The Knights Who Say Goonies

As The New Times reported at the time, the group essentially disintegrated because then drummer Liz Strodel
was contemplating a move out of Syracuse, consequently making it harder
to put in the time to keep the increasingly popular and busy band
sharp. Other bandmates followed in the fallout, leaving just
Illumination and Clam Wheezy with the task of finding new support.

Now bolstered by the skills of drummer Kenyatta King, bassist Andy Willis and guitarist Adam Fisher (who also plays in the local jazz-meets-funk group Count Blastula), The Goonies will pick up where they left off in the local club scene, with their first reunited gig to take place at the Empire Brewing Company, 120 Walton St., on Saturday, Aug. 22, 11:30 p.m.

Since the previous incarnation of The
Goonies imploded, Illumination says he has been working for a variety
of musical equipment companies, such as the Arizona production outfit
Suitcase Recordings among others, as a salesman as well as a designer
of various pieces of musical equipment. That experience has led to the
group’s sophomore album, to be titled Too and released later this year. 

Yet Illumination is particularly anxious
for Goonies fans to come back to see the band perform live, especially
due to what the frontman sees as raising the bar for his backing
musicians. “I will say this conceited shit: These dudes play as
good as we rap!” The emcee also claims that the new band has allowed
Clam Wheezy and himself to explore new territories, because “{With our
previous band} I was always compromising; now I’m not compromising
anything.”

Illumination hinted that Too may
include material that discusses the breakup. “This is a band that has
gone through a turmoil this year,” Illumination explains. “I may not
put out a ‘dis’ record, but I might talk about what’s happening to me.”
In the meantime, Illumination said that he’s proud of the strides his
band has made, blazing trails for future hip-hop groups to follow.
Admission to the reunion show is free. For more information, call
475-2337.

—Matt Mumau