They have released three full length CDs, one EP and one single. They are most widely known for the song "Duvet", which was used as the theme song for the anime series Serial Experiments Lain. As a result, they are fairly popular among anime fans worldwide; in particular, they performed in a live concert at the anime convention Otakon in 2000.
Their first full-length album was released in Japan in 1998 and titled "The Race Of A Thousand Camels." In 2001, the album was released in North America under the name "Twilight." It contained extra songs not found in the initial Japanese release.
After long delays by Pioneer's record label, bôa set up their own record label, "Boa Recordings", in 2003 and began recording their new album, "Get There", released in February of 2005.
The band is currently on hiatus until further notice.
(Note that bôa is not to be confused with the Korean pop artist BoA.)
bôa was formed in 1993 by original drummer, Ed Herten. Ed had played in several bands including "Delirious Groove", from whom he recruited Paul Turrell (keyboards) and "Draggin' Bones", from whom he recruited Alex Caird (bass). Ed had also been to school with Steve Rodgers, who soon joined bôa on guitar and vocals.
"Fran", an early song penned by Ed and Paul, had a chorus which lent itself to a female vocal. Steve's sister, Jasmine Rodgers, then just 16 years old, was persuaded to record a vocal on an early recording. This happened a number of times until Jasmine was eventually persuaded to become a full member of the group.
bôa actually started out as a funk band and soon recruited Ben Henderson, who had played in the band "Doctor Sky" with Alex, on saxophone.
1994
After several months of intensive songwriting and practicing, bôa played their first gig at "The Forum" in London. The gig was the first of many great live successes (and a few early disasters!)
In summer 1994, Ed left the band to concentrate on his studies, but remains a good friend of the rest of bôa to this day. After a couple of drummers were tried out but, for one reason or another, didn't work out, bôa found themselves with a gig to play and no drummer. Alex persuaded the drummer of yet another ex-band, "Chapter 6", Lee Sullivan, to help out. Lee's debut was a great success and he soon became bôa's permanent drummer.
Ed's laid back feel had worked perfectly with bôa's early funk songs. However, Lee brought a more powerful, rocky feel to the band and the songs naturally followed suit. Consequently, saxophone became somewhat surplus to requirement and Ben switched to guitar.
1995
This was a good year for bôa - they played many successful gigs including a short tour of the South of England which ended in two performances at the Glastonbury festival, where they were chosen as the focus of a TV documentary about the festival that was shown on the London art/music magazine show, "Shift".
The members of bôa were so pleased with the way the band was going that Jasmine delayed studying for a degree, Alex dropped out of his and Paul quit his full time job as a computer salesman (he didn't like it much anyway!) and moved to the spiritual home of bôa, the incredible town of New Malden.
1996
A relatively quiet year for bôa in which they received considerable interest from British record companies but no actual offers of deals. Salvation came in the unlikely form of an offer of a deal from Japanese company, Polystar Records, which bôa signed.
In December, bôa went into Red Bus Studios, London with producer Darren Allison (who has also worked with Skunk Anansie and The Divine Comedy) and recorded three songs: "Twilight", "Deeply" and "Elephant".
1997
Production of the bôa album was delayed by Polystar but the remainder was recorded in September at "Monnow Valley Studios" with producer Neil Walsh. It was mixed at PWL studios (Manchester) in November by Neil Walsh and Jason Barren.
1998
The bôa album was finally released by Polystar in the second half of the year under the dubious title "Race of a Thousand Camels" (inspired by a dream of Jasmine and a computer game written by Paul). Jasmine and Steve went to Japan to promote the release with some TV and radio appearances though the rest of the band were not invited by Polystar. Polystar also failed to fulfil contractual obligations to release the album in America and Europe. The song "Duvet" was released as a single.
1999
Despite to this day owing money to bôa, Polystar finally did something to help rather than hinder the band when they secured the use of the song "Duvet" as the theme tune to Serial Experiments' anime "Lain". This led to DJ Wasei remixing "Duvet". The show won several awards in Japan and has become hugely popular with anime fans around the world, most notably the USA. This web site suddenly became inundated with notes of appreciation for the song "Duvet". Paul and Alex wrote to Pioneer-USA, distributors of Lain, and discovered they too had received many enquiries about bôa.
Meanwhile, bôa were working with producer Stuart Epps and recorded some new material including an acoustic version of "Duvet" and the song "Drinking". The "Tall Snake E.P." was released in Japan featuring all three versions of "Duvet" and two songs ("Little Miss" and "Two Steps") than had been intended as B-sides of further promotional singles in Japan that Polystar had failed to release.
2000
Ben left bôa to concentrate on his other band, "Moth", in which he plays with his wife, Tina.
2001
bôa's debut US album "Twilight" was released on March 27th 2001. bôa played a mini-tour of Los Angeles in April and hope soon to perform a promotional tour. They are well on the way to completing a second album. The future looks bright....
Paul Turrell
Sadly, after much soul-searching, Paul has deciced to leave the band in order to pursue other interests. We wish him all the best and ask you all to wish him congratulations for his wedding to Jai-un and further congratulations for their forthcoming little one!
In August, bôa were tempted away from songwriting for a moment when they were invited to play at the Animefest in Dallas, Texas where they were treated to a fantastic audience and good Texan Beer, all in all a good one.
2002
bôa were scheduled to record their second album for Pioneer but due to a series of re-shufflings in the record company the album has been delayed for the moment. bôa, however have enjoyed writing more and more songs, only stopping for a break in June when Alex went to Australia for a couple of months travelling and Jasmine went to the Far East.
In September bôa supported Bad Company on their UK tour playing in Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham,Sheffield, Nottingham and York. The tour was brilliant and bôa are back in gigging mode and planning many for the next year!
2003
BOA record the new album in Southampton, England. The album is entirely self-funded and the band set up a record label, Boa Recordings.
2004
The album is then mixed and mastered and finally titled Get There!
2005
Boa have finally accomplished what they set out to achieve.
Originally, this was just a simple wish like all bands to record the next set of songs that all musicians feel compelled to write. However, like all bands again, Boa met with a series of delays and eventually decided that doing it on their own would be the best course of action.
As a result, a record label, Boa Recordings was set up and Get There was recorded, mastered and is out on the 1st. We wish to thank all of you for waiting so patiently and supporting us so marvellously.
On The Wall
bôa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need what you need
As far as I can see
Time could've made it
Life could've breaked it
But you know me
I could've been there
Now I'm here again
I could've been there
You know I been there
Now I'm here again
Take me or break me
Make me feel alive
Make me and take me
Make me feel alive
Home on a run now
I'm on a gun now
I've seen it all
You know you seen me
You want to be me
I am there on that wall
Everything you need
You know that I have
All the things you want
Loving you lately
You know I love you
You know that I do
Make me or take me
You know you need to feel
Love me or leave me
You know you really need
All the time
Love me, leave me
All the things that
You know you wanted
You can have them from me
I know I love you
You know I need you
And you want to be free
You know you seen me
You know you need me
Time will change
When I am through
Love me or leave me
You know you need me
Take the time to see
I'm on the wall
The lyrics of bôa’s song "On the Wall" convey a sense of yearning and desperation for love and acceptance from someone. The opening lines “You know what you need, You need what you need, As far as I can see, Time could've made it, Life could've breaked it, But you know me” suggest that the singer of the song has a deep understanding of what the other person needs and wants, yet they are unable to give it to them. The repeated phrases “Take me or break me, Make me feel alive, Make me and take me, Make me feel alive” indicate that they are willing to do anything, even if it means being hurt or torn apart emotionally, as long as it makes the other person happy.
The lines “Home on a run now, I'm on a gun now, I've seen it all, You know you seen me, You want to be me, I am there on that wall” suggest that the singer is on the run, possibly from their own emotions or from a difficult situation, and feels trapped like a person pinned against the wall. They have seen and experienced a lot and the other person has also witnessed their struggles and is envious of their strength. The lines “All the things you need, You know that I have, All the things you want, Loving you lately, You know I love you, You know that I do” convey the message that the singer is willing to provide the other person with everything they need and want, including love.
The chorus lines “Love me or leave me, You know you need me, Take the time to see, I'm on the wall” suggest that the singer is urging the other person to make a decision about what they really want, either to love them or leave them alone. They are asking the other person to take the time to see that they are worth loving and to acknowledge the struggles they have been through. Overall, "On the Wall" is a powerful love ballad that speaks volumes about the human need for love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what you need
You are clear about your desires
You need what you need
Your desires are necessary
As far as I can see
In my observation
Time could've made it
The passing of time could have impacted it
Life could've breaked it
The hardships of life could have shattered it
But you know me
But you understand my character
I could've been there
I have had the opportunity to be present
You know I been there
You are aware of my previous presence
Now I'm here again
I am present once more
Take me or break me
Either accept me or destroy me
Make me feel alive
Give me a sensation of vitality
Make me and take me
Create and consume me
Home on a run now
Running towards a familiar place
I'm on a gun now
I'm quick and decisive
I've seen it all
I have had numerous experiences
You want to be me
You desire to have my experiences
I am there on that wall
I am present and figuratively visible
Everything you need
All your necessities
You know that I have
You understand that I possess
All the things you want
All your desires
Loving you lately
Recently, I have been loving you
You know I love you
You are aware of my love for you
You know that I do
You are certain of my love
Love me or leave me
Either accept my love or depart from me
You know you need to feel
You acknowledge the necessity to experience emotions
Love me, leave me
Either love me or abandon me
All the things that
All of the desires that
You know you wanted
You understand your desires
You can have them from me
I am capable of fulfilling your desires
I know I love you
I am certain of my love for you
You know I need you
You are aware of my necessity to have you
And you want to be free
But you wish to be independent
Time will change
The passing of time will bring change
When I am through
When I am finished with my current situation
Take the time to see
Spend the necessary time to comprehend
I'm on the wall
I am present and visible
Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aly
on Twilight
i love this song sm