As a metal fan, I was having a decent enough time on the 311 cruise, but yearned for someone to crank it up and shred. As the most aggressive band on the cruise, Shootyz Groove did not disappoint.

The morning after their set on the Lido deck, I got to see the gentler side of guitarist Donny Rock, when I caught up with him and his two-year-old son.

Seeing Shootyz Groove live was actually a long time coming for me. Travel with me, if you will, to the early ’90’s, a time of experimentation and a departure from the increasingly watered-down versions of rock, metal and rap. The landscape was dotted with new crossover bands, (like our hosts for the weekend’s cruise, 311). The bandands that really spoke to me at the time were 24/7 Spyz, Downset and Orange 9mm and through them, I learned of a new outfit coming out of the Bronx, New York, known as Shootyz Groove.

Shootyz Groove emerged in ’92, very quickly had major label success, and began touring with a wide variety of acts ranging from Slayer to Boogie Down Productions. Twenty years later and taken somewhat out of their element and into a cruise setting, they showed no signs of slowing down. Donny Rock crushed the stage with such force and solid riffage I found myself reaching for a chain wallet that had long since been ditched. Shootyz Groove’s two MCs, Sense and Season, grabbed the crowd’s collective attention and had them rocking out, beers raised in appreciation. The interplay between these two frontmen was as stellar as their vocal ability. The were very social with the fans too, connecting with the cruisers all over the boat and island all weekend.

After watching Shootyz Groove’s set live on the Lido Deck, I had to agree with a fan on the elevator who said, “That was a trip down memory lane.” And it felt so good. When it was all said and done, seeing Shootyz Groove was by far one of my highlights on the cruise. If you feel like riding the L Train back in time too, here’s a fan’s video of the band’s 1999 hit.

For more information, updates and news about Shootyz Groove check them out online at www.shootyzgroove.net.