Clive Langer full-member of the Deaf School since 1974, also collaborated with the early Big in Japan in 1978. In 1979, after both acts disbanded he started working with some friends as Clive Langer and the Boxes. The first-line up of the Boxes included, besides Langer himself (vocals and guitars), Deaf School friends Bette Bright and Steve Allen (backing vocals), Budgie (drums, former Spitfire Boys, Big in Japan) and Ben Barson (keyboards, brother of and main influence for Mike Barson, keyboard player with Madness). In March 1979 the group released their first 12 : The first vinyl release by the Boxes was warmly received by the press. Clive Langer, who by 1979 had already successfully produced Bette Bright, Madness and the Teardrop Explodes, put his experience and focus into re-vitalizing his solo project. In 1980, after a support tour with Elvis Costello, Clive Langer and a new line-up for the Boxes including Ben Barson on keyboards, James Eller on bass, Martin Hughes of drums, the brass section of the Rumour, plus Steve Allen and Bette Bright on backing vocals released a couple of singles (namely Splash (A Tear Goes Rolling Down) b/w Hello and It sAll Over Now b/w Lovely Evening), both of which were to be included in the band s first LP (except for the b-side Lovely Evening, already featured on the first 12 )
