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, formerly of Medicine Head and British Lions; on the second album Fiddler sang on five tracks with guests including Graham Parker, Ian Dury and Roger Chapman singing lead on the others. Many musicians guested on their albums, with several tracks featuring Steve Hackett. Former Yardbirds guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page guested on their first and second albums respectively.
The group formation and 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:

Discography

Albums

Box of Frogs
  1. Back Where I Started
  2. Harder
  3. Another Wasted Day
  4. Love Inside You
  5. The Edge
  6. Two Steps Ahead
  7. Into The Dark
  8. Just A Boy Again
  9. Poor Boy
Strange Land
  1. Get it While You Can Graham Parker, lead vocals
  2. You Mix Me Up John Fiddler, lead vocals
  3. Average Ian Dury, lead vocals
  4. House on Fire John Fiddler, lead vocals
  5. Hanging from the Wreckage John Fiddler, lead vocals
  6. Heart Full of Soul Roger Chapman, lead vocals
  7. Asylum John Fiddler, lead vocals
  8. Strange Land Roger Chapman, lead vocals
  9. Trouble John Fiddler, lead vocals
Band
Guest musicians
Box of Frogs:
Strange Land: