Oingo Boingo

Oingo Boingo was the band of composer Danny Elfman from the mid-1970s to October 31, 1995. An early version of the band (who produced a novelty record about kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst, "You've Got Your Baby Back") was known as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo.

Related Topics:
Danny Elfman - October 31 - 1995 - Patty Hearst

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The band is probably best known for appearing on a number of soundtracks in the early-to-mid-1980s. Their most well-known song, "Weird Science" was, in fact, written for the John Hughes movie of the same name. The band made an appearance playing their hit "Dead Man's Party" on stage in the memorable party scene in the movie Back to School, in addition to appearing in the 1981 film Longshot, performing their unreleased song "I've Got To Be Entertained". They also contributed two songs (neither of which can be found on any Oingo Boingo release) to the soundtrack for 1984's Bachelor Party; "Bachelor Party" and "Something Isn't Right".

Related Topics:
Weird Science - John Hughes - Back to School - Bachelor Party

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They also made a cameo appearance as the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo in the movie Forbidden Zone, written and directed by Richard Elfman, the brother of Danny Elfman. In this incarnation, the idea of which was initially formed in late 1972, the band was essentially a musical theatre troupe. Most of the members performed in whiteface and clown makeup; a typical show would contain music ranging from the 1890s to the 1950s (some of which were covers, some of which were original material based on music of another era.) This version of the band had as many as 15 members at any one time, playing over 30 instruments between them. Unfortunately, very little recorded material from this period exists. Because of the expense and difficulty of maintaining an ensemble of this size, Danny Elfman decided in 1978 to reduce both the band and its name, dropping the "Mystic Knights" moniker. Around 1994 it was yet again shortened, this time to "Boingo".

Related Topics:
Forbidden Zone - 1978

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Oingo Boingo amicably parted ways after their annual Halloween concert in 1995, because it was "time." The final concert is available on both audio and video recordings.

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Frontman Danny Elfman has had a very successful film scoring career since, particularly in collaborations with the director Tim Burton, and frequently using Boingo guitarist and composer Steve Bartek as orchestrator. Their film scores have included Batman, Good Will Hunting, Proof of Life, Men in Black, and dozens more. Elfman also wrote the themes for more than a dozen TV series, including The Simpsons, Desperate Housewives, and Tales from the Crypt.

Related Topics:
Danny Elfman - Steve Bartek - Batman - Good Will Hunting - Proof of Life - Men in Black - The Simpsons - Desperate Housewives - Tales from the Crypt

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