The Bojax
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Greenville , United States |
| Products | Singles: "Go Ahead and Go", "Fast Life"; EP: Don't Look Back...It's The Boja |
The Bojax, who later performed under the name William Goat, were a garage rock ensemble originating from Greenville, South Carolina and active between 1964 and 1971. They gained recognition for their intense protopunk style, particularly evident in songs such as "Go Ahead and Go" and "Hippie Times". Although they enjoyed local success during their active years, wider acclaim was achieved later through compilation reissues.
Origins
Established in Greenville in 1964 initially as the Knights, the band’s founding members were high school students including vocalist and guitarist Bobby Holliday alongside drummer Lyn Cook. Motivated by the Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Holliday and Cook formed the group. They soon incorporated bassist Mack Sanders, lead guitarist Roy Wood, and Edwin Bayne—formerly of the Shags—who contributed to expanding their setlist and securing bookings. Practice sessions were held at Bayne’s family property, which served as a makeshift stage environment. Their inaugural gig took place at Union Bleachery Gymnasium, where they earned modest compensation and gained exposure through performances at high school dances, teen clubs, and local night venues despite their young age.
The band frequently shared stages at Club Jamarta with prominent regional groups like the Wyld, the Tombstones, and eventually the Marshall Tucker Band. Their vigorous and somewhat "reckless" sound drew heavily from British Invasion acts such as the Animals and Rolling Stones, combined with influences from blues music and Bob Dylan.
To avoid confusion with other bands named Knights, they adopted the name Bojax, inspired by a Big Daddy Roth model car kit featuring an emblem labeled "Bojax Garage." Over time, several lineup changes occurred as some members temporarily joined other local bands like the Traveliers. New additions included Stanley Ward (vocals/rhythm guitar), Jimmy Summey (bass), Cecil Wyche and Carol Cox (keyboards), Van Stout (bass), and Philip Maynard (guitar). Family objections to performing in nighttime venues contributed to fluctuations in membership. It was common for musicians in Greenville to play across multiple bands; for example, Holliday also provided vocals for the Wyld while Ward performed with the Tombstones.
Their management situation was unstable; Soupy Hendricks briefly took charge and secured a significant opportunity opening for the Hollies and Herman's Hermits. Despite a positive audience reaction during that show, the Bojax parted ways with Hendricks due to his insistence on expanding into a seven-member horn section band—a direction they ultimately rejected.
Recording
In 1967, The Bojax released their debut single "Go Ahead and Go" backed with "Hippie Times," produced by Rudy Wyatt of The Wyld at Greenville’s Mark V studios. The record was issued on Panther Records, operated by musician Will Hammond who had been introduced to them through Wyatt. According to Holliday, his earlier vocal contributions with The Wyld encouraged the band to enter the studio, transitioning them from live performers to recording artists. The single garnered considerable airplay within Greenville; notably, "Hippie Times" reached local charts in the 30s range. Later releases achieved Top 10 status and radio rotation in cities such as Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta. The track "Go Ahead and Go" reflected strong Dylan influences.
Their subsequent single "Fast Life," also recorded at Mark V and released on Panther Records, saw Wyatt taking a more prominent role as producer, songwriter, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist. This recording featured two drummers simultaneously and was deliberately produced in a higher key with distorted effects to mimic Stevie Winwood's style. The B-side "Don't Look Back" was captured live without overdubs in Travelers Rest with engineer Don Dudley overseeing the session. By this time Jimmy Summey had replaced Mack Sanders on bass while Cecil Wyche contributed organ parts.
The next release was "I've Enjoyed As Much Of You As I Can Stand" paired with "So Glad," recorded at LeFevres Studio in Atlanta with a lineup comprising Holliday (vocals), Bayne (guitar), Summey (bass), Wyche (keyboards), and Lyn Cook (drums). Both songs were written and produced by Will Hammond and Jim Stafford—the first Bojax recordings to include overdubbing—with Stafford adding lead guitar overdubs. Their rendition of the Remains' "Don't Look Back" became a local hit during 1968.
Edwin Bayne enlisted in the Marines to avoid Vietnam War conscription but was subsequently deployed into combat. Meanwhile, Summey and Wyche left Greenville to attend college; Holliday remained locally active with The Bojax. In 1969, Holliday and Cook incorporated Van Stout (bass) and Philip Maynard (lead guitar). After Bayne returned wounded in 1970, the group reformed under the name William Goat, adopting a heavier rock sound featuring Holliday, Mack Sanders, Bayne, and Cook. They continued performing until mid-1971 when Wyatt invited Holliday and Cook to Los Angeles to pursue a recording contract—an event that marked the band's dissolution.
Subsequent Progressions
Following their return from California, Bobby Holliday and Mack Sanders worked together throughout the 1970s and 1980s, establishing the group Tomorrow, which served as the opening act for prominent bands such as Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, and ZZ Top. Holliday embarked on a solo career focusing on folk and bluegrass, performing in various coffeehouses and clubs across the Southeast. He released two albums that gained regional acclaim: Home Grown and Another Stage. Additionally, he partnered with David Sanders as a duo before creating the Sanders/Holliday Band alongside the Sanders brothers. This ensemble produced an album and supported Elvin Bishop as an opening act. By the mid-1980s, Holliday transitioned towards songwriting in Nashville, joining Milsap/Galbrath Publishing—owned by Ronnie Milsap and Rob Galbrath—as a staff writer. After retiring from live performances in 1992, he later returned to songwriting and recording following a period spent in the health and nutrition sector.
During this timeframe, Mack Sanders recorded an album with Anthem. Since the 1990s, The Bojax’s tracks have been featured on various compilation albums: "Go Ahead and Go" appeared on Back from the Grave, Volume 8, "Hippie Times" was included in Wyld Sydes, Volume 8, and "Fast Life" was part of Quagmire, Volume 1. In 2004, their entire body of work was compiled and released on the ten-inch EP titled Don't Look Back.
Band Members
- Bobby Holliday (lead vocals, guitar)
- Edwin Bayne (lead and rhythm guitar)
- Mack Sanders (bass)
- Lyn Cook (drums)
- Philip Maynard (guitar)
- Cecil Wyche (keyboards)
- Carol Cox (keyboards)
- Jim Summey (bass)
- Roy Woods (guitar)
- Van Stout (bass)
Singles (45 r.p.m.)
- "Go Ahead and Go" b/w "Hippie Times" (Panther 3; August 1967)
- "Fast Life" b/w "Don't Look Back" (Panther 4; November 1967)
Extended Play
- Don't Look Back...It's The Boja 10" Mini LP (Misty Lane)