Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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n Bloodhound Gang refuse to act their age Photos And Story by Sean Rayford Gamecock Critic Over a fancy meal at Wendy’s, The Bloodhound Gang’s guitarist Lupus Thunder once told me a story about Jimmy Pop Ali that epit omizes His bizarre behavior. I was hanging out with them when The Bloodhound Gang were on the road during the spring of 1997 in support of their second album, One Fierce Beer Coaster. Now, Lupus and Jimmy go way back. They are the only sur viving cast members from the days of their first album, Use Your Fingers. I think their relationship is very brother-like. And like most band members who have to put up with each other 24-7, Lupus and Jimmy were having it out. Lupus was in hot pursuit of Jimmy Pop. It’s sort of funny to pic ture the chase because Lupus outweighs Jimmy by a good 50-plus pounds, but Jimmy had speed on his side. Lupus had chased Jimmy into the tour bus and thought that he had him cornered. Jimmy dashed through the tiny aisle of the bus and to the back room as Lupus confidently lumbered behind Jimmy slammed the door behind him, and by the time Lupus had the door open, Jimmy was just standing there with his pants down. No boxers. No tighty whiteys. “There was nothing I could do,” Lupus said Lupus just walked away. Jimmy stood there naked with a big smile on his face. He had avoided another ass-whooping. If you’ve ever listened to The Bloodhound Gang before this sto ry, this might not surprise you all that much. Jimmy Pop Ali is prob ably a little too witty for his own good Most people who listen to The Bloodhound Gang do so to be entertained by this man’s absurd lyrical adventures. You never can anticipate what he will say next. The Bloodhound Gang’s previous album, One Fierce Beer Coast er, was a moderate success and went gold in the United States. It was largely popular for its radio hits “Fire Water Bum” and “Why Is Everybody Always Pickin’ On Me.” But it never really caught on completely. And for those who actually care, One Fierce Beer Coast er went platinum in New Zealand. Most of the album’s success could be credited to its first singles. By the end of 1998, The Bloodhound Gang was get ting busy in a Los Angeles recording studio, layipg down the tracks for Hooray for Boobies. When it was com pleted, the group found itself buried in a heap of legal prob lems and the U.S. release date was pushed back until early March 2000. It has definitely been worth the wait. Hooray for Boobies entered the Billboard charts at No. 19, a few spots above those assholes from Britain (also known as Oa sis). Although U.S. fans have only had a few weeks to pick up the new album, Europe was introduced to the new album a few months earlier, and within a short time the album reached platinum sta ius in uermany. On March 9, The Bloodhound Gang received the award for Best International Newcomer at Echo 2000 in Hamburg, Germany. The Bloodhound Gang is riding on a rather large wave of success at the moment, and I couldn’t be happier for those guys. In Hooray for Boobies, The Bloodhound Gang has your and my attention. The release has been highly anticipated and long over due. The fans in Germany have already sent it to platinum heights overseas. Their first single, “The Bad Touch” (informally known as the Discovery Channel Song), has made its way onto MTV’s Total Re quest Live and Channel 93.5’s most requested. The Bloodhound Gang have fused the sounds of hip-hop, dance, ’80s new wave and what used to be alternative to create this curious collection of songs. And this latest release from them has only been available in the Unit ed States since February 29. Like their two previous releases, Use Your Fingers and One Fierce Beer Coaster, there is a lot of shock value nestled into Hooray for Boobies. This becomes apparent after the 34-second phone con versation that Jimmy Pop Ali has with his unsuspecting mother. In the conversation, Jimmy Pop asks his mother for different names for the vagina. After he runs off a vulgar and hilarious list for his mother to choose from, the track quickly cuts into the next. To make things even worse, Jimmy Pop displays his lyrical prowess in “Three Point One Four” when he sings, “You know what I really want in a girl? Me.” Before you know it, he proceeds to rhyme our beloved state of South Carolina with the song’s theme: the vagina. If you are easily offended, this album is going to hit you hard. If you appreciate De peche Mode and Duran Duran, you are going to love it. The next track on Hooray for Boobies, “Mope,” plays tribute to other ’80s legends. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Falco and a foul mouthed Pac Man are sophistically incorporated into “Mope,” if that’s even possible. In addition, Homer Simpson makes his return after a celebrated appearance on One Fierce Beer Coaster. The re sult is an amazing montage of musical creativity that parallels the at traction of “The Bad Touch.” “The Ballad of Chasey Lain” is Jimmy Pop’s personal love let ter to the infamous pom star. He attempts to sweep the girl off her feet by singing, “You’ve had a lot of dick. I’ve had a lot of time. You’ve had a lot of dick, Chasey, but you ain’t had mine.” But The Bloodhound Gang isn’t simply the bunch of obnoxious Philadelphia suburbanites that they once were. The musical devel opment that took place between Use Your Fingers and One Fierce Beer Coaster also takes place between One Fierce Beer Coasferand Hooray for Boobies. The Bloodhound Gang released Hooray for Boobies a couple of months ago in the European community, and the Euro-trash from across the sea has since elevated the band to su perstar status: I wouldn’t expect anything different out of our coun try. (Above) Bloodhound Gang’s lead singer Jimmy Pop Ali. (Top right) Bassist Evil Jared Hasselhoff sets his bass on fire during a show in support of their previous album One Fierce Beer Coaster. (Left) Bloodhound Gang’s oftfer lead singer DJ Q Ball. The Bloodhound Gang recently released Hooray For Boobies, with the first single “The Bad Touch” enjoying radio and video play.