Box of Frogs

Box of Frogs
Origin London, England
Years active 1983–1986
Labels Epic Records
Associated acts The Yardbirds
Members
Chris Dreja
Paul Samwell-Smith
Jim McCarty
John Fiddler

Box of Frogs was a band formed in 1983 by former members of The Yardbirds, who released their first album in 1984. The core group comprised Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty. Vocals on their eponymous album were done by John Fiddler, formerly of Medicine Head and British Lions; on the second album Fiddler sang on five tracks with guests including Graham Parker, Ian Dury and Roger Chapman singing lead on the others. Many musicians guested on their albums (including Rory Gallagher and Mark Feltham), with several tracks featuring Steve Hackett. Former Yardbirds guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page guested on their first and second albums respectively.

The group showed promise on the first album of rock radio friendly tunes, featuring Jeff Beck. "Back Where I Started" was in the top ten in the U.S., and the album was a featured number one on college campuses. Plans were made for a U.S. tour, but it is alleged that Samwell-Smith, Dreja, and McCarty nixed the idea of the tour, much to John Fiddler's dismay. Jeff Beck, who along with Dzal Martin was considered as the lead guitarist for such a tour, was reportedly disgusted at his ex-bandmates' refusal to tour America. He took no part on the second album, and Fiddler barely chose to do so before walking out. "Asylum" is one of the few songs Fiddler sang on, and was the only one featuring Page.

The track Back Where I Started is regularly included in the set-list of the revived Yardbirds.

Contents

Discography

Albums

Box of Frogs - 1984

  1. Back Where I Started (3:54) (P. Samwell-Smith, C Dreja, J McCarty, F Fiddler)
  2. Harder (3:44) (J Fiddler, R Majors)
  3. Another Wasted Day (4:12) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)
  4. Love Inside You (2:47) (J Fiddler)
  5. The Edge (4:02) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)
  6. Two Steps Ahead (4:33) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)
  7. Into The Dark (4:07) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)
  8. Just A Boy Again (5:38) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)
  9. Poor Boy (4:26) (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty, J Fiddler)

All lead vocals by John Fiddler.

Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith

Strange Land - 1986

  1. Get it While You Can (G. O'Connor) Graham Parker, lead vocals
  2. You Mix Me Up (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) John Fiddler, lead vocals (?)
  3. Average (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) Ian Dury, lead vocals
  4. House on Fire (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) John Fiddler, lead vocals
  5. Hanging from the Wreckage (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) John Fiddler, lead vocals
  6. Heart Full of Soul (G Gouldman) Roger Chapman, lead vocals
  7. Asylum (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) John Fiddler, lead vocals
  8. Strange Land (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) Roger Chapman (?)
  9. Trouble (Samwell-Smith, Dreja, McCarty) John Fiddler, lead vocals

Bonus track:

10. Nine Lives (?) John Fiddler, lead vocals

Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith

(Both albums were reissued in 1996 by Renaissance Records)

Personnel

The Frogs:

with : (First Album) -

(Strange Land) - additionally:

Singles

Transcription discs

See also

References

External links

The Yardbirds
Original members (1963-68): Keith Relf · Chris Dreja · Paul Samwell-Smith · Top Topham · Jim McCarty · Eric Clapton · Jeff Beck · Jimmy Page
Rod Demick · Laurie Garman · Alan Glen · John Idan · Ben King · Billy Boy Miskimmin · Ray Majors · Gypie Mayo
Albums
Live albums
Compilations
Singles
Other songs
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