While on the subject of ‘Lion of Symmetry’ and Lorca & The Outlaws (see Newsy Bits below) – The full film is available to watch at You Tube, under its other name, Starship. Made in 1984, Toyah appears briefly in the film, on a holographic video jukebox in the “Miram Bar”, performing ‘Lion Of Symmetry’, a collaboration with Tony Banks, included on his ‘Soundtracks’ album from 1985. Listen here and view the songwords.
• If you only want to see Toyah, she appears at approximately 58 minutes into the film!
Official Toyah are excited to announce two very special releases from Toyah for Record Store Day 2021. Both exclusive releases will be available as part of RSD Drop 1 on Saturday 12 June. Visit the RSD website to find a participating store near you.
Mesmerised – Rarities & Remixes 85-94
• Released by Demon Records for #RSD21. Mesmerised compiles rarities and remixes spanning 1985-1994.
• Side 1 starts with Lion Of Symmetry, Toyah’s collaboration with Tony Banks of Genesis originally recorded for the motion picture Lorca & The Outlaws. It then features the Mike Hedges-produced ‘Desire’ album’s B-sides and an outtake Mesmerised. Side one closes with the 12″ Surf Mix of “Echo Beach”.
• Side 2 features Phil Nicholas-produced rarities and remixes, all on vinyl for the very first time, including Tears For Ellie and the “Weybridge Mix” of “It’s A Mystery” which features re-recorded vocals and Friday Forever.
• Rare imagery taken to accompany the Desire album and singles feature on this exclusive compilation which is pressed on 180 gram vanilla coloured vinyl and will be made available exclusively from participating stores on Saturday 12 June.
SIDE ONE
1. LION OF SYMMETRY – TONY BANKS & TOYAH
2. PLENTY – B-SIDE
3. SUN UP – B-SIDE
4. RE-ENTRY INTO DANCE – B-SIDE
5. MESMERISED – OUTTAKE
6. ECHO BEACH – SURF MIX/12″ MIX
SIDE TWO
1. TEARS FOR ELLIE – DEMO
2. GOD CEASES TO DREAM – REMIX
3. POLAND (ONE DAY ON EARTH) – DEMO
4. NOW I’M RUNNING – REMIX
5. IT’S A MYSTERY – WEYBRIDGE MIX
Tony Banks will release a four CD restrospective box set, A Chord Too Far, on 31st July.
With a tracklist personally selected by Tony, the collection features 49 songs from his seven solo albums: A Curious Feeling (1979), The Fugitive (1983), The Wicked Lady (1983) (film score), Soundtracks (1986) (a combination of original scores Tony wrote for films Starship and Quicksilver), Bankstatement (1989), Still (1991), Strictly Inc (1995), and his orchestral albums Seven: A Suite for Orchestra (2004) and SIX Pieces for Orchestra (2012)
The great news is that the wonderful Lion Of Symmetry, Tony and Toyah’s collaboration from 1985, originally from his album Soundtracks, which also featured in the film Lorca & The Outlaws, will be included in the collection – The fourth song on CD1.
• Read further details on the release at Chipster. Click below to visit the Lion Of Symmetry page at the Official Toyah Discography.
Toyah’s September blog is now available to read at The Official Toyah Willcox Website. Toyah talks Jubilee, her sister Nicola, Lorca & The Outlaws, new films, Vintage TV, this Summer’s festivals, a busy 2014, the Love Is The Law & More Tour, and a possible release date for The Humans third album. Click below to read!
• Brighton’s Big Screen: Quadrophenia: The classic movie is showing in Brighton next month – Another MOD invasion hits Brighton Beach this August Bank Holiday Sunday. At 7pm on Sunday 25th August before the showing of Quadrophenia, Rock ‘n’ Roll Productions, in association with Brighton’s Big Screen are presenting, for ONE NIGHT ONLY, a very special preview performance of: All Or Nothing The Mod Musical – Continue reading…
• Lion of Symmetry: There’s an obscure instrumental of this mid-80s Toyah song at CD Baby. It’s by a Dutch synth musician who is a huge Tony Banks fan – Listen here to a preview… (Thanks to Giddy Gavin – Have a wonderful brave new world in Wales Gavin x)
• Fragile Humans: Rare footage of Toyah recording the This Fragile Moment album in Estonia, June 2009 – Watch at You Tube…
• Northern Pride 2013: A great selection of photos, including over a dozen of Toyah onstage in Newcastle last weekend – View at flickr…
• Jack Up The 80s: The times and running order for next month’s festival has been announced. Toyah plays on Sunday 11th August at 4pm – View more info…
• Thunder in The Mountains: The stormy weather caused many mentions of TITM on Twitter this week! Most notably was Record Collector Magazine – “RC tuned to Toyah’s euphoric Thunder In The Mountains. Not to mention in urban industrial wastelands.” – View at Twitter…
• Tatton Park Picnic Concerts 2013: Toyah backstage with Gallowglass security man Vince at last weekend’s Tatton concert – View at Twitter…
• You Tubing: Toyah talks dyslexia and the Dore Programme. I think this is from a few years ago but has just been uploaded – Watch at You Tube…
• The Producers’ Forum: Members’ & Colleagues’ News, July Week 2: Debbie Isitt Event – Tom Lawes ( Electric Flix) who sponsored the event brought his neighbour Toyah Willcox!!..can you spot her? – Continue reading… (Thanks to Sara)
• As expected with a sold out London gig, a lot of footage has been uploaded to ‘You Tube’ over the last couple of days. Check out Steve Day’s, up close and personal, Warrior Rock. It has the distinction of being the very first clip made available online, from a gig that is already being compared to some of the legendary Toyah concerts.
• The Birmingham Press: What’s On At The Robin: On Saturday there’s the return of eighties icon Toyah, who since her chart days has honed her act into a top-line live performance. She’ll be celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of her influential album The Changeling, which itself spawned the live follow-up Warrior Rock. There are four support acts and the fun starts at 7pm. Tickets £19.50,
• Lost Turntable: Tony Banks’ Soundtracks: In 1984 he composed the score for a low-budget sci-fi flick called Lorca And The Outlaws (it was released as Starship on VHS). In addition to the score, he also composed the original songs, “You Call This Victory” featuring vocalist Jim Diamond and “Lion of Symmetry” featuring vocals by the amazing Toyah Willcox.
• The Brighton Source: Turns out that weird woman from kids’ telly was a singer once. Had to include this just for the fact that their one sentence “article” made me laugh!
• Sign Of The Times: J is for Juju: Also in 1981 Toyah released Thunder in the Mountains… and I vividly remember having this poster next to my Fox and the Hound poster on my Bedroom wall. The ‘TITM’ image seems to be everywhere at the moment! View here.
• There’s an interesting new article on the film Starship at the ‘Revok DVD’ website. Starship is probably better known to Toyah fans as Lorca & The Outlaws. Made in 1984, Toyah appears briefly in the film, on a holographic video jukebox in the ‘Miram Bar’, performing ‘Lion Of Symmetry’. Read the article here.
• Toyah is mentioned in the ‘Gay Times’ blog Boogaloo Killed The Video Star – So, whether you want to piece together insane costumes, devise dance routines, write inappropriate lyrics or sing in your best Toyah voice…
• London Drum: Toyah Willcox, at Bush Hall London: It’s been 30 years since “The Changeling” hit the charts, and the flame-haired Toyah is still going strong. She will be celebrating the album’s 30th anniversary by performing a selection of songs from the LP, alongside some classic tracks from her back catalogue. Bush Hall is one of London’s most unique venues. Its opulent chandeliers and period plaster work betray it’s original use as an Edwardian dance hall. It is a favourite venue of up-and-coming talent, and big names that want to play an intimate gig.
• Soley Mourning: Toyah Tour: We are really looking forward to playing the gigs with Toyah over the next few weeks. Gonna be a blast!!
• The brilliant The Druids at ‘You Tube’ (by Diamondsky66, aka Dawn)
• More Toyah “press namechecks” over the last few days: Bucks Free Press: Children’s TV legend to host music fest. Times & Star: Eighties pop star David Van Day and rock act The Quireboys are the latest acts to be confirmed for Workington’s Decades festival. This is Hampshire: Radio station is in tune 40 years on. (Not only misspelling Willcox but managing to plonk a hypen into it as well – no mean feat!)
