Music Style Rock/Alternative-

Musical Influences The Who, Bruce Springsteen, They Might Be Giants

Similar Artists Weezer, The Who, REM

Artist History The schizophrenic kings of heavy mental funk rock, Box Office Poison, are opening the millennium with a new sound, new songs and a brand-new scheme for global domination through music. The members of the Brooklyn-based band, featuring an eclectic and seemingly unmixable mix of funk, punk and bluesy brass, are currently working on their first full-length CD, due for independent release in the spring of 2001. The band had a busy 2000 playing at popular Greenwich Village venues like The Lion's Den and Acme Underground. Originally, they were going to take a break from concerts to focus on recording, but, like Bill Clinton at a strip club, it's hard to keep Box Office Poison off the stage. "I'd rather die from a rare South American disease than take a vacation from performing," says singer and guitarist Pete Catapano. If you saw the guys from BOP on the street---well, you'd probably give them each a dollar and keep walking. But you also might not realize they were the schizophrenic kings of heavy mental funk rock. "One thing that's unique about BOP is that we don't look like a typical rock band," says Jim Catapano, who bangs the skins and also plays the drums. "We try to focus on the sound rather than the image, mainly because we can't afford decent clothes." For BOP, everything starts with songwriting. "We like to talk about different and interesting things," says Jim C (also known as "Sporty"). "We stay away from the typical 'I love you girl, do you love me,' song, mainly because we know for a fact that the girl does not love us and never will." From revealing the secret life of washing machines in "Spin Cycle," to warning of the perils of living a promiscuous life in "Scary Indecision," to getting to the truth behind Socrates in "Jesus Crust," the band always has a memorable and strange story to tell. "When I write songs, I'm usually trying to sound like somebody," says bassist and singer Jon Koza. "But I'm trying to sound like somebody else trying to sound like that person or group. 'Spin Cycle' is a Chili Peppers song played by They Might Be Giants. 'Jesus Crust' is Paul Simon with The Edge on Guitar. 'Madness to the Method,' well, even I haven't figured that one out yet." "I think 'Madness' is Led Zeppelin as performed by Wilson Phillips," says Jim C (also known as "Ginger"). "Some people say songs don't actually have to be about anything," says Koza "Who needs meaning when you're having fun? Besides, some of the true meanings might get us in trouble." The sound has progressed, and the band is often abetted by the "saxxy" styling of Josh Klein (alto saxophone) and Matt Koza (tenor sax). For the band members, music (and the playing thereof) is an indispensable part of human existence. "Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll---everyone has to have at least one of these things in their life," says Jim C (also known as "Bubbles"). "Needless to say, we were forced to go with the Rock and Roll."

Group Members Jim Catapano, Pete Catapano, Jon Koza

Albums Adventures In Pantsland

Press Reviews www.StarPolish.com August 26, 2002 by Joseph McCombs, StarPolish.com Box Office Poison   "This five-piece outfit scores a knockout punch with the funk punk playfulness of “Rita’s Rings,” a get-your-ass-up-and-listen-to-this outright essential. It’s a great time to be a “new garage” band, and Box Office Poison rise to the challenge with a punchy bass line, searing guitar, vocals that make up in attitude what they lack in pitch, a sax solo from out of nowhere, a grandly innovative structure, and energy that never lets up for the whole 3:50 (twice as long as most driving punk gems). What a great bit of music to speed down the Great Highway to, even if I’m on the wrong coast to do so. If their followup “Spin Cycle” doesn’t quite live up to such a heady mark, it’s still got another great bass chart and is carried along by some of the best use of a cowbell I’ve heard in ages. If these guys ever tour in my area, no question, I’m there."

Location Brooklyn, NY - USA

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