Artbox, with three members from San Francisco, was a pioneer in American Lo-Fi Indie pop. The group included the members Deric Williams (D-funk,) Artboy (Timothy Plain), Jackson (Jason Eliott), and drummer Scott Bolton (Gunner). Their initial offerings were the most collectible and sought after original lo-fi four track recordings of all time. Copies were distributed through online auctions, dubbs, and word of mouth. Initially distributed through indie cliques, the group developed a national following and wound up influencing such contemporary acts as American Hi-Fi, The Vines, The Strokes, Good Charlotte, and Ludox.

The group caused much controversy in the underground indie pop world by declaring that they were saving rock music, and that they were the greatest rock band of all time. The band was involved in several lawsuits, including one against rock group Third Eye Blind for plagiarizing their underground hit "Another Phase," and another against American Hi-Fi for stealing their album artwork. They went on to release two studio records, "ARTBOX-ROCK N ROLL 4 SALE," and "ARTBOX CRUSH", as well as a mysterious pop EP in the summer of 2001 known only as "HS DANCE." The single was a major hit on European Radio, and the video is rumoured to feature pornographic actress Kelle Marie. The buzz resulted in the band signing with Interscope Records. Several attempts at a major label debut were attempted, including aborted sessions with Ernie-C (Body Count), John Shanks, Phil Steir, and Dr. Dre, The band reportedly signed a 7 figure recording deal, however broke up after a label showcase at the infamous Viper Room shortly after 9/11. The final show included audience members as diverse as Parker Posey, Johnny Depp, Shaquille O'Neal, and Mr Marcus. After hyping the audience up to destroy the Arab World, two members were involved in a bloody fist fight behind the Viper Room.

Perhaps Artbox's greatest artistic merit can be seen in how the band built upon its minor presence in the independent music scene, with two CD releases under their belt: Crush and Rock N' Roll For Sale. Sometime in the year 2000, Artbox spun themselves a biography worthy of the most media savvy fakesters. Like most of the group's claims, any legitimate success they may have had as a result of their self-inflated "status" is hard to verify. But having revamped their style and sound into something very marketable and professional seeming, and adding a mix of vague and somewhat believable claims, your first instinct would be to buy into it. There is almost an art to their well-crafted manipulation of the internet, and most bands would benefit from studying it.

Discography

Ahh Yeah Nigga (1997)

We Like Girls (1997)

A Moment In Time (1998)

The Artpop Murders (1998)

American Lo-Fi (1998)

KBOX Demo's (1999)

Rock N' Roll 4 Sale (1999)

Artbox Crush (2000)

Artbox HS Dance (2001)

Artbox The International (unreleased demo's of major label debut)

Reference

Amazon review of Crush
Artbox's first CD, Rock N' Roll 4 Sale on eMusic