Our 10 best 24-7 Spyz songs list looks at the catalog of an American band revered for its contribution to heavy metal and funk metal. The band distinguished itself from other heavy metal/funk metal acts through the incorporation of hardcore punk, R&B, soul, and reggae influences in its musical pursuits. Formed in South Bronx, 24-7 Spyz were among the bands that helped shatter the stereotype that African-American bands don’t rock.
24-7 Spyz’s musical pursuits have seen the band compared to other funk metal acts including Living Colour, Bad Brains, and Fishbone. Over the years, the band has released seven studio albums with the first three records being the most definitive releases. Guitarist Jimi Hazel and bassist Rick Skatore are the only original members of the band to have appeared in all of 24-7 Spyz’s lineups.
24-7 Spyz’s Album Releases over the Years
In 1989, 24-7 Spyz issued their debut studio album Harder Than You through the label In-Effect Records. The album saw the band take on an amalgam of heavy metal, funk, hardcore punk, soul, and reggae sound influences. Joining Jimi Hazel in the production of this album was Robert Musso, a record producer best known for his work with Bill Laswell, Praxis, Murphy’s Law, and Machine Gun.
Harder Than You was a mainstream success rising to position one hundred and twenty-nine on the Billboard 200. The album spent a total of five weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. “Grandma Dynamite,” “Sponji Reggae,” “Spill My Guts,” and a cover of Kool & the Gang’s 1973 hit “Jungle Boogie” are the best 24-7 Spyz songs from the album.
24-7 Spyz returned in 1990 with their sophomore studio album Gumbo Millennium. The reggae-tinged heavy metal album was also issued through In-Effect Records. Gumbo Millennium also made it to the mainstream charts peaking at position one hundred and thirty-five. Some of the most popular 24-7 Spyz songs featured on Gumbo Millennium include “Heaven and Hell,” “New Super Hero Worship,” “John Connelly’s Theory,” and “Don’t Break My Heart!”
The band went ahead to issue a five-track extended play entitled This Is … 24-7 Spyz in 1991. This Is… 24-7 Spyz was soon after followed by the 1992 studio album Strength in Numbers. The album was the band’s only record issued through East West Records, a label (once) home to multiplatinum artists/bands including AC/DC, MC Lyte, En Vogue, Dream Theater, and Pantera.
Strength in Numbers was produced by Terry Date, a record producer revered for his work with Dream Theater, White Zombie, Pantera, Limp Bizkit, and Soundgarden. The album Strength in Numbers is one of the most critically acclaimed records by 24-7 Spyz. However, the album never made it big in the mainstream owing to the grunge takeover. “Break the Chains,” “Got It Goin’ On,” “Earth and Sky,” and “Stuntman” are the best 24-7 Spyz songs from the album.
Temporary Disconnected, issued in 1995, marked the band’s fourth studio album. The album was issued through Enemy Records, an independent record label (once) home to Last Exit, Gary Lucas, Ed Hall, Blind Idiot God, and Sonny Sharrock. Temporary Disconnected is home to musical gems such as “Dogs Come Out,” “Body Thief,” “Outta Mind, Outta Time,” and “Why?”
In 1996, the band issued its fifth studio album Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound through What Are Records? Other artists who released music through this label include The Radiators, Melissa Ferrick, and Black Francis of The Pixies. An alternative European version of this album entitled 6, was also issued in the same year. “Yeah x 3,” “Love and Peace,” “Eyes Don’t Lie,” and “Spyz in Da House” are the best 24-7 Spyz songs from Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound.
Face the Day, issued in 2006, marked the band’s sixth studio album. The album featured several hits including “Blues for Dimebag,” a cover of Thin Lizzy’s 1977 hit “Bad Reputation,” and a cover of Sly and the Family Stone’s 1969 hit “Stand!” Thirteen years later, the band issued the album The Soundtrack to The Innermost Galaxy which barely earned critical acclaim. Let’s now take a look at the top 10 24-7 Spyz songs of all time.
#10 – Tick, Tick, Tick
Our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list starts with the dazzling hit “Tick, Tick, Tick.” The song is featured on the band’s 1991 extended play This Is… 24-7 Spyz! Unfortunately, the song was never featured on the band’s next full-length album Strength in Numbers. “Tick, Tick, Tick” is among the first releases to feature vocalist Jeff Brodnax who had replaced original 24-7 Spyz vocalist P. Fluid following his sudden departure.
The song was also among the first releases for drummer Joel Maitoza who was added to the band’s lineup following the short-lived membership of former Bad Brains and Cro-Mags drummer Mackie Jayson. Maitoza’s excellent drumming skills add some allure to this track’s groove.
#9 – Jungle Boogie
A short while after its formation, the band 24-7 Spyz went ahead to issue its debut studio album Harder Than You. The album is home to the ninth pick on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list “Jungle Boogie.” Initially, “Jungle Boogie” was issued in November 1973 by the funk band Kool & the Gang. The band Kool & the Gang had quite some success with the song, having it reach number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Jungle Boogie” would later rank twelfth on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles of 1974. Nevertheless, 24-7 Spyz were not afraid to issue their cover to this massively successful song as one of the singles of the album Harder Than You. Without a doubt, 24-7 Spyz’s version of the hit “Jungle Boogie” remains one of the best covers of this 1973 hit!
#8- Earth and Sky
Coming in at the eighth spot on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list is the brilliant hit “Earth and Sky.” The song is among the top musical gems featured on the band’s third album effort Strength in Numbers. Delivered in a slow tempo, “Earth and Sky” finds 24-7 Spyz going a little more into soul influences. The song is among the most successful tracks by 24-7 Spyz to have featured Jeff Brodnax on the vocals.
#7- John Connelly’s Theory
“John Connelly’s Theory” is by far one of the most impressive heavy metal-oriented tracks by the band 24-7 Spyz. The song serves as the album-opening track to the band’s sophomore studio album Gumbo Millennium. This awe-inspiring metal cut is an instrumental that proves too good to be left out on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list.
The flaming guitar riffs by Jimi Hazel and inspirational drumming by Anthony Johnson blend in perfectly with Rick Skatore’s precise bass strums. This heavy metal instrumental song that almost topples every other ballad on the album Gumbo Millennium and remains an indispensable fan-favorite tracks to date. The song contains samples of the hits “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix and “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin.
#6 – Yeah x 3
Just before going on a hiatus in 1997, the band issued its fifth studio album Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound. The album is home to the sixth pick on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list “Yeah x 3.” “Yeah x 3” serves as an emblem of 24-7 Spyz’s brilliance in the heavy metal genre. The song is among the top musical gems issued by 24-7 Spyz featuring guitarist Jimi Hazel on the vocals.
Joining Jimi Hazel on the vocal delivery was Doug Pinnick who is currently the lead vocalist and bassist to the American band King’s X. Doug also made a vocal contribution to the band’s hit “Love and Peace,” another hit off 24-7 Spyz’s fifth album Heavy Metal Soul by the Pound.
#5 – Stuntman
Strength in Numbers, the band’s third studio album, is home to the fifth pick on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list “Stuntman.” Initially, the song was featured on the band’s 1991 extended play This Is… 24-7 Spyz. The song finds the band taking on a blend of hard rock, metal, and funk sound influences. Lyrics to the hit “Stuntman” hint at people who stabbed the band members in the back.
Some of the band’s fans initially associated the lyrics to this song with the sudden departure of vocalist P. Fluid and drummer Anthony Johnson. Apparently, P. Fluid had not told his fellow bandmates about his departure prior to the announcement during the band’s last performance at a Jane’s Addiction tour.
#4- Don’t Break My Heart!
“Don’t Break My Heart!” takes us back to the band’s sophomore studio album Gumbo Millennium. Unlike the album-opening track “John Connelly’s Theory” which was primarily heavy metal-oriented, “Don’t Break My Heart” finds the band exploring funk metal sound influences. The remarkable vocal delivery of P. Fluid adds some appeal to this song’s overall feel. Jimi Hazel delivers a stellar performance on the guitars—his guitar riffs as the song approaches the end tell of Jimi Hendrix’s influence on his musical pursuits.
#3 – Grandma Dynamite
The third pick on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list is the energetic hit “Grandma Dynamite.” “Grandma Dynamite” is featured on the band’s debut studio album Harder Than You, where it serves as the album-opening track. The song was penned by lead vocalist P. Fluid and guitarist Jimi Hazel. “Grandma Dynamite” finds the band taking on a blend of hardcore punk, funk, and metal sound influences.
#2 – Got It Goin’ On
“Got It Goin’ On” is yet another impressive track by 24-7 Spyz from the band’s third studio album Strength in Numbers. It is relatively easy to pick out the funk elements in this song showcasing the band’s endearing funk metal explorations. Songs like “Got It Goin’ On” served as perfect emblems of 24-7 Spyz’s funk metal musical pursuits. Unfortunately, the song never earned as much success and radio airplay as the hit “Break the Chains.”
#1- Break the Chains
Number one on our top 10 24-7 Spyz songs list is the ravishing hit “Break the Chains.” The song serves as the album-opening track to the band’s third full-length studio album Strength in Numbers. “Break the Chains” finds 24-7 Spyz taking on a soulful blend of funk and metal sound influences. Amongst the biggest takeaways from this song is 24-7 Spyz’s brilliance in songwriting.
We cannot forget the dazzling vocal delivery by Jeff Brodnax which is tinged with some hardcore-Esque screams in the chorus. In a nutshell, “Break the Chains” is an emblem of 24-7 Spyz’s potential to churn out rhythmic and funky songs that echo metal influences on the band’s musical pursuits. Sadly, 24-7 Spyz never made it big in the funk metal scene like their counterparts Living Colour and Fishbone.
Feature Photo: Taya Ovod / Shutterstock
10 Best 24-7 Spyz Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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