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Friends Huey Morgan, Brian Leiser and Steve Borgovini formed Fun Loving Criminals in 1993. During this time both Leiser and Morgan worked at a NYC club and whenever bands failed to show up Fun Lovin’ Criminals would step up and strut their stuff. In one particular serendipitous moment a representative of EMI saw the band performed and subsequently singed them to their roster. Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ debut album “Come Find Yourself” was released in mid-1996. The album however found a lot more favour with European audiences than U.S, especially in the UK where their album peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart. It was a tongue-in-cheek record that made fun of Italian-American mafia circles and wannabe gangsters, and drew influence from the genres of funk, blues, soul, and hip-hop.
Following the release, the band supported U2 on their North American “popmart” tour and embarked on an extensive tour of their own. The studio album “100% Colombian” arrived in August 1998 led by the smash hit singles “Korean Bodega” and the Barry White tribute “Love Unlimited”. The record once again proved more popular in Europe than the U.S. and after the release drummer Borgovini departed the group replaced by Mackie Jayson. A collection of B-sides “Mimosa” appeared in 1999 featuring lounge covers of existing songs following by their third studio album “Loco” released in 2001. Against the wishes of the band EMI released the best-of compilation “Bag of Hits” in 2002, the record reached No. 11 on the UK Albums Chart, however Fun Loving Criminals subsequently left EMI.
With a move to Sanctuary Records the band released their fourth full-length album “Welcome to Poppy’s” in 2003. Despite earning positive reviews the album failed to have the commercial viability of it predecessors, though still managed to peak at No. 20 in the UK. In 2005 the studio album “Livin’ in the City” was issued by Sanctuary, followed by “Classic Fantastic” in April 2010.
Live reviews
The Lafontaines had the extremely hard job of playing to a crowd off 2100 people that were excitingly waiting for the arrival on stage of their idols Fun Loving Criminals. They young Scottish boys did their best to get the crowd going for which I can explain their style as being similar in ways to limp biskit their bass guitarist who also does vocals was way better than their lead rapper in my eyes. A lot of their jokes fell on deaf ears for the anticipation and arrival of FLC .
The clock hits 9pm and the empire strikes back...yes the FLC guys come out on stage to Star Wars theme tune with laser lights like large saber swords. Class total class with Huey smiling from ear to ear and picks up his shines guitar one out off many he used that nite. And us the crowd don't need to wait long to be took back in time to 20 years ago with their first tune being Stick em up punk it's the fun lovin criminals. As I quickly glance round the crowd the movement in the room is as energetic as a bunch of young kids on a bouncy castle.
Crowd participation to all their songs especially Scooby Snacks Loco and Barry White were immense. I had forgotten just how great that venue sounds since I was let there with The Fugees.Totally best place in my eyes to see a band. Your not just at a concert it feels so much more personal it feels like ur at a party with your idols.
Their sounds of funk, punk, rock, hip hop, blues and even jazz bounced off every wall. Brian even had a trumpet and harmonica I the go along with his guitar and keyboards. Huey and Brian's interaction with each other and the crowd reinstated how bands 20years down the line are more relaxed and carefree for their fans.
They were also very humbling I mite add and repeatedly thanked their fans throughout their show. Frank on drums and more reserved on stage came out with oozes of personality in set 2 and his own theme tune, after of course Huey and Brian had walked on stage to the Indiana Jones tune. He sprayed the front row with a 60pound bottle of wine to Brian's surprise.. Huey didn't seem too phased they played and drank through their show n even had a few shots of tequilla....maybe they were in the mode of "when in Rome" ha.
All in all best venue and best gig I've been to in a long time they were electric. They had the crowd eating out the palm of their hands even midway thru when they sang We have all the time in the world special moment where all fans were as one.
P.s( ihaveabsutly fantastic front row photographs as well)
Kirsty Joanne zaharia
kirsty-zaharia
American alt-rock band Fun Lovin' Criminals have achieved a sound that has a decade crossing appeal. They may have achieved their main success in the 90s yet people continue to discover the band's large discography years later thanks to their consistent tours in both the UK and the US. They are also known for their outspoken frontman Huey Morgan who often appears on British television and hosts a regular broadcast programme on the 6Music station.
Away from these commitments the band flourish onstage and it is clearly where they enjoy spending the majority of their time. Because the music has broad reach and merges the genres of alternative, pop, rock and hip hop they have a wide variety of fans. More embraced in the UK than their homeland, it is here they receive the biggest cheers for 'King of New York' and 'Korean Bodegea'. Huey thanks the crowd in his synonymously gruff tones and applauds their enthusiasm tonight. They drop 'Loco' and 'Scooby Snacks' as surprise midset high points yet save 'Smoke 'Em' and 'Big Night Out' for a suitable finale full of uplifting guitar solos and pounding drum beats.
sean-ward
What a night!
Disappointing start - no warm up act, just a mix-tape?!?! Could've done with the heads-up when we had to stand to wait.
BUT
when the boys cam on stage, the whole (packed) place came alive. Huey did a fine job of it, despite being relegated to an armchair due to a broken foot. Frank the drummer was A GOD! SO entertaining to watch!
They covered Neil Diamond and Ice-T, but naturally, the highlights were their own tunes. Every time a hit started up, people started nodding their heads and nudging each other. The peak of Scooby Snacks had a dude in his 60's pogo-ing in front of us!
The very best thing was watching the effect of the music on everyone there - from the security kid in his 20's, walking in pace to the music, to the woman dancing as enthusiastically as she would've 20 years ago, to the man who had to be in his 70's with a dirty big grin on his face ... everyone FELT COOL. That's quite something.
Well done, Lads, well done.
sara-gordon-1
Had an amazing night in St Albans with these guys. Better live than I ever expected them to be!
Change in line-up has nothing to detract from their sound or performance.
Came out after the gig and mixed with the crowd. Can't wait to see them again.
Big Love!
TAFF
Cleddy
Great show. The rain didn't dampen the mood as FLC never fail to make you enjoy yourself. I love the way they seem to be having fun too, it never looks like a chore to them. Love them and can't wait to see them again.
dj-2
The show was at the Kentish Town O2. They were brilliant but so were the audience. I was alone but quickly made 'friends' with people. They seem to bring out the good in everyone. Really good atmosphere all 'round!
darcy-davies-2
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