If you want to experience earth-shattering, mind-bending funk-hop, then this is your band.  They've got chops, lyrics and the sound.  Unfortunately, as of July 2009, you'll have to go to Japan to get your fix. 

I caught wind of Four Minutes Til Midnight in 2007 at the Big Provider's CD Release Party at Canes.  Though I happened upon them completely by coincidence, the circumstances of their presence wasn't surprising.  You see, there was a little crossover between these two groups, as Eli Taylor—frontman for Four Minutes—was the former drummer for TBP waaaaaay back in the day.  It seems Eli's penchant and knack for lyrical poeticism (as seen in TBP songs "Pirate's Life" and "Tuer" from their "Monkey Crate" album) led him to the front of this epically funky, L.A.-bred group.

Fortunately, I had the digital bits rolling when they took the stage.  It was non-stop goodness from start to finish.  I share this particular song, "Fat Cat," out of the batch obviously because of the heaping drum solo.  Josh Vore simply tears it up.

As luck would have it, I randomly ran into these guys again in '09 at a house party and experienced the same slinky funk as before—only much more polished—forcing them back to the font of my mind.  The only difference was their original bassist, Andre Davis, had been replaced by Yusuke Ikegaya.  Inspired, I revisited this recording and posted it not too long after learning of their eventual relocation to Japan.

Enjoy.  And check them out online: http://www.myspace.com/fourminutestilmidnight