Electric Boys
The Electric Boys are a funk metal band founded in Sweden in 1988, which enjoyed a cult status in Europe at the end of the decade.[1]
They were formed by Conny Bloom (real surname: Blomqvist) (guitar/vocals) and Andy Christell (bass). Originally a duo, they signed for Polygram and scored a local Swedish hit with the single "All Lips and Hips" in 1988.[2] This early version of what would become perhaps the band's best-known hit also appeared that same year in America on the soundtrack to the movie Feds. The band then added second guitarist Franco Santunione and drummer Niklas Sigevall.[1]
In 1989, the band's debut album Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride, including a revamped version of "All Lips and Hips" was a success in Europe, and they picked up a strong following in Britain,[3] where, as well as headlining small clubs, they supported Thunder. When headlining Newcastle upon Tyne, Riverside club, the band were joined on stage by the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis who were performing in the same venue at around the same time. The following year, the album was released in America, where they also became moderately successful, thanks to the singles "All Lips and Hips" and "Psychedelic Eyes." However, the follow-up album Groovus Maximus did not emerge until 1992, by which time grunge had swept all before it and the album was overall inferior to the debut. By the end of an American tour to promote it supporting Mr. Big, the band had lost Santunione and Sigevall and both North American and European record deals. Outgoing members were replaced by Thomas Bromann (drums) and Martin Thomander (2nd guitar) and this lineup released the band's third album, Freewheelin' on the Music For Nations label in Britain. The album attracted little interest and the band dissolved. In 2005, founders Bloom and Christell had joined Hanoi Rocks.
The Groovus Maximus album was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. There were two music videos made from that album: "Mary in the Mystery World" & "Dying to be Loved." The "Dying to be Loved" music video only had a budget of £100.[4]
The band reformed in 2009 and released "And Them Boys Done Swang" in 2011.
[edit] Discography
Albums:
- 1990 Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride
- 1992 Groovus Maximus
- 1994 Freewheelin'
- 2011 And Them Boys Done Swang
Japanese bonus tracks+
Singles:
- 1988 "All Lips 'N Hips" (original version; only became a hit in Sweden)
- 1990 "All Lips 'N Hips" #76 US
- 1990 "Psychedelic Eyes"
- 1992 "Mary in the Mystery World"
- 1992 "Groovus Maximus"
- 1992 "Dying to be Loved"
- 1994 "Ready To Believe"
Other Recordings:
- "King Kong Song" - ABBA cover for the 1992 Swedish ABBA tribute album ABBA: The Tribute, released on Polar Music.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography-Electric Boys". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p12865. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Review "All Lips n' Hips"". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r434486. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ Henderson, Alex. "Review Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r6676. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Review Groovus Maximus". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r54894. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
