Black Box Recorder

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Black Box Recorder
OriginLondon, England
GenresIndie pop, indie rock, synth-pop, spoken word
Years active1998–2003, 2007–2010
MembersLuke Haines
John Moore
Sarah Nixey

Black Box Recorder were an English indie rock band. They debuted in 1998 with England Made Me and followed this up with The Facts of Life, which gave them their first hit with the single of the same name in April 2000. Their third album, Passionoia, was released in 2003. There is also a compilation album, The Worst of Black Box Recorder, a collection of B-sides, cover versions and remixes.

Black Box Recorder consisted of Sarah Nixey, Luke Haines (of The Auteurs), and John Moore (formerly of The Jesus and Mary Chain). Moore and Nixey married in 2001, and had one child. They divorced in 2006.

Although no official announcement of the band's split was made, Black Box Recorder were on hiatus during the mid 2000s. The band collaborated with Art Brut during 2007, and released the single "Christmas Number One" under the name The Black Arts. In October 2008 the band played live at the Nick Sanderson tribute concert at the London Forum.

In late 2008 it was announced the band would be playing a gig at The Luminaire on 18 February 2009. The gig quickly sold out, and a second appearance at the same venue announced. These sold out shows were the band's first headlining appearances in five years.[1]

Although an album was planned for 2009, the record was never released. On 16 April 2010, the band announced it would formally split after releasing a final single, "Keep It in the Family" b/w "Do You Believe in God?" on 6 May 2010.[2]

On 17 November 2023, a remastered version of England Made Me was released on Spotify for the 25th anniversary of the album.[3]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details Peak positions
UK
[4]
1998 England Made Me 110
2000 The Facts of Life 37
2003 Passionoia 179

Compilation albums[edit]

Year Album details
2001 The Worst of Black Box Recorder

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak positions Album
UK
[4]
1998 "Child Psychology" 82 England Made Me
"England Made Me" 89
2000 "The Facts of Life" 20 The Facts of Life
"The Art of Driving" 53
2003 "These Are the Things" 91 Passionoia
"The School Song" 102
2007 "Christmas Number One" (with Art Brut) Non-album song
2010 "Keep It in the Family" b/w "Do You Believe in God?"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hubbard, Michael (18 February 2009). "Black Box Recorder @ Luminaire, London". musicOMH. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  2. ^ Black Box Recorder Break Up | News. Pitchfork (2010-04-16). Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
  3. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Chart Log UK: Darren B - David Byrne". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2010.

External links[edit]