In this episode of Bonus Tracks from KXCI Tucson, DJ Kiki shares the fascinating journey of composer Danny Elfman. Once a student with little interest in music, Elfman’s life changed when he discovered jazz and joined his brother’s performance troupe which evolved into the new wave band Oingo Boingo. After years of success with the band, they retired on Halloween night 1995. At which time Elfman was free to focus on composing more film scores and launching a legendary career.
Transcript:
0:02: This is KXCI Tucson’s Bonus Tracks.
0:05: I’m Kiki, bringing you an insight to the creator of Danny Elfman.
0:08: In his early life, Elfman wasn’t interested in the world of music and was more of a STEM major throughout elementary and middle school.
0:14: This all changed when Elphin switched high schools.
Music sample: (0:26)”The Breakfast Machine” from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure- Varese Sarabande 1986
0:18: He fell into a friend group who introduced him to early jazz.
0:23: This led him to make the decision to drop out of university high school in LA.
0:27: Elfman followed his brother Richard around France while he was on tour.
0:31: After that, Elfman decided to take a 10 month self-guided tour exploring the percussion instruments, and musical culture of Africa.
Music sample: (0:38) “Ain’t This The Life” Capitol Records 1980
0:39: He eventually returned to LA in the early 70s and became music director for his brother’s street performing acting troupe, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo.
0:48: Elman started by creating ensemble music for the 30 member acting troupe.
0:53: In 1976, his brother left the troupe to Elfman.
0:56: With his newfound position of lead singer and songwriter, he continues the regular theater activities for another three years before shaving the group down to only eight members and forming a new wave band called Oingo Boingo.
1:13: They will go to produce 8 studio albums, 2 live albums, 5 compilations, 2 tribute albums, and 1 EP, making 21 in total.
1:22: Their most popular being their 1985 album, Dead Man’s Party, featuring his hit song, Weird Science.
Music Sample: (0:22) “Weird Science” from Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party” MCA REcords 1985
1:43: This same year, Open received a letter from Tim Burton and Paul Rubens requesting him to make the score for their new movie Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
Music sample: “Overture (The Big Race)” From Pee Wee’s Big Adventure- Varese Sarabande 1986
1:55: A little scared due to his inexperience in scorema, Elfman submits his demo for the theme song with help from his guitarist and arranger Steve Bartek, and gets accepted.
2:04: Elfman goes on to make the soundtracks for Beetlejuice, Back to School, and Scrooged while simultaneously managing Oingo Boingo.
Music Sample: (0:46) “End Credits” From Beetlejuice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Geffen 1988
2:11: In 1989, he produces the Grammy-nominated score for Tim Burton’s Batman.
2:16: This boosts him onto the scene of soundtracks.
2:18: He continues to produce his scores such as Starkman, Batman Returns, and Edward Scissorhands.
2:24: After 17 years of a successful career with Elfman’s band, he decides to retire Oingo Boingo on the Halloween night of 1995.
2:31: This new weight off his shoulders allows him to focus more on his scoremaking.
2:36: He goes on to produce some big hits such as Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Alice in Wonderland, Four Men in Black films, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man’s 12, and 3, along with Mars Attacks and Mission Impossible.
2:47: Elfman not only produces the score for Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but also voices the amazing little Oompa Loompas.
Music Sample: (0:25) “Jack’s Lament” From “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Disney 1993
2:53: His topper on the cake, though, would have to be the soundtrack he made for the iconic Nightmare Before Christmas movie by Tim Burton.
2:59: Open not just produced this masterpiece, but also was the singing voice for Jack Skellington.
3:11: Danny Elfman continues his magnificent career with his surreal scores.
Music Sample: (0:14) “Wednesday Main Titles” Lakeshore Records 2023
3:15: Thank you for tuning in to Bonus Tracks on KXCI.
3:18: This is DJ Kiki, signing off.
