Fun Lovin' Criminals | History of the Band

From Gritty NYC Streets to Cinematic Grooves: A 90s Band That Blended Funk, Hip-Hop, and Humor.

Fun Lovin' Criminals came onto the scene in early 1990s New York City, a place buzzing with creative energy and musical experimentation. Formed in 1993, the original lineup featured Huey Morgan (vocals, guitar), Brian "Fast" Leiser (bass, keyboards, trumpet), and Steve Borgovini (drums). Huey Morgan’s mix of Puerto Rican and Irish heritage, coupled with the vibrant cultural backdrop of NYC, heavily shaped the band’s distinct sound. Drawing from hip-hop, funk, jazz, blues, and rock, they created a style that felt both nostalgic and brand new.

Their early gigs at iconic venues like The Limelight and CBGB quickly put them on the radar of EMI Records, earning them their first recording deal. While the grunge and punk scenes were dominating at the time, Fun Lovin' Criminals stood out with their irreverent humor, genre-blending sound, and urban storytelling.

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Musical Style and Evolution

From day one, Fun Lovin' Criminals were all about breaking molds. Their music was a mash-up of smooth jazz grooves, the gritty pulse of hip-hop, and the raw punch of rock. Their lyrics, often witty and tongue-in-cheek, drew inspiration from New York City’s crime culture and pop culture icons like Quentin Tarantino. This narrative-driven approach gave their music a cinematic edge.

As the 90s progressed, the band’s sound evolved while staying true to its roots. Their debut leaned heavily into funky, high-energy tracks, but later albums introduced more polished arrangements and elements like electronic textures and orchestration. By the decade’s end, their sound had grown into a seamless mix of urban swagger and cinematic cool.

Discography and Notable 90s Albums

"Come Find Yourself" (1996): Their debut album set the stage for their career, with “Scooby Snacks” becoming their breakout hit. The track’s memorable samples from Quentin Tarantino’s "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs" paired with its funky bassline made it an instant classic, even cracking the UK Top 40. Released on EMI’s Chrysalis Records and produced by Tim Latham, the album showcased their knack for combining humor with musical chops on tracks like “The Fun Lovin' Criminal” and “Smoke ’Em.”

"100% Colombian" (1998): Their second album took a more refined, soulful direction. Released on Virgin Records, standout tracks like “Love Unlimited” paid homage to Barry White, while “Korean Bodega” delivered biting urban commentary. Q Magazine praised the album for its “seamless blend of styles.” While its commercial success in the US was modest, it found a strong following in Europe.

"Mimosa" (1999): This collection of acoustic versions, covers, and remixes demonstrated the band’s versatility. Their reinterpretation of Louis Armstrong’s “We Have All the Time in the World” became a fan favorite, cementing their ability to rework classics with their own signature flair.

Critics were initially split on Fun Lovin' Criminals. Some dismissed their humor as a gimmick, but many praised their originality and genre-bending approach. David Fricke of Rolling Stone wrote, "The Criminals are masters of the musical heist, seamlessly fusing disparate genres into something wholly their own." Similarly, The Guardian noted their knack for “channeling urban chaos into playful, sophisticated grooves.”

Fans embraced their eclectic style, appreciating their ability to speak to both casual listeners and die-hard music enthusiasts. Over time, the band earned cult status for their refusal to conform to the trends of the decade.

Influence and Legacy

Fun Lovin' Criminals’ legacy lies in their fearless approach to blending genres and their ability to tell stories through music. They share a connection with acts like Gorillaz, G. Love and Special Sauce, and Morcheeba, for crafting genre-blurring styles that made them difficult to categorize. Beyond their music, their charisma and storytelling made them cultural icons of the 90s.

Huey Morgan went on to become a popular DJ and radio host in the UK, while Brian Leiser continued producing music. The band saw lineup changes—Steve Borgovini was replaced by Maxwell “Mackie” Jayson—but their core identity remained intact.

Fun Lovin' Criminals’ 1990s journey is a testament to the era’s spirit of creativity and risk-taking. Their music, with its mix of humor, groove, and narrative depth, stood out in a crowded landscape. While they may not have dominated the charts, their unique story is an essential piece of the larger puzzle of 90s music. Revisiting their work is like stepping back into a world where genres blurred, and creativity reigned supreme.

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