The Box Social
The Box Social | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mequon, Wis., US |
| Genres | Alternative Pop-rock |
| Years active | 2002–2008 |
| Labels | Bright Ideas No Karma Qdot |
| Members | Nick Junkunc Nick Woods Dave Griesbach Brian Peoplis |
| Past members | Mike Ewing Adam Melberth Matt Kuehl |
| Website | www.theboxsocial.net |
The Box Social was an American rock band from the Midwestern United States based in Madison, Wisconsin, the state's capital in the south-central region, that broke up in November 2008. While usually classified as pop rock or power pop, the band drew influences from grunge, country, and alternative genres, citing bands such as Nirvana, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Replacements, and REM as their major forebears.
History
The Box Social was founded in Mequon, Wisconsin c. 2002 by singer/songwriter Nick Junkunc, drummer Brian Peoplis, and bassist Mike Ewing, guitarist Nick Woods joining shortly after. The band's name is a reference to a The Simpsons episode in which Marge tells Homer "no par-tays, no shindigs, no keggers, no hootenannies, no mixers, no raves, no box socials!"
In June 2003, the band recorded their first set of demos called What, Too Soon? Released and sold to their friends in a run of 100 CD-R copies. Early performance were mostly in the Milwaukee area.
The Box Social recorded their second disc Golly Gee Whiz! in July 2004, subsequently released by Mike Graff and Qdot Records in a run of 150 CD-R copies. The band fired Mike Ewing soon thereafter, and began searching for a new bassist - Zach Rapport filled in until Matt Kuehl joined mid-month.[citation needed]
In January 2005, the new lineup went on their second tour - an 11-day trip to New York City and back, and performed live on 91.7 WMSE. The band made a second trip out to NYC that spring to perform as house band for the Banished To Siberia comedy showcase, before returning home and recording their EP Blown To Bits with Shane Olivo at Bobby Peru's Recording Studio. The album was released worldwide by No Karma Recordings in October 2005 as a limited pressing of 1,000 CDs. Soon after recording the EP, the band fired Matt Kuehl, and replaced him with Adam Melberth that September.[citation needed]
In January 2006, Junkunc, Woods, Melberth and Peoplis went on an 11-day trip to the Southern and East-Central United States, performing in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas and Indiana among others. The band parted ways with Adam Melberth in March, 2006. Peoplis's friend Dave Griesbach replaced him that month.[citation needed]
The band began recording demos for what would become the full-length album Get Going in April 2006 with engineers Shane Olivo and Justin Perkins. After a 3-week tour that took the band through the Rocky Mountains and up the West Coast, the group returned home to begin pre-production with Dave Rieley, who later recorded the album's 11 songs at Rax Trax and Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, IL over the Winter of 2006 and 2007. The album was co-released on June 9, 2007 by Bright Ideas and No Karma Recordings on an unlimited basis.[citation needed]
The band toured throughout the continental United States and has made notable appearances at such popular music events such as the Vans Warped Tour, Summerfest, and CMJ Music Festival. They were voted Best Band in Wisconsin by viewers of FuseTV, and Best Emerging Artist by Summerfest attendees.[citation needed]
The Box Social agreeably disbanded in late October 2008, citing diverging personal agendas as the primary cause for the split.[citation needed]
Style
The Box Social is often described as pop rock, and sometimes as a grunge revival.[1] Critics have compared their sound to Smashing Pumpkins, Franz Ferdinand and Lou Reed,[2] with some songs compared positively to AC/DC[1] and others negatively to Weezer.[3] Critics praised Nick Woods' vocals, noting that he actually sings rather than screaming,[1] and comparing his vocals to Jack White.[4]
Members
| Current Members | Past Members |
|---|---|
| Nick Junkunc - Vocals/Guitar | Adam Melberth (Bass, 2005–2006) |
| Dave Griesbach - Bass/Vocals | Matt Kuehl (Bass, 2004–2005) |
| Nick Woods - Guitar | Mike Ewing (Bass, 2002–2004) |
| Brian Peoplis - Drums |
Discography
| Title | Description | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Get Going | 11 tracks, unlimited run | Bright Ideas / No Karma |
| Blown To Bits | 5 tracks, 1,000 CDs out of print | No Karma Recordings |
| Golly Gee Whiz! | 6 tracks, 150 CD-R copies, out of print | Qdot Records |
| What, Too Soon? | 5 tracks, 100 CDR copies, out of print | self-released |
References
- ^ a b c "DOA - The Box Social - Blown to Bits EP". 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "HYBRIDMAGAZINE.COM | REVIEWS | The Box Social - Blown To Bits album review". www.hybridmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Independent Clauses". 2006-07-12. Archived from the original on 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Critical Mass - The Forces That Shape Your World". 2006-03-20. Archived from the original on 2006-03-20. Retrieved 2021-06-12.