For over thirty years, Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks have been world leaders in the surf rock genre. Over the years, they have become less puritanical yet more incisive. ‘Box Office Poison’ is a fascinating work from a band that just keeps evolving.
Depending on whom you ask, the band Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks came into being either in Solna or in Stockholm more than thirty years ago. But it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that it is frontman Robert Johnson who has been at the centre of most things over the years, and his creativity and dedication that have carved the band’s history in stone. Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks don’t follow other people’s trends or the whims of the times; they are stubbornness personified.
As a record label, of course we like the artists we release — who wouldn’t? — but one has to be amazed by an artist who is so stubbornly independent. And continues to develop. Finds new paths and breaks new ground. Even if it goes against the expectations of their fans and risks losing their loyal supporters’ love. For Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks, there is no alternative. It’s their way or no way at all.
On ‘Box Office Poison’, Robert Johnson and the band’s former bassist take centre stage. The album sounds the way it does and the songs are constructed the way they are largely thanks to Tobias Einestad.
The result is impressive. Not least on vinyl. Rarely has pressed black vinyl crackled with such weight as on ‘Box Office Poison’. We have a vested interest in saying so, of course, but it’s still true. Bear in mind that there are only 300 copies of the vinyl. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
This is a gift from the gods to all self-respecting rock DJs. ‘Box Office Poison’ is also a godsend for radio sports broadcasts. You know what I mean.