m →Canadian touring and controversy: the work's name is "The Globe and Mail" Tag: AWB |
Boxmasterjd (talk | contribs) Tag: Visual edit |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''The Boxmasters''' is an American rock 'n' roll band founded in [[Bellflower, California]] in 2007 by Academy Award-winning actor [[Billy Bob Thornton]] and J.D. Andrew. The group has released 8 albums, always focused on their love of music from the 1960's. |
'''The Boxmasters''' is an American rock 'n' roll band founded in [[Bellflower, California]] in 2007 by Academy Award-winning actor [[Billy Bob Thornton]] and J.D. Andrew. The group has released 8 albums of original material, always focused on their love of music and bands from the 1960's. |
||
Before he formed The Boxmasters, frontman [[Billy Bob Thornton|Thornton]] had played in bands since middle school, worked as a [[roadie]], recorded in 1974 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and in the 2000's released four solo albums. After listening to "Yesterday's Gone" by [[Chad & Jeremy]] and thinking about [[cover (music)|covering]] it in a [[Old-time music|hillbilly music]] [[music style|style]], he had the idea of making Americanized version of [[British Invasion]] [[pop music|pop songs]]. From mid-2008 to late 2008, the group embarked on a tour across the United States, ending in [[Los Angeles]]. It also played for the March 2009 [[South by Southwest]] conference. After opening several tours for Willie Nelson in 2009 & 2010, The Boxmasters ceased touring for 5 years, which they used to write multiple albums and emerged with a more natural sound, as opposed to their early hillbilly leanings. |
Before he formed The Boxmasters, frontman [[Billy Bob Thornton|Thornton]] had played in bands since middle school, worked as a [[roadie]], recorded in 1974 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and in the 2000's released four solo albums. After listening to "Yesterday's Gone" by [[Chad & Jeremy]] and thinking about [[cover (music)|covering]] it in a [[Old-time music|hillbilly music]] [[music style|style]], he had the idea of making Americanized version of [[British Invasion]] [[pop music|pop songs]]. From mid-2008 to late 2008, the group embarked on a tour across the United States, ending in [[Los Angeles]]. It also played for the March 2009 [[South by Southwest]] conference. After opening several tours for Willie Nelson in 2009 & 2010, The Boxmasters ceased touring for 5 years, which they used to write multiple albums and emerged with a more natural sound, as opposed to their early hillbilly leanings. |
||
Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
=== Beginnings === |
=== Beginnings === |
||
[[Billy Bob Thornton]]—credited on the band's material as W. R. Thornton—has said that "[he] never intended to become a movie star, it happened accidentally. [...] Music is what I love."<ref name="style">{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=5cc62424-fb2e-4f80-a582-394f7d4db73b|title=Beatles and Rolling Stones, hillbilly style|last=Perusse|first=Bernard|date=April 7, 2009|accessdate=August 25, 2009|publisher=[[The Montreal Gazette]]}}</ref> As a teenager he was in several bands, some of which achieved regional notoriety and opened for larger groups such as Black Oak Arkansas at local festivals. After moving to Houston in the late 1970's, the band "Nothin' Doin'" was approached with the idea of becoming a ZZ Top tribute band. Thornton played drums in "Tres Hombres" for several years before his eventual move to Los Angeles. |
|||
[[Billy Bob Thornton]]—credited on the band's material as W. R. Thornton—has said that "[he] never intended to become a movie star, it happened accidentally. [...] Music is what I love."<ref name=style/> Before his acting career started, he played in [[cover band]]s of [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]], [[ZZ Top]], and also worked as a [[roadie]] with [[Nitty Gritty Dirt Band]], [[Johnny Paycheck]], [[Blood, Sweat & Tears]], the [[Statler Brothers]], and other bands during high school.<ref name=cross/><ref name=return>{{cite news|url=http://www.spinner.com/2008/06/02/billy-bob-thornton-returns-to-music-with-the-boxmasters/|title=Billy Bob Thornton Returns to Music With the Boxmasters|first=David |last=Chiu|publisher=[[Spinner.com]]|date=June 2, 2008|accessdate=August 28, 2009}}</ref> He also released a record with a band called 'Hot Lanta' in 1974.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Beal, Jr. |first=Jim |date=July 17, 2008 |title=Billy Bob's band is all about 'modbilly' |journal=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |publisher=[[Hearst Corporation|Hearst Newspapers]] |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/music/Billy_Bobs_band_is_all_about_modbilly.html |accessdate=August 28, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108005121/http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/music/Billy_Bobs_band_is_all_about_modbilly.html |archivedate=January 8, 2009 }}</ref> During his acting career, Thornton released four solo albums from 2001 to 2007.<ref name=mod>[http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ent-life/billy_bob_and_the_boxmasters_bring_modbilly_to_beaumont_friday_03-19-2009.html Billy Bob and the Boxmasters bring modbilly to Beaumont Friday]. ''[http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ Beaumont Enterprise].'' Published March 19, 2009.</ref> |
|||
Thornton brought in |
Thornton brought in recording engineer J.D. Andrew to help with his 2007 album ''Beautiful Door''. After [[Jam session|jamming]] together, they started to record some of their material. Andrew had known Mike Butler "for six or seven years" and called on him to play guitar for them. According to Andrew, after the trio played together, they said "Shoot, this sounds like a band." The three came up with the name "Boxmasters" after a piece of [[Southern United States|Southern]] [[slang]], which they later described by saying "remember the bad boy in high school who got all the girls and left a trail of broken hearts ... and more?"<ref name="mod">[http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ent-life/billy_bob_and_the_boxmasters_bring_modbilly_to_beaumont_friday_03-19-2009.html Billy Bob and the Boxmasters bring modbilly to Beaumont Friday]. ''[http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ Beaumont Enterprise].'' Published March 19, 2009.</ref> Thornton had also briefly played in [[country music|country]] star [[Porter Wagoner]]'s similarly titled band 'The Wagonmasters', which he later said had brought chills down his spine.<ref name=cross>[http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1594027/billy-bob-thornton-crosses-musical-boundaries-with-boxmasters.jhtml Billy Bob Thornton Crosses Musical Boundaries With Boxmasters]. By Calvin Gilbert. [[Country Music Television|CMT.com]] Published September 3, 2008. Accessed August 28, 2009.</ref> |
||
=== Early career === |
=== Early career === |
||
The band started in [[Bellflower, California]] in 2007. |
The band started in [[Bellflower, California]] in 2007. Their eponymous first album ''The Boxmasters'' was released on June 10, 2008 by [[Vanguard Records]]. ''[[The Washington Post]]'' praised the album, and the paper remarked that listeners will get their money's worth if they enjoy the music even half as much as the band did during the recordings.<ref>{{citenews|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''|first=Mike|last=Joyce|date=August 22, 2008|title=The Boxmasters|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/21/AR2008082101011.html|accessdate=August 25, 2009}}</ref> |
||
The group resumed [[tour (music)|touring]] in July 2008,<ref name=return/> adding musicians Bradley Davis on [[mandolin]], [[guitar]], and [[vocalist|vocals]], [[Teddy Andreadis]] on [[harmonica]] and [[organ (music)|organ]], and Mike Bruce on [[drums]].<ref name=all/> Their tour across the United States ended on September 7, 2008 when they played at the [[House of Blues]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=cross/> The band released their second album, ''Christmas Cheer'', on November 11, 2008, also through [[Vanguard Records]]. |
The group resumed [[tour (music)|touring]] in July 2008,<ref name="return">{{cite news|url=http://www.spinner.com/2008/06/02/billy-bob-thornton-returns-to-music-with-the-boxmasters/|title=Billy Bob Thornton Returns to Music With the Boxmasters|last=Chiu|first=David|date=June 2, 2008|accessdate=August 28, 2009|publisher=[[Spinner.com]]}}</ref> adding musicians Bradley Davis on [[mandolin]], [[guitar]], and [[vocalist|vocals]], [[Teddy Andreadis]] on [[harmonica]] and [[organ (music)|organ]], and Mike Bruce on [[drums]].<ref name="all">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p1056524/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=The Boxmasters|last=True|first=Chris|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> Their tour across the United States ended on September 7, 2008 when they played at the [[House of Blues]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=cross/> The band released their second album, ''Christmas Cheer'', on November 11, 2008, also through [[Vanguard Records]]. ''[[USA Today]]'' music critic [[Brian Mansfield]] named it one of his favorite holiday albums.<ref>{{citenews|title=A very special Christmas list for fans of all musical genres|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-12-14-christmas-music-list_N.htm|date=December 15, 2008|first=Brian|last=Mansfield|accessdate=August 25, 2009}}</ref> The Boxmasters went on a post-album 12-city tour with [[Willie Nelson]], playing from November 22 in [[Enid, Oklahoma]] to December 6 in [[Champaign, Illinois]].<ref>[http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1599397/boxmasters-to-tour-with-willie-nelson.jhtml Boxmasters to Tour with Willie Nelson]. [[CMT.com]]. Published November 14, 2008.</ref> They then embarked on a six-city tour of [[Texas]] in March 2009, which included a March 18 appearance at the [[South by Southwest]] music conference.<ref name=sbs>[http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1605960/boxmasters-prepare-third-album.jhtml Boxmasters Prepare Third Album]. [[CMT.com]] Published February 26, 2009.</ref> |
||
The band released ''Modbilly'' on Vanguard on April 21, 2009. ''[[Houston Press]]'' praised the album, saying that it "confirms that Billy Bob Thornton's writing talents aren't confined to his [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winning [[screenplay]]s."<ref>[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/04/listening_room_whats_been_tick.php Listening Room: What's Been Tickling Our Earholes Lately]. By Chris Gray. ''[[Houston Press]]''. Published April 27, 2009. |
The band released ''Modbilly'' on Vanguard on April 21, 2009. ''[[Houston Press]]'' praised the album, saying that it "confirms that Billy Bob Thornton's writing talents aren't confined to his [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winning [[screenplay]]s."<ref>[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2009/04/listening_room_whats_been_tick.php Listening Room: What's Been Tickling Our Earholes Lately]. By Chris Gray. ''[[Houston Press]]''. Published April 27, 2009.</ref> ''[[Prefix (disambiguation)|Prefix]]'' gave a mostly positive review, calling it "for real" and stating that "Thornton’s distinct voice continues to be a nice fit with the material".<ref>[http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/the-boxmasters/modbilly/27042/ Modbilly]. ''[[Prefix (disambiguation)|Prefix]]''. Published April 22, 2009.</ref> |
||
The group has [[Cover version|covered]] [[The Beatles]], [[The Who]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Turtles]], and [[Mott the Hoople]] in its unique style. It also plays original songs, mostly written or co-written by Thornton based on the "[[white trash]]" figures he had seen in his [[Arkansas]] [[Billy_Bob_Thornton#Early_life|childhood]]. ''[[The Montreal Gazette]]'' has called his original material "at turns dark and funny, with world-class hooks".<ref name=style/> The members play while wearing well-dressed '[[Mod_(subculture)#Fashion|Mod]]' outfits such as [[tailor]]ed black [[Suit (clothing)|suits]], white shirts, and narrow black [[necktie]]s.<ref name=sour/> |
|||
Aside from playing, Thornton has said that he plans on creating [[comic books]] based on him and other band members. Plots would involve the band coming to the aid of townspeople as they tour. He said, "We're not sure what our superpowers are going to be yet".<ref>[http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/billy-bob-thornton-becomes-a-boxmaster-158289 Billy Bob Thornton becomes a Boxmaster]. [[Music Radar]]. Published June 3, 2008.</ref> |
|||
===Canadian touring and controversy=== |
|||
In April 2009, the band was scheduled to tour across Canada, [[opening act|opening]] for [[country music]] veterans [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]].<ref name=style>{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=5cc62424-fb2e-4f80-a582-394f7d4db73b|publisher=[[The Montreal Gazette]]|date=April 7, 2009|last=Perusse|first= Bernard|accessdate=August 25, 2009|title=Beatles and Rolling Stones, hillbilly style}}</ref><ref name=sour/> On April 8, the band appeared on the national [[CBC Radio One]] program ''[[Q (radio show)|Q]]'', hosted by [[Jian Ghomeshi]]. During the first half of the interview, Thornton was reportedly "surly and uncooperative", and responded with "I don't know" when asked how long the band had been together. When asked about his musical tastes and influences as a child, he gave his longest answer, but it was about his favorite magazine ''[[Famous Monsters of Filmland]]''. He also stated that he had "instructed" the show's producers to not ask any questions about his career as a screenwriter and actor.<ref>[http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/04/09/Thornton-obnoxious-in-CBC-interview/UPI-76871239285658/ Thornton obnoxious in CBC interview]. [[UPI]]. Published April 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7991924.stm Thornton clashes with radio host]. [[BBC News]]. Published April 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> |
|||
Ghomeshi, in introducing the band, mentioned the acting credentials of Thornton, but never based his questions to Thornton about his show business career. Thornton went on to say that Canadian audiences were generally reserved and that the band was used to playing in places where people move around and throw things at each other. He then added, 'it's like [[mashed potato]]es with no [[gravy]].' This caused an outpouring of criticism from across Canada and around the world for the star's behavior.<ref name=times>[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6067668.ece Billy Bob Thornton does a Joaquin Phoenix on Canadian radio]. [[Times Online]]. Published April 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/08/billy-bob-thornton-attempts-to-outdo-joaquin-phoenix-in-cbc-interview/ Billy Bob Thornton Attempts To Outdo Joaquin Phoenix In CBC Interview] By Daniel Kreps. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Published April 8, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> |
|||
The following night, the band opened for [[Willie Nelson]] at [[Toronto]]'s prestigious [[Massey Hall]]. A series of boos and catcalls erupted mid-set, with people in the audience yelling "here comes the gravy!" when Thornton tried to explain he liked Canadians but not the CBC radio host. Before the show, when asked about his "gravy" comment, Thornton claimed he was talking about the radio host.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/616601 Billy Bob not done with the barbs]. ''[[Toronto Star]]''. Published April 10, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> Local reviews of Thornton's Toronto performance were not positive.<ref name=ends/> ''[[Toronto Star]]'' called Thornton's voice a "high, tinny whine" and ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' commented that "Nelson could teach Billy Bob Thornton more than a few things".<ref name=sour>[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/616645 Willie Nelson concert a country feast, with sour notes]. ''[[Toronto Star]]''. Published April 10, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref><ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090410.wanelson10/BNStory/Entertainment/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20090410.wanelson10 Nelson could teach Billy Bob Thornton more than a few things]. ''[[The Globe and Mail]]''. Published April 10, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> On April 10, The Boxmasters dropped out of the tour early, announcing that they would not be playing with Nelson during subsequent concerts scheduled in [[London, Ontario]] and [[Montreal]]. Thornton said that band members had come down with the [[Influenza|flu]]. Willie Nelson's publicist had no comment.<ref name=ends>[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/616913 Billy Bob ends Canadian tour]. ''[[Toronto Star]]''. Published April 10, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> |
|||
The band resumed touring in [[Stamford, Connecticut]] on April 14.<ref name=sick>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/arts/music/13arts-THORNTONSBAN_BRF.html?ref=arts Thornton’s Band Calls in Sick]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Published April 12, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> In the aftermath of the controversy, Thornton appeared on ''[[Jimmy_Kimmel#Jimmy_Kimmel_Live.21|Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' and he said, "The fact that was news was astounding to me... But it gave humpbacked geeks all over the world something to do for a couple of days." He added that he only wants to be perceived as a musician in the context of the band, remarking that "I'm just in their band, I'm just one of those guys".<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20274222,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines VIDEO: Billy Bob Thornton 'Astounded' by Interview Fallout]. By Howard Breuer. ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''. Published April 22, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.</ref> |
|||
=== Touring hiatus === |
=== Touring hiatus === |
||
Line 56: | Line 43: | ||
In 2016 The Boxmasters also released two albums, ''Boys and Girls...& The World'' and ''Tea Surfing'', on NDR Records. |
In 2016 The Boxmasters also released two albums, ''Boys and Girls...& The World'' and ''Tea Surfing'', on NDR Records. |
||
In 2018 The Boxmasters released "In Stereo!" on NDR records. "Bud sings his heart out on “Guess That’s Gonna Have to Do,” and the rocking “Clear Enough.” His songs, co-written with JD Andrew, are always filled with thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies and always, yes always, a strong danceability factor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://0j.b5z.net/i/u/10214219/f/KZ_27_MASTER__July_2018_.pdf|title=Kudzoo Magazine Album Reviews|last=Smith|first=Michael "Buffalo"|date=July 2018|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>" wrote Michael Buffalo Smith in [https://www.michaelbuffalo.net/kudzoo_magazine Kudzoo Magazine]. |
|||
==Members== |
==Members== |
Revision as of 04:01, 12 September 2018
The Boxmasters | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Bellflower, California, United States |
Genres | Sixties Influenced Rock 'n' Roll |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Vanguard NDR Records |
Members | J.D. Andrew Billy Bob Thornton Teddy Andreadis |
Past members | Micheal Wayne Butler Brad Davis |
Website | theboxmasters.com |
The Boxmasters is an American rock 'n' roll band founded in Bellflower, California in 2007 by Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew. The group has released 8 albums of original material, always focused on their love of music and bands from the 1960's.
Before he formed The Boxmasters, frontman Thornton had played in bands since middle school, worked as a roadie, recorded in 1974 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and in the 2000's released four solo albums. After listening to "Yesterday's Gone" by Chad & Jeremy and thinking about covering it in a hillbilly music style, he had the idea of making Americanized version of British Invasion pop songs. From mid-2008 to late 2008, the group embarked on a tour across the United States, ending in Los Angeles. It also played for the March 2009 South by Southwest conference. After opening several tours for Willie Nelson in 2009 & 2010, The Boxmasters ceased touring for 5 years, which they used to write multiple albums and emerged with a more natural sound, as opposed to their early hillbilly leanings.
History
Beginnings
Billy Bob Thornton—credited on the band's material as W. R. Thornton—has said that "[he] never intended to become a movie star, it happened accidentally. [...] Music is what I love."[1] As a teenager he was in several bands, some of which achieved regional notoriety and opened for larger groups such as Black Oak Arkansas at local festivals. After moving to Houston in the late 1970's, the band "Nothin' Doin'" was approached with the idea of becoming a ZZ Top tribute band. Thornton played drums in "Tres Hombres" for several years before his eventual move to Los Angeles.
Thornton brought in recording engineer J.D. Andrew to help with his 2007 album Beautiful Door. After jamming together, they started to record some of their material. Andrew had known Mike Butler "for six or seven years" and called on him to play guitar for them. According to Andrew, after the trio played together, they said "Shoot, this sounds like a band." The three came up with the name "Boxmasters" after a piece of Southern slang, which they later described by saying "remember the bad boy in high school who got all the girls and left a trail of broken hearts ... and more?"[2] Thornton had also briefly played in country star Porter Wagoner's similarly titled band 'The Wagonmasters', which he later said had brought chills down his spine.[3]
Early career
The band started in Bellflower, California in 2007. Their eponymous first album The Boxmasters was released on June 10, 2008 by Vanguard Records. The Washington Post praised the album, and the paper remarked that listeners will get their money's worth if they enjoy the music even half as much as the band did during the recordings.[4]
The group resumed touring in July 2008,[5] adding musicians Bradley Davis on mandolin, guitar, and vocals, Teddy Andreadis on harmonica and organ, and Mike Bruce on drums.[6] Their tour across the United States ended on September 7, 2008 when they played at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.[3] The band released their second album, Christmas Cheer, on November 11, 2008, also through Vanguard Records. USA Today music critic Brian Mansfield named it one of his favorite holiday albums.[7] The Boxmasters went on a post-album 12-city tour with Willie Nelson, playing from November 22 in Enid, Oklahoma to December 6 in Champaign, Illinois.[8] They then embarked on a six-city tour of Texas in March 2009, which included a March 18 appearance at the South by Southwest music conference.[9]
The band released Modbilly on Vanguard on April 21, 2009. Houston Press praised the album, saying that it "confirms that Billy Bob Thornton's writing talents aren't confined to his Oscar-winning screenplays."[10] Prefix gave a mostly positive review, calling it "for real" and stating that "Thornton’s distinct voice continues to be a nice fit with the material".[11]
Touring hiatus
In 2010, The Boxmasters ceased touring for almost five years. During that time Billy Bob Thornton wrote & directed the feature film Jayne Mansfield's Car.
Return to album releases and touring
In 2015 The Boxmasters returned with the album Somewhere Down The Road released by 101 Ranch Records. Rolling Stone said "This sprawling double album, which amazingly doesn't feel Use Your Illusion bloated, finds him and the ace 'Masters — who play the Grand Ole Opry on August 18th — mixing country noir with bright jangle pop. One disc is all Americana gothic, while the other is Nuggets by way of Liverpool. "Always Lie," from the twangy half of the project, is Thornton devilishly sharing his trick for dealing with the press and ranks with some of country's most honest songwriting. (Or does it?)"[12]
Also in 2015 The Boxmasters released Providence on their website as a download only album.
In 2016 The Boxmasters also released two albums, Boys and Girls...& The World and Tea Surfing, on NDR Records.
In 2018 The Boxmasters released "In Stereo!" on NDR records. "Bud sings his heart out on “Guess That’s Gonna Have to Do,” and the rocking “Clear Enough.” His songs, co-written with JD Andrew, are always filled with thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies and always, yes always, a strong danceability factor.[13]" wrote Michael Buffalo Smith in Kudzoo Magazine.
Members
Discography
References
External links
|