When asked about the Birmingham music scene people will mention Black Sabbath, Duran Duran and UB 40. But just think for a while and you will agree. There is no Birmingham scene without UK`s most successful all female band – We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and We’re Gonna Use It!! Often shortened to just FUZZBOX, the group consisted of Vix (Vickie Perks), Magz (Maggie Dunne), Jo Dunne and Tina O’Neill and it won’t be much of an exaggeration, if we state that they were essential to shaping both independent and commercial circuits of the late 80s and early 90s. Their mix of electronic music with elements of proto punk, pop, dance, cold wave and their larger-than-life stage costumes proved both highly successful and inspirational beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. Let us just mention that rock giants such as Sleater Kinney and L7 expressed admiration for Fuzzbox, but also X Japan member – Hideto Matsumoto (HIDE) found them to be crucial for developing his visual kei aesthetics.
We don’t want to re- tell the story of FUZZBOX, there are some great articles that do so already: HERE, THERE and even EVERYWHERE. If you have a moment to immerse yourself in the colourful world of Vix, Magz, Jo and Tina, we strongly encourage you to do so. You will be exposed to such strong creative forces that you may start writing your own songs. Art is contagious!
We do want to tell you all about the new material that Maggie Dunne created in association with other highly acclaimed female artists this year. This is a new version of FUZZBOX, maybe slimmed down but still full of vigour, incredibly eclectic and breaking down barriers between genres. Indieterria may be a new music blog but we will never say no to legends such as Maggie Dunne.
Voodoo Feline 239 is not just a single. It`s a whole EP with four versions of the lead single: radio edit, extended mix, Vortex Dubman mix and our favourite – Kelly Hughes Electromagnetic Mix. It brings so many people together that it is justified to use term supergroup on this occasion. Besides Maggie, Sugary Staple (The Specials/Neville Staple Band) makes an appearance. Yes, the one and only Original Rudegirl herself. Jenny Tingle (Visceral Noise Department/Joe Bone & The Dark Vibes) took care of drums and flute parts. The whole thing was mixed by Mike Bennet (responsible for FUZZBOX double album “Reimagined”) and Gary Watts of Nature of Wires.
Now if you are one of those people who stopped listening to new music in high school, then there is very little for you to enjoy on Voodoo Feline 239. It is a masterclass of mixing catchy choruses with some heavy dub and techno like it’s a Love Parade time in Berlin. At times it feels out worldly, mystifying and spooky. There are whispers, strange samples in the backgrounds and additions that you only notice after several listens. Absolutely thrilling musical adventure, thank you so much Fuzzbox!
Title heroine – the Voodoo Feline – could be a worthy opponent of Doctor Who. If you believe the lyrics, Feline came down from outer space in the form of an asteroid. Not only is she a shape shifting EBE (extraterrestrial biological entity for those who never watched an episode of X Files in their lives) but she also possesses paranormal abilities: mostly that of eating your soul and sending you to eternal limbo in the process. You better not make her angry and keep a big stash of Dreamies at hand. It is not known if Voodoo Feline is a member of the Catkin (a race in Doctor Who) or The Cat People mentioned by David Bowie, but she makes such a unique character in the musical universe. Anyone knows anyone at Marvel? We`d love a comic book.
Main single is supported by video showcasing models and dancers on a secluded, tropical island, possibly only inhabited by Amazons. This could be a very clever reference to Paradise Island and Wonder Woman but it could be only our wild guess. It would be lovely to see both Sugary Staple and Maggie in action but on this occasion, it was not possible. Bit of a shame but we will not complain!
The EP is out on March 24th and you better be listening or we will send Voodoo Feline after you.
You can follow FUZZBOX on socials:
https://twitter.com/fuzzboxofficial
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFuzzbox
https://www.musicglue.com/fuzzbox
https://www.instagram.com/fuzzboxofficial/
https://soundcloud.com/official-fuzzbox
https://www.youtube.com/@fuzzboxofficial7102/videos
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6iKe6ON2rZrdXbuuhI3Gat
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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