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{{Short description|American hip hop band}}
{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist
Name = 2 Skinnee J's |
| name = 2 Skinnee J's
Background = group_or_band |
| image = 2 Skinnee J's.jpg
Origin = ], ], ] |
| caption = 2 Skinnee J's, 1998
Genre = ], ] |
| image_size =
Years_active = 1991–2003, 2008 |
| origin = ], ], US
Label = ], ], Dolphins vs. Unicorns |
| genre = {{hlist|]|]|]}}
Current_members = Special J<br />J Guevara<br />Andy Action<br />Eddie Eyeball<br />Lance Rockworthy<br />Stevie Spice<br />A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson|
| years_active = 1991–2003, 2008–present
Past_members = (Rabbi) J-Slim<br />Joey Viturbo<br />J. Jonah Jameson (Alan Diggs)<br />A.Mays<br />Mikey B<br />King Vitamin (Sammy James, Jr.)<br />D. Summerz (Dose)
| label = ]<br/>]<br/>Dolphins vs. Unicorns
| website = | current_members = Special J (Joel E. Johnson)<br />J Guevara (Noah David Julian Green)<br />Andy Action (Andrew E. Markham)<br />Eddie Eyeball (Edward M. Cisneros)<br />Lance Rockworthy (Lance M. Fanguy)<br />Stevie Spice (Stephen Sumners Light)<br />A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson (Adam Johnson)
| past_members = Rabbi J-Slim (Jason Milligan)<br />Joey Viturbo (Joseph A. Schwartz)<br />J. Jonah Jameson (Alan Diggs)<br />A. Mays (John M. Moraski)<br />Mikey B (Mike Boyko)<br />King Vitamin (Sammy Buonaugurio)<br />DJ Casper (Mitch Wells)<br />Capital R (Rob Wofford)<br />D. Summerz (Daniel Summers)
}} }}


'''2 Skinnee J's''' is the name of a ] characterized as ]. The band was founded in 1991 by Special J (vocals), Rabbi J-Slim (vocals), Joey Viturbo (guitar), Sammy B (bass guitar), DJ Casper (keyboards), and Andy Action (drums). With numerous line-up changes the band was active through the 1990s until 2003, when the officially disbanded. The group recorded several demos, 2 EPs, 3 studio albums, including one on ],'' ]'' and another on ], '']''. The band went through several key membership changes before its breaking up in 2003, although they briefly reunited for reunion tours in 2005 and 2008. '''2 Skinnee J's''' (alternatively spelled '''Two Skinnee J's''' or '''Too Skinnee J's''') is an American ] band from ], whose music has been categorized as ] and ]. The band was founded in 1991 by Special J (vocals), Rabbi J-Slim (vocals), Joey Viturbo (guitar), Sammy B (bass guitar), DJ Casper (keyboards), and Andy Action (drums). With numerous line-up changes, the band was active through the 1990s until 2003, when they officially disbanded. The group recorded several demos, 2 EPs, and 3 studio albums; '']'' on ], '']'' on ], and ''Sexy Karate'' on Dolphins vs. Unicorns. The band went through several key membership changes before its breaking up in 2003, although they briefly reunited for reunion tours in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012.


==History (Brief Summary)== ==History==
2 Skinnee J's formed in 1991 at ] in ]. The original line-up was Special J and Rabbi J-Slim (vocals), Joey Viturbo (guitar), Sammy B (bass), DJ Casper (keyboards), and Andy Action (drums).<ref name=allmusic-2sj>
2 Skinnee J's formed in 1991 at ] in ]. They developed their style and released multiple independent releases in the 1990s. They attracted a fan following through heavy touring in their early years. Original rapper J-Slim & guitarist Joey Viturbo parted was with the band in 1995 and J Guevara was recruited as well as King Vitamin (a/k/a origingal bassist, Sammy B). They started to break through into the mainstream in 1998 after signing with Capricorn and releasing '']'', which found airplay on modern-rock radio stations.<ref name="suntimes">{{cite news|title= The happy rappers - 2 Skinnee J's restate rock's great message|work=]|date=1999-09-10|DeRogatis, Jim|page=5 (Weekend Plus section)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4508220.html|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5glwIkUPb|archivedate=2009-05-14|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-08}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p293464/biography|pure_url=yes}}
|title=2 Skinnee J's > Biography
|publisher=www.allmusic.com
|accessdate=2009-06-07
|last=Jeffries
|first=David
}}
</ref> Their first independent release was on cassette, titled ''6 Songs for 5 Bucks''.<ref name=allmusic-2sj/> They attracted a fan following through heavy touring in their early years. A second cassette release entitled ''American Heroes'', was released in 1994 with the band titled "Too Skinnee J's". Several personnel changes saw original rapper J-Slim bass player Sammy B and guitarist Joey Viturbo part with the band; whilst J Guevara (formerly of Canadian ska band ]) and Stevie Spice (of Connecticut ska band Spicy Gribblets) were recruited. Former bassist Sammy B rejoined the band in 1995 as a guitarist and using the name King Vitamin.<ref name=allmusic-2sj/>


They started to break into the mainstream in 1998 after signing with Capricorn and releasing '']'', which found airplay on modern-rock radio stations.<ref name="suntimes">{{cite news |title=The happy rappers - 2 Skinnee J's restate rock's great message |work=] |date=1999-09-10 |author=DeRogatis, Jim |page=5 (Weekend Plus section) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4508220.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025141232/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4508220.html |archive-date=2012-10-25 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2009-05-08 }}</ref> 2 Skinnee J's performed at ] and later criticized the event.<ref name="suntimes" /> Relations soured with Capricorn and the label delayed release of the second album on 2 Skinnee J's two-album contract, ''Volumizer'', produced by ],<ref>
Relations soured with Capricorn and the label delayed release of the second album on 2 Skinnee J's two-album contract, '']'', for two years after it was recorded. The label folded and the band's contract was bought by ]. When it was officially released, many critics refused to review it again as they had reviewed a pre-release version years earlier. Rockworthy says the delay and its fallout, which left the band without a label, were a major problem and contributed to their decision to break up in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 SKINNEE J'S GO OUT WITH A BANG |publisher=]|author=Cronick, Scott|date=2003-06-06|page=27}}</ref> Although they had a farewell tour in 2003, they returned for a "Five Nights of Fury" tour in 2005 and another five-show "Mission Accomplished" reunion tour in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 Skinnee J's come back around |date=2008-08-01|work=]|author=Condran, Ed|page=W10|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/442/story/1161385.html|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h95wnlAX|archivedate=2009-05-29|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-27}}</ref> They performed at ] and later criticized the event.<ref name="suntimes" />
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425571/20000802/beck.jhtml
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031221101256/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1425571/20000802/beck.jhtml
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=December 21, 2003
|title=2 Skinnee J's Turn Up "Volumizer" With Beck Personnel|date=2 August 2000|publisher=MTV News
|accessdate=2009-06-08
|last=Basham
|first=David
}}
</ref> for two years after it was recorded.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.runet.edu/~archive/season12/ritz/stories/skinnee.html
|title=2 Skinnee J's: All "Grown Up" Now
|publisher=Whim Internet Magazine
|date=20 November 2002
|accessdate=2009-06-08
|last=McKinney
|first=Doug
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211102311/http://www.runet.edu/~archive/season12/ritz/stories/skinnee.html
|archive-date=2012-12-11
|url-status=live
}}
</ref> The label folded and the band's contract was bought by Volcano Records.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453047/20020325/2_skinnee_j_s.jhtml
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804091959/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453047/20020325/2_skinnee_j_s.jhtml
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=August 4, 2002
|title=2 Skinnee J's Finally Get Volumizer Out
|publisher=MTV News
|date=25 March 2002
|accessdate=2009-06-08
|last=Moss
|first=Corey
}}
</ref> When the album was officially released in 2002, many critics refused to review it again as they had reviewed a pre-release version years earlier.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} Rockworthy says the delay and its fallout, which left the band without a label, were a major problem and contributed to their decision to break up in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 Skinne J's Go Out with Bang|publisher=]|author=Cronick, Scott|date=6 June 2003|page=27}}</ref> ''Sexy Karate'' was released on indie label Dolphins vs Unicorn that year,<ref name=allmusic-2sj/> before their farewell tour in 2003. They returned for a "Five Nights of Fury" tour in 2005 and another five-show reunion tour in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 Skinnee J's come back around |date=1 August 2008 |work=] |author=Condran, Ed |page=W10 |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/442/story/1161385.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604165243/http://www.newsobserver.com/442/story/1161385.html |archive-date=2009-06-04 |url-status=live |accessdate=2009-05-27 }}</ref>


In 2009 the band website announced the September premier of ''Get In The Van'', a film shot during the 2008 reunion tour.<ref>
==Detailed History==
{{cite web
==Early Days (1991-1995)==
|url=http://www.2sj.com/
Founded in February 1991 by a pair of ] friends going by stage names MC WheatThin (soon to become Special J) and (Rabbi) J-Slim. The name of the group is allegedly derived from their first initials & similar girths. The J's recruited drummer Andy Action who brought bassist Sammy B (soon to become King Vitamin) as well as guitarist/Columbia University Marching Band leader/astro-physicist Joey Viturbo and keyboardist/dorm-producer DJ Casper as well as a mangey horn section alternately known as the "Four Hornsmen Of The Apocalypse," "The Hot Boxed Lunch Horns" or "The Hat Rack." Sammy B was permanently replaced after six months by bassist, Eddie Eyeball.
|title=2 Skinnee J's The Saga Continues...
|publisher=www.2sj.com
|accessdate=2009-06-08
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223173415/http://www.2sj.com/
|archive-date=2001-02-23
|url-status=live
}}
</ref>


Special J, Eddie Eyeball, Lance Rockworthy and Andy Action got together for the band's next reunion tour, billed as "acoustically-charged, tell-all brawls," of which there were seven dates between February 12 and April 16, 2010. These shows were held at small, intimate venues, and featured heavy audience participation, through Q&A sessions and singalongs. In between acoustic versions of selections from their entire catalog of songs, each band member told stories about how songs were written, life on the road and the evolution of the band. J Guevara was scheduled to join the band for two of the April shows, and several hints were dropped about plans for a "full-on electric" tour to follow in summer 2010.{{cn|date=December 2022}}
The band self-produced 3 cassette demos and toured extensively after a Summer 1993 appearance on ]'s Battle Of The Bands for ABC primetime TV. Shortly thereafter, the band's manager at the time (rumored to be in league with the ], or worse), lost his rights to manage the band in a Vegas poker game to gas station mogul, bail-bondsman and repo-man, A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson. 2SJ, although demoralized, began ascending in popularity as Mr. Johnson began reaping what would amount to nearly a decade of great wealth. The summer of 1994 also gleaned the band's best acquisition to date, keyboardist/trombonist Stevie Spice, who was clearly the most handsome member of the band to date.


==Members==
==Skinnee Rising (1995-2001)==


===Timeline===
In May 1995 J-Slim left the band (he went on to work for ] and to author books under the pseudonym J Milligan), along with guitarist, Joey Viturbo (who went onto a law degree and eventually to work directly under ] in an undisclosed secret location). Not long after, most of the horn section disbanded to attend graduate school or to nurse their ever-worsening drug habits. There followed a chaotic summer in which J-Slim's spot was filled by J. Jonah Jameson, and Viturbo was replaced by former bassist Sammy B, now dubbed "King Vitamin," on guitar. After the band's unsavory hot summer tour in diapers, Jameson was permanently replaced in September 1995, by MC J Guevara (former Canadian ska super-group ] accordianist). With the merits of Guevara's enormously diverse hair and rhyming prowess, the next two self-released EPs (''Return Of The New & Improved'' & ''Sing, Earthboy, Sing!'') brought even larger accolades and the band expanded it's ever-widening fan-base. Enormous amounts of touring followed with over 30,000 CDs sold out of their "Big Green Bus" which was, in actuality, a green ] mini-bus. In 1997, Thrift Unit MC A.Mays (producer of ''Return Of The New & Improved'') replaced King Vitamin on guitar. Sammy B/King Vitamin retired permanently from the J's to form garage rock NYC legends, ] as frontman Sammy James Jr. Shortly thereafter, 2 Skinnee J's signed a record deal with Atlanta's ] and recorded their first full-length album, '']'', co-produced by Tim Latham (], ], ], etc.) and NY DJ celebrity ] at The Magic Shop recording studio in SoHo, NYC.
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
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DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1991 till:06/30/2003
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1991
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1992


Colors =
One of their most famous and influential songs was "Riot Nrrrd" (1998), which would later appear in the movie '']'' (1999). (The term "riot nrrrd", a pun on "riot grrrl", was first used in ]'s '']'', to describe someone wearing "Dockers and Gap pocket-T". Whether the name of the song was a deliberate reference to the book is unclear.) Riot Nrrrd, along with several other songs on their first full-length album, SuperMercado! (1998), would later cause ] to include them in his list of nerdcore rappers. The album mostly featured playful, nerdy songs about such subjects as ] and ].
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:turntables value:lavender legend:Turntables
id:trombone value:coral legend:Trombone
id:tenor value:drabgreen legend:Tenor_Sax
id:trumpet value:yellow legend:Trumpet
id:alto value:powderblue legend:Alto_Sax
id:album value:black legend:Studio_albums
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Copious amounts of touring ensued, with the band putting 300,000+ miles on their infamous "Big Green Bus", sharing the stage with the likes of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and (literally) hundreds of others... Touring (more than 1500 road dates thus far) took it's toll on the personnel. Guitarist A.Mays left in the middle of a tour to sire a child w/ Al's Not Well band leader Joce (temporarily replaced by Springfield, MO native Capital R), and replaced permanently by Louisiana's finest, Lance Rockworthy (arguably the handsomest member of the band to date). Half way into writing the band's second album, drummer and founding band member Andy Action was fired for enigmatic & dubious inter-personal reasons. Fans revolted. A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson refused to comment in the press. That is when the J's called upon the help of longtime friend & Atlanta based drummer D. Summerz, a/k/a "Dose" of ] infamy.
at:04/14/1998 layer:back color:album
at:03/19/2002 layer:back color:album
at:04/08/2003 layer:back color:album
at:07/01/1993 layer:back color:EP
at:07/01/1994 layer:back color:EP
at:04/01/1996 layer:back color:EP
at:07/01/1997 layer:back color:EP


BarData =
==Decline & Breakup (2002-2003)==
bar:Special text:"Special J"
bar:Slim text:"J Slim"
bar:Jonah text:"J Jonah Jameson"
bar:Guevara text:"J Guevara"
bar:Viturbo text:"Joey Viturbo"
bar:Vitamin text:"Sammy B/King Vitamin"
bar:Mays text:"A Mays"
bar:Lance text:"Lance Rockworthy"
bar:Eddie text:"Eddie Eyeball"
bar:Andy text:"Andy Action"
bar:Daniel text:"D Summerz"
bar:Mikey text:"Mikey P"
bar:Stevie text:"Stevie Spice"
bar:Casper text:"DJ Casper"
bar:Ariel text:"DJ Ariel"
bar:Small text:"Small Wonder"
bar:Robba text:"Robba Shanks"
bar:Funky text:"Funky Dollar Bill"
bar:Scotty text:"Scotty Ballgame"


PlotData=
In 2002, their second album, '']'', was finally released after a two-year delay (In addition to the personnel issues, ] collapsed and the band was picked up by ], which really put the screws to the ailing band to "churn out the hits"). The tenor was perhaps a bit less intellectual and a bit more serious than '']'', but the overall trend remained playful and light. That changed somewhat in 2003 with'' Sexy Karate!'' (self-released on the band's own Dolphins Vs. Unicorns label), which had a slightly angrier, more political tone and contained, arguably, some of the band's best and most mature material.
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Special from:01/01/1991 till:end color:vocals
bar:Slim from:01/01/1991 till:05/01/1995 color:vocals
bar:Jonah from:07/01/1995 till:09/01/1995 color:vocals
bar:Guevara from:09/01/1995 till:end color:vocals
bar:Viturbo from:07/01/1991 till:05/01/1995 color:guitar
bar:Vitamin from:07/01/1995 till:07/01/1996 color:guitar
bar:Mays from:07/01/1996 till:09/01/1998 color:guitar
bar:Lance from:10/01/1998 till:end color:guitar
bar:Vitamin from:07/01/1991 till:04/01/1992 color:bass
bar:Eddie from:04/01/1992 till:end color:bass
bar:Andy from:07/01/1991 till:10/01/1999 color:drums
bar:Mikey from:11/01/1999 till:end color:drums
bar: Daniel from: 10/01/1999 till: 11/01/1999 color:drums
bar:Stevie from:01/01/1995 till:end color:keyboards
bar:Casper from:04/01/1991 till:07/01/1995 color:turntables
bar:Ariel from:12/01/1996 till:04/01/1996 color:turntables
bar:Small from:12/01/1991 till:09/01/1995 color:trombone
bar:Robba from:12/01/1991 till:09/01/1995 color:tenor
bar:Funky from:12/01/1991 till:09/01/1995 color:trumpet
bar:Scotty from:12/01/1991 till:09/01/1995 color:alto
}}


==Discography==
In March 2003, the band announced in their "farewell newsletter" that they were soon beginning what they described as an "indefinite hiatus." Rumors that things had soured between band members and keyboardist Stevie Spice shrouded the breakup with mystery. A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson refused to comment in the press. However, in a 2005 post on the band's official webpage, Stumpy Johnson announced a reunion show on July 18, 2005, the two-year anniversary of the group's final live performance (not so coincidentally, on 7/18!). A small series of shows throughout the northeastern United States was later announced; however, the band confirmed that these were merely "reunion shows" and were not meant to be interpreted as a sign that the band had officially reformed. Stevie Spice had not taken part in any of the reunion shows.


===Albums===
==Reunion, Present & Future (2008-present)==
*'']'' (1998)
*'']'' (2002)
*''Sexy Karate'' (2003)


===EPs===
On January 28, 2008, Stevie Spice posted this message on the band's MySpace page:
*''6 Songs for 5 Bucks'' (1993)

*''American Heroes'' (1994)
''Dear 2SJ peeps...''
*''Return of the New & Improved'' (1995)

*''Sing, Earthboy, Sing!'' (1997)
''Over the holidays, a golden light shone down from above and it was shaped like Stumpy... I picked up the phone and called an old friend... who called another old friend... who called another. One call led to another and before we all knew it, we were back together fighting over ketchup and eggs in NYC (ok, it was just me and Lance fighting over the ketchup). We all are a little older, larger, and definitely wiser (I hear AJS has exceeded omniscient).
''
''Next summer is the 5 year anni since the last show with the full line up. 10 years since ''$upermercado''. The time for the full fledged reunion has come. To make things complete we even got (Andy) Action back on drums (B is on sabitical selling his ball swing - no, Eddie didn't help).''

''August 6 - 11 2008''

''DC, Norfolk, NYC and two others TBA.''

''Put the request in for time off and book your flights now. Convert your 401Ks into small bills for Stump. And most of all, get ready to ROKK!!!''

'''The 2 Skinnee J's "Mission Accomplished 2008" reunion tour:'''

August 6 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

August 7 at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC

August 8 at the NorVa in Norfolk, Virginia

August 9 & 10 - 2 final shows at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.''


2 Skinnee J's played their first show in over 3 years at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on August 6, 2008. The band played for two hours, one of their longest sets to date. The opening song was "718!", and they concluded the concert with "BBQ" and "Sugar & Candy". Special J announced that this was the first concert in 9 years that the current band members played together (considered by most to be the essential 2SJ lineup).

The rest of the tour was a triumphant success, reuniting the band members with their adoring fans and with each other. Rumors of a documentary film of the event abound.

The band released an enormous 5 CD, 1 DVD, 200 page photo-book Boxed Set to commemorate the tour, entitled "The Big Green Book" affectionately named after their long-deceased road steed.

The future of 2 Skinnee J's remains unknown. A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson refuses to comment in the press.

==Movie Stars? (2009)==

'''UPDATE AS OF EARLY 2009:''' Rumors about a full-length feature documentary about 2SJ were confirmed when Fat Rock Productions announced "Get In The Van."

2 SKINNEE J'S - GET IN THE VAN: The most beloved band you've never heard of: www.getinthevanmovie.com

Release date is unknown, but A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson is sure to hold the reigns of this opportunistic yet fan-pleasing next phase in this beloved band's strange history.

==Members==
* Special J (MC)
* J Guevara (MC)
* Andy Action (drums)
* Eddie Eyeball (bass guitar)
* Lance Rockworthy (guitar)
* Stevie Spice (trombone, Keyboards)
* A.J. Stumpy Johnson (Owner/Manager)

==Former Members==
* J Slim (MC)
* Joey Viturbo (Guitar)
* J Jonah Jameson (MC)
* DJ Casper (Keyboards)
* King Vitamin (Guitar)
* DJ Ariel (turntables)
* A.Mays (Guitar)
* Capital R (Guitar)
* Mikey B (Drums)
* D. Summerz (a/k/a Dose) (Drums)

==(Former)Horn Players==
* Robbashanks (Baritone Sax)
* Small Wonder (Trombone)
* Funky Dollar Bill (Trumpet)
* Scotty Ball Games (Tenor Sax)
* Alex Graham (Alto Sax)
* Nurse Ratchet (Andre)(Tenor Sax)

==Discography==
*''Beyond Good & Evel'' - self-released cassette demo, 1992
*''The Bodyguard Soundtrack'' - self-released cassette demo, 1993
*''Six Songs For Five Bucks'' - self-released cassette demo (repackaging of first two demos), 1993
*''American Heroes'' - self-released cassette demo, 1994
*''Return Of The New And Improved'' - self-released CD EP, 1995
*''Sing, Earthboy, Sing'' - self-released CD EP, circa 1997
*''Music For The People'' (] preview CD EP - Capricorn Records, 1998
*'']'' - Capricorn Records, 1998
*''Live Bootleg!'' - self-released live CD, 2001
*'']'' - Volcano Records, 2002
*''Return Of The Furious Dragon'' - self-released live CD, 2002
*''Sexy Karate!'' - Dolphins Vs. Unicorns, 2003
*''Axis, Boston - Bold As Stump'' (live 2 CD set) - Instant Live, 2003
*''Enter the Gold Hat: Sexy Karate Live!'' (CD) - Dolphins Vs. Unicorns, 2003
*''Enter the Gold Hat: Sexy Karate Live!'' (DVD) - Dolphins Vs. Unicorns, 2003
*''718: Live Farewell Extravaganza'' (live 3 CD set) - Dolphins Vs. Unicorns, 2005
*''Next Big Thing The Farewell Show Live'' (live DVD) - Dolphins Vs. Unicorns, 2005
*''The Big Green Book'' (Spiral-bound "Boxed Set" consisting of 5 CDs 1 DVD & a 200+ page book), self-released, 2008 - This "boxed set" contains all the demos, EPs, full-length releases plus 40+ outtakes, unreleased, live & rare tracks and all of the band's videos, TV appearances and a few interviews & live clips. "The Big Green Book" has a wiki page, complete with track listings and page-by-page analysis of the photo book, made by dedicated super-fan & friend, DJ Empirical. Link:


===Live and compilations===
*''Live at Lakewood Amphitheatre 09/18/1999 ''
*''Live At the Blue Note 11/14/2000 ''
*''718: Live Farewell Extravaganza''
*''Enter the Gold Hat: Sexy Karate Live!''
*''The Good, The Bad & The Serious!''
*''The Big Green Book''


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== == External links ==
<!-- Per ], choose one official website only -->
*
* * on AllMusic Guide

* on AllMusic Guide
{{Authority control}}
*
*


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{{US-band-stub}}
] ]
] ]
]
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Latest revision as of 04:55, 30 October 2024

American hip hop band
2 Skinnee J's
2 Skinnee J's, 19982 Skinnee J's, 1998
Background information
OriginBrooklyn, New York, US
Genres
Years active1991–2003, 2008–present
LabelsCapricorn
Volcano
Dolphins vs. Unicorns
MembersSpecial J (Joel E. Johnson)
J Guevara (Noah David Julian Green)
Andy Action (Andrew E. Markham)
Eddie Eyeball (Edward M. Cisneros)
Lance Rockworthy (Lance M. Fanguy)
Stevie Spice (Stephen Sumners Light)
A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson (Adam Johnson)
Past membersRabbi J-Slim (Jason Milligan)
Joey Viturbo (Joseph A. Schwartz)
J. Jonah Jameson (Alan Diggs)
A. Mays (John M. Moraski)
Mikey B (Mike Boyko)
King Vitamin (Sammy Buonaugurio)
DJ Casper (Mitch Wells)
Capital R (Rob Wofford)
D. Summerz (Daniel Summers)
Website2sj.com

2 Skinnee J's (alternatively spelled Two Skinnee J's or Too Skinnee J's) is an American hip hop band from Brooklyn, New York, whose music has been categorized as nerdcore and rap rock. The band was founded in 1991 by Special J (vocals), Rabbi J-Slim (vocals), Joey Viturbo (guitar), Sammy B (bass guitar), DJ Casper (keyboards), and Andy Action (drums). With numerous line-up changes, the band was active through the 1990s until 2003, when they officially disbanded. The group recorded several demos, 2 EPs, and 3 studio albums; SuperMercado! on Capricorn Records, Volumizer on Volcano Records, and Sexy Karate on Dolphins vs. Unicorns. The band went through several key membership changes before its breaking up in 2003, although they briefly reunited for reunion tours in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

History

2 Skinnee J's formed in 1991 at Columbia University in New York City. The original line-up was Special J and Rabbi J-Slim (vocals), Joey Viturbo (guitar), Sammy B (bass), DJ Casper (keyboards), and Andy Action (drums). Their first independent release was on cassette, titled 6 Songs for 5 Bucks. They attracted a fan following through heavy touring in their early years. A second cassette release entitled American Heroes, was released in 1994 with the band titled "Too Skinnee J's". Several personnel changes saw original rapper J-Slim bass player Sammy B and guitarist Joey Viturbo part with the band; whilst J Guevara (formerly of Canadian ska band Me Mom and Morgentaler) and Stevie Spice (of Connecticut ska band Spicy Gribblets) were recruited. Former bassist Sammy B rejoined the band in 1995 as a guitarist and using the name King Vitamin.

They started to break into the mainstream in 1998 after signing with Capricorn and releasing SuperMercado!, which found airplay on modern-rock radio stations. 2 Skinnee J's performed at Woodstock '99 and later criticized the event. Relations soured with Capricorn and the label delayed release of the second album on 2 Skinnee J's two-album contract, Volumizer, produced by Mickey Petralia, for two years after it was recorded. The label folded and the band's contract was bought by Volcano Records. When the album was officially released in 2002, many critics refused to review it again as they had reviewed a pre-release version years earlier. Rockworthy says the delay and its fallout, which left the band without a label, were a major problem and contributed to their decision to break up in 2003. Sexy Karate was released on indie label Dolphins vs Unicorn that year, before their farewell tour in 2003. They returned for a "Five Nights of Fury" tour in 2005 and another five-show reunion tour in 2008.

In 2009 the band website announced the September premier of Get In The Van, a film shot during the 2008 reunion tour.

Special J, Eddie Eyeball, Lance Rockworthy and Andy Action got together for the band's next reunion tour, billed as "acoustically-charged, tell-all brawls," of which there were seven dates between February 12 and April 16, 2010. These shows were held at small, intimate venues, and featured heavy audience participation, through Q&A sessions and singalongs. In between acoustic versions of selections from their entire catalog of songs, each band member told stories about how songs were written, life on the road and the evolution of the band. J Guevara was scheduled to join the band for two of the April shows, and several hints were dropped about plans for a "full-on electric" tour to follow in summer 2010.

Members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

EPs

  • 6 Songs for 5 Bucks (1993)
  • American Heroes (1994)
  • Return of the New & Improved (1995)
  • Sing, Earthboy, Sing! (1997)

Live and compilations

  • Live at Lakewood Amphitheatre 09/18/1999
  • Live At the Blue Note 11/14/2000
  • 718: Live Farewell Extravaganza
  • Enter the Gold Hat: Sexy Karate Live!
  • The Good, The Bad & The Serious!
  • The Big Green Book

References

  1. ^ Jeffries, David. "2 Skinnee J's > Biography". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. ^ DeRogatis, Jim (1999-09-10). "The happy rappers - 2 Skinnee J's restate rock's great message". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 5 (Weekend Plus section). Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  3. Basham, David (2 August 2000). "2 Skinnee J's Turn Up "Volumizer" With Beck Personnel". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 21, 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  4. McKinney, Doug (20 November 2002). "2 Skinnee J's: All "Grown Up" Now". Whim Internet Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  5. Moss, Corey (25 March 2002). "2 Skinnee J's Finally Get Volumizer Out". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 4, 2002. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  6. Cronick, Scott (6 June 2003). "2 Skinne J's Go Out with Bang". The Press of Atlantic City. p. 27.
  7. Condran, Ed (1 August 2008). "2 Skinnee J's come back around". The News & Observer. p. W10. Archived from the original on 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  8. "2 Skinnee J's The Saga Continues..." www.2sj.com. Archived from the original on 2001-02-23. Retrieved 2009-06-08.

External links

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