Oingo Boingo Artistfacts

1979-1995
Danny ElfmanVocals, guitar
Steve BartekGuitar
Kerry HatchBass1979-1984
Johnny "Vatos" HernandezDrums
Sam "Sluggo" PhippsTenor saxophone
Leon SchneidermanBaritone saxophone
Dale TurnerTrumpet, trombone
Richard GibbsKeyboards1979-1984
Mike BacichKeyboards1984–1987
John AvilaBass1985-1995
Carl GravesKeyboards1988-1995
They started in 1972 as an odd cabaret act called the Mystic Knights Of The Oingo Boingo, formed by Danny Elfman's cousin Richard. This incarnation played music with a 1930s feel and were very theatrical, with lots of costume changes and props - they also used video and animations. Danny took over the group around 1976 and transitioned them to just Oingo Boingo in 1979, making them a modern band with more traditional performances.
Danny Elfman was the undisputed leader of the band. He was their frontman, he wrote all their songs, and he prepared every arrangement before entering the studio. His creative energy spilled over to film work; he started scoring movies in the early '80s and became one of the greats in that field, composing music for a long list of films that includes Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland and Fifty Shades of Grey.
You were much more likely to know of Oingo Boingo if you lived near Los Angeles, where they were based. They got a lot of support from K-Rock radio and built a following playing shows in the area - the LA connection also landed them gigs at the US Festivals in 1982 and 1983, where they played to huge crowds. Outside of LA, though, they never got much attention.
Elfman said he had so many songs in his head that the band could have released three albums a year. That would be impractical, so he often proffered their extra songs for movie soundtracks, including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Last American Virgin and Bachelor Party.
Not surprisingly, Weird Al Yankovic is a big Oingo Boingo fan. His 1988 song "You Make Me" is a style parody of the band.
The band's sound was informed by Danny Elfman's teenage travels in Africa, where he took his violin and met many local musicians. "We'd be fascinated by each other's instruments," he told Seventeen. "I just soaked up as much as I could. At the time [1971-1972] pop music in some of these countries was called High Life - a combination of reggae and salsa - played by a seven or eight-piece band and a horn section, very similar to what Oingo Boingo was to become."
Oingo Boingo's music is highly energetic, with lyrics that tend to be dark and/or subversive. The "dark" category includes "When the Lights Go Out" (about civilization descending into savagery during a blackout) and "Dead Man's Party."
They were known for their annual Halloween shows, which is where members of the Boingoshere (their fans) would prioritize. Their last show took place on Halloween 1995 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)The Stranglers

"Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)" by The Stranglers was written about the then Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. His political shenanigans were observed by the band during their first tour of Australia.

Just A GirlNo Doubt

Gwen Stefani wrote the early No Doubt song "Just a Girl" as a message to her overprotective father.

Watching The WheelsJohn Lennon

In the late '70s, John Lennon slowed his roll, becoming a househusband who baked bread and took care of his young son Sean. This inspired his song "Watching The Wheels," where he discovers the benefits of taking it easy.

ParanoidBlack Sabbath

"Paranoid" reflects a feeling Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler often felt after using drugs.

One Way Or AnotherBlondie

"One Way Or Another" is based on a stalker who creeped out Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry.

GirlDestiny's Child

Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams wrote the Destiny's Child song "Girl" for Kelly Rowland as an encouragement for her to end her relationship with a verbally and physically abusive boyfriend.