recording Company. It was followed by the formation of Maitoza's new band, Crown 10, in May 2003. 2003 also saw Hazel and Skatore reunite for a second CBGB
's performance with Tony Lewis on drums. Later that year, Hazel and Skatore would announce the official re-formation of 24-7 Spyz. In 2005, the band released a limited edition DVD titled HMS4L: The Many Lives of Walter Rattamus
through their website. The DVD tells the history of the band through the various incarnations and also includes commentary from Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore.
In 2006, the band released Face the Day
, with new drummer Tobias Ralph, through The Gumbo Recording Company label. The disc was produced by Jimi Hazel and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
and was the first 24-7-Spyz studio album in a decade. Shortly thereafter, the band released a live performance from 1998 as a digital download and CD titled Can You Hear the Sound?
.
In 2009, Hazel and Skatore began focusing their attention on a new side project called A.N.M. (Anti Nigger Machine). Other members of the band include Doug Pinnick
(vocals), Greg Fulton (guitar & vocals), Spacey T (guitar & vocals) & Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums & percussion). In 2010, the band began soliciting donations to fund the recording of their first album which is expected to be released in 2011.
On August 6, 2011, 24-7 Spyz performed at the Highline Ballroom in New York City. The show saw former members Jeff Brodnax and Joel Maitoza return for a reunion of the Strength in Numbers era lineup. In November 2011, the band announced that the lineup would continue the reunion with Strength In Numbers Twentieth Anniversary Tour starting with a string of European dates beginning in late February and continuing through March, 2012.
Anthony Johnson re-emerged as a drummer for the band Middle Man before moving on to perform a lead role in the Off Broadway production of Stomp
. He was also featured in the HBO film Stomp Out Loud
. While performing in Stomp, Johnson was recruited to play drums for Japanese pop star, Bonnie Pink
. Johnson relocated to Japan where he lived and toured with the band for a time. He was named as the drummer for Ben Folds
during a tour supporting Folds' solo album, Rockin' the Suburbs
. In 2005, he made an appearance on the self-titled, five song release by Lost Tricks, a band fronted by actor Trevor Oswalt. He has also performed with artists such as Eagle-Eye Cherry
, Dionne Farris
and Vanessa Daou
. Johnson lives in New York City
where he continues to participate in music, as a member of The Morning After Girls
, and theatre.
P. Fluid and the P. Fluid Foundation played clubs in and around New York City
but never released an album. Shortly after leaving 24-7 Spyz for the second time, P. Fluid, now using the name Forrest Thinner, formed Blkvampires. The band released a five song EP titled The Collector's Item through the Catch A Fire website. These five songs had previously been recorded by 24-7 Spyz and released on Temporarily Disconnected. A decade after their formation, the New York City
based band released one self titled album compiling seven previously unreleased tracks as well as the five songs previously included on the The Collector's Item EP.
Joel Maitoza has continued playing drums & other percussion with bands such as Crown 10, Shockhead, Don Lithgow, Seventrain and Kerry Conally and remains heavily involved in session work and producing. From 2000-2006, Joel managed the thrash-groove metal act Brick Bath on the Pavement/Crash Music label. In 2007, Joel began working with French guitarist, Christophe Godin. Maitoza reunited with 24-7 Spyz in 2011 for a reunion of the Strength in Numbers lineup and is scheduled to tour with the band through 2012 as they continue the reunion with European tour dates.
Jeff Brodnax went on to join the band Egypt, whom he had known before his days in 24-7 Spyz. During his time with the band, they released two albums, Drowning in the Promised Land and Soul Hammer. The singer later released a solo album titled Acoustic EP in 2002. It was followed in 2009 by an album titled Forcing Me To Bend which he continues to support through touring. Like Maitoza, Brodnax has reunited with 24-7 Spyz in 2011 and is scheduled to perform with the band through 2012.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, and R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
with heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
. The fact that they are African Americans playing variations of heavy metal led critics to compare them to bands such as Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
and Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
. Though they were pioneers in the fusion of these particular music styles, influencing many bands, they have never achieved substantial commercial success. After several lineup changes, the band broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2003 before releasing their first new album of original material in over a decade in 2006.
Early days
Upon their formation in 1986, the band immediately earned a dedicated following in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
due to the eclectic mix of their music. The band would switch gears from Motown and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
sounds with lush vocal harmonies to violent heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
with ease, sometimes several times within the course of one song.
In-Effect Records
In 1988, In-Effect Records, a subsidiarySubsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of Relativity
Relativity Records
Relativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and...
, signed the band, which, by now, included new drummer Anthony Johnson, and released their debut album, the genre-hopping Harder Than You
Harder Than You
Harder Than You is the debut album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. The album contains elements of several genres and is the band's heaviest album...
, produced by Bob Musso and Jimi Hazel, in December 1988. The first single was a cover of the Kool & The Gang song "Jungle Boogie." Critics and fans took notice of the band's left-wing political stance and the unique and original sound of their tight-knit, high-energy music. The album sold just under 300,000 units due to non-stop touring worldwide and became an underground hit. It remains a pioneering classic in the 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
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
/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...
genre made popular in later years by such bands as 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
, and Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
. The video for "Jungle Boogie" was the first video on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
to air on the specialty shows 120 Minutes
120 Minutes
120 Minutes is a television show in the United States dedicated to alternative music, originally airing on MTV from 1986 to 2000, and then on MTV's sister channel MTV2 from 2001 to 2003....
, Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
, Hard 60, and Headbanger's Ball.
The band's second album, 1990's Gumbo Millennium
Gumbo Millennium
Gumbo Millennium is the second album from 24-7 Spyz. Like the band's previous effort Harder Than You, the album contains elements of several genres but focuses heavily on groove-based R&B and soul music...
, produced by Jimi Hazel and Tom Soares, was once again released through In-Effect Records. The album was much softer than the previous effort, focusing mostly on clean guitar and lush R&B harmonies and grooves although it still contained elements of thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
and punk. The first single, "Don't Break My Heart!," while commercially viable, failed to receive radio airplay. Regardless, the album sold over 300,000 units once again due to massive amounts of touring and proved to be an underground success. It soon brought the attention of several major labels
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. The band were soon opening for Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
on the Ritual De Lo Habitual tour. The tour brought the band to a new audience but their growing success could not halt the sudden departure of Anthony Johnson and P. Fluid. Fluid made the announcement of his departure during the band's live performance on the final date of the Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
tour. Allegedly, he had not made it known to his bandmates beforehand. Johnson followed suit and, as a result of the departures, the band dropped out of a planned co-headlining tour with Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
. Fluid soon made it known that he intended to start a new band named "The P. Fluid Foundation."
East West Records America
Despite the loss of two of the band's four members, Rick Skatore and Jimi Hazel decided to continue on. Jeff Brodnax was brought in as the new vocalist along with Cro-MagsCro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
and Bad Brains drummer, Mackie Jayson. Jayson rehearsed with the band for a short time but soon left the band and was replaced by Joel Maitoza. The new lineup received rave reviews and the band was soon signed to East West Records America
East West Records
East West Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, and operates under WMG's Independent Label Group.-History:...
, a division of Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
headed by label president, Sylvia Rhone
Sylvia Rhone
Sylvia Rhone is an American music industry executive who served as president of Universal Motown Records until 2011.She has overseen a roster of artists in the Universal Motown lineup including Lil Wayne and the Cash Money artists Nicki Minaj, Drake, Kid Cudi, Nelly, Melanie Fiona, Akon, Erykah...
. The company tested the marketability of the new band by releasing a five-song EP entitled This is...24-7 Spyz!
This is...24-7 Spyz!
This is...24-7 Spyz! is a five-song EP released in 1991 by a brand new lineup of 24-7 Spyz, featuring newcomers Jeff Brodnax and Joel Maitoza . The EP was released by the Spyz's new label - EastWest Records to test the marketability of the new lineup...
, produced by Jimi Hazel and Bruce Calder in 1991.
In 1992, the band received their largest commercial exposure to date by appearing in a Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
television commercial that aired for the first five months of the year. Soon after, the hour-long Strength In Numbers
Strength in Numbers (24-7 Spyz)
Strength in Numbers is an album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It is the only album to feature Jeff Brodnax, who replaced original vocalist P. Fluid in 1991. On their third effort, the Spyz concentrate on simpler and more direct songwriting, toning down much of their hardcore punk...
album, produced by Terry Date
Terry Date
Terry Date is an American record producer and engineer, specializing in the rock and metal genres...
and Jimi Hazel, was released and proved to be the band's most critically acclaimed release to date. The album saw the band depart from its New York hardcore
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
roots to concentrate more on heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
. Unfortunately, by that time, popular music had begun shifting away from musical dexterity and in favor of the simplicity of grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
. The album's single, "Break The Chains," received minor radio airplay and MTV exposure but Sylvia Rhone pulled the label's support before dropping the band altogether in the midst of what many feel was their creative peak. To add insult to injury, the label only pressed 18,000 pieces and allotted 2,000 for press purposes, thus making the disc widely unavailable almost immediately.
Disgusted by their dealings with East West and Sylvia Rhone, the band members began working on other musical projects. Hazel and Skatore looked to form a new band, Black Angus, with Follow for Now
Follow For Now
Follow for Now was an American funk metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. At the height of their popularity in 1990, they headlined Atlanta's Center Stage Theater on New Year's Eve without a record contract, although the two opening bands had already released several albums...
drummer Bernard "Enrique" Coley. The Black Angus sessions were eventually recorded with drummer and longtime friend Carlton Smith of the Royal Crescent Mob
Royal Crescent Mob
Royal Crescent Mob was a four-person punk-funk band from Columbus, Ohio, that was formed in 1985. Also known to their fans as the R.C. Mob the band members included "Brian Emch" , David Ellison , Harold "Happy" Chichester and Carlton Smith . The band released five albums of material and one ep in...
. Maitoza formed Shockhead with vocalist Joseph McCraw and Nixons bassist Ricky Wolking, recording one disc, entitled "Television", which was produced by Jimi Hazel. Brodnax concentrated on his band, Egypt.
The Enemy Label
When Hazel and Skatore discovered how popular the original lineup remained in EuropeEurope
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...
, they reunited with Anthony Johnson and P. Fluid, now performing as Forrest (his real last name) to release Temporarily Disconnected
Temporarily Disconnected
Temporarily Disconnected is the fourth album from rap/metal/funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It features the reunion of the band's classic lineup, including mainstays Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore along with the return of vocalist P. Fluid and drummer Anthony Johnson...
, produced by Jimi Hazel. The album was released exclusively in 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...
by the Enemy label, and was followed by a quick tour of the continent before Johnson and Fluid left the band once more.
Alternate versions of the next studio album were released in 1996. In March, 6, produced by Jimi Hazel, was released exclusively in Europe through the Enemy label. The album contained covers of The Association
The Association
The Association is a pop music band from California in the folk rock or soft rock genre. During the 1960s, they had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival...
's "Along Comes Mary
Along Comes Mary
"Along Comes Mary" is a song composed by Tandyn Almer, originally recorded in 1966 by The Association, and released on their debut album And Then... Along Comes the Association. It was their first hit and reached number seven on the U.S. charts. It has been covered by several artists, most notably...
" and Love
Love (band)
Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
's "7 and 7 Is
7 and 7 Is
"7 and 7 Is" is a song written by Arthur Lee and recorded by his band Love on June 20, 1966, at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. It was produced by Jac Holzman and engineered by Bruce Botnick....
." The album was titled 6 due to it being the sixth release by the band. In September 1996, What Are Records released Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound
Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound
Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound is the fifth full length album from metal/funk/soul pioneers 24-7 Spyz. Released through the "What Are Records?" label, it is the first album to feature the band as a trio. Former drummer Joel Maitoza returns to replace Anthony Johnson, but the band decided not to...
, the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
version of 6. The track listing would remain almost identical to 6 with the exception of the removal of "Along Comes Mary" and "7 and 7 Is" and the additions of "Earth And Sky" and "Save The World" as replacements.
Both versions of the album saw the band returning as a trio with Jimi Hazel on guitar and lead vocals, Rick Skatore on bass and Joel Maitoza returning to the drums for the first time in four years. Two tracks recorded before Maitoza's return featured guest drummer Carlton Smith of Royal Crescent Mob. Additional vocals were contributed by Doug Pinnick
Doug Pinnick
Doug Pinnick sometimes stylised as dUg Pinnick or simply dUg is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for the hard rock/progressive metal band King's X. He has fourteen albums with King's X, four solo albums, and numerous side projects and guest...
of King's X
King's X
King's X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band's lyrics are largely based on the members' struggles with religion and self-acceptance...
for the songs "Love And Peace" and "Yeah X 3".
The next release was the If I Could
If I Could
If I Could is an EP released by 24-7 Spyz in 1997. It features album cuts from their 1996 full-length release Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound as well as several live tracks recorded in early 1996 with Joel Maitoza on drums....
EP, available exclusively through their fan club and featuring remixes and live performances of several songs. In 1998, a disagreement between Hazel and Skatore led to the dissolution of 24-7 Spyz.
Solo albums and reformation
In 2000, Hazel co-wrote several songs for a band named Crime, who were using the material to shop for labels. Skatore re-emerged in 2001, playing bass in a band named Blockk 16. The band's first release, Too Brutal For Radio, would feature guest appearances by SavatageSavatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
guitarist Chris Caffery
Chris Caffery
Chris Caffery is a heavy metal guitarist who is best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra...
and Spread Eagle
Spread Eagle (band)
Spread Eagle is an American hard rock band from New York City. After only a few months of rehearsal they were signed by MCA Records. They released two albums Spread Eagle and Open To The Public and disbanded in 1995...
vocalist, Ray West. After the release of the album, Skatore suffered from a collapsed lung. Despite their prior disagreements, Hazel came to the aid of his friend by performing together as 24-7 Spyz for a benefit concert at 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...
's CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
's. Proceeds from the show went towards Skatore's medical bills.
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In 2002, Hazel released his first solo CD, 21stCenturySouthBronxRockStar on his own label, The Gumbo Recording Company. It was followed by the formation of Maitoza's new band, Crown 10, in May 2003. 2003 also saw Hazel and Skatore reunite for a second CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
's performance with Tony Lewis on drums. Later that year, Hazel and Skatore would announce the official re-formation of 24-7 Spyz. In 2005, the band released a limited edition DVD titled HMS4L: The Many Lives of Walter Rattamus
HMS4L: The Many Lives of Walter Rattamus
HMS4L: The Many Lives of Walter Rattamus is a video retrospective of the pioneering funk/rap/metal band 24-7 Spyz, featuring interviews, backstage footage, promotional videos, and a large amount of live concert clips covering the band's entire career beginning in 1987 and including footage from the...
through their website. The DVD tells the history of the band through the various incarnations and also includes commentary from Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore.
In 2006, the band released Face the Day
Face the Day
Face the Day is the sixth and most recent album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It is the first Spyz album in more than a decade, recorded two years after their reformation in 2003...
, with new drummer Tobias Ralph, through The Gumbo Recording Company label. The disc was produced by Jimi Hazel and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Ronald Jay Blumenthal , better known by his stage name Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, is a Jewish-American guitarist, songwriter, recording artist and producer. Thal adopted the name Bumblefoot from the bacterial infection of the same name, which he learned about while helping his wife review for her...
and was the first 24-7-Spyz studio album in a decade. Shortly thereafter, the band released a live performance from 1998 as a digital download and CD titled Can You Hear the Sound?
Can You Hear the Sound?
Can You Hear the Sound? is the only live album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It was recorded live in 1998, just months before the band split up...
.
In 2009, Hazel and Skatore began focusing their attention on a new side project called A.N.M. (Anti Nigger Machine). Other members of the band include Doug Pinnick
Doug Pinnick
Doug Pinnick sometimes stylised as dUg Pinnick or simply dUg is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist, songwriter, and co-lead vocalist for the hard rock/progressive metal band King's X. He has fourteen albums with King's X, four solo albums, and numerous side projects and guest...
(vocals), Greg Fulton (guitar & vocals), Spacey T (guitar & vocals) & Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums & percussion). In 2010, the band began soliciting donations to fund the recording of their first album which is expected to be released in 2011.
On August 6, 2011, 24-7 Spyz performed at the Highline Ballroom in New York City. The show saw former members Jeff Brodnax and Joel Maitoza return for a reunion of the Strength in Numbers era lineup. In November 2011, the band announced that the lineup would continue the reunion with Strength In Numbers Twentieth Anniversary Tour starting with a string of European dates beginning in late February and continuing through March, 2012.
Whereabouts of former members
Anthony Johnson re-emerged as a drummer for the band Middle Man before moving on to perform a lead role in the Off Broadway production of Stomp
Stomp (dance troupe)
Stomp is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.-History and performances:...
. He was also featured in the HBO film Stomp Out Loud
Stomp Out Loud
Stomp Out Loud is a 1997 musical produced by HBO that featured the Brighton, UK and Manhattan-based dance troupe known as Stomp. The film provides footage from performances and also some scenes on the streets. The objects used are a variety from basketballs, broomsticks, and even trash cans...
. While performing in Stomp, Johnson was recruited to play drums for Japanese pop star, Bonnie Pink
Bonnie Pink
, known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She lived in New York during 1998 and speaks English . She writes and composes all her songs, and plays guitar and piano...
. Johnson relocated to Japan where he lived and toured with the band for a time. He was named as the drummer for Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
during a tour supporting Folds' solo album, Rockin' the Suburbs
Rockin' the Suburbs
Rockin’ the Suburbs is an alternative rock album by singer/songwriter Ben Folds, released on September 11, 2001 . His first solo album after leaving his band Ben Folds Five , Rockin’ the Suburbs is also Folds' most popular LP to date, and includes the...
. In 2005, he made an appearance on the self-titled, five song release by Lost Tricks, a band fronted by actor Trevor Oswalt. He has also performed with artists such as Eagle-Eye Cherry
Eagle-Eye Cherry
Eagle-Eye Lanoo Cherry is a Swedish musician of African-American descent.-Life and career:Cherry was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of African American jazz artist Don Cherry and Swedish painter/textile artist Monika "Moki" Cherry . He is half-brother of singer Neneh Cherry, his mother's...
, Dionne Farris
Dionne Farris
Dionne Farris is an American female R&B/soul musician who sang on three songs with the hip hop group Arrested Development...
and Vanessa Daou
Vanessa Daou
Vanessa Daou is an American singer, songwriter, poet, visual artist and dancer. Most notably a musician, her work is known among electronica, nu jazz and trip hop circles for her trademark spoken word and aspirated singing style as well as its erotic and literary subtexts.-Formative years:Daou was...
. Johnson lives 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...
where he continues to participate in music, as a member of The Morning After Girls
The Morning After Girls
The Morning After Girls are an Australian neo-psychedelia band. The group was originally formed in Melbourne, Victoria around 2003 by founding members Sacha Lucashenko and Martin B. Sleeman , who relocated the group to New York City in 2008...
, and theatre.
P. Fluid and the P. Fluid Foundation played clubs in and around 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...
but never released an album. Shortly after leaving 24-7 Spyz for the second time, P. Fluid, now using the name Forrest Thinner, formed Blkvampires. The band released a five song EP titled The Collector's Item through the Catch A Fire website. These five songs had previously been recorded by 24-7 Spyz and released on Temporarily Disconnected. A decade after their formation, the 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...
based band released one self titled album compiling seven previously unreleased tracks as well as the five songs previously included on the The Collector's Item EP.
Joel Maitoza has continued playing drums & other percussion with bands such as Crown 10, Shockhead, Don Lithgow, Seventrain and Kerry Conally and remains heavily involved in session work and producing. From 2000-2006, Joel managed the thrash-groove metal act Brick Bath on the Pavement/Crash Music label. In 2007, Joel began working with French guitarist, Christophe Godin. Maitoza reunited with 24-7 Spyz in 2011 for a reunion of the Strength in Numbers lineup and is scheduled to tour with the band through 2012 as they continue the reunion with European tour dates.
Jeff Brodnax went on to join the band Egypt, whom he had known before his days in 24-7 Spyz. During his time with the band, they released two albums, Drowning in the Promised Land and Soul Hammer. The singer later released a solo album titled Acoustic EP in 2002. It was followed in 2009 by an album titled Forcing Me To Bend which he continues to support through touring. Like Maitoza, Brodnax has reunited with 24-7 Spyz in 2011 and is scheduled to perform with the band through 2012.
Studio albums
- Harder Than YouHarder Than YouHarder Than You is the debut album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. The album contains elements of several genres and is the band's heaviest album...
(1989) - Gumbo MillenniumGumbo MillenniumGumbo Millennium is the second album from 24-7 Spyz. Like the band's previous effort Harder Than You, the album contains elements of several genres but focuses heavily on groove-based R&B and soul music...
(1990) - Strength in Numbers (1992)
- Temporarily DisconnectedTemporarily DisconnectedTemporarily Disconnected is the fourth album from rap/metal/funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It features the reunion of the band's classic lineup, including mainstays Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore along with the return of vocalist P. Fluid and drummer Anthony Johnson...
(1995) - 6Heavy Metal Soul by the PoundHeavy Metal Soul by the Pound is the fifth full length album from metal/funk/soul pioneers 24-7 Spyz. Released through the "What Are Records?" label, it is the first album to feature the band as a trio. Former drummer Joel Maitoza returns to replace Anthony Johnson, but the band decided not to...
(alternate version released in America as Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound) (1996) - Heavy Metal Soul by the PoundHeavy Metal Soul by the PoundHeavy Metal Soul by the Pound is the fifth full length album from metal/funk/soul pioneers 24-7 Spyz. Released through the "What Are Records?" label, it is the first album to feature the band as a trio. Former drummer Joel Maitoza returns to replace Anthony Johnson, but the band decided not to...
(alternate version released in Europe as 6) (1996) - Face the DayFace the DayFace the Day is the sixth and most recent album from rap, metal, and funk pioneers 24-7 Spyz. It is the first Spyz album in more than a decade, recorded two years after their reformation in 2003...
(2006)