When it comes to innovation `Box Office
Poison' currently have no equal.
THE MUSIC
They describe their music as having a jazz/punk attitude, a classical
ambience, hypnotic grooves, catchy melodies, poignant lyrics and a filmic
atmosphere. Their sound is based around classical and punk - Cello, Sax,
Harpsichord, Spanish Trumpet, Percussion, plus two outstanding female vocalists.
There is a central core of permanent members and a fluid line-up of guest
members. The song writing is done totally different to the way most people
compose and this also helps to create a different feel. People (particularly
musicians) are often shocked when they hear how the songs are written. The
production is often experimental and the producer is reluctant to leave the
studio until he invents a new sound or way of doing things on the tracks, which
gives B.O.P. a very distinctive feel.
RELEASES and REACTIONS (so
far)
As usual, people have tried to pigeon hole the music. B.O.P. have been
likened to Bauhaus, Enigma, Portishead, Shakespears Sister, Bjork and Kate Bush
and even a cross between Nancy Sinatra and the Doors with a bit of John Barry
thrown in.. Although elements of those acts do appear in the music, B.O.P.really
are in a league of their own as they truly sound unlike anything that's been
around before.
. The debut, a double A-side called `1995/Checkmate' was voted best
single of the year by many UK college radio stations when it was first released
a few years ago. Various underground magazines described it as `single of the
decade...' and `Like a hurricane of fresh air'.
. B.O.P.'s second single, `Mysteries', was rated very highly and said to
be one of the most ground-breaking singles in recent years. The band also took
the trouble to do French and Spanish versions of the track.
The Third Single 'Teenage Sex/Alien' was banned in the U.K but the video
went to number one in Russia.
The Fourth single 'Think For Yourself/Lady Grinning Soul' got alot of
coverage with 'Think for yourself being called a bit of a masterpiece. Bowie
fans and the great man himself gave the thumbs up to the cover of 'Lady Grinning
Soul'. The C.D also features two great bonus tracks 'Louie Louie' which one
radio station called the best ever version of this classic song (Considering the
amount of people who have covered it, thats some compliment) Finally the E.P is
finished off with a track that should have been the Title Theme for 'Nightmare
on Elm street Pt.6' but wasn't used (A long story) but it suits the film down to
the ground.
When the debut album, `Beyond The Twilight Zone' was released critics
said. 'Each track throws you into a 3 minute epic and makes you feel like you've
experienced the subject to each song. Lyrics go from the extremes of being
homeless, having sex with an alien, time travel, saving the world or passing
from it, through to the more mundane emotions of everyday life, such as divorce,
drugs, alcohol abuse and the general pressures of living in general(not too many
love songs here!). You could conceivably say it's like `virtual reality' for the
soul, as well for your ears'. THe Track listing for this album was:1. Think for Yourself 2. Checkmate
3. Mysteries 4. Magic 5. Love on the Phone 6. Cry out the Pain 7. Sad World 8. Nineteen Ninety Five
9. Backstreet Boulevard 10. 16 year old 11. We're All Insane 12. Alien 13. We Are The Future
. . . . . Ron Rage . . . . .
Misty . .
. . . Russell Writer . . . . . Mouse
Although vocalist DEBBIE DETROIT (ex of The Graduate) and JO SHARP are
featured on the debut album, the most recent B.O.P. line up consisted of
punk cellist RUSSELL WRITER (songwriter/producer of Eleanor Rigby), RON RAGE
(aka Howe and ex of The Cure, The Damned and Fools Dance), Daffodil Lil
(Abbie) (Sax) plus two outstandingly talented female vocalists, MOUSE and
MISTY.
ATTITUDE
We all know of bands who've said they are doing something really
different, only to find that they're dong the same old thing as everybody else.
Being a rebel is to go against the grain and the establishment. Nearly everyone
who decides to be in a band picks up a guitar as a starting point. Box Office
Poison do not use guitars in any of their tracks. They feel they are the
only true rebels coming out in music these days. This is not a vain attempt to
hype themselves into the press. It's just that they'd rather pick up a cello
when indie guitar is flavour of the month. They don't just sit there ripping off
different bits of other people's hits. They set about a totally new way of
composing songs and playing their instruments. There's plenty more we could
say but we think you get the picture. As you will have gathered by now, Box
Office Poison appeals to the `individual' in everyone!
Each new type of music needs a name whether it be Punk, Rave, Mod, Rock
or whatever. Box Office Poison's music has been termed `Pop Noir'.
POP NOIR'
It's been a long time since something truly new appeared and like all new
musical trends it has one group that leads the way. Box Office Poison's
music has many elements to it but like it's sister genre `Film Noir', Pop Noir'
is best summed up as having a lot of atmosphere and gritty dialogue (or in this
case, lyrics). One glance at a Box Office Poison video or an earful of
any song portrays this feeling.
INFO
Box Office Poison have also contributed tracks to six cult themes
compilations and as you'll have read, they have close connections with `Eleanor
Rigby'. To check out more about those, go back to the Front Page
and click Artists.
Also you can check out excepts from thier video's B.O.P Video Clips
<
HEAVY BREATHING DECADE
(Orgasms, a woman's right to shag without
being a slag, sexual jealousy, sex with a stranger, strippers, lesbianism,
obsession, sleazy sex, prostitution, porno videos, babies without fathers,
teenagers' attitude to sex and last but not least the ins and outs of sex on the
internet (classifieds, porn, fantasies etc). Yes folks it's all here, how to
have a sleazy life without the dangers of living it (unless that's what turns
you on). But that's just one level. Some important issues are raised within the
songs - many come from a women's point of view making it an essential album for
women with attitude, but both sexes will no doubt find this album a turn on, for
not only does it contain one of the best orgasms ever recorded but two of the
sexiest voices in pop with Misty and Mouse.
Track listing
1.
Come With Me (Part One) 2. I Want To Sleep With You (Part Two) 3. Don't Sleep
With Him 4. Take Me To Heaven And Back 5. Strip Show 6. All The Young Girls Love
Alice 7. I Want You All The Time 8. Making Love To The General Vibe 9. Is It Sex
You Seek?10. For The Video 11. All I Want's A Baby 12. Penicillin Passion 13.
Teenage Sex 14. Sex On The Internet 15. Come With Me (Part Two)
But what of the music? Far from being tacky, it is quality material that
would sit comfortably alongside any top pop act you could care to mention. Yes
the subject matter can be strong but the music is best described as a cross
between Sexual Healing (Marvin Gaye), Je t'aime (Jane Birkin & Serges
Gainsborough) and Erotica/Justify my Love (Madonna).But of course it has the
band's own innovative 'Pop Noir' sound and instrumentation.It's got thrusting
and husky 'cello, arpeggio fingerings of harpsichord riffs and a sleazy sexy
jazz club saxophone, plus hypnotic percussion, swelling organ and 'to die for'
backing vocals Some tracks from the album can be heard at myspace Box Office Poison Tracks on
myspace
ORDERING
You can pay by paypal and credit card by clicking on bottom of page.
Otherwise Cheques,Postal In Uk Or International Money Order In British sterling
from abroad.
Email us for full details at flruk2003@yahoo.co.uk
You can also get all Box Office Poison tracks, Singles & Albums as
downloads from Itunes However it works out cheap to buy Cd albums here at only
£2.88 Plus P&P & singles start at £1 plus P&P.
RELEASES
Heavy Breathing Decade(CD Album)
Beyond The Twilight Zone (CD Album)
1995/Checkmate(CD Single)(4 tracks total).
1995/Checkmate (12" Vinyl)(exclusive extra dance mixes and French
mix).
1995/Checkmate (7" Vinyl Single) Limited Edition.
Mysteries (Single) CD format - Features French, Spanish and English
versions and rare bonus track 'Getting Thru the day.
Mysteries(12" Single) Vinyl - Features exclusive ambient and dance
remixes.
Teenage Sex/Alien/16 year old/Psycho City (CD/EP Single)
Think For Yourself/Lady Grinning Soul/Louie Louie/Nightmare on Elm
street (CD/EP Single)
PRICES
Buy One B.O.P album and get the other one totally FREE. Yes... two albums
Beyond The Twilight Zone and Heavy Breathing Decade together for Just £4.99 Plus
Postage and Shipping (only £2 anywhere in the World)
LIMITED EDITION BOX OFFICE POISON SINGLES PACK
You get All B.O.P's 4 Cd singles. The debut single on rare limited edition
vinyl and the other 3 on CD plus a Misty Woods Photo and B.O.P stickers all for
Just £7.99 Inc P&P anywhere in the World.
CD Albums £2.88 12" Singles £2.00 7" & CD and Vinyl
singles £1.00
Postage and Packing/Shipping costs are as
follows Albums £2.00 CD & 7" Single £1 UK £2 Anywhere in the world.12"
Singles £2 Uk £4 Everywhere else. If not paying by Paypal/Credit card you can
pay by cheque or Postal order (or International money order in British Sterling
ONLY)Payable to R.Brennan and Send to fLR 21a Cullesden road, Kenley Surrey CR8 5LR UK
Russell's
WEbsite Featuring his artwork and photography, his history, Exclusive behind
the scenes info about recording and many things about Cult T.V and Film and
Mods.
RELEASES and REACTIONS (so
far)
. 
. . 
. . 
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
