JoBoxers - Skin And Bone (1985)

JoBoxers were formed in London in 1982, when former Subway Sect members Rob Marche (guitar), Dave Collard (keyboards), Chris Bostock (bass), and Sean McLusky (drums) teamed up with England-based American singer Dig Wayne (aka Timothy Wayne Ball)who, under the name of Buzz Wayne, had previously fronted the New York–based rockabilly band Buzz and the Flyers. Adopting a working-class look complete with caps, suspenders, and work shoes, JoBoxers got their first break appearing on the BBC television series 'Oxford Roadshow', and were then signed to RCA Records. Their debut single, 'Boxerbeat', came out in 1983 and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, at the same time that the group were the opening act on the Madness Rise and Fall tour. However, it was their next hit, 'Just Got Lucky', that broke the band internationally, selling over 250,000 copies, and making the UK top 10, and the US top 40. The third UK hit, 'Johnny Friendly', is a homage to the Marlon Brando film 'On The Waterfront', and British boxer Frank Bruno appeared in the promotional video for the song. The next single was the double A-side 'Jealous Love'/'She's Got Sex', with the latter song later being covered by on Samantha Fox's double platinum-selling album 'Touch Me'. The band's debut album, 'Like Gangbusters', appeared later in 1983, and featured all of the abovementioned hits, reaching the top 20 of the UK Albums Chart. In 1985 The band released another single, 'Is This Really The First Time', which was the lead track from their second album 'Skin And Bone', but record company interference meant that it was shelved, and so the band moved on to start on their third album, 'Missing Link', but they ended up splitting during the sessions, and so that record was also consigned to the vaults. Sean McLusky joined Rob Marche in the indie-dance band If?, which Chris Bostock joined David A. Stewart to form his post-Eurythmics group, the Spiritual Cowboys, achieving two gold albums in France. A number of tracks from the aborted 'Skin And Bone' later appeared on 1996's 'Essential' compilation, but it's taken until now for the remaining few to appear, so that we are now finally able to piece together that abandoned second album. 

Track listing

01 Is This Really The First Time (You've Been In Love)
02 Strictly Business
03 Some Kind Of Heart
04 Don't Keep The Ladies Waiting
05 Cry Uncle
06 Don't Add Up 
07 Lon Chaney Jr.
08 My Best Friend
09 Dead End Streets
10 One In A Million
11 Skin And Bone

12 Two Weeks Notice