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Saturday 11 June 2011

Post 370 - Box The Jesuit - Bloody Mary EP


Box The Jesuit formed from the ashes of Sydney group Madroom, founding members Goose & Susie took the band name from a 17th century old English seafaring slang term for masturbation. Box the Jesuit went through a number of line-up changes and indie record labels between 1986 and their break-up in 1995. They released their debut EP "Bloody Mary" on Snoyd Records. Here for you to download from 1987, recorded at Kings Lane Studios, Darlinghurst. There's a great version of Freashwater's 1970 song "Satan". The band became renowned for their wild and entertaining glam rock stage shows, lead singer Goose would often climb the speaker stacks. In January 1992 Box the Jesuit supported Nirvana at the inaugural Big Day Out. They released their final CD "Guide Dogs For The Spiritually Impaired" in July 1993, but sadly Goose died just three weeks later on 1 August 1993 following a long battle with lymphoma. It was one of Goose's final wishes that the band continue after he died, as he felt that the last line-up was the band's best. Ben Brown, lead singer of the Hellmen, took over as front man for a year. He was replaced by Martin Laud, Goose's younger brother in 1994. Even though the band felt they were writing some of their best music, it seemed that the audience's interest had died along with Goose. The last line-up recorded an album that was never released and later broke up in 1995.

6 comments:

Hingehead said...

Thanks for posting and providing some info - I only saw them the once in the early 90s at the ANU bar - I think supporting the Cramps? The other support band was the Fauves. Weird that I remember the supports but not the main act.

Why isn't there more violin in pop music? ;-)

Unknown said...

Thanks Ozzie thought I might give it a spin.

Unknown said...

Loved them! They used to play a lot at the 'Evil Star', which was the live music part of the 'Evening Star' journalists' pub in Surrey Hills. I saw David Bowie watching them there twice.

kelly said...

wow,, I first saw Box at the graphics art club, around the corner from the Evil star, I heard rumour that David Bowie was seen at the Evil star a couple of times,, just goes to show davids true love for music of all caliber and keeping up with the real roots of alternative. There was some amazing punk floating around then, the memories now are sooo fantastical for me ,hmm

kelly said...

wow,, I first saw Box at the graphics art club, around the corner from the Evil star, I heard rumour that David Bowie was seen at the Evil star a couple of times,, just goes to show davids true love for music of all caliber and keeping up with the real roots of alternative. There was some amazing punk floating around then, the memories now are sooo fantastical for me ,hmm

Jase Blackie said...

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has contact with any of the Box The Jesuit members? I am making an audio blog series on alternative music in Australia 1980-90's and I'd love to do an episode purely on BJT as I saw them many times and still remember them as the most remarkable band band going around at the time. There is so little about them on the web and I feel it would do them justice to get some stories to go with some of their amazing music.
Many thanks in advance,
Jase