One of many bands in the '90s to experiment with fusing the aggressive sounds of hip-hop and hardcore/heavy metal, Shootyz Groove boasts two official MCs (Sense and Season) heading a lineup that also originally featured guitarist Donny, bassist Spec, and drummer Dose. Shootyz Groove formed in the Bronx, NY, in 1992 and had a record deal within two years, signing to Mercury. A live EP recorded in Queens, Respect, was released in 1994, and was followed later that year by their official debut, Jammin' in Vicious Environments (also known as J.I.V.E.). Shootyz Groove toured with acts covering both sides of their own musical spectrum, including Boogie Down Productions and Slayer. However, things did not continue so smoothly; bassist Spec left the band, and Shootyz Groove found itself off of Mercury. Undaunted, they released a difficult-to-find live album, Live J.I.V.E., in 1995, and got a new bass player in Paul "Freak Love" and, thanks to frequent touring, a new deal with Roadrunner Records. Their Roadrunner debut, Hipnosis, was released in 1997; moving to Reprise, the group resurfaced two years later with High Definition. ~ Steve Huey