Oingo Boingo came on the radio in the car yesterday and my 12 year old daughter thought it was the coolest band name she’d ever heard. I told her a few stories about the band, and Danny Elfman, but this tops everything I said. Perfect timing Professor! Thanks as always 🤘🎸
😞 I don't see this story very cool after hearing who died. I deleted my comment because I was ashamed. I put the comment just minutes before who died. We should hear the whole video before commenting because you may have to delete right away.😞
In 1986, I was a senior in high school in Orange County. KISS FM had a contest in which the winning high school would receive a private concert performance by Oingo Boingo. To win we had to send in postcards. The school with the most postcards would win. Our teachers allowed us to spend class time filling out postcards. We filled out postcards until our hands cramped. LOL In the end, we won and they played for us at the Anaheim Convention Center. They were awesome!
You finally did Boingo! They were a staple in my high school days and even played at our school TWICE (once opened by "The Bangs," I am sure that you know their story - God love Miles Copeland)! Elfman is a freak of nature. As bands capitalize on "remasters" to gain from re-releases, Elfman says Boingo will never do it. "There is nothing wrong with the originals."
Danny Elfman even composed the most recognizable Superhero theme for Batman, it still endures to this day. Not bad for a guy with no formal music training huh?
I did a deep dive on Oingo Boingo about 8 years ago and feel deeply, madly in passion with their music. They’re amazing and totally slept on. Gratitude is one of my all time top 5 songs.
"Gratitude" is definitely a fave. I have it on a playlist for a couple of nastier manipulating characters. "Just Another Day" is alos on playlists for some heroes who are at the breaking point.
Confessions of a serial follower (highlights). I first heard Oingo Boingo thanks to John Hughes' movie "Wierd Science" and fell in love. They were my first musical crush, beginning in middleschool and carrying onward to this day. I spent my high school years on Halloween nights camped out in the seats of Irvine Meadows Amphatheatre listening to them alongside thousands of other dressed in goth, something that was a new style then. Became a member of their Secret Society in those years, but also found out that the high school I was attending was where they first met each other! While attending a JC, I was walking from class to the Student Union and passed a band that was playing to an empty field. While passing the drummer I glanced over and saw it was Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez stricking up the beat less than 5 feet away! I was stunned and staggered to find my footing as I grasped the wall of a flower bed and sat down, all the while Johnny watching me and letting out an uproarious laugh. I then noticed that playing the bass was non other than Avila! The guitarist I did not know. When they finished their set, Johnny looked at me, laughed, and said, "So, you recognize us." After a bit of an exchange, I found out that they were playing in a side band with the guitarist teacher of the college. A few years later, I found myself in Northern California where they were playing a warm up show for their Farewell Performance the following week. They had upwards of 13 people on stage performing when I witnessed Danny's musical ear for detail when he, mid performance, while I could not tell that anything was wrong, pointed to a single mic on stage, gave the motion to turn it up, and didn't skip a beat! That would be my final Halloween with the band, however, I've made it a habit, every year subsequently, to have the farewell performance playing in the background of All Hallow's Eve, the only appropriate music to have on that night.
Agree 1000%! Boingo was massive in SoCal, selling out Irvine Meadows for multiple shows at Halloween... it was THE event to attend, more than Knott's Scary Farm...
That "11 albums for a penny and then buy 4 at regular price" (the numbers would fluctuate during special offers and such) wasn't a bad deal. It certainly wasn't a scam, although it's definitely set up that if you're stupid you'll end up with a lot of albums you don't want and you're paying the full price for them. But if you're smart, always send back the monthly notice, it's a great deal. I not only did Columbia House for a time, I joined similar things like the Sci-Fi Book Club. What I found is that if you called to cancel and stated the reason was you didn't want to have to mail back the card anymore, they'd put you on a "does not have to return it" list and you could still be a member! I also planned out my purchases by getting some of the most expensive items for the penny; they didn't care. So...I wouldn't call it a scam. Unless I'm missing something.
I love Oingo Boingo. I discovered them in the 80's in High School. They are still a daily listen. One song or another always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing maybe the music is just that good. Thanks for profiling them. Alot of people still don't know that Danny Elfman the great composer was the lead man to a great 80's band.
I was a major Oingo Boingo fan from the moment I saw a poster for their debut album ONLY A LAD in Atlanta's Wax 'n' Facts in 1981. The art caught my eye--every detail fascinated me. I bought the LP then and there, and the music wove the same spell on me and wouldn't let go. It's SO gratifying to see them get some true appreciation!
My kids LOVE (coincidentally) a lot of the movies that Danny Elfman worked on, along with The Simpsons. I'm ashamed to admit that I've yet to introduce them to Oingo Boingo. Looks like that's about to change this weekend when we take a trip out of town! Great video today!
Oh boy! So many memories! I lived in Venice, California in the early seventies as a starving musician and would often see Danny Elfman around, at places like the the Post Office or the grocery store. He was a real denizen of Venice. At the time, I was working as a singing waiter at The Great American Food and Beverage Company in Santa Monica, when one night The Mystic Nights of the Oingo Boingo invaded us dressed in full street theatre gear banging on percussion instruments singing "Hipsters on Parade". They paraded through the restaurant to the delight and amazement of the patrons. What a riot! Later on, I was in a classic rock band and we got booked to play at the Lawyers and Artists Ball at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. What a surprise it was when we discovered that we were the opening act for Oingo Boingo! Thanks for taking me back down memory lane, Professor!
When I was a kid, I was a huge fan of Nightmare before Christmas. My dad showed me “Dead Man’s Party” and told me it was Jack Skellington singing. Blew my mind away and was a fan of Oingo Boingo ever since!
Omg so glad Danny Elfman is being highlighted today! I tell people about him all the time -especially during Tim Burton movies. I had no idea he was on The Gong Show! I watched that show when I was little all the time. 😁♥️♥️
I had come to hate this song by the mid 90’s because it was so over played. But as I got older, I learned to appreciate it. Thanks for the video and back story!
The Legend of Wooley Swamp by the Charlie Daniels Band and Old Man Down the Road by John Fogerty were a couple of haunting songs at least for me they were thanks again Professor.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
Another great episode! Oingo Boingo was definitely big in the alternative music scene. Sad that this music is not more widely known in the mainstream, but thankful that Danny Elfman's orchestrations for TV and Film have carried him to the next level. I think of some of their music as similar to obscure B-52's music before the Cosmic Thing album.
One of my very favorite bands and Danny has been one of my favorite artists since the 1980's, when I was a teenager. I am not a huge fan of movie orchestration, but his creations are absolutely stellar! If Danny made it then I have to listen! This is one of the most talented artists of the modern era and his influence is massive. Dead Man's Party is one of my all-time favorite songs. Ironically, I live in Salt Lake City and had never even heard the story of the tragedy at the Shiloh until today. Amazing to think that this song was written just down the road! Epic! Thanks Adam, for once again providing riveting background information, that I had never heard before, and for being so freakin' great at it!!! 🤘
Never knew the story behind Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo, talk about the underdog never listening to the naysayers and making it big. Love their very original songs and music. Fantastic episode professor!
I was the resident Dj for 24 years at the biggest Goth and industrial club in Dallas Texas called The Church. I played so many Oingo Boingo songs over the years on those nights. Dead man’s party was definitely one of the biggest Halloween anthems at the club and also, this is Halloween from nightmare before Christmas. An honorable mention goes out to Ministry’s Everyday is Halloween and The Misfits cover of Monster Mash. Great episode!! Happy Halloween!!
I remember Oingo Boingo from the 80's radio and on MTV a lot they were a really good American new wave styled band. Danny Elfman later became a composer for films and television shows. the hotel where the woman and her children jumping from the roof was the topic of paranormal investigations on several tv shows at the hotel supposedly haunted by them another great episode and great to hear about Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo again and more from the 80's yesterday was my 60th birthday and the 70's and 80's were apart of those years growing up have a great week and Thank You Professorof Rock.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
We Close Our Eyes- coolest accordion song.... Grey Matter- coolest xylophone song... Boingo thought way outside the box. Want a Halloween song that oozes the holiday vibe? Listen to "Skin."
Born and raised in long beach they were the definitive Southern California band, And I completely agree with you on We Close our Eyes and Grey Matter. The bands final album BOINGO you can hear Elfman combine his movie scoring with Oingo Boingo’s music particularly in the song titled Insanity. Love this band.
I started listening to oingo because of a friend who was crazy about the LA music scene. He of course eventually moved there and opened a record store. Elfman is de man!!!
I got into Oingo Boingo in high school. They still maintained an "underground" status where I grew up in the Midwest. I actually turned a lot of classmates onto Oingo Boingo. I still love them as well as Danny Elfman's genius scores. Gray Matter and Private Life were a couple of my favorite songs.
Love Oingo Boingo and especially Danny Elfman. Definitely the composer of many songs that kids and teens grew up on. I'd be hard pressed to pick my favorite but if forced, I'd go Kidnap the Sandy Claws by a razor-thin margin over another dozen or so songs.
STAY was apparently the 171th most played song of 1986 here in Australia, but I recall it being on frequent rotation so surely it was higher. Anyway great song!
I had a teacher in school tell my group of friends about the band - and we didn't believe him that a band would use that name...needless to say he got a big fat "I TOLD YOU SO" on us.
Another great video Adam. Here are a couple of things about Dead Man's Party the LP. It was released on MCA records and all previous Oingo Boingo LPs were on IRS with distribution by A&M. IRS was going down the drain and Elfman wanted off the label. But he was still under contract with IRS under the band name. So technically, the 4th Oingo Boingo LP was recorded and released by MCA but called Danny Elfman "So-Lo". It was on this LP where keyboard player Mike Bacich and bassist John Avila had joined. Even the music video for "Gratitude" featered Oingo Boingo band members. The first pressing of Dead Man's Party featured an extended mix of "Wierd Science" which was a single and theme for the movie released before the album. The original album version featured dialog from the movie at the very end from actress Kelly Lebrock "So what would you little maniacs like to do first". This line was also in the 12" dance mix of "Wierd Science". But the line was edited out of 2nd pressings and the later released CD. in 2022 Rubellan Remasters remastered Oingo Boingo's first EP and and 7 LPs for release on CD and vinyl. They did an amazing job gathering all non-LP tracks from Soundtracks and Promo DJ singles for the expanded CDs. I wish these could have remained in production, but sadly Rubellan is shutting down.
Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo! Love it! And her name escapes me, but his wife is a very beautiful woman. Thanks Professor! Nothing beats listening to your show. Hope everyone has a swell day. ❤ And The Fixx, Men At Work and Ray Charles CDs!! Great stuff.
When I saw the title, I instantly thought of Dead Man's Party. Oingo Boingo was a great band. Lots of hit songs that people don't really recognize is theirs, and lots of quirky songs as well. But Elfman has always been quirky and I've always loved their stuff. Great choice for a Halloween episode, Prof!
To those of us who grew up in the 80's Boingo and Elfman had plenty of hits.... Billboard be damned. Ironically my favorite Boingo song is the least "Boingo" song they released.... We Close Our Eyes... I LOVE THAT SONG.
YES!!!! Love this episode Thank you Adam. No, better Artist for Halloween than Danny. He is such a great and inspirational Artist and performer. Love love love this show.
I would choose “Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield. It was heard in THE EXORCIST (1973), one of the most influential horror films in the entire sound era.
The most haunting song of the 80s was indeed a Boingo song, but it was "Just Another Day." (I always thought it was on the Night of the Comet soundtrack, but no...)
Oingo Boingo is the most underrated band in music history. And to think they started as a musical theatre Cabaret in the 70’s making guest appearances on The Gong Show. While Dead Man’s Party was the apex of their career, The first 3 albums (plus Elfman’s “solo” album”) were full of radio hits and the post Dead Man’s Party albums “Boi-ngo” and Dark At The End Of Tunnel signaled Danny’s shift in orchestral film soundtracks, but contain 2 of their best songs “We Close Our Eyes” and “Out Of Control. Both of those show Incredible depth of lyrics that are a far cry from their “ska-influenced” music of his early days
Danny Elfman, what an interesting character! I could listen to him talk for hours 😊 I love Edward Scissorhands original soundtrack, especially, Ice Dance, it soothes my soul 🖤 Thanks, Professor!
Since Adam mentioned the horn section of Oingo Boingo, I think an episode on bands with horn sections might be in order. Of course the poster boys for this are Chicago, but another long-runner is Tower of Power, which, like Oingo Boingo, never had any significant chart hits, and there are a lot of other bands that include wind instruments as part of their signature sounds. I'm thinking flutist Ian Anderson of Jehro Tull and all the harp harness wielding songwriters like Billy Joel, Rick Davies of Supertramp, and Bob Dylan could at least get a mention in this video. The reference to the Greek practice of leaving coins on the eyes of the deceased to pay Charon for their passage across the River Styx reminds me of an apocryphal story in CSI where Grissom claimed that mobsters did this so whoever found the body could use a payphone to "Call somebody who cares." I have to admit that this story about Danny Elfman detracts from my appreciation of his music. He believed in ghosts in a hotel in a town where most church-going people believe things that even Evangelicals don't. This doesn't reduce my appreciation of his fantasy film soundtracks, because certain suspensions of disbelief are necessary to appreciate these films, but I don't think I can take Oingo Boingo seriously anymore.
Most famous band without a hit? Absolutely. I still remember watching Stay on MTV (back when they still showed videos). I couldn't believe they were playing an Oingo Boingo video (which did look like they were made for around $50). Still, good times.
This episode was alot of fun...Elfman is a genius and Oingo Boingo was part of my adolescence. Didn't know about that Strawberry Alarm Clock connection...really cool. I have also loved Elfman's film and TV work since Boingo, you can always tell when it's an Elfman score, even before reading the credits!!! However, I'd like to nominate another self taught composer and his band for that "greatest band to never have a hit"...Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention...yes, Valley Girl was a hit-perhaps bigger than Dead Man's Party-but that's Frank and Moon Unit, not the Mothers
I definitely found Oingo Boingo later then you did, my favorite album was Boingo in 1994... with songs like Insanity, War Again, and Change that album is still relevant today!
I was introduced to oingo boingo in 1986. A friend had tickets to a show. I was probably the 3rd or 4th option to go. Had not really listened to them before this. Just knew the popular stuff. I have loved them ever since. Was bummed when Danny left. The current “former members of oingo boingo” has the former members and they put on a great show, having seen them a few time recently. Great band! I had all the CDs and listened to them often. Still pull out oingo boingo this time of year. The Halloween concert are awesome.
Great choice Professor, something different for the haunted season! He has made some of the greatest movies music, that absolutely made the movie! I can still hear Beetlejuice music in my head from watching it as a kid!
Been a Boingo fan since 1981. When all my friends were listening to AC/DC, Bob Seger and Tom Petty (great artists too), I was listening to Oingo Boingo, new wave and punk. It was a great time to grow up and we had THE best music of any decade (maybe I'm biased). Also, check out Danny Elfman's solo album from 1984 (simply titled "So-Lo"). It's basically a boingo album with a few extra musicians, including Flea from the RHCP. My favorite track on that album is Cool City. Great stuff. I'm still hoping for a full Boingo reunion soon!
As much as I loved their music, I never had the opportunity to purchase any of their albums. The song I mostly knew them for was Weird Science. I did a cover of that song on my UA-cam channel a few years ago, and it's been one of my most popular videos. I've been toying with the idea of doing this song for Halloween for a couple of years, but I haven't done it yet. I might do it next year. This year will be Monster Mash because my daughter wanted me to do it. I was never really familiar with this song for some reason until my wife mentioned it a few years ago. Now I love it! Thank you for the education!
Good morning Adam and music lovers. Oh man, one of my biggest regrets in life was not taking advantage of a the connection I had at the Golden Bear (Huntington Beach) to meet and hang backstage with Oingo Boingo, as I did Tom Waits and Batdorf and Rodney. I jst had know idea who Elfman and the gang were back then. Dead Man's Party is a work of musical genius and I play it often, esp. on Halloween. LOL
Great work as ever. I LOVED the final 'Boingo' album released 1994 as it broke free of the 80s production and blended Elfman the new wave artists with Elfman the orchestral composer. Some of his best work. Check it out if you haven't before.
It makes perfect sense to me that Elfman was influenced by Stravinsky. "The Rite of Spring" changed my whole outlook on music. Another hero of mine, Frank Zappa, was hugely influenced by Stravinsky, even incorporating themes from "The Rite" in at least a couple of his own songs.
Dead Man's Party is a three generation favorite in my circles. Oingo Boingo and Elfmann are a very unique part of music history. Mahe Ohna ✌️ Favour ALL
Regarding the line, "...room for maybe just one more," something similar is said be the narrator at the end of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. I've seen Oingo Boingo six times, and Boingo (without the winds) once. Also saw Food for Feet once. Such great shows!
I have a special playlist of songs that never grow old and will always make me happy. Of the 8 songs on that playlist...Dead Man's Party is the foundation. One of this band's best Halloween songs is Insanity. My nightmares now have an official soundtrack!
Aaah, my favorite band! They combined everything cool that I loved and made an amalgamation of awesomeness! Saw them for FREE here in Pittsburgh in 1989 but made two pilgrimages out to SoCal to see them
Of course I'm late for this one and I wasn't even that much of a fan of them in the 80s. 🤦🏼♂️ I've never seen Oingo Boingo but I've seen their biggest cover band, actually named Dead Man's Party, at the old John Ascuaga's Nugget (Sparks NV) during the Rib Cook-off for free in 2011. Their lead singer is a dead ringer for Elfman, both in voice AND look. I truly believe that someone could trick someone else into believing they're the real deal. I had been missing out on their library for 25 years. Now they're part of my Pandora station. Thanks for this one, Adam!
Oingo Boingo are definitly one of my favorite new wave bands nothing to fear, good for your soul, dead man's party and boin-go are fantastic albums and what I liked best about this band was their amazing musicianship and Danny Elfman and Steve bartek's songwriting it was so unique for it's time combining hilarious b movie imagery with some very deep and personal introspective lyrics there was nobody like oingo Boingo and one band I wish would reunite for one more album and tour
Virtually all of Boingo’s Halloween shows from 86-94 can be found on UA-cam. The Farewell show from 1995 was released a year later on Video and CD, however it is severely edited missing almost 10 songs including Private Life, Not My Slave, Out Of Control and Goodbye, Goodbye. This was not rectified when it was released on DVD. Not much hope for a Blu-Ray remaster of the complete show, since Danny seems to have lost all interest in his own legacy
"No propensity for music"? That may be a little harsh but I can see where the school is coming from. And, I can see why OB never had a top 40 hit. One cannot argue taste.
I found out about Oingo Boingo when I saw the movie Batchelor Party sometime in the mid to late 90’s. Movie had me laughing my ass off. “Foot Long?” “And then Some.”
I want this song played at the end of my funeral/wake. Get everyone up and dancing so they can leave smiling and laughing, saying "Yep! That's exactly the humour I would have expected from Nocturnal Druid!".
This song was a background track to a whitewater rafting recording of a trip I was on up in Maine, namely the Penobscot River in 1995. What a breathtaking trip and I thought the song was totally appropriate. It was the first time I had ever heard the song: on that trip.
Poll; What is your pick for the most HAUNTING song of the 70s and 80s?
Thriller! (The Vincent Price part)
Halloween (the movie) theme. Still gives me chills.
Thriller.
Still Loving You -- Scorpions
Trick or Treat/Fastway
Will always be DOA- Bloodrock
Welcome to My Nightmare - Alice Cooper
Oingo Boingo came on the radio in the car yesterday and my 12 year old daughter thought it was the coolest band name she’d ever heard. I told her a few stories about the band, and Danny Elfman, but this tops everything I said. Perfect timing Professor! Thanks as always 🤘🎸
That's amazing!
😞 I don't see this story very cool after hearing who died. I deleted my comment because I was ashamed. I put the comment just minutes before who died. We should hear the whole video before commenting because you may have to delete right away.😞
@@robertcuratolo5339I didn’t watch the video because I wanted to watch it with my daughter to get the full experience. What did I miss? Who died?
In 1986, I was a senior in high school in Orange County. KISS FM had a contest in which the winning high school would receive a private concert performance by Oingo Boingo. To win we had to send in postcards. The school with the most postcards would win. Our teachers allowed us to spend class time filling out postcards. We filled out postcards until our hands cramped. LOL In the end, we won and they played for us at the Anaheim Convention Center. They were awesome!
My wife and I also graduated in 86! It was a great year.
FANTASTIC!!!! 🤘
Elfman needs a biopic!!! That being said, Oingo Boingo in Back To School is one of the best placed band performances ever!!
I agree. Love it.
You finally did Boingo! They were a staple in my high school days and even played at our school TWICE (once opened by "The Bangs," I am sure that you know their story - God love Miles Copeland)! Elfman is a freak of nature. As bands capitalize on "remasters" to gain from re-releases, Elfman says Boingo will never do it. "There is nothing wrong with the originals."
Danny Elfman even composed the most recognizable Superhero theme for Batman, it still endures to this day. Not bad for a guy with no formal music training huh?
As well as the Simpsons theme.
No kidding!
Legendary!
@@TerrickTerran - Yep! I was gonna say the same thing.
Speaking of the Ferryman, Happy Birthday to Chris DeBurgh!
I second that!
I did a deep dive on Oingo Boingo about 8 years ago and feel deeply, madly in passion with their music. They’re amazing and totally slept on. Gratitude is one of my all time top 5 songs.
"Gratitude" is definitely a fave. I have it on a playlist for a couple of nastier manipulating characters. "Just Another Day" is alos on playlists for some heroes who are at the breaking point.
I love Elfman's "The Little Things." Catchy groove and relatable lyrics, lol.
Perfect subject for the month of October!
Yep!
Confessions of a serial follower (highlights).
I first heard Oingo Boingo thanks to John Hughes' movie "Wierd Science" and fell in love. They were my first musical crush, beginning in middleschool and carrying onward to this day.
I spent my high school years on Halloween nights camped out in the seats of Irvine Meadows Amphatheatre listening to them alongside thousands of other dressed in goth, something that was a new style then.
Became a member of their Secret Society in those years, but also found out that the high school I was attending was where they first met each other!
While attending a JC, I was walking from class to the Student Union and passed a band that was playing to an empty field.
While passing the drummer I glanced over and saw it was Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez stricking up the beat less than 5 feet away!
I was stunned and staggered to find my footing as I grasped the wall of a flower bed and sat down, all the while Johnny watching me and letting out an uproarious laugh. I then noticed that playing the bass was non other than Avila! The guitarist I did not know.
When they finished their set, Johnny looked at me, laughed, and said, "So, you recognize us."
After a bit of an exchange, I found out that they were playing in a side band with the guitarist teacher of the college.
A few years later, I found myself in Northern California where they were playing a warm up show for their Farewell Performance the following week.
They had upwards of 13 people on stage performing when I witnessed Danny's musical ear for detail when he, mid performance, while I could not tell that anything was wrong, pointed to a single mic on stage, gave the motion to turn it up, and didn't skip a beat!
That would be my final Halloween with the band, however, I've made it a habit, every year subsequently, to have the farewell performance playing in the background of All Hallow's Eve, the only appropriate music to have on that night.
Thanks for sharing!
Agree 1000%! Boingo was massive in SoCal, selling out Irvine Meadows for multiple shows at Halloween... it was THE event to attend, more than Knott's Scary Farm...
Awesome!
The Halloween Shows were the best!
That "11 albums for a penny and then buy 4 at regular price" (the numbers would fluctuate during special offers and such) wasn't a bad deal. It certainly wasn't a scam, although it's definitely set up that if you're stupid you'll end up with a lot of albums you don't want and you're paying the full price for them. But if you're smart, always send back the monthly notice, it's a great deal. I not only did Columbia House for a time, I joined similar things like the Sci-Fi Book Club. What I found is that if you called to cancel and stated the reason was you didn't want to have to mail back the card anymore, they'd put you on a "does not have to return it" list and you could still be a member! I also planned out my purchases by getting some of the most expensive items for the penny; they didn't care. So...I wouldn't call it a scam. Unless I'm missing something.
Yep. I did not get scammed either. I feel like I scammed them, if anything.
I love Oingo Boingo. I discovered them in the 80's in High School. They are still a daily listen. One song or another always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing maybe the music is just that good. Thanks for profiling them. Alot of people still don't know that Danny Elfman the great composer was the lead man to a great 80's band.
Good call!
Love Oingo Boingo. I have since I discovered them in the mid 80's. One of my all-time favorite bands.
I was a major Oingo Boingo fan from the moment I saw a poster for their debut album ONLY A LAD in Atlanta's Wax 'n' Facts in 1981. The art caught my eye--every detail fascinated me. I bought the LP then and there, and the music wove the same spell on me and wouldn't let go. It's SO gratifying to see them get some true appreciation!
My kids LOVE (coincidentally) a lot of the movies that Danny Elfman worked on, along with The Simpsons.
I'm ashamed to admit that I've yet to introduce them to Oingo Boingo. Looks like that's about to change this weekend when we take a trip out of town!
Great video today!
Oh boy! So many memories! I lived in Venice, California in the early seventies as a starving musician and would often see Danny Elfman around, at places like the the Post Office or the grocery store. He was a real denizen of Venice. At the time, I was working as a singing waiter at The Great American Food and Beverage Company in Santa Monica, when one night The Mystic Nights of the Oingo Boingo invaded us dressed in full street theatre gear banging on percussion instruments singing "Hipsters on Parade". They paraded through the restaurant to the delight and amazement of the patrons. What a riot! Later on, I was in a classic rock band and we got booked to play at the Lawyers and Artists Ball at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. What a surprise it was when we discovered that we were the opening act for Oingo Boingo! Thanks for taking me back down memory lane, Professor!
When I was a kid, I was a huge fan of Nightmare before Christmas. My dad showed me “Dead Man’s Party” and told me it was Jack Skellington singing. Blew my mind away and was a fan of Oingo Boingo ever since!
Omg so glad Danny Elfman is being highlighted today! I tell people about him all the time -especially during Tim Burton movies. I had no idea he was on The Gong Show! I watched that show when I was little all the time. 😁♥️♥️
Cool!
I had come to hate this song by the mid 90’s because it was so over played. But as I got older, I learned to appreciate it. Thanks for the video and back story!
Stay. Weird Science. Only a Lad. Just Another Day. Dead Mans Party. These are all hits in my book. And Danny Elfman has a unique, incredible voice.
Dead Man's Party is a great album. Lots of good songs on it.
Great episode breaking down the song, Professor! 👍🏼
Indeed!
The guy is a genius. Since Jim Steinman died, he's my favorite contemporary composer. My personall fave is the opening theme from Men in Black.
Hi Whisper, since you're a big Jim Steinman fan, check out his work with The Sisters Of Mercy.
The Legend of Wooley Swamp by the Charlie Daniels Band and Old Man Down the Road by John Fogerty were a couple of haunting songs at least for me
they were thanks again Professor.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
Love how you broke down all the references, Professor! I got the silver thing (back in the day) but did not know about most of the others.
I first encountered Elfman when I was blown away as "Batman" began to roll in the theater where I was on opening night. WOW
I met Patty Hearst 2011.I spent at least 5 hours with her and a friend who introduced us.
That SLA thing was a weird chapter. Theres audio here on youtube of Bill and Emily Harris sending out their Communiques.
THe man!
Another great episode! Oingo Boingo was definitely big in the alternative music scene. Sad that this music is not more widely known in the mainstream, but thankful that Danny Elfman's orchestrations for TV and Film have carried him to the next level. I think of some of their music as similar to obscure B-52's music before the Cosmic Thing album.
One of my very favorite bands and Danny has been one of my favorite artists since the 1980's, when I was a teenager. I am not a huge fan of movie orchestration, but his creations are absolutely stellar! If Danny made it then I have to listen! This is one of the most talented artists of the modern era and his influence is massive. Dead Man's Party is one of my all-time favorite songs. Ironically, I live in Salt Lake City and had never even heard the story of the tragedy at the Shiloh until today. Amazing to think that this song was written just down the road! Epic! Thanks Adam, for once again providing riveting background information, that I had never heard before, and for being so freakin' great at it!!! 🤘
Never knew the story behind Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo, talk about the underdog never listening to the naysayers and making it big. Love their very original songs and music. Fantastic episode professor!
I was the resident Dj for 24 years at the biggest Goth and industrial club in Dallas Texas called The Church. I played so many Oingo Boingo songs over the years on those nights. Dead man’s party was definitely one of the biggest Halloween anthems at the club and also, this is Halloween from nightmare before Christmas. An honorable mention goes out to Ministry’s Everyday is Halloween and The Misfits cover of Monster Mash. Great episode!! Happy Halloween!!
I remember Oingo Boingo from the 80's radio and on MTV a lot they were
a really good American new wave styled band. Danny Elfman later became
a composer for films and television shows. the hotel where the woman and
her children jumping from the roof was the topic of paranormal investigations
on several tv shows at the hotel supposedly haunted by them another great episode and great to hear about Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo again and
more from the 80's yesterday was my 60th birthday and the 70's and 80's
were apart of those years growing up have a great week and Thank You Professorof Rock.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
I got into them from Back to School as well. My favorite band to this day.
We Close Our Eyes- coolest accordion song.... Grey Matter- coolest xylophone song... Boingo thought way outside the box. Want a Halloween song that oozes the holiday vibe? Listen to "Skin."
You're a true fan Flave!
Born and raised in long beach they were the definitive Southern California band, And I completely agree with you on We Close our Eyes and Grey Matter. The bands final album BOINGO you can hear Elfman combine his movie scoring with Oingo Boingo’s music particularly in the song titled Insanity. Love this band.
I started listening to oingo because of a friend who was crazy about the LA music scene. He of course eventually moved there and opened a record store. Elfman is de man!!!
I got into Oingo Boingo in high school. They still maintained an "underground" status where I grew up in the Midwest. I actually turned a lot of classmates onto Oingo Boingo. I still love them as well as Danny Elfman's genius scores. Gray Matter and Private Life were a couple of my favorite songs.
Great comment. Love those songs too!
Love Oingo Boingo and especially Danny Elfman. Definitely the composer of many songs that kids and teens grew up on. I'd be hard pressed to pick my favorite but if forced, I'd go Kidnap the Sandy Claws by a razor-thin margin over another dozen or so songs.
I am more of a fan of his musical compositions.
No kidding!
@@Code.Name.V those are amazing as well. His range in music is incredible.
STAY was apparently the 171th most played song of 1986 here in Australia, but I recall it being on frequent rotation so surely it was higher. Anyway great song!
Can’t say I was ever impressed with his music.
And the greatest band with most kicka$$ name.
Oingo Boingo is a fantastic name for sure.
Agreed!
I had a teacher in school tell my group of friends about the band - and we didn't believe him that a band would use that name...needless to say he got a big fat "I TOLD YOU SO" on us.
I can't tell you how many times I saw Oingo Boing at Irvine Meadows. Great days!
Very cool!
My top 5 Oingo Boingo songs
1. Home Again
2. We Close Our Eyes
3. Dead Man's Party
4 Remember my Name
5 On the Outside
Another great video Adam. Here are a couple of things about Dead Man's Party the LP.
It was released on MCA records and all previous Oingo Boingo LPs were on IRS with distribution by A&M. IRS was going down the drain and Elfman wanted off the label. But he was still under contract with IRS under the band name. So technically, the 4th Oingo Boingo LP was recorded and released by MCA but called Danny Elfman "So-Lo". It was on this LP where keyboard player Mike Bacich and bassist John Avila had joined. Even the music video for "Gratitude" featered Oingo Boingo band members.
The first pressing of Dead Man's Party featured an extended mix of "Wierd Science" which was a single and theme for the movie released before the album. The original album version featured dialog from the movie at the very end from actress Kelly Lebrock "So what would you little maniacs like to do first". This line was also in the 12" dance mix of "Wierd Science". But the line was edited out of 2nd pressings and the later released CD.
in 2022 Rubellan Remasters remastered Oingo Boingo's first EP and and 7 LPs for release on CD and vinyl. They did an amazing job gathering all non-LP tracks from Soundtracks and Promo DJ singles for the expanded CDs. I wish these could have remained in production, but sadly Rubellan is shutting down.
An early version of the band appeared in and scored the cult film "Forbidden Zone", directed by Richard Elfman.
Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo! Love it! And her name escapes me, but his wife is a very beautiful woman.
Thanks Professor!
Nothing beats listening to your show. Hope everyone has a swell day. ❤
And The Fixx, Men At Work and Ray Charles CDs!! Great stuff.
Swollen
Bridget Fonda
@@JaySmith-pv2mwThat's her!
@@JaySmith-pv2mw
Told ya the name escapes me. That's her.
Bridget Fonda!
In the 90's, my local theater played his "Music for a Darkened Theater" before the trailers.
When I saw the title, I instantly thought of Dead Man's Party. Oingo Boingo was a great band. Lots of hit songs that people don't really recognize is theirs, and lots of quirky songs as well. But Elfman has always been quirky and I've always loved their stuff. Great choice for a Halloween episode, Prof!
Cool!
To those of us who grew up in the 80's Boingo and Elfman had plenty of hits.... Billboard be damned. Ironically my favorite Boingo song is the least "Boingo" song they released.... We Close Our Eyes... I LOVE THAT SONG.
That Twilight Zone episode is a regular watch for me and my kids. One of the best.
YES!!!!
Love this episode Thank you Adam.
No, better Artist for Halloween than Danny. He is such a great and inspirational Artist and performer. Love love love this show.
I would choose “Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield. It was heard in THE EXORCIST (1973), one of the most influential horror films in the entire sound era.
The most haunting song of the 80s was indeed a Boingo song, but it was "Just Another Day."
(I always thought it was on the Night of the Comet soundtrack, but no...)
Loved Night of the Comet!!!
Oingo Boingo is the most underrated band in music history. And to think they started as a musical theatre Cabaret in the 70’s making guest appearances on The Gong Show.
While Dead Man’s Party was the apex of their career, The first 3 albums (plus Elfman’s “solo” album”) were full of radio hits and the post Dead Man’s Party albums “Boi-ngo” and Dark At The End Of Tunnel signaled Danny’s shift in orchestral film soundtracks, but contain 2 of their best songs “We Close Our Eyes” and “Out Of Control. Both of those show Incredible depth of lyrics that are a far cry from their “ska-influenced” music of his early days
Definitely one of my top 2 bands in the 80's, and the first concert I ever went to! Musical genius!
I went to the very last show. Years later, I became friends with Sam "Sluggo" and my sister designed Danny's house.
Danny Elfman, what an interesting character! I could listen to him talk for hours 😊
I love Edward Scissorhands original soundtrack, especially, Ice Dance, it soothes my soul 🖤
Thanks, Professor!
Since Adam mentioned the horn section of Oingo Boingo, I think an episode on bands with horn sections might be in order. Of course the poster boys for this are Chicago, but another long-runner is Tower of Power, which, like Oingo Boingo, never had any significant chart hits, and there are a lot of other bands that include wind instruments as part of their signature sounds. I'm thinking flutist Ian Anderson of Jehro Tull and all the harp harness wielding songwriters like Billy Joel, Rick Davies of Supertramp, and Bob Dylan could at least get a mention in this video.
The reference to the Greek practice of leaving coins on the eyes of the deceased to pay Charon for their passage across the River Styx reminds me of an apocryphal story in CSI where Grissom claimed that mobsters did this so whoever found the body could use a payphone to "Call somebody who cares."
I have to admit that this story about Danny Elfman detracts from my appreciation of his music. He believed in ghosts in a hotel in a town where most church-going people believe things that even Evangelicals don't. This doesn't reduce my appreciation of his fantasy film soundtracks, because certain suspensions of disbelief are necessary to appreciate these films, but I don't think I can take Oingo Boingo seriously anymore.
Most famous band without a hit? Absolutely. I still remember watching Stay on MTV (back when they still showed videos). I couldn't believe they were playing an Oingo Boingo video (which did look like they were made for around $50). Still, good times.
This episode was alot of fun...Elfman is a genius and Oingo Boingo was part of my adolescence. Didn't know about that Strawberry Alarm Clock connection...really cool. I have also loved Elfman's film and TV work since Boingo, you can always tell when it's an Elfman score, even before reading the credits!!! However, I'd like to nominate another self taught composer and his band for that "greatest band to never have a hit"...Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention...yes, Valley Girl was a hit-perhaps bigger than Dead Man's Party-but that's Frank and Moon Unit, not the Mothers
Thanks for watching!
I definitely found Oingo Boingo later then you did, my favorite album was Boingo in 1994... with songs like Insanity, War Again, and Change that album is still relevant today!
I was introduced to oingo boingo in 1986. A friend had tickets to a show. I was probably the 3rd or 4th option to go. Had not really listened to them before this. Just knew the popular stuff. I have loved them ever since. Was bummed when Danny left. The current “former members of oingo boingo” has the former members and they put on a great show, having seen them a few time recently. Great band! I had all the CDs and listened to them often. Still pull out oingo boingo this time of year. The Halloween concert are awesome.
I like songs like "Skin", "Little Girls", "Elevator Man", "Pain", & "Stay". They're all good, but those are some of my favorites. :)
Great choice Professor, something different for the haunted season! He has made some of the greatest movies music, that absolutely made the movie! I can still hear Beetlejuice music in my head from watching it as a kid!
Yes!
Been a Boingo fan since 1981. When all my friends were listening to AC/DC, Bob Seger and Tom Petty (great artists too), I was listening to Oingo Boingo, new wave and punk. It was a great time to grow up and we had THE best music of any decade (maybe I'm biased). Also, check out Danny Elfman's solo album from 1984 (simply titled "So-Lo"). It's basically a boingo album with a few extra musicians, including Flea from the RHCP. My favorite track on that album is Cool City. Great stuff. I'm still hoping for a full Boingo reunion soon!
As much as I loved their music, I never had the opportunity to purchase any of their albums. The song I mostly knew them for was Weird Science. I did a cover of that song on my UA-cam channel a few years ago, and it's been one of my most popular videos. I've been toying with the idea of doing this song for Halloween for a couple of years, but I haven't done it yet. I might do it next year. This year will be Monster Mash because my daughter wanted me to do it. I was never really familiar with this song for some reason until my wife mentioned it a few years ago. Now I love it! Thank you for the education!
Good morning Adam and music lovers. Oh man, one of my biggest regrets in life was not taking advantage of a the connection I had at the Golden Bear (Huntington Beach) to meet and hang backstage with Oingo Boingo, as I did Tom Waits and Batdorf and Rodney. I jst had know idea who Elfman and the gang were back then. Dead Man's Party is a work of musical genius and I play it often, esp. on Halloween. LOL
We Close Our Eyes is my favorite Oingo Boingo song. It's really a beautiful song.
I love OB and my late best friend even got to see the last show live. I miss her, and Danny and OB still bring smiles and good feelings.
cool!
The first time I heard them was when they played Little Girls on MTV in 82, my brother bought me the album Only A Lad and had great song on it.
Great work as ever. I LOVED the final 'Boingo' album released 1994 as it broke free of the 80s production and blended Elfman the new wave artists with Elfman the orchestral composer. Some of his best work. Check it out if you haven't before.
Agreed, the 94 album is amazing. 🎉
@@David35687 you know it man! Who’d have thunk we’d be talking about it like this 30 years later
Dead Man’s Party, Just Another Day and Weird Science are actually really great songs! I was actually just listening to that album this past weekend!!
Great reminder, POR! Thank you for all this great information.
☕️☕️🎶🎵🎶
You are so welcome!
It makes perfect sense to me that Elfman was influenced by Stravinsky. "The Rite of Spring" changed my whole outlook on music. Another hero of mine, Frank Zappa, was hugely influenced by Stravinsky, even incorporating themes from "The Rite" in at least a couple of his own songs.
Dead Man's Party is one of my favorite songs of all time. Its pure genius.
Amen!
Dead Man's Party is a three generation favorite in my circles. Oingo Boingo and Elfmann are a very unique part of music history.
Mahe Ohna ✌️ Favour ALL
Yah! My favorite song of theirs. I included this in my Halloween mix on FB a few years ago❤
Modern day musical genius. Love love love nightmare before Christmas
Great one Prof! Oingo Boingo are such am awesome band.
Cool!
Regarding the line, "...room for maybe just one more," something similar is said be the narrator at the end of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. I've seen Oingo Boingo six times, and Boingo (without the winds) once. Also saw Food for Feet once. Such great shows!
I always imagined the "Walking with a dead man over my shoulder" line was like a BYOB invitation, Bring Your Own Body.
Oingo Boingo is a great band. They never made it huge but they were so different I liked them from the first album.
I have a special playlist of songs that never grow old and will always make me happy. Of the 8 songs on that playlist...Dead Man's Party is the foundation. One of this band's best Halloween songs is Insanity. My nightmares now have an official soundtrack!
Richard Elfman's movie The FORBIDDEN ZONE is my all-time favorite movie. Danny Elfman plays the Devil -singing Minnie the Moocher.
I love their rare track "Better Luck Next Time"
Aaah, my favorite band! They combined everything cool that I loved and made an amalgamation of awesomeness! Saw them for FREE here in Pittsburgh in 1989 but made two pilgrimages out to SoCal to see them
So cool!
Will always remember this band from being in the movie “back to school”
Of course I'm late for this one and I wasn't even that much of a fan of them in the 80s. 🤦🏼♂️ I've never seen Oingo Boingo but I've seen their biggest cover band, actually named Dead Man's Party, at the old John Ascuaga's Nugget (Sparks NV) during the Rib Cook-off for free in 2011. Their lead singer is a dead ringer for Elfman, both in voice AND look. I truly believe that someone could trick someone else into believing they're the real deal.
I had been missing out on their library for 25 years. Now they're part of my Pandora station.
Thanks for this one, Adam!
Seldom spoke of and always under appreciated Elfman and Oingo Boingo was a big part of the 80's youth weather they know it or not...
Oingo Boingo are definitly one of my favorite new wave bands nothing to fear, good for your soul, dead man's party and boin-go are fantastic albums and what I liked best about this band was their amazing musicianship and Danny Elfman and Steve bartek's songwriting it was so unique for it's time combining hilarious b movie imagery with some very deep and personal introspective lyrics there was nobody like oingo Boingo and one band I wish would reunite for one more album and tour
Gonna see Danny Elfman in about 2 weeks in Mountain View. Can’t wait!
My favorite line: All dressed up with no where to go.
Virtually all of Boingo’s Halloween shows from 86-94 can be found on UA-cam.
The Farewell show from 1995 was released a year later on Video and CD, however it is severely edited missing almost 10 songs including Private Life, Not My Slave, Out Of Control and Goodbye, Goodbye.
This was not rectified when it was released on DVD. Not much hope for a Blu-Ray remaster of the complete show, since Danny seems to have lost all interest in his own legacy
Danny is a gift and icon. Him and Tim Burton was a great pairing too. I love his music in penguin Batman and Edward Scissorhands. ❤
"No propensity for music"? That may be a little harsh but I can see where the school is coming from. And, I can see why OB never had a top 40 hit. One cannot argue taste.
Dead man's Party. Now we're talking. My theme song. Quite fitting actually. Don't forget I'm the one in the song looking over your shoulder. 👀 Bo! 😂
Oh ya?
I found out about Oingo Boingo when I saw the movie Batchelor Party sometime in the mid to late 90’s. Movie had me laughing my ass off.
“Foot Long?”
“And then Some.”
I have Dead Man's Party, Weird Science and Stay on my All Time Faves playlist.
I want this song played at the end of my funeral/wake. Get everyone up and dancing so they can leave smiling and laughing, saying "Yep! That's exactly the humour I would have expected from Nocturnal Druid!".
Cool!
This took a whole lot of research. Well done.
This song was a background track to a whitewater rafting recording of a trip I was on up in Maine, namely the Penobscot River in 1995. What a breathtaking trip and I thought the song was totally appropriate. It was the first time I had ever heard the song: on that trip.
So cool!