Red Box (band)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Founder | Simon Toulson-Clarke, Julian Close |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Pop music, albums, singles |
Red Box is a British pop ensemble established by Simon Toulson-Clarke and Julian Close. Since their emergence in the early 1980s, they secured two UK top ten singles: "Lean on Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)" (1985) and "For America" (1986), both included on their debut record, The Circle & the Square.
The group made a brief comeback in 1990 with the release of "Train" and their sophomore album Motive, followed by another return in 2010 with their third album Plenty. Currently fronted by singer-songwriter Toulson-Clarke, Red Box incorporates a refreshed lineup of supporting musicians.
In February 2019, the band unveiled "This Is What We Came For," the lead single from their fourth studio album Chase the Setting Sun, succeeded by "Gods & Kings" in July. The full album was launched in September 2019.
Formation and early period (1978–1984)
Simon Toulson-Clarke initiated his first musical group at the age of thirteen while attending Harrow School, performing covers alongside original compositions influenced by artists such as Marc Bolan, David Bowie, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. After completing school, he relocated to Middlesbrough to assemble a band inspired by the New York Dolls. Subsequently, at the Polytechnic of Central London, he partnered with Julian Close from Bristol to form a band initially called Harlequins, which also included Paddy Talbot, Rob Legge, and Martin Nickson.
The band later adopted the name Red Box, derived from a microphone case left behind by rock group Slade, symbolizing political themes (Red) and cultural references (Box, an archaic North American Indian term for 'white man') that were explored on their first album. While still students, they sold out performances at venues like the Marquee and Moonlight Club and released their debut single "Chenko" via Cherry Red Records in 1983. This garnered radio interest and attracted Seymour Stein, who signed them to Sire Records in 1984. The lineup was then reduced to a duo, shifting towards a more synthpop sound, and they re-signed directly with WEA, releasing their second single "Saskatchewan", a cover version of a song by Buffy Sainte-Marie.
The Circle & the Square (1985–1987)
In August 1985, the duo achieved their first UK chart success with "Lean on Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)", which remained within the top 40 for over four weeks and peaked at number three. The single also secured number one positions in five countries and landed within the top five in twelve others, significantly elevating the band's international recognition. The song was supported by a notable video featuring a British Sign Language interpreter, earning a Best Video nomination at the Brit Awards 1985 and coverage on BBC2's Newsweek.
Their debut album released in 1986, The Circle & the Square, fused traditional elements such as brass sections, choral music, and chants with contemporary rock and synthpop. English actor Anthony Head contributed vocals on several tracks. Critics praised the album for its "evocative lyrics" and "global political insight," blending 'ethnic rhythms' and elements of World Music alongside contemporaries like Paul Simon (Graceland, 1986) and Kate Bush (The Sensual World, 1989). The record featured a reimagined cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Saskatchewan" and included "Chenko," highlighted by violinist Alexander Balanescu.
Despite the European success of "Lean on Me," conflicts emerged with WEA over what was seen as limited mainstream appeal. In response to pressure for material tailored to American radio tastes, Toulson-Clarke composed "For America," critiquing US media's emphasis on style over substance and referencing military interventions in Grenada and Nicaragua. Although it did not chart in the United States, it surpassed "Lean on Me" globally in sales, topping charts in six nations and remaining in the UK top ten for twelve weeks.
Later singles such as "Heart of the Sun" and a reissued version of "Chenko" did not achieve significant chart success. With tensions growing between the band and their label, Close left to pursue an A&R career while Toulson-Clarke took a hiatus from writing and recording to travel.
Motive (1990)
Encouraged by Max Hole, then head of EastWest, a subsidiary of WEA, Toulson-Clarke resumed recording activities. Partnering with Alastair Gavin and producer David Motion, he developed Motive, an album that features a reduced tribal influence compared to its predecessor and integrates piano, brass contributions from The Kick Horns, and orchestral elements. This record combines introspective songwriting—exemplified by "Moving," a tribute to the late Kenneth Roy Wyles, father of drummer Chris Wyles—with themes addressing cultural and political issues.
The album’s lead track, "Train," begins with sounds mimicking a locomotive and incorporates samples from the Voix Bulgares, "O Fortuna", and T.Rex, all supported by Jenny Tsao’s unique vocal refrain. Released in the fall of 1990, its music video was featured on the ITV Chart Show, and the band made an appearance on Juke Box Jury, where the song received positive acclaim as a hit.
Despite favorable feedback, worsening relations with the record label resulted in the single being withdrawn from stores. No additional singles followed, promotion efforts were halted, and the album was launched with very limited marketing. Eventually, both parties amicably ended their partnership, leading to a pause in the band’s activities.
Reissues
Both The Circle & the Square and Motive experienced restricted CD distribution; while the former was broadly available on vinyl and cassette in 1986, its CD release was confined to Germany initially and reissued in Japan in 1998.
Sustained interest in Red Box’s catalogue led to a petition advocating for CD re-releases. In September 2007, Toulson-Clarke and Close issued a fresh recording of "Lean on Me" through iTunes.
On 20 October 2008, Cherry Red Records reissued The Circle & the Square on CD featuring all original tracks plus additional bonus content. The UK saw a re-release of Motive in March 2011, which included 12 tracks along with two bonus songs: the B-side to "Train," titled "Hello, He Lied," and "Train (Fantasy Island Version)."
Plenty (2010–present)
Plenty marks Red Box's third studio album, released by Cherry Red Records on 11 October 2010.
The concept for this new album and Red Box’s reformation began around 2000. During his tenure at East West, Toulson-Clarke signed the American group The Vulgar Boatmen, releasing their album Opposite Sex in 1996.
In a 2009 interview, Toulson-Clarke shared that inspiration for Plenty emerged during his time near Gainesville, Florida, where he reflected on heartfelt music and friendship reminiscent of Red Box’s early period.
To support Plenty, Red Box performed live shows, particularly in Poland, where the songs "The Sign" and "Hurricane" held top positions on Trójka Radio charts for multiple weeks. The current band lineup consists of:
- Simon Toulson-Clarke – lead vocals, guitar
- Derek Adams – drums, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, banjo
- Dave Jenkins – bass
- Sally-Jo Seery – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Jane Milligan – keyboards, backing vocals
- Michal Kirmuc – electric guitar, percussion
- Ali Ferguson – electric guitar, backing vocals
- Karin Tenggren – violin, backing vocals
Enjoy
In 1990, Red Box scored a club hit with "Enjoy," a remix crafted by Paul Oakenfold under the alias Solid Gold Easy Amex. Although the track peaked at Number 75 on Independent Radio's Network Chart, it did not make an appearance on the official UK Singles Chart.
Julian Close
Following his departure from Red Box in 1987, Julian Close pursued a career at EMI, eventually becoming Head of A & R. He subsequently oversaw the Silent Records label and currently leads Tube Management, an entertainment enterprise that includes a record label, music publishing, and artist management. He is credited as "Sniffy" in the sleeve notes of Motive.
Simon Toulson-Clarke
Simon Toulson-Clarke has maintained a multifaceted career as a sound engineer, producer, songwriter, and music advisor within East West Records' A & R division. In 1992, he partnered with Miguel Bosé and Ross Cullum to produce six tracks for Bosé’s East West release Under the Sign of Cain (Bajo El Signo de Cain). Additionally, he co-wrote two songs on Bosé’s 2007 album Papito, including "Lo Que Hay Es lo Que Ves," featuring Michael Stipe.
- In 1997, Toulson-Clarke joined forces with producer Phill Brown and Alastair Gavin to create a concept album paying tribute to comedian Bill Hicks under the SPA moniker.
- Plenty
- Plenty’s track "Might As Well Go Home" was included in the soundtrack of the 2000 film Saving Grace, which starred Brenda Blethyn and Craig Ferguson.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | NLD | NOR | ||||
| The Circle & the Square |
|
73 | 45 | 19 | ||
| Motive |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Plenty |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Chase the Setting Sun |
|
— | — | — | ||
| "—" indicates albums that did not chart. | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Top Chart Positions | Certifications | Record Label | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | BEL | GER | IRE | NLD | NOR | SWE | |||||
| 1983 | "Chenko"
b/w "Valley" |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | Cherry Red Records
CHERRY 73 | ||
| 1984 | "Saskatchewan"
b/w "Speeches" |
122 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sire Records
W 9157 | ||
| 1985 | Lean on Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)
b/w "Stinging Bee" |
3 | — | 27 | 2 | — | — | — |
|
Sire Records W 8926 | |
| 1986 | "For America"
b/w "R n' A" (chant from “Chenko,” reversed) |
10 | 2 | — | 6 | 6 | 2 | 12 | "Sire Records YZ 84" | ||
| 1987 | "Heart of the Sun"
b/w "Enjoy (Solid Gold Easy Amex)" |
71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Sire Records YZ 100" | ||
| 1987 | "Chenko (Tenka-Io)"
b/w "Speeches" |
77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Sire Records YX 125" | ||
| 1990 | "Enjoy (Paul Oakenfold Future Mix)" (edit)
(as Solid Gold Easy Amex featuring Red Box) b/w "Enjoy (Original Golden Lay)" |
75* | — | — | — | — | — | — | "East West Records EastWest YZ 466" | ||
| 1990 | "Train"
b/w "'Hello' He Lied" |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "EastWest YZ 531" | ||
| 2007 | “Lean on Me” (digital release) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Silent Songs" | ||
| 2010 | “Hurricane” / “Brighter Blue” (digital release) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Cherry Red Records" | ||
| 2011 | “The Sign” (digital release) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Cherry Red Records" | ||
| 2012 | “Let It Rain (Remix)” b/w “Never Let It Be Said” (digital release) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Cherry Red Records" | ||
| 2019 | “This Is What We Came For” (digital release) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Right Track Records" | ||
| 2019 | “Gods & Kings” (digital release) |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | "Right Track Records" | ||
| 2020 | “Ho Ho!” (Radio Edit) (digital release) |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | "Right Track Records" | ||
| 2020 | “Us and Them” (digital release) |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | "Right Track Records" | ||
External links
- Articles with short description
- English art rock bands
- British world music ensembles
- English new wave bands
- English pop bands
- Musical groups formed in 1983
- Musical groups disbanded in 1990
- Musical groups reunited in 2010
- Pop bands originating from London
- Warner Records artists
- Cherry Red Records artists
- Sire Records artists
- East West Records artists
- Musical groups disestablished in 1990