It would never happen now: Fuzzbox

"When it's good, it's wicked at the same time"

I continue to attempt getting this blog on Blogger's "Blogs of Note" which seems to be the only way to get any traffic to it whatsoever. Unfortunately, they prefer to put ramblings of people building log cabins or making paper aeroplanes as opposed to any proper discourse. Still, in the spirit of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," here's something that's come up in the last couple of hours that's prevented me from beginning any of the five books that arrived from Amazon today.

Fuzzbox? Remember them? Me neither. But when someone requested Pink Sunshine on the Chris Evans drive time show this evening, I remembered pretty much all of the song despite not hearing it for 19 years. So began a fascinating half hour romp through Wikipedia and YouTube doing all the research possible (and neccessary) on the band. Not since I rediscovered Sisters of Mercy's Dominion have I been so happy to wrench a half forgotten 80s pop tune from the back of my mind.

But before we continue hand in hand down this pastel-colured memory lane, why not refresh your memories with the immense Pink Sunshine. Difficult to pick out a best bit as it's all good, but I quite like the breakdown before the instrumental section.



That was a high budget video back in '89.

Of course, Fuzzbox (nee We've Got A Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It), were as manufactured as Coca-cola spinners and bum-bags. But these brummie pop queens apparently started from extremely rough roots as a low-fi punk outfit. And compared to Simon Cowell's contemporary water-carriers, they sit somewhere between Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd in the credibility index.

Combing through the various Youtube clips, the band appeared on various kids shows like Wacaday*, but my favourite one is this one from BBC1's Saturday Superstore.



Yes, it sure was a different age. Look how pleasant the girls are - they actually look happy! Not like press-briefed Sugababes or stage-school prepped KT Nash Duffy Melua types these days.

However, the most odd thing about this interview is the fact that it took place at all. Mike Read infamously smashed up Frankie Goes To Hollywood's ode to gay sex Relax on air, yet seemed happy to have Fuzzbox on air despite releasing a single Love is The Slug. I guess Mike Had chilled out a bit by then. Check out the video to see if you get the same overtones I do (or maybe I'm just imagining them...)

I feel sorry for kids today. They weren't around when pop music was like this. They didn't get to see relatively raw acts become the slick polished machines that Fuzzbox were at the Pink Sunshine stage, and they don't get to see their bands implode in quite the same way. By the time many acts release their first single, their success is inevitable, and there are no surprises or happy accidents.

Following the equally memorable Your Loss, My Gain they went back underground.

So wherever they are now, here's to Fuzzbox, their unique brand of 80s power-pop, their innocent and friendly interview technique, and their pretty bass player.

SEE ALSO: Shampoo, Roxette

*Random Fact: Fuzzbox did Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka-dot Bikini a full four years before Timmy Mallet and Bombalurina.