Camden New Journal - Music: The Toy Band

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - MUSIC - grooves with CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 9 August 2007

Toying with the idea of pop

PREVIEW:THE TOY BAND
The Dublin Castle

CAMDEN’S Dublin Castle will play host to new indie kids on the block, The Toy Band next month.
The four-piece from Cardiff (pictured) are no strangers to Camden’s legendary music scene, having played their triumphant debut at Dingwalls during the BBC Electric Proms sessions. They are heavily influenced by Dylan, the Kinks and the Beatles, and are perhaps best described as raw, energetic, colourful and folky.
Forget glow sticks and other New Rave paraphernalia – their sound is a mixture of dirty riffed rock ’n’ roll, jaunty indie pop and string drenched lament.
With harmonies like the Dandy Warhols and Pavement-guitar thrown in with a bit of Coralesque jangle-pop, they have already received air-play from Radio 1 and Radio 4.
But perhaps their greatest honour by far is being tipped for success by Echo and the Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch, who called them “great musicians, great performers,” before adding: “They’ve got the magic ingredient.”
Look out for Riff Song, a guaranteed hit after winning them the Pringles Unsung new bands competition.
There is also a cutting elegy to Tony Blair’s premiership, entitled Antony’s Legacy which as you can guess is filled with youthful disillusionment about today’s political climate.
They hate bands with no originality and music with grand epic gestures or clichéd lyrics – accusing them of creating an ‘emotional con’.
Go down to hear fresh musical talent with punk ethics and a sense of humour.
And if you like to hear a range of off-key musical instruments, make sure you shout out after the set for a bit of impro on the penny whistle.
Katy Orkisz

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Check Prices, Availability & Book Online
Receive Online Discounts and Instant Confirmation

» Rock & Pop
» Gig Listings
» Classical & Jazz
» C&J Listings
» Book concerts/gigs
» Buy CDs