BoomBox is an American rock and electronic duo formed in 2004 by singer-songwriter Zion Godchaux and producer Russ Randolph, both of whom have backgrounds as DJs.
Originating in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, BoomBox has released numerous studio albums, starting in 2005 with Visions of Backbeat.
[2] According to NUVO, "BoomBox plays a unique blend of psychedelic rock and electronica," and also incorporates elements of funk, soul, R&B, and house.
[3] On November 17, 2016, BoomBox announced via their Facebook page that Russ Randolph would be leaving the group to pursue a solo DJ project.
[1] BoomBox was formed in 2004 by singer-songwriter Zion Godchaux on guitar/lead vocals and producer Russ Randolph on sequencers, groove boxes and turn-tables.
Muscle Shoals is known for its music scene, and early on Randolph was exposed to R&B, including artists such as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin.
[5] Godchaux listened avidly to rock and roll in his childhood, and as a teen he picked up guitar and began writing his own songs.
[5] Among his cited musical influences are reggae, jazz, and rap groups like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.
[5] He has stated that both his parents, Keith and Donna Jean of the Grateful Dead and the 1980s Heart of Gold Band, were strong influences as well.
[10] Early on BoomBox toured with the Heart of Gold Band, and by their third or fourth gig were opening for Dark Star Orchestra, which they continued to do for some time.
[2] According to Examiner.com, "Their debut album is a heady brew of psychedelic, beat-infused, funky house music that is nearly impossible not to dance to.
[13] As with their debut, the band toured heavily in support of the album, performing at venues such as the 2010 Mile High Music Festival.
[16] Though only the two founding members remain constant, at live performances the band does occasionally have guest musicians join them on sets.
[17] The band toured heavily during the summer of 2007, including a June gig at the Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival in Lawrence, Kansas.
[1] According to NUVO, "BoomBox plays a unique blend of psychedelic rock and electronica; think of a guitar-centric, slightly-relaxed Garganta or a less-spacey, more-groovy Papadosio.
"[21] Early in their career a number of reviewers dubbed their sound "jamtronic" for its blend of jam and electronic music, but the band rejected the label for being inaccurate.
[10] As of 2008, the band used two drum machines when mixing live, which Randolph would use to blend tracks together much as a DJ uses vinyl turntables.