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All Music Guide:
One of many bands in the '90s to experiment with fusing the aggressive sounds of hip-hop and hardcore/heavy metal, Shootyz Groove boasts two official MCs (Sense and Season) heading a lineup that also originally featured guitarist Donny, bassist Spec, and drummer Dose. Shootyz Groove formed in the Bronx, NY, in 1992 and had a record deal within two years, signing to Mercury. A live EP recorded in Queens, Respect, was released in 1994, and was followed later that year by their official debut, Jammin' in Vicious Environments (also known as J.I.V.E.). Shootyz Groove toured with acts covering both sides of their own musical spectrum, including Boogie Down Productions and Slayer. However, things did not continue so smoothly; bassist Spec left the band, and Shootyz Groove found itself off of Mercury. Undaunted, they released a difficult-to-find live album, Live J.I.V.E., in 1995, and got a new bass player in Paul "Freak Love" and, thanks to frequent touring, a new deal with Roadrunner Records. Their Roadrunner debut, Hipnosis, was released in 1997; moving to Reprise, the group resurfaced two years later with High Definition.
Wikipedia:
Shootyz Groove is a rap rock band from The Bronx, New York City, New York.
History
Formed in 1992, the band originally consisted of Donny on guitar, Spec on bass guitar, Dose on drums, and their two MCs Sense and Season. Within two years the band had a record deal with Mercury Records and released a live EP (recorded in Queens) in 1994, with their first full length album, Jammin' in Vicious Environments (J.I.V.E.), released a year later on vinyl and CD. In support of their album, Shootyz Groove toured with many acts on both ends of their musical spectrum, including The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Slayer, Boogie Down Productions and 311.
By 1995, bass guitarist Spec had left the band, they were no longer with Mercury Records, and they released their hard-to-find live album, Live J.I.V.E.. After recruiting a new bass guitar player, Paul "Freak Love", and thanks to frequent touring, the band was signed by Roadrunner Records. In 1997, they released their first Roadrunner Records album, Hipnosis.
Shootyz Groove then moved to Reprise Records and resurfaced two years later with High Definition and gained popularity with single "L Train". Shootyz Groove broke up after this album, some of the members starting a band called Dead Fly Syndrome. In 2004, Shootyz Groove reappeared. They have released a demo of "Heard That All Before" taken from their forthcoming, untitled album on their website. In early versions of iTunes, "L Train" was bundled.
Some of their tracks, including "Blow Your Top" and "Mad For It", were included in the PlayStation game, Street Skater 2. "Mad For It" was also featured in the game Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder. Eventually, they signed to a Japanese label.
