By Amy Howe
As the vibrant echoes of 1960s rock-and-roll continue to shape modern music, few bands embody that spirit as deeply as The Boxmasters. Formed in 2007, the duo of J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton has carved a unique path through the musical landscape, blending British Invasion influences with Southern California’s sun-soaked sounds. Now, with the release of their latest album, “Love & Hate in Desperate Places,” and an extensive North American tour, The Boxmasters are once again captivating fans, both old and new.
Their 17th album, “Love & Hate in Desperate Places,” released Aug. 30, showcases a refined yet raw evolution in their sound.
“When we started this album, we were calling it the ‘Rock Record,’” J.D. explains, highlighting how some of the songs had a heavier feel that didn’t fit on previous albums. The addition of longtime road musicians Kirk McKim and Raymond Hardy brought new depth to the recordings, making the album more reflective of their live performances.
“We’d never all made a Boxmasters record together in the same room before,” says Bud, emphasizing the morale boost of working closely as a band.
The collaborative spirit of “Love & Hate in Desperate Places” shines through in its singles. One of the standout tracks, “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” was written back in 2009 but never found a home on a previous album. “The song October 2024 • showmetheozarks.com • 21
is about people’s fascination with tragedy and using other people’s pain for entertainment,” Bud shares. He draws from a deeply personal memory: “When I was a kid, my dad would take me and my brother to the aftermath of car wrecks. He would stare at them silently for a long time while my brother and I were standing there in our pajamas. Then there was a sideshow attraction in my town where a guy brought Jayne Mansfield’s car that she was killed in, and you could pay a dollar to get up close and look at it.”
The second single, “Goodnight, Sleep Tight, I’m Gone,” was born from a serendipitous session in the studio, written by Bud, Kirk and Raymond while J.D. was away. “It’s my favorite song on the album,” J.D. admits, despite missing out on its creation.
For The Boxmasters, the creative process is ever-changing and rooted in personal experiences. “Almost all of our songs are personal in some way,” says Bud, who draws inspiration from his eclectic life. From spontaneous ideas sparked by watching TV to long-held memories, the lyrics and melodies often emerge organically. “I might be walking around singing a little bit of a line with a melody, and that starts the song.”
The duo’s influences span a broad spectrum, and their love for the rock-and-roll of the 1960s is at the heart of their sound. “One of the reasons we started The Boxmasters was because of our shared love of the British Invasion,” Bud reveals. While The Beatles, The Kinks and The Animals are obvious inspirations, J.D. and Bud’s tastes also branch into unexpected territories. Bud is a huge Frank Zappa fan and is drawn to jazz musicians like Wes Montgomery, while J.D. has a fondness for Britpop and shoegaze.
Over the years, The Boxmasters have refined their sound while staying true to their roots. “We’ve changed a lot,” J.D. reflects. “When we started, we were more of a concept band that mixed electric hillbilly with the British Invasion. Now we just play like we play naturally.” The evolution is evident in “Love & Hate in Desperate Places,” which pushes the boundaries of what The Boxmasters can achieve, both musically and emotionally.
The ongoing “Love & Hate” tour is taking The Boxmasters across the U.S. and Canada, showcasing their latest album to eager audiences. The tour began in Tomball, Texas, and includes standout performances at venues like Knuckleheads in Kansas City, City Winery in Chicago and a series of East Coast dates before wrapping up in California. Locals can look forward to catching The Boxmasters at Downstream Casino Oct. 25. For fans, this tour offers more than just great music. As J.D. notes, “The biggest challenge is being away from our families, but the energy we get from performing live makes it worth it.”
Performing live remains an integral part of The Boxmasters’ identity. “You don’t get one without the other,” J.D. says, referring to the balance between recording in the studio and playing live. The energy from the audience fuels their creativity, but after months on the road, they’re always ready to get back into the studio and work on new material. For The Boxmasters, the live experience is about connecting with their audience, and venues like Knuckleheads hold a special place in their hearts. “We always have an amazing audience there,” J.D. says. “It’s a place we get to see other friends that pop in there that we might not expect.”
Despite their success, The Boxmasters maintain a humble, do-it-yourself approach to their career. “The music industry is mostly gone from how we started in it,” J.D. explains. These days, the band handles everything from designing merchandise to managing their website. While they have an amazing agent who books their shows, much of the heavy lifting falls on their shoulders. Fortunately, their dedicated fanbase helps by spreading the word through social media, allowing the band to focus on what they do best—creating music.
Looking ahead, The Boxmasters show no signs of slowing down. “We’ll probably make another 20 records and do more tours,” J.D. jokes, before adding that holograms might even play a part in their future performances. For now, the focus remains on the present—enjoying the journey, creating music they love and sharing it with audiences across the world.
As The Boxmasters continue to evolve, their dedication to the craft and their fans remains unwavering. For Bud and J.D., success isn’t measured by fame or chart-topping hits. “Success to me is the ability to do whatever we choose to do, which we do,” J.D. says. “We record what we want, we tour when we can and people enjoy our music. That equals success to me.”
In a world where music trends come and go, The Boxmasters have proven that staying true to yourself is the key to longevity. With “Love & Hate in Desperate Places” now out in the world and their tour underway, they’re ready to continue the journey, one show and one song, at a time.
Visit theboxmasters.com to hear more about The Boxmasters and see all of their upcoming shows.22