
Timebox were an English Psychedelic Pop-Rock band that evolved from Clive Griffiths' group, 'Take 5'. Formed in Southport, Lancashire, in October 1965, they continued under this name until their last Deram single failed. By this time, Mike Patto, had joined with the group, at which point they chose to rename themselves Patto.
In December 1971, Patto entered the studio again to record their second album, Hold Your Fire, after which they were dropped from the Vertigo roster. Despite poor record sales, they were becoming known as an exciting live act. Through his connections in England, Muff Winwood was able to have the band signed to Island, and they recorded the album Roll 'em Smoke 'em Put Another Line Out in 1972.
In 1973, the band began to record their fourth album. Mike Patto wrote songs that were less cynical than the usual Patto material and much more commercial. The ensuing album, Monkey's Bum, was not released. Without Halsall and with each member now involved in other projects, Mike Patto chose to disband Patto, going on to form Boxer with Halsall.
They signed to Virgin and three albums followed, Below the Belt (1975), Absolutely (1977) and Bloodletting (1979), which also featured Bobby Tench and Boz Burrell. The band dissolved after Absolutely when Patto became ill.
In 1979, Mike Patto died of lymphatic leukemia at the age of 36.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was enthusiastic about Patto's band that he invited them to do a session for his show in 1973, despite a one year ban for failing to turn up for one of the BBC sessions. After Patto disbanded the group and formed Boxer, Peel still kept interest in the band and this ensemble also did a session for his show in 1975. Patto also had a side project with a new band called Rocks who also did a session for Peel in 1978, but this group did not release any records.
Sessions[]
Patto's only session is available on Monkey's Bum (2017, CD, Esoteric Recordings)
- Patto
1. Recorded: 1973-02-12. First Broadcast: 27 February 1973. Repeated: 08 May 1973
- San Antone / Holy Toledo / Loud Green Song
1. Recorded: 1975-10-07. First Broadcast: 10 November 1975. Repeated: 30 January 1976, 20 April 1977
- Shooting Star / California Calling / All The Time In The World / More Than Meets The Eye
- Rocks
1. Recorded: 1978-02-07. First Broadcast: 14 February 1978. Repeated: 09 March 1978
- Firefly / Spectrum / Ready For Freddie / Horn Song (Who Put The Shanty On The Shimmy Loo)
Live[]
- Patto
Patto- San Antone- Peel Session March, 1971
Recorded 1971-03-04, unknown venue. First Broadcast: 14 March 1971
- San Antone
- Government Man
- Beat The Drum
- Sitting Back Easy
- So Cold
Other Shows Played[]
- 15 February 1997: Beggin’ (7 inch)’ Deram
- Patto
- 19 December 1970: Government Man (LP - Patto) Vertigo
- 24 November 1971: See You At The Dance Tonight (LP – Hold Your Fire) Vertigo
- 21 January 1972: Give It All Away (LP – Hold Your Fire) Vertigo
- Boxer
- 28 January 1976: Shooting Star (album - Below The Belt) Virgin
See Also[]
- Singles Reviews (Mike Patto)