View source for Boss Hog

{{Short description|American punk rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{for|the Dukes of Hazzard character|Boss Hogg}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Boss Hog
| image           = Boss Hog.jpg
| caption         = Boss Hog live 2009
| landscape       = yes
| origin          = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
| years_active    = 1989-2000, 2008-2010, 2016-present
| genre           = [[Punk blues]], [[garage punk (fusion genre)|garage punk]]<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last1=Ringen |first1=Jonathan |title=Boss Hog's Punk Rock Revs Up as It Hits Middle Age |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/arts/music/boss-hog-cristina-martinez-jon-spencer.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |agency=New York Times |date=March 23, 2017}}</ref>
| label           =
| associated_acts = [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]], [[Jon Spencer Blues Explosion]], [[Knoxville Girls]]
| website         = {{URL|facebook.com/BossHogOfficial/}}, {{URL|twitter.com/BossHogBitches}}, {{URL|instagram.com/boss_hog_bitches/}}
| current_members = [[Jon Spencer]], [[Cristina Martinez (singer)|Cristina Martinez]], Jens Jurgensen, Hollis Queens, Mickey Finn
| past_members    = [[Charlie Ondras]], Jerry Teel, Kurt Wolf, Pete Shore, Marcellus Hall, Mark Boyce
}}
'''Boss Hog''' is an American [[punk blues]] band including the husband and wife duo of [[Jon Spencer]] (guitar) and [[Cristina Martinez (singer)|Cristina Martinez]] (vocals) along with Jens Jurgensen (bass), Hollis Queens (drums) and Mickey Finn (keyboard).<ref name=ink19/>
The band achieved some notoriety, not only due to their abrasive sound, but more to Martinez's confrontational use of nudity on the band's record sleeves. In their 27-year history, the band's releases have been relatively sporadic, but comprised four full-length albums, a mini-album, three EP's and several singles. Between 2008 and 2010, the band played live and toured Europe and the US.
Boss Hog officially announced their return in May 2016 with details of US tour dates along with an EP, ''Brood Star'', released by [[In the Red Records]] in July 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/65487-boss-hog-announce-brood-star-ep-share-new-song-wichita-grey-listen/ |title=Boss Hog Announce Brood Star EP, Share New Song "Wichita Grey": Listen |author=Yoo, Noah |date=May 17, 2016 |publisher=Condé Nast |work=Pitchfork.com |access-date=January 6, 2017 }}</ref> A new song, "17", was released in January 2017 to herald the band's first full-length album in 17 years – ''Brood X'', released in March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/21512-boss-hog-first-album-in-17-years |title=BOSS HOG: First Album In 17 Years!
|author=Doran, John |date=January 5, 2017 |publisher=[[The Quietus]] |access-date=January 6, 2017 }}</ref>
Jon Spencer's other bands include [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]], of which Martinez became a peripheral member, and the [[Jon Spencer Blues Explosion]] both of which existed in parallel to Boss Hog.<ref name=mtv/>
== History ==
Boss Hog was formed in 1989, as something of an accidental side project, when Cristina Martinez and Jon Spencer were told of a last minute vacancy on the bill at the influential New York punk club [[CBGB]]'s. The pair put together a group of musicians from members of [[The Honeymoon Killers (American band)|The Honeymoon Killers]] and [[Unsane (band)|Unsane]], along with Kurt Wolf from [[Pussy Galore (band)|Pussy Galore]]. The gig is reported to have been an underground sensation in New York.<ref>{{cite web|last1=P|first1=Pauly|title=Livewire|url=http://www.rrr.org.au/program/livewire/|website=RRR FM|publisher=Triple R|access-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424001358/http://www.rrr.org.au/program/livewire/|archive-date=April 24, 2017|location=Melbourne, Australia|language=en|format=Audio Interview|date=April 22, 2017|quote="The first gig was at CBGB's, is that right? Is it true that you played the whole show in the nude" "yeah, except for a pair of red socks."|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Catchpole|first1=Matt|title=CLEVER SWINES – Boss Hog On Trump, New Album Brood X And Those Naked Show Rumours|url=http://essentiallypop.com/epop/2017/03/clever-swines-boss-hog-on-trump-new-album-brood-x-and-those-naked-show-rumours/|website=Essentially Pop|date=March 4, 2017|access-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Legetic|first1=Svetlana|title=BYT Interviews: BOSS HOG|url=https://nyc.brightestyoungthings.com/articles/byt-interviews-boss-hog.htm|website=Brightest Young Things|publisher=BYT Media Inc|access-date=April 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403015330/https://nyc.brightestyoungthings.com/articles/byt-interviews-boss-hog.htm|archive-date=April 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Spencer, Martinez, Wolf, [[Charlie Ondras]], and Jerry Teel recorded the EP ''[[Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin']]'' with [[Steve Albini]] for the record label [[Amphetamine Reptile]] in 1989.<ref>Dr. Rawk (April 1990). "Drinkin’, Lechin’ & Lyin’" Ruta 66 Magazine #51</ref> The band's first full-length album, ''[[Cold Hands]]''', was recorded thereafter with Peter Arsenault and Ed Bair, and featured Pete Shore of Unsane on bass.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Clarke|first=Jeremy|date=5 March 1991|title=Boss Hogg - Cold Hands|journal=Q Magazine|volume=55|pages=65}}</ref> Soon after the album's release in 1990 Shore and Teel left the band. Jens Jurgensen joined on bass and the band toured Europe to promote the record. This lineup recorded the [[BBC Radio]] session and additional tracks that were released as the "[[Action Box]]" double single. Shortly thereafter, Wolf left the band and Marcellus Hall of [[Railroad Jerk]] joined on guitar for another European tour, and to record the track "Fire Of Love" for a Sub Pop single compilation called ''Smells Like Smoked Sausages''.<ref>"Control Hogs on The Road To Ruin" Alternative Press (1991)</ref> Soon after, drummer [[Charlie Ondras]] died.<ref name=westword/>
Boss Hog took a break for over two years, whilst Spencer concentrated on [[The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion]], prior to re-emerging in 1993 with a lean, stable line-up of Spencer, Martinez, Jurgensen and new drummer Hollis Queens. The new Boss Hog recorded the ''[[Girl +]]'' EP with [[Martin Bisi]], whose success got them a record contract with [[David Geffen Company]].<ref>Faro, Michele (1995) "This Is Not A Love Song". Eye Deal magazine, #3</ref> Their 1995 major-label debut was simply entitled ''[[Boss Hog (album)|Boss Hog]]'' and was recorded with the help of Steve Fisk at NYC's famous [[Walter Sear|Sear Sound]] studio.<ref>Bishop, Lloyd (May, 17 2000) "[http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-bang-magazine-the-boss-is-back-press-uk/ The Boss is Back!]" Bang Magazine #2. Retrieved May 25, 2016.</ref> The band, with the help of keyboard-player Mark Boyce from the Goats, toured to promote this release in Europe, Japan, and Australia, as well as the US.<ref>Lewis, Angela(September 1995). "Squeal Gone Kids". NME (1995/#39)</ref>
In 1996, Boss Hog made a brief appearance as themselves in the movie ''[[Joe's Apartment]]''.<ref>Joe's Apartment (1996), cast and crew at [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116707/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 IMDB.com]</ref> After this, they took another extended break, reemerging in 2000 with the ''[[Whiteout (album)|Whiteout]]'' album and Mark Boyce as part of the permanent lineup. Made with the help of [[Tore Johansson]], [[Andy Gill]], [[Jim Sclavunos]], [[Roli Mosimann]], [[Jim Thirlwell]], and Bil Emmons<ref>Worley, Gail (June 29, 2000) "[http://ink19.com/2000/06/magazine/interviews/boss-hog She's The Boss: An Interview with Cristina Martinez of Boss Hog]" [http://ink19.com/2000/06/magazine/interviews/boss-hog ink19.com] Retrieved May, 25 2016.</ref> ''Whiteout'' featured a typically minimalist approach and strong levels of glamour and sexual provocation, within a more polished sound. Their return was well received by fans.<ref>Bishop, Lloyd (May, 17 2000) "[http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-bang-magazine-the-boss-is-back-press-uk/ The Boss is Back!]" Bang Magazine #2. Retrieved May 25, 2016.</ref> The success of ''Whiteout'' was accompanied by a number of singles and gigs and a flurry of publicity, before the band went silent again.<ref name=av/><ref name=prefix/>
Boss Hog played their first US show in 8 years on December 3, 2008 at Maxwell's in Hoboken, New Jersey,<ref name=vegan/> and have since played various dates throughout Europe and the US. Mickey Finn took over the keyboards position in 2009.
In 2016, [[Amphetamine Reptile Records]] reissued ''Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin''' on vinyl and CD with new cover artwork as well as the ''Psychopticotic Vol. One'' EP to which Boss Hog contributed a cover of "Talk Talk" by [[The Music Machine]].
Tour dates and details of the ''Brood Star'' EP and ''Brood X'' album were officially announced in May 2016.
== Discography ==
===Albums===
* ''[[Cold Hands]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Boss Hog (album)|Boss Hog]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Whiteout (album)|Whiteout]]'' (2000)
* ''Brood X'' (2017)
===EPs===
* ''[[Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin']]'' (1989)
* ''[[Action Box]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Girl +]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Brood Star]]'' (2016)
=== Singles ===
* "I Dig You" (1996)
* "[[Winn Coma]]" (1996)
* "Old School" (1999)
* "Whiteout" (2000)
* "Get It While You Wait" (2000)
* "Itchy & Scratchy" (2000)
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<!--unused<ref name=tp>{{cite news
| first      = David
| last       = Sprague
| title      = Boss Hog
| publisher  = [[Trouser Press]]
| url        = http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=boss_hog
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>-->
<ref name=vegan>{{cite news
| first      = Tim
| last       = Griffin
| title      = Boss Hog (Jon Spencer) @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ - pics
| date       = December 4, 2008
| publisher  = [[BrooklynVegan]]
| url        = http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/12/boss_hog_jon_sp_1.html
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>
<ref name=ink19>{{cite news
|first        = Gail
|last         = Worley
|title        = She's the Boss: An Interview with Cristina Martinez of Boss Hog
|date         = June 2000
|publisher    = Ink 19 Magazine
|url          = http://www.ink19.com/issues/june2000/inkSpots/bossHog.html
|access-date  = February 8, 2015
|archive-date = February 8, 2015
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150208223228/http://www.ink19.com/issues/june2000/inkSpots/bossHog.html
|url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
<!--unused<ref name=fma>{{cite news
| first      = Terre
| last       = T.
| title      = Boss Hog: Live at WFMU on the Cherry Blossom Clinic
| date       = December 20, 2008
| publisher  = [[Free Music Archive]]
| url        = http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Boss_Hog/
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>-->
<ref name=av>{{cite news
| first      = Stephen
| last       = Thompson
| title      = Cristina Martinez of Boss Hog
| date       = May 17, 2000
| publisher  = [[The A.V. Club]]
| url        = http://www.avclub.com/article/cristina-martinez-of-boss-hog-13659
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>
<ref name=prefix>{{cite news
| first      = Ethan
| last       = Stanislawski
| title      = Boss Hog: Interview
| date       = January 8, 2009
| publisher  = [[Prefix Magazine]]
| url        = http://www.prefixmag.com/features/boss-hog/interview/24099/
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>
<ref name=mtv>{{cite news
| first      = Jason
| last       = Ankeny
| title      = Boss Hog
| year       = 2000
| publisher  = [[MTV]]
| url        = http://www.mtv.com/artists/boss-hog/
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150209082910/http://www.mtv.com/artists/boss-hog/
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = February 9, 2015
| access-date = February 8, 2015}}
</ref>
<ref name=westword>{{cite news
|first        = Brad
|last         = Jones
|title        = Unsane in the Brain
|date         = October 12, 1994
|publisher    = [[Westword]]
|url          = http://www.westword.com/1994-10-12/music/unsane-in-the-brain/
|access-date  = February 8, 2015
|archive-date = November 4, 2014
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141104120453/http://www.westword.com/1994-10-12/music/unsane-in-the-brain/
|url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
}}
==External links==
The following web sites have been used to assemble details for this article:
*[http://www.pop-catastrophe.co.uk/boss-hog-discography-new/ Boss Hog discography: Pop-Catastrophe.co.uk]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010409154315/http://www.intheredrecords.com/pages/bosshog.html Boss Hog official site In The Red records]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20001120201200/http://www.cityslang.com/bandseiten/bosshog/bosshogframe.html Boss Hog ''Whiteout'' official site at City Slang records]
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116707/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast combined Cast list for ''Joe's Apartment'' including Boss Hog members]
{{Boss Hog}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Punk blues musical groups]]
[[Category:American garage punk groups]]
[[Category:Punk rock groups from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Garage rock groups from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Amphetamine Reptile Records artists]]
[[Category:Swamp rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1989]]
[[Category:Musical groups from New York City]]
[[Category:In the Red artists]]
[[Category:Glitterhouse Records artists]]
[[Category:City Slang artists]]