Box of Frogs


Box of Frogs were an English rock band formed in 1983 by former members of the Yardbirds, who released their first album in 1984. The core group consisted of Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty. Vocals on their eponymous album were done by John Fiddler. On the second album, Fiddler sang on five songs, with guests singers Graham Parker, Ian Dury and Roger Chapman performing the remaining songs. Many musicians guested on their albums. Former Yardbirds bandmates Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page played lead guitar on parts of their first and second albums, respectively.
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History

The group's formation and unusual band name were explained on the sticker affixed to original LP releases:
The group showed promise on the first album of rock radio friendly tunes, featuring Jeff Beck. The album was popular on college campuses. Plans were made for a US tour, but it is alleged that Samwell-Smith, Dreja, and McCarty hated the idea of the tour, much to John Fiddler's dismay. Jeff Beck, who along with Dzal Martin was considered as the lead guitarist for such a tour, was reportedly disgusted at his ex-bandmates' refusal to tour America. He took no part on the second album, Strange Land, and Fiddler barely chose to do so before walking out. "Asylum" is one of the few songs Fiddler sang on, and was the only one featuring Page.
The group's two albums, Box of Frogs and Strange Land, were combined for release on a single CD by Renaissance Records in 1996. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four and a half out of five stars, although he commented:

Personnel

Discography

Albums

''Box of Frogs'' (1984)

Track listing
Personnel
Box of Frogs
Additional musicians
Production

''Strange Land'' (1986)

Track listing
'''Bonus cassette version tracks:'''
Personnel
Box of Frogs
Additional musicians
Production

Singles

  • "Back Where I Started" / "The Edge" - 1984
  • "Back Where I Started" / "Nine Lives" / "The Edge" - 1984
  • "Into The Dark" / "X-tracks medley": "Two Steps Ahead" / "Just A Boy Again" / "Harder" / "Another Wasted Day" / "Back Where I Started" - 1984
  • "Into The Dark" / "X-tracks medley" - 1984
  • "Two Steps Ahead" / "The Edge" - 1984
  • "Two Steps Ahead" / "Two Steps Ahead" - 1984
  • "Average" / "Strange Land" / "I Keep Calling" - 1986
  • "Heart Full of Soul" - 1986

Transcription discs

  • Interchords - 1984