The Boomtang Boys Explained

The Boomtang Boys
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre:Electronic, dance
Years Active:1991–present
Current Members:Tony Grace
Rob DeBoer
Past Members:Paul Grace

The Boomtang Boys are Canadian dance-remix musicians and music producers.[1] They are known for both their remix work and pop-dance music, in particular their singles "Squeeze Toy" and "Movin' On", which both topped the Canadian Singles Chart.

History

The Boomtang Boys first came together in 1991 as a music production group.[2] The group created dance-friendly remixes of familiar songs, as well as produced music for a number of musicians and bands, including the Juno-awarded Deeper Shade of Love by Camille.[3]

Their debut album, Greatest Hits Volume One, was released in 1999 and produced the hit "Squeeze Toy"[4] [5] as well as "Pictures", both performed by Kim Esty. Greatest Hits did well in Canada, achieving gold status in sales. The single "Popcorn" appeared on the RPM dance chart in 1999.[6] The group also produced "The Hampsterdance Song", a track based on the Hampster Dance meme; the song reached number one on Nielsen SoundScan's Canadian Singles Chart in mid-2000.[7] "Squeeze Toy" and "Movin' On", a single from 2002, topped this chart as well.[8] [9] They also served as executive producers of (2000).

In addition to their own recordings, they are known for several remixes for artists such as the Philosopher Kings, Bif Naked, Econoline Crush and Kim Stockwood. They are still active and involved in a number of production and remix projects. Members Tony Grace and Rob DeBoer also tour internationally as the jazz ensemble Four80East.

Paul Grace died on August 7, 2019, at the age of 63.[10]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
(sales threshold)
CAN
Greatest Hits Volume One 23
Wet
  • Release date: October 15, 2002
  • Label: Virgin Music Canada
  • Formats: CD
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSongChart peakAlbum
CAN
[11]
CAN
Dance
1999"Popcorn" (featuring Fred)10Greatest Hits Volume One
"Squeeze Toy" (featuring Kim Esty)105
"Pictures" (featuring Kim Esty)23
2000"Both Sides Now"23
2002"Movin' On"1Wet
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Notes and References

  1. Larry LeBlanc. Billboard. 95. Boomtang Boys' Hit 'Toy' Drives Virgin Debut Canadian Sales. September 11, 1999.
  2. Larry LeBlanc. Virgin's busy Boomtang Boys step out. Billboard. September 12, 1998. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 73–. 0006-2510.
  3. https://www.proquest.com/docview/437991521 "Want a dance-floor hit? Call these guys; Boomtang Boys best known for 'Squeeze Toy' but they do so much more"
  4. http://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-vol-1-mw0000251619 "The Boomtang Boys Greatest Hits, Vol. 1"
  5. http://thecelebritycafe.com/2000/11/boomtang-boys/ "Boomtang Boys Interview"
  6. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=4164& "RPM Dance/Urban 30"
  7. Hits of the World: Canada. Billboard. 112. 29. 66. July 15, 2000.
  8. The Boomtang Boys Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. January 5, 2023.
  9. Hits of the World: Canada. Billboard. 114. 14. 56. April 6, 2002.
  10. Web site: Paul Grace of Canada's The Boomtang Boys Dies at 63. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301183100/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8527031/paul-grace-boomtang-boys-dies-obit. August 9, 2019. March 1, 2020.
  11. Web site: Boomtang Boys. RPM Weekly. July 17, 2013. Library and Archives Canada. March 22, 2021.