Editing Oingo Boingo (section)

===The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo (1972–1979)===
{{Main|The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo}}
The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo began as a [[street theater]] troupe in Los Angeles, founded by [[Richard Elfman]].<ref name="LATimes-1975">{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Dan |title=Return to Calculated Pandemonium |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/385670120/ |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=26 March 1975}}</ref> The name was inspired by a fictional [[secret society]] on the ''[[Amos 'n' Andy]]'' TV series called ''The Mystic Knights of the Sea''. The earliest version of the band employed as many as 15 performers at any given time, playing over 30 instruments, including some instruments built by band members.

Richard's brother Danny Elfman joined the band in 1974 and later became its leader. The group gradually moved away from its street theater origins and transformed into a dedicated musical theater act. The group performed an eclectic repertoire, ranging from [[Cab Calloway]] covers to instrumentals in the style of [[Bali]]nese [[gamelan]] and Russian [[ballet music]] and, later, original songs by Danny Elfman. Guitarist Steve Bartek joined in 1976 as musical co-director. That year, the troupe appeared on the TV talent contest program ''[[The Gong Show]]'', which they won.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/72031/he-was-famous-film-composer-danny-elfman-was-contestant-gong-show |title=Before He Was a Famous Film Composer, Danny Elfman Was a Contestant on the Gong Show |website=[[Mental Floss]] |last=Green |first=Anna |publisher=Minute Media |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/alice_cooper_loses_his_head_danny_elfman_with_oingo_boingo_loses_his_mind_o |title=Alice Cooper Loses His Head & Danny Elfman (with Oingo Boingo) Loses His Mind on 'The Gong Show' |website=Dangerous Minds |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=July 2, 2022}}</ref>