Combining a street-smart vibe and a rock & soul heart, the New York musical syndicate known as the Fun Lovin' Criminals have returned with a new album, "100% Colombian," a record that effortlessly glides between sax-drenched grooves and some first degree hard-core ditties.

The maturity evidenced on "100% Colombian" has been a few years in the making, as the Criminals were little more than roguish newcomers with a fistful of gigs to their credit when they landed a record deal back in 1996.

That same year FLC cut its major-label debut with "Come Find Yourself," a collection of musical eulogies directed at the band's hometown of New York City -- and some of its more widely-known denizens. The disc eventually produced a pair of hit singles, "Scooby Snacks" and "The Fun Lovin' Criminal."

But it was while the band was in Europe promoting "Come Find Yourself" that FLC made its big score by opening for several major tours -- including U2, Oasis and Garbage. Overseas audiences seemed to be drawn in by the band's decidedly New York trappings, and the Criminals have witnessed their popularity with international audiences surpass that of American crowds.

MTV News Online's David Basham caught up with frontman Huey and multi-instrumentalist Fast right after they had returned from a two-week stint on the Australian Big Day Out Festival, where they performed alongside such acts as Marilyn Manson, Korn, Hole and Fatboy Slim.

During the conversation, the Criminals discussed the making of "100% Colombian," how the band meshes certain samples into its songs, and offered the lowdown on the new face who's riding shotgun on the drum risers.

So jump on board for a fast and furious musical heist with the boys in the band, including a transcript of their MTV interview, and exclusive RealVideo footage of the trio in concert.

Listen up punks, it's the Fun Lovin' Criminals...