The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster

---

Img_capt = Eighties Matchbox, Left to right: Sym Gharial, Tom Diamantopoulo, Guy McKnight, Rich Fownes, Marc Norris
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|England Brighton, England
Genre = Rock
Psychobilly
Years_active = 1999 –Present
Label = Current
No Death Records
Previous
Island Records
URL = [http://www.eightiesmatchbox.co.uk www.eightiesmatchbox.co.uk]
Associated_acts = Vile Imbeciles, Bad For Lazarus, With Scissors
Current_members = Guy McKnight - Vocals
Marc Norris - Rhythm guitars
Sym Gharial - Bass
Tom Diamantopoulo - Drums
Past_members = Andy Huxley - Lead guitars (1999 - 2005)
Rich Fownes - Lead guitars (2005-2008)

The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster (often referred to as Eighties Matchbox, 80's Matchbox, TEMBD or TEMBLD) are a psychosis rock band from Brighton, England, formed in 1999. The band's sound is dark and blues-influenced, with wild crooning vocals, deep bass lines and tom-heavy tribal drumming.

History

Originally formed in 1999, the band comprised Guy McKnight (vocals), Andy Huxley (lead guitarist), Marc Norris (rhythm guitarist), Symren 'Sym' Gharial (bassist), and Tom Diamantopoulo (drummer), until May 2005, in which Andy Huxley "decided to leave due to a decrease in musical similarities" cite web
title = 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster - End of an era. Best hair in the band leaves. Band carry on.
publisher = crud magazine
date = 2005-05-17
url = http://www.2-4-7-music.com/searches/newsitem.asp?ArtistName=80s%20Matchbox%20B-Line%20Disaster&FeatureType=NEWS
accessdate = 2007-01-21 ] to form the death-jazz band Vile Imbeciles and was replaced by Rich Fownes from [http://www.myspace.com/wearewithscissors With Scissors] . In their first few years as a band, they were known for their large black car with red and orange flames on each side. According to Guy McKnight on MTV Two's Gonzo the car has now gone. The band are renowned for their intense live shows, where McKnight regularly leaves the stage during numbers to mingle with the crowdcite web
last = Dyson
first = Matt
title = The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster @ Underworld, Camden, 30 April 2007
publisher = musicOMH
date = 2007-04-30
url = http://www.musicomh.com/music/gigs/eighties-matchbox-3_0507.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-21 ]

They have released two full-length albums, "Hörse Of the Dög" in 2002 and "The Royal Society" in October 2004. The band have released seven singles on various different formats, each release has had several b-sides included and so the band have a large amount of songs that cannot be found on their albums. The song "Mister Mental" was featured on the 'rom-zom-com' movie "Shaun of the Dead", the film also contained posters and other references to the band.

The band have on rare occasion disguised themselves (dressed up as green bees) as a band called "The Boogs", a band that had apparently signed with their old record label "No Death". They released one song as "The Boogs" which was a B-side on one of their singles. The song is titled "Palomino's Dream". A video was also made for the song, which featured them dressed up as green bees in New York.cite web
title = YouTube
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REG5RSvxQNI
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ]

In 2003 Guy McKnight, Tom Diamantopoulo and former member Andy Huxley all became Buddhists after giving up drugs. In an interview, former member Andy Huxley was questioned about his reasons for giving up drugs he said "Because it's irresponsible, and you can't get anything done, and it stifles your creativity, and there's no benefit in it really, apart from its like going on vacation constantly, I can't write any songs when I'm on drugs, I need to be sober".cite web
title = base.ad
url = http://rock.base.ad/index.php?Itemid=94&id=170&option=com_content&task=view
accessdate = 2008-04-02 ]

The band have played at both The Glastonbury Festival and The Reading and Leeds Festivals for several years running. They have also toured and supported many mainstream bands, including; System of a Down, Placebo, Klaxons, Murderdolls and Queens of the Stone Age and are currently touring with Scars on Broadway in support of their 2008 UK tour.

They released their EP, "In The Garden" on July 23, 2007 on digital format, with the hard copy's release being pushed back to the first week of September. The hard copy was released with a bonus live album and Ouija Board. This was the first release from the band since the departure of Andy Huxley in May, 2005. A 15 date tour took place to promote the release, starting in Manchester on July 23, 2007 and ending in London on August 7, this was the first time the band had toured for two years.cite web
last = Douglas
first = Anne-Marie
title = Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
publisher = God is in the tv zine
date = 2007-08-21
url = http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=1886&type=Interviews
accessdate = 2007-01-21 ] A mini tour took place during the end of 2007 and the start of 2008, with Christmas, Halloween and New Years shows.

On 7 April 2008, a few days after an announcement that Rich was joining Nine Inch Nails, it was announced via Eighties's MySpace page that Rich would be leaving the band. The band wished him luck and stated that they had no intention of splitting up and would begin auditioning for a new lead guitarist. On 4 June however, it was announced that Rich would in fact no longer play with NIN.

The band are currently working on new material and attempting to find a new record deal, after the collapse of their deal with Island Records.cite web
title = Eighties Matchbox reveal more on record label split
publisher = Drowned in Sound News
date = 2004-12-14
url = http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/10875.html
accessdate = 2007-01-21 ]

During gigs in July, 2008, Rich was replaced by friend of the band, Tristan. Sym was also absent. His place was filled by "With Scissors" front man, Charley Hunt.

Discography

Albums

* "Hörse Of the Dög" (September 20, 2002; No Death/Island Records; UK #144)
* "The Royal Society" (October 25, 2004; No Death/Island Records; UK #68)

Singles

Demos/Promos/EPs

* Original Two Track Demo (1999; No Death)
* System of a Down Tour Sampler (2005; No Death)
* In The Garden Ep (July 23, 2007; No Death)

DVDs

* "Eighty Degrees of Separation" (DVD)fn|1
* "I Could Be an Angle" (DVD)

fnb|1This DVD was intended to promote the "Love Music Hate Racism" campaign. A small number of copies were dispatched to fans, who were instructed to pass them on to see how far they could get it. It has been said that some have reached as far as Japan and Mexico.

Appearances in compilations

Unreleased songs

The following songs have been recorded between 2005 and 2008 with Rich Fownes as the lead guitarist for the band. Further songs were wrote in this time although non have surfaced as of yet. The Song Vendette is a collaboration between the band and the electro rock outfit UNKLE.

* "Love Turns To Hate" - 3:09
* "Alone Again" - 4:57
* "Surrender" - 3:57
* "Count The Voices" - 3:39
* "I Hate The Blues" - 2:47
* "Music To Make Love To" - 2:54
* "I Got The Fear" - 2:44
* "Under My Chin" - 2:09
* "The Bads" - 2:02
* "Kemptown Animal" - 2:20
* "Eureka" - 2:25
* "A Man For All Seasons" - 1:55
* "Mission From God" - 2:29
* "Summer Must Die" - 3:07
* "Rise and Fall" - 2:34
* "Vendetta"

The following songs have been recorded since the departure of Rich Fownes.

* "Riptin"
* "Seaford Song"
* "Home Made"
* "Sister" The following is a list of songs that have either not been released or have been renamed:

* "All Rise"
* "Get Lost"
* "Laboramus"
* "Make Me Feel Good"
* "Rude"
* "Sing"
* "Stomper"

Old song Names

The band have changed the names of several of their songs from the demo and touring stages to the time of release. These include:

* "Lazy Bones" which became "Giant Bones"
* "Mister Fearful" which became "Mister Mental"
* "Wild Bull" which became "Temple Music"
* "Clonk Chicane" which became "Rise of the Eagles"
* "Race to The Rock and Roll Concert" which became "The Fool"
* "Year of the Pervert" which became "Freud’s Black Muck"
* "Remember the Glory Years" which became "When I Hear You Call My Name"
* "Wig Sister" which became "I Rejection"
* "Dinner" which became "Alone Again"
* "Not In The Field" which became "Mission From God"
* "Someone to Eat With" and "Music for Lovemaking" which became "Music to Make Love to"
* "Falling Down For You" which became "Rise and fall"

Videography

*"Morning Has Broken"
*"Celebrate Your Mother" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUSlC5CbTPM]
*"Psychosis Safari" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcagGXvWcoc]
*"Chicken" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLoTlDPFuy0]
*"Palomino's Dream by The Boogs" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REG5RSvxQNI]
*"Mister Mental" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A__pEAYoMs8]
*"I Could Be An Angle" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scfcPKx4eZc]
*"Rise of the Eagles" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=traZTVDaByw]
*"In The Garden" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryBuwTyGcVA]

Band members

Current members

*Guy McKnight – vocals (1999–present)
*Marc Norris – rhythm guitar (1999–present)
*Tom Diamantopoulo – drums (1999–present)
*Sym Gharial - bass guitar (1999–present)
*Tristan – lead guitar (2008–present)

tand-in members

*Charley Hunt – bass guitar (2008); temporarily replaced Sym

Previous members

*Andy Huxley – lead guitar (1999–2005)
*Rich Fownes – lead guitar (2005–2008)

External links

* [http://www.eightiesmatchbox.co.uk Official Website]
* [http://www.theeightiesmatchbox.com Home of the Eighties Matchbox]
* [http://www.myspace.com/eightiesmatchboxblinedisaster Official My Space Site]

Footnotes