Fun Lovin’ Criminals – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh
John Scott packs his Scooby Snacks and heads into Edinburgh’s mean streets in search of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
Former frontman Huey Morgan was so inextricably linked with Fun Lovin’ Criminals that it seemed unlikely that the band could survive his departure. They are here tonight though in their new lineup, a full house expectantly waiting to see if they will deliver the goods. Brian ‘Fast’Leiser has added lead vocals to his keyboard, bass, trumpet, and harmonica duties along with new guitarist Naim Cortazz and long-term drummer Frank Benbini. Would Huey’s spectre haunt the stage? We were about to find out.
And we didn’t have to wait long. Opening with a double-barrel salvo of The Fun Lovin’ Criminal and King Of New York, it’s clear that the FLCs are still a killer live band. Fast switches effortlessly between instruments, and while he may not be front and centre, he is still a commanding presence. Frank keeps everything nailed down at the back and new boy Naim powers out guitar riffs like he’s been doing it forever. 
Despite the tough guy Reservoir Dogs schtick, you can’t help but feel these guys are actually a bunch of pussycats but when an audience member shouts for Huey, it’s clear that there is no love lost there. “We fuckin’ hate that guy” Fast growls. The crowd cheer; they’re on the band’s side, nobody loves a splitter. 
The band slug out hit after hit like a trio of prize fighters: Bombin’ The L, Smoke Em’, Big Night Out. A non-setlisted Korean Bodega is added for the hell of it as a token of appreciation for the audience’s support. The evening is, of course, building to just one thing: an utterly joyous final encore of Scooby Snacks. Huey who? Fuhgettaboudit.
John Scott
