Gym Class Heroes – ‘The Queen And I’ (Decaydance / Fuelled By Ramen) Released 31/07/06

Gym Class Heroes are another pawn in Pete Wentz’s (Fall Out Boy) little empire that is about to flood the U.K scene in the same devastating fashion he managed back in the U.S. With the rise of emo princes The Academy is… and the addictively quirky Panic! At the Disco, it’s now time for New York hip-hoppers Gym Class Heroes to take the reins. Sounding more like the Black Eyed Peas than Black Flag the reason why GCH are signed to a predominately punk rock label must be down to their close friendship with Fall Out Boy. Although Gym Class Heroes recent support slot on FOB’s January UK tour went down as well as a fart in a lift, they aren’t that bad, they have just been thrown into the wrong scene. ‘The Queen And I’ is a download only preview to their upcoming LP ‘As Cruel As School Children’ and it serves up an intriguing slice of hip-pop that is chart friendly without bordering on cheese. The underlying message of the song is honest and raises the issue of a girlfriend who is increasingly dependant on alcohol to have a good time. The verses have funk and could certainly get you moving on the dance floor while the chorus is bold and incessant which acts as a perfect contrast. Gym Class Heroes have a fresh genre-crossing sound that is a fusion of rap, hip-hop and rock that is sure to keep the Wentz Empire ruling the airwaves for some time to come.