Death of a Prize Fighter: where does the name come from?
 | | Jay Taylor |
"You know, I pulled it right out of the ether but it's an oblique nod to all the unsung contenders I know, potent characters who fell by the wayside and various people who just didn't make it in the end. Some died, some left town, some vanished and some just gave up the ghost. Also it indirectly references my all-time favourite joke... "Doctor: ‘You have a really appalling rash along your arm there. All I can suggest is that you quit your circus day job putting vitamin suppositories up elephant's backsides… Patient: ‘What? And give up showbusiness?’
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"And, boxing is also the only sport I follow so it neatly captured some of the more visceral moods I was pitching for." It's a wonderfully dark album. Where do you get your inspiration?
 | | Bone-Box in the FreeDM Tent at Cohesion Live |
"There's strong evidence that overall, happy people are subject to inherent psychological defences that promote optimism and a positive world view. However, the same theory argues that depressives may have a bleaker world view because they lack these defence mechanisms. Bleaker but ultimately truer. I'm just telling it how I see it and my glass is invariably half full, I’d say. "As for the sonics and arrangement, I just picked the instrumentation needed to tell those stories; only a thorough masochist would form a nine piece act under any other circumstances!" There's references to Christ, the devil and spirits. Is this a religious side of Bone-Box coming through? | "Virtually everyone. I'm right, they are all wrong and I'll broach no argument, thus it’s an instrumental." | | Jay on the inspiration for All My Problems Are Caused By Other People |
"There are layers there certainly and I have belief systems, but maybe not the ones you think. Talking Christ Down From The Cross is a wonderful northern turn of phrase to describe someone who talks too much, a jabberjaw so there are no real religious metaphors at play in that number. It is, however, a lesson in how to wilfully talk yourself right out of existence when all your options are closed off. "The Devil Is In The Detail likewise, dissecting dissections in a hospital room – viscera flying everywhere and not just from the patient. And perhaps some spirits drive you to drink or vice versa." All My Problems Are Caused By Other People: any people in particular? "Virtually everyone. I'm right, they are all wrong and I'll broach no argument, thus it’s an instrumental." How did the closing duet come about?
 | | LoneLady |
"Toasting The God Of Graceless Living is an empathetic but sardonic roar to all hell-raisers everywhere and a sung domestic row - but one of those ones that feels pretty damn good - so it had to be two header. Furthermore, I’ve always liked LPs that leisurely hand out ideas as they go along and wanted a last cut with another twist. The other voice is the plainly terrific Lonelady. She’s so damn great." There's a couple of songs about St Jay's Infirmary. Have you spent much time there or are you just the patron saint? "Oh yes, I’m simultaneously both patron and patient. It’s St. James’ Infirmary’s more brooding cousin, and also an admission - I'm inherently riddled with contradiction. Return To St. Jay’s Infirmary is a re-admission, of course." It's a striking cover. Have you ever fancied going toe to toe with a kangaroo?
 | | Bone-Box's Death of a Prize Fighter |
"The truly terrific Paul Slater painted the sleeve. But as for a personal brawl of that nature, of course not, kangaroos are clearly the boxing champions of the animal world. I like the idea the kangaroo is clearly winning, it appeals to the part of me that likes it when mankind gets taken down a peg or two. "Also it re-enforces the image of the contender over the hill somewhat - a failed fighter, failing against a kangaroo. I can't imagine a more darkly comic image." | 
