Scapegoat Wax

SCAPEGOAT WAX

Scapegoat Wax - Aisle 10 (Hello Alison)

Scapegoat Wax was a hip-hop/rap/breakbeat act from Northern California, USA that was started by Marty James and Johnny Z (AKA J.DeVille). Johnny Z was in the band for a relatively brief time, but was active in Scapegoat Wax’s earliest tracks, primarily those on “Luxurious,” and was mentioned in each recorded version of the song “Almost Fine.” The band was best known for their single Aisle 10 (Hello Allison), which reached moderate success in the US and was part of the Xbox video game Jet Set Radio Future as well as being on the soundtrack for Project Gotham Racing.

Scapegoat Wax @ Wikipedia

I am a fan of the mid nineties underground bay area hip-hop movement, and in 2000 while working for another website I interviewed the then California based music producer Johnny Z (www.jdeville.com). After the interview he sent me a copy of his album “The Huck Off.” Easily the best track of the album was “We’ve Got Somethin’” featuring Scapegoat Wax (avaliable here).

Not only was Scapegoat Wax featured on Johnny Z’s album but he was also working with the group on their own solo album titled “Okeeblow.” Okeeblow was released nationally on the Beastie Boys’ music label “Grand Royal,” which was an accomplishment for any underground artist. With the purchase of Okeeblow, Johnny Z’s recommendation, and watching the video for Aisle 10 (Hello Allison), I became a fan.

Soon after Okeeblow’s release the record label, Grand Royal, closed down due to financial reasons. This left Scapegoat Wax without a label to back up the album.

One Block Radius - Loud and Clear

Scapegoat Wax did not give up, in 2002 the group was reformed with a live band and a new record label. Hollywood Records released the groups second album SWAX. This album featured some of the songs from Okeeblow and some new more pop sounding songs… The album did not sell that well, the change to more of a pop sound is probably the reason, and in 2003 Scapegoat Wax joined forces with rapper Z-Man to form the group One Block Radius.

Throwback Thursdays are meant to revisit the past with the intent of rekindling interest… I was a Scapegoat Wax fan, but I did not know about One Block Radius, so I downloaded their debut album from iTunes this afternoon. I have to admit, even though the album is not as hip-hop influenced as Okeeblow, I like the album and am looking forward to the next album stated for release in 2008/2009.