| 24-7 Spyz |
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24-7 Spyz are a band from the South Bronx, New York, formed in 1986. The band is best known for mixing soul, funk, reggae, and R&B with heavy metal and punk music. They are pioneers in the fusion of these particular music styles, influencing many bands and a monumentally large cult following that spans the globe. The group's leaders from their formation in 1986 to the present day have been guitarist Jimi Hazel and bassist Rick Skatore. Hailing from New York City (the Bronx, to be exact), the group issued its debut full-length, Harder Than You, in 1988 on the In-Effect label.The album, which included vocal contributions from singer P. Fluid received some MTV attention with a cover of Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie." Released in 1990, Gumbo Millennium saw the group perfect its multi-genre-encompassing sound even further, as an opening slot on Jane's Addiction's tour in support of Ritual de lo Habitual saw the group expand its following. However, Fluid exited the band at the end of the tour (along with drummer Anthony Johnson), but Hazel and Skatore regrouped with new singer Jeff Brodnax and drummer Joel Maitoza, resulting in two more successful releases, the 1991 EP This Is...24-7 Spyz! In 1995 the Harder Than You era lineup reunited for a new album, Temporarily Disconnected. Eventually, Hazel decided to do double duty providing lead vocals in addition to guitar while drummers came and went. One more album was issued, 1996's Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound (titled simply 6 in Europe), before 24-7 Spyz went into hibernation mode between 1998 and 2003. Hazel and Skatore eventually resuscitated the group, issuing their first-ever live album (recorded in 1998), Can You Hear the Sound?, as well as an all-new studio set, Face the Day, in 2006. In addition to his 24-7 Spyz duties, Hazel is also a solo artist, having released 21stCenturySouthBronxRockStar in 2002 via his own label, The Gumbo Recording Company. |
