X Marks the Spot

***X Marks the Spot*** is the twentieth studio album by American rock band All Business, released on July 19, 2024, by All Business LLC. The album was recorded onboard the All Business Ocean Linear, upon which the band was staging their All Business Cruise Experience.

Following the 2022 Istanbul Riots, which lead to the death of pianist Cleveland Vickers, several All Business members would begin to leave the band. Bassist and federal informant Johnny Law would return to America and not face prosecution, while others, including drummer Danny Ingram, would have to face trial and in turn pay large settlements to the U.S. government. With more and more countries banning the fledging band, the remaining members would decide to take to the high seas. Using an ocean linear, the band sailed mainly on international waters to avoid being captured by various governments. Only seven members remained with the group at this point, along with trumpeter Enzo Dodd, who secretly stowed away under the cabin without the knowledge of his bandmates. As fans began to board the "world's most dangerous cruise" and on board performances commenced, the group decided to begin work on a new album. Recorded in two weeks in May, 2024, while off the coast of Chile, *X Marks the Spot* saw All Business adopt a notably more laid back ethos than they had on their previous albums. The band incorporated elements of house, disco, reggaeton and afrobeats into their sound, with drummer Michael Slammer learning to play the steel drums and guitarist Ernesto learning to become a DJ for the album and the cruise's on board parties. Moe Silk would learn to play bass on the album in the absence of Johnny Law, however his lessons were regularly hampered by in fighting between him and his brother Larry Silk. Organist Reverend Archibald, who was on board for most of the cruise, would get off on one of the stops on a mission trip for a group of lepers and would not be seen again until 2027.

*X Marks the Spot* was released independently through the band's website. The album was marred by critics, with some deeming it to be the worst release of the group's entire career. It was supported by the single "X Marks the Spot", released on July 4, 2024. The album also included covers of "Heat Waves" and "Apache", the latter of which the band thought was in the public domain and thus did not get permission to use. The ensuing legal threats over it would add to the growing list of crimes All Business had committed. While sailing off the coast of Panama, the cruise vessel would be captured by the U.S. government, with the remaining six members of the band (along with Enzo Dodd) being arrested.

## Personnel

All Business

* Vernon O’Shaughnessy - lead vocals
* Rolly Rockefeller II - lead vocals
* Ted Bundy - lead and rhythm guitars
* Larry Silk - lead guitar
* Moe Silk - rhythm guitar
* Ernesto - rhythm guitar
* The Reverend Archibald - organ
* Michael Slammer - drums

### N/A

* Lady Simone Augusto
* Lonnie Joe Parker
* Erman Holt
* Johnny Law
* Enzo Dodd
* Danny Ingram

## Notes

Archibald mostly remains to himself while on the cruise, with many members of the band reporting of him going crazy