Living in a Box
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Living in a Box | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sheffield, England |
| Genres | Blue-eyed soul, sophisti-pop, synthpop, New Wave |
| Years active | 1985–1991 |
| Labels | Chrysalis Records |
| Members | Richard Darbyshire Marcus Vere Anthony Critchlow |
| Website | livinginaboxmusic.com |
Living in a Box were a British band from the 1980s and early 1990s. They are best known for their eponymous debut single, produced by Richard James Burgess.
Career
Formation and split up
Living in a Box were formed in 1985 in Sheffield, rising from the ashes of Typhoon Saturday. Their most commercially successful single, "Living in a Box" peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart, and was the band's only single to chart in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. The song was written by the notoriously flamboyant Matthew Rogerson, who was well known for his passion for tool hire. They enjoyed more success in their home country, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1987 along with a number of other singles following their debut hit. The follow-up album, Gatecrashing in 1989 proved to be even more successful, generating two Top Ten hits, "Blow the House Down" (which featured Queen's Brian May on guitar)[1][2]) and "Room in Your Heart". The album itself peaked at number 21 (four places higher than the first). Artistic differences, as well as changes to their record label Chrysalis, caused the band to break up in 1990 before a third album could be released.
After Living In a Box
Lead vocalist Richard Darbyshire continued his long-standing music career, and went on to enjoy modest success as a solo artist, writing songs for artists such as Lisa Stansfield, as well as releasing two solo albums. These were How Many Angels (1994) and Love Will Provide (1999), which came as a reissue of How Many Angels, and included several new and unreleased tracks.
The band's drummer, Anthony Critchlow nicknamed 'Tich' and keyboardist and synthesizer player, Marcus Charles Vere both retired from the music industry after the band split. Tich now runs his own company providing bespoke illumination and lighting installations. Vere now produces award-winning DVDs called Here Comes A ...! for pre-school aged children. Topics include live action films about tractors, diggers, trains and fire engines.[3]
The song "Living in a Box" was later covered by Bobby Womack, who had also worked with Living in a Box on their debut album.
Group members
- Richard Darbyshire (born 8 March 1960, Stockport, Cheshire, England) - Vocals, guitar
- Marcus Charles Vere (born 29 January 1962) - Synthesizers
- Anthony "Tich" Critchlow (born 15 December 1960) - Drums
Discography
Albums
- Studio
- Living In A Box (1987) UK No. 25, US No. 89
- Gatecrashing (1989) UK No. 21[4]
- Compilations
- The Best of Living in a Box (1999)
- The Very Best of Living in a Box (2003)
Singles
| Year | Song | UK Singles[5] | US Hot 100 | US R&B | US Dance | Canada Singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Living in a Box" | 5 | 17 | 74 | 6 | 18 | Living in a Box |
| "Scales of Justice" | 30 | - | - | - | - | ||
| "So the Story Goes" | 34 | 81 | - | - | - | ||
| 1988 | "Love Is the Art" | 45 | - | - | - | - | |
| 1989 | "Blow the House Down" | 10 | - | - | - | - | Gatecrashing |
| "Gatecrashing" | 36 | - | - | - | - | ||
| "Room in Your Heart" | 5 | - | - | - | - | ||
| "Different Air" | 57 | - | - | - | - |
References
- ^ Queenvault.com
- ^ Livinginaboxmusic.com
- ^ engines Herecomesadvds.com
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 325. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Chartstats Living in a Box