Search - Big Boys :: Fat Elvis

Pioneers of Funk Punk

lseaborn2 | California | 06/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD of the first albums by the Big Boys. The music, like all other early 80's punk, gets harder and faster with each album. The Big Boys were upbeat, unapologetic Texan Anarchists who pioneered the used of funk rifts and horn lines in a very punk rock, invent-your-own-funner-world kinda way. (They had to do it; they lived in chicken-fried Jesus with gravy Texas!) The insert explains that Big Boys lived out the 'stone soup' parable, but with a legion of art freak punks. It's really great to see in action. Although the Red Hot Chili Peppers followed their musical lead, and got naked - they never reached the all-out ecstasy of the Big Boys. The music has infectiously bouncy bass lines. One just has to boogie - yes, mohawk and all. This is great music for skateboarding, moving anything heavy, or just jumping around like a freak. It's soul music for punks. I quote, "We've got soul, let's take control," and "We're not in it to lose.""

Go start your own band....

Pedro A. Urias | Phoenix, Az United States | 03/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"And boy did they ever. I would have to agree with most of the aforementioned reviews...the Big Boys, along with the Bad Brains and the great Minutemen, were just two of the hardcore/punk bands of the 80's that could effortlessly shift or mix two genres into one exciting conglomeration. (And this was before some like-minded bands like Sublime, Limp Bizkit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus and other pale imitations were doing the same nearly 10-20 years later...)This one is the best of the two compilations that appear on Touch and Go. Better performances, more effortless genre hopping/mixing and better songs. Best ones here "Fun, Fun, Fun", "Funk Off" (the best punk/funk anthem of all time)and the cover of "Hollywood Swinging". It's a shame they broke up before a larger audience recognized their genius, but maybe that's to the point--they didn 't have the opportunity to sell out and so they never did."

Worlds better than the first!

chris lea | boerne, tx | 02/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"that is not to say that 'the skinny elvis' wasn't good...it grew on me rapidly and quickly became one of my top discs. i liked it so much i ordered this one and was blown away. while the majority of the first disc rocked, some of it struck me as kind of bland so at first listen i was kind of dubious as to whether i should pick up 'the fat elvis' or not. i'm sure glad i did. this one has a lot more hardcore songs and the funk is more refined and features a really tight horn section. it is also 20 minutes longer, the performances are much more confident sounding and the sound quality is a lot better as well. these songs always pick me up if i'm down and force a big, dumb, happy smile on my face. if 'the skinny elvis,' didn't convince me enough, the big boys were one of the best bands ever! i'd love to have seen them back in the day...well at least i can hope for a reunion. i cannot stress how much i recommend this!"