Biography
Influenced by rap, rock, and new wave, the group 2 Skinnee J's delivers high-energy performances laced with humor and biting satire, enduring roughly equal shares of record-label turmoil and personnel shifts. The ensemble came together in early 1991, featuring MCs Special J and Rabbi J-Slim on vocals, Joey Viturbo on guitar, Sammy B on bass, DJ Casper handling keyboards, and Andy Action on drums. That same year saw the release of their cassette demo 6 Songs for 5 Bucks, though Eddie B departed by summer 1992 and yielded his spot to Eddie Eyeball. Four saxophonists joined later in 1992, expanding the roster that performed in vivid costumes during its dynamic, theatrical concerts. A follow-up cassette demo titled American Heroes surfaced in 1994 under the spelling "Too Skinnee J's," coinciding with the departures of Joey Viturbo and Rabbi J-Slim. Stevie Spice soon added trombone and keyboards to the lineup. Throughout 1995, Sammy B rejoined under the alias King Vitamin, now playing guitar, while the full saxophone section and DJ Casper exited; vocalist J Jonah Jameson remained only a few months before giving way to J Guevara, and DJ Ariel came aboard on turntables. Their 1995 debut album accordingly bore the title Return of the New & Improved.
Ahead of Sing, Earthboy, Sing! in 1997, which adopted the numeral spelling "2," DJ Ariel stepped away and guitarist A. Mays took over for King Vitamin, who subsequently launched the Mooney Suzuki under his birth name Sammy James, Jr. Capricorn issued the band's major-label debut Super Mercado in 1998, and its devoted audience expanded during a nationwide trek supporting Sugar Ray and Everlast. By the tour's conclusion A. Mays had left, succeeded briefly by Capital R, future member of the Rhones, who himself gave way to Lance Rockworthy within a month. Andy Action was succeeded on drums by Mikey B before Capricorn circulated promotional copies of Volumizer in late 2000. After Capricorn folded, the band lacked a label until the Jive imprint Volcano acquired and issued Volumizer in 2002. Dissatisfied with Jive's limited support, the group moved to the independent Dolphins vs Unicorn for the 2003 album Sexy Karate. They then declared an extended hiatus, labeling their 2003 dates a farewell tour. The collective reemerged in 2005 for East Coast performances billed as the 5 Nights of Fury Reunion Tour.
Ahead of Sing, Earthboy, Sing! in 1997, which adopted the numeral spelling "2," DJ Ariel stepped away and guitarist A. Mays took over for King Vitamin, who subsequently launched the Mooney Suzuki under his birth name Sammy James, Jr. Capricorn issued the band's major-label debut Super Mercado in 1998, and its devoted audience expanded during a nationwide trek supporting Sugar Ray and Everlast. By the tour's conclusion A. Mays had left, succeeded briefly by Capital R, future member of the Rhones, who himself gave way to Lance Rockworthy within a month. Andy Action was succeeded on drums by Mikey B before Capricorn circulated promotional copies of Volumizer in late 2000. After Capricorn folded, the band lacked a label until the Jive imprint Volcano acquired and issued Volumizer in 2002. Dissatisfied with Jive's limited support, the group moved to the independent Dolphins vs Unicorn for the 2003 album Sexy Karate. They then declared an extended hiatus, labeling their 2003 dates a farewell tour. The collective reemerged in 2005 for East Coast performances billed as the 5 Nights of Fury Reunion Tour.
Albums
