Skybox

Tim and Christian playing "Trout" acoustic on DePaul's Underground Wires
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It was the year 2005 Anno Domini when a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and smashed down mightily into the barren desert landscape of Phoenix, Arizona, leaving in its red hot embers the colorful spectre of the eclectic pop band that would be known as Skybox. That cosmic genesis would portend great things for the young quintet. Their debut LP Arco Iris was recorded by Jamie Woolford (The Stereo, Let Go) and mastered by Jason Livermore (The Ataris, Rise Against, MxPx) . It immediately won over critics and fans alike with its mix of spacey indie-pop melodies and darker, Radiohead-esque moodiness. Their wide-ranging appeal has strangers mumbling comparisons to The Flaming Lips from dimly-lit corners of coffee shops and brothels. Thats what it sounds like, at least...its tough to be sure about such things. After a years worth of buzz-building live appearances with bands like The Honorary Title, The Format, Dios (Malos), Jacks Mannequin, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and Communique, the spaceship demanded a larger landing pad.
Packing their gear and some vacuum packed Mexican food, the band set off post haste for the larger stage of Chicago. Perplexed by the savage cold and apparent lack of available sunlight, the band still managed in a few short months to catch the eye of the collective Chicago music scene. They have shared the stage with heavyweights like The Figurines and Forward Russia and Man Man along the way. In spring of 2008 the band began writing and recording the follow up to 2006's critically acclaimed Arco Iris, and in late spring the band will head out on a 4 week national tour to debut the new material. Keep your eyes on the skies, folks: Skybox is on the way.
BUSINESS, PRESS AND BOOKING CONTACT: Don Bartlett skyboxmgt (at) gmail.com
LEGAL CONTACT: CRAIG AVERILL caverill (at) slargroup.com
What Leading Scientists Are Saying About Skybox:
"...The Chicago quartet can ably pump out bouncy, post-Strokes pop, but it also has flair for cabaret theatrics and barrelhouse abandon worthy of The Dresden Dolls or even Tom Waits. Particularly enthralling is young leader Tim Ellis, who swerves on a dime from croon to growl on Skybox's 2005 would-be breakout, Arco Iris. The band's organic eclecticism might make for a more challenging listen than your average it-band, but if budding hipsters can decipher The Crane Wife (or at least pretend to), they can handle this."The Onion A.V. Club
"Perhaps best described as rock’n’roll for the A.D.D. set, Skybox packs an immeasurable amount of energy and musicianship into its short, wily tracks. The Chicago-by-way-of-Phoenix quintet—fronted by 23 year old Tim Ellis—self-released it’s first album “Arco Iris” last year. The fast-paced set weaves dark lyrical nuances through its mostly bouncy songs: check the weird pop of “Don’t Get Spin Spin” or the tinkling piano keys of “Various Kitchen Utensils.” One moment Skybox’s music calls to mind neo-folkie Devendra Bahhart, while at the next it sounds like the atmospheric rock of Muse.” Billboard Magazine
"Neo-soul, Surf and 2-step are the three categories which Skybox use to describe themselves on their MySpace page. This quintet from Chicago is all that and more. Music is our passion, and there's nothing we love better than discovering an awesome new artist. And, we've got to give it to artists that make it happen on their own! Without the help of a major label, Skybox self-released their album, Arco Iris, on iTunes and have been generating major buzz since.Receiving comparisons to The Flaming Lips, Skybox has such a unique sound, though, that makes them wonderfully original. Their music has the theatricality of Rufus Wainwright, yet it still posses the old school rockingness of Jerry Lee Lewis.Plus, Skybox have written one of the best songs about masturbation since the Violent Femmes' Blister In The Sun. At least we "think" it's about masturbation.Whatever it's about, Various Kitchen Utensils is one of the best songs we have heard in a real long time. Just listening to it will put a smile on your face!" PerezHilton.com
"This is only my second time having the pleasure of catching Skybox, but both performances have left me with the feeling that this band is carving a place uniquely their own. The whole band seems so self assured in their path musically that it radiates live. They bring some serious confidence to the stage that is equaled, if not surpassed, by their ability to perform. While the band may not be completely above comparison it would be difficult to stick them with a single label. They are able to blend so many musical elements well, it begins to feel distinctly their own. Highly Recommended."Radio Free Chicago
"Werewolf from "Arco Iris" by Skybox has it's own subtle twang, but the majority of the songs on the disc have a pleasing Dresden Dolls meets Modest Mouse quality to them that sets them apart from practically every other band in town" Chicago Free Press
"But it was Skybox that impressed us most of all, early in the eve at West Village basement R&R, so please -- somebody sign them. Best described as "ADD rock," the band was wily, tight and funner than an open bar on the moon. That's right, we said funner." Billboard Magazine, CMJ Review on their Jaded Insider blog.
One of the best albums Ive heard this year is Arco Iris by this obscure quintet which relocated to Chicago a bit over a month ago. Aside from having some of the best cover art Ive seen in a while, the album is interesting from post to wire, a wildly diverse journey through musical styles.--Chicago Innerview Magazine
an album of incredibly rich profundity and beautyA live Skybox show is nothing short of an event: scented themes, pirates and cupcakes. Perhaps whoever coined the New American Weird moniker was listening to Skybox; if not, they will be. --The Phoenix New Times.
Check this band out, they could be your next favorite band.--Leakmob
Tim Ellis' lead vocals and active stage persona was thoroughly entertaining and engaging. He touched on vocal notes that call to mind Devendra Banhart and Julian Casablancas, especially on Various Kitchen Utensils, a hodge podge of Tom Waits piano tickled to life by Christian Fields, and sprinkled with wooden box beats and other burlesque textures by Anthony Hornyak.--Radio Free Chicago
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