2 Skinnee J's

Even the most amazing live acts seldom capture their in-concert spectacle on wax -- which is just one of the reasons 2 Skinnee J's haven't supplanted the Red Hot Chili Peppers as the era's laureate freaky stylists. Before rap-rock became synonymous with nü metal, the J's built a grass-roots following based on their live show, a truly phenomenal spectacle combining Devo's visual aesthetics and P-Funk's hyperkinetic synchronized motion. Then they grabbed for the ring.

Capricorn Records hired Beck/Luscious Jackson producer Mickey Petralia to record 2 Skinnee's sophomore LP, Volumizer -- then the label collapsed before releasing the disc. The band signed to Tool's home, Volcano Records -- which sat on Volumizer for nearly three years, releasing it well after the crossover market evaporated. The disc tanked (go figure), and the label dropped 2SJ, freeing them to release the new Sexy Karate, a bouncy demonstration of rap rock's seldom-realized potential: clever lyrics, big beats, insidious sing-alongs, and new-wave flourishes. Hopes of big-time success dashed, 2SJ have decided to call it quits, but are making the rounds one last time before shelving a legacy of fun songs about food, Evel Knievel, and Star Wars movies. Experience the legend while you can.