The reissue of Minx is reviewed in Classic Pop magazine.
• The latest issue of Classic Pop is available to buy instore and online. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive for the scans – Click below to visit Minna’s website)
Two more rare photos of Toyah have been made available recently, from the Love Is The Law and Minx eras, in anticipation of the reissue of both albums, and the Rebel Run 2024 EP.
• See two other, previously unseen, shots here. Pre-order the Rebel Run EP, and Minx. (Photos © Cherry Red/Demon Music)
In anticipation of the upcoming deluxe reissue of, Toyah’s 1985 debut solo album, Minx – a couple of previously unseen variations of Toyah photos from the Terence Donovan Minx-era shoots have been made available… Pre-order Minx here.
Toyah’s first solo album ”Minx” was released in July 1985 on CBS’s label Portrait Records (home at the time to Cyndi Lauper), presenting a sophisticated sound and image for Toyah Willcox who to date had enjoyed eight top 75 singles and five studio albums with the band “Toyah”.
Originally recorded in 1984, this very special 40th Anniversary set expands the album into a deluxe 2CD edition for the first time. Pre-order now
CD1 features the original album with two bonus tracks originally available on the 1985 cassette & CD formats only plus two non-album B-Sides, two extended 12” versions, and a 12” remix.
CD2 contains 16 rarities of which 14 are previously unreleased, including:
• The unheard album session demo “The Fight” and previously unreleased 7” Remix of third single “World In Action”.
• Two previously unreleased home demos of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” and Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out”, recorded by Toyah and Joel Bogen in the spring 1984.
• Two previously unreleased instrumental demos of “All In A Rage” and “Snow Covers The Kiss” recorded by Joel Bogen.
• Eight previously unreleased Backing Tracks of “Minx” songs, retaining their distinctive backing vocals by Toyah.
• The two CDs are presented in brand new seven-inch deluxe gatefold packaging. An 8-page booklet features rare photos by Terence Donovan and Curator’s Notes by Toyah archivist Craig Astley detailing the origins of the bonus tracks and rarities.
”Minx” was produced by Christopher Neil, with a musician line-up featuring Peter Van Hooke, Ian Wherry and Adrian Lee who made up the majority of Mike Rutherford’s Mike + The Mechanics. The rhythm section of Killing Joke guested on a cover of “School’s Out”. Toyah collaborator Simon Darlow played keyboards and co-wrote several tracks including lead single “Don’t Fall In Love (I Said)”. The album also features unique readings of Latin Quarter’s “America For Beginners” and Rare Bird’s “Sympathy”, the latter being the first time Toyah would be heard accompanied by an orchestra.
• Visit toyahwillcox.com for the full release info, images and tracklist. Pre-order Minx from your favourite online music store now. The 2020 translucent red vinyl reissue of Minx is also available from Amazon. See Toyah announce the release on Toyah At Home.
Toyah is releasing coloured vinyl versions of five of her solo studio albums: Minx, Prostitute, Ophelia’s Shadow, Take The Leap! and Velvet Lined Shell. They are released on Friday 13th March and can be pre-ordered at Amazon. Minx is on translucent red vinyl, and this release is the first time the album has been available on vinyl since 1985.
Issued on vinyl for the first time since 1985, the album is pressed on 180 gram translucent Red vinyl. In 1985, after five studio albums and two live albums with her band, Toyah decided to go solo, and signed to Sony’s portrait label. Produced by Christopher Neil, “Minx” Is Toyah’s first true solo album and includes writing collaborations with her band members as well as with Simon Darlow (“Slave To The Rhythm”), and two UK hit singles in “Don’t Fall in Love (I Said)” and “Soul Passing Through Soul”, as well as covers of Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” And Rare Bird’s “Sympathy”.
On 2nd September 1985, World in Action, Toyah’s third single from Minx was released. This would be the last single from the album and Toyah’s final release on Portrait/CBS Records.
World in Action was the first single of Toyah’s career that she didn’t co-write. It was also the first release since pre-Four From Toyah not to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart. As with the previous two singles from the album, the 7” and 12” had different sleeves. The 12” sleeve is probably the best of all six of the Portrait single sleeves, featuring a stunning, Terence Donovan, photo of Toyah. This was also the only single from the Portrait trio not to have a promo video made to accompany it. B-Side song Soldier Of Fortune, Terrorist Of Love was written by Willcox/Lee. Both were produced by Christopher Neil. The 12″ included the extra “Action Mix” of WIA.
This week in 1985 Soul Passing Through Soul – Toyah’s second single as a solo artist, stats fans – was in the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart. It was written by “Willcox/St James” and taken from the album Minx, which would go on to be released at the end of July. Some (not me) say it was influenced by/is reminiscent of David Bowie’s Heroes.
Soul Passing Through Soul was released on 7″, 12″ and 7″ Picture Disc, and was accompanied by a great video, with fantastic visuals – something Toyah always was, and indeed still is, known for…
Like Punk Never Happened: Smash Hits Archive has been continuing to upload retro issues of ‘Smash Hits’ magazine 30 years to the day they were originally published in the UK.
Various “recent” issues have included Toyah – Minx and its related singles were being released around this time back in 1985.
• Smash Hits, June 19 – July 2, 1985: This issue includes a full-page advert for the single Soul Passing Through Soul. Toyah is also included in the feature – “Who Is Pop’s Mr Clever Trousers?” – Read the issue here…
• Smash Hits, June 5 – 18, 1985: Toyah is included in the feature – “Oh! You’re Not As Tall As You Are On The Telly!” – Read the issue here…
• Smash Hits, May 22 – June 4, 1985: This issue includes the feature – “Toyah: Personal File” – Toyah answers lots of slightly odd questions, such as “When was the last time you saw a spirit?“. This was Toyah’s second “Personal File” for ‘Smash Hits’, the other was in early 1983 – Read the issue here…
• Smash Hits, May 8 – 21, 1985: This issue includes the songwords for the single Don’t Fall in Love (I Said) – Read the issue here…
• Smash Hits, April 24 – May 7, 1985: This issue includes a full-page advert for the single Don’t Fall in Love (I Said) – Read the issue here…
Toyah @ Twitter today: “learning ALL IN A RAGE, DONT FALL IN LOVE and SOUL PASSING THRU SOUL 2day. talk about walk down memory lane”
It has now been confirmed that songs from Minx will be included in the Songs From The Intergalactic Ranch House Autumn tour, the first time anything from the 1985 album has ever been performed live by Toyah (though for some reason I thought that ‘Don’t Fall In Love’ had been played live at some point at a PA, I’m obviously mistaken or mis-remembering). Click below for the full tour dates schedule and links to buy tickets.
Could songs from Minx be played live this Autumn for the very first time? – An excerpt from the latest Breaking Through newsletter mentions the possibility: “The autumn live dates as previously reported will focus on the Safari catalogue with some resurrected rarities putting in an appearance. There’s also a chance that one or two (maybe even three!) selections from Minx may just make a live debut too. They will be tried in rehearsal so it’s all still to play for. It would be the first time ever they’ve been performed in a Toyah set list”.
Toyah Willcox confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up
The news was announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show.
Toyah Willcox has been confirmed to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.
Willcox was the fourth contestant to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2024, following news that opera singer Wynne Evans, comedian Chris McCausland and JLS singer JB Gill would be competing in this year’s edition.
She rose to the fame as the frontwoman of new wave band Toyah, where her most popular singles included It’s a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want to Be Free.
Willcox has performed as a solo artist since her 1985 album Minx, with her latest release being 2021’s Posh Pop, which was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and reached number one on the UK’s Independent Albums Chart.
After Toyah and Wynne were announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show this morning, Dr Punam Krishnan was also revealed to be joining the line-up, making the TV doctor the fifth celebrity to be confirmed.
• Continue reading at Radio Times.
• Toyah At Home: Bonus Announcement Episode (Minx Deluxe) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Search and Destroy – Watch…
Press for Toyah & Robert’s new Sunday Lunch. This week covering Iggy Pop & The Stooges. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
• NME: Watch Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox cover Iggy & the Stooges’ ‘Search & Destroy’: Their latest Sunday Lunch instalment sees Willcox licking the face of the King Crimson guitarist – Continue…
• Classic Rock/Louder: Things are hotting up in the Worcestershire kitchen of Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp: Robert Fripp and Toyah’s Sunday Lunch returns with a blast through the Stooges’ Search And Destroy – Continue…
• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover The Stooges “Search and Destroy” – Continue…
• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Lick Their Way Through Iggy & The Stooges “Search and Destroy”: The frisky couple offer a salivating rendition of the proto-punk classic – Continue…
• Turn Up The Volume: Toyah & Robert Search And Destroy The Stooges In Their Kitchen – Continue…
• Yahoo!: Robert Fripp and Toyah Lick Their Way Through Iggy & The Stooges “Search and Destroy” – Continue…
• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform Iggy & The Stooges “Search & Destroy” In Ongoing Sunday Lunch Series – Continue…
• Y!Entertainment/Louder: Things are hotting up in the Worcestershire kitchen of Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp – Continue…
• TikTok: Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch, Search & Destroy! – Continue…
• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…
Toyah gave viewers of yesterday’s, bonus “Minx Announcement”, Toyah At Home a brief teaser that the Love Is The Law remastered deluxe editions will be announced later this year, and revealed “There’s so many things going on with this release, it’s fantastic!” Watch the episode by clicking below. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Surprise! Toyah is back with a bonus Toyah At Home announcing a new release especially for you. Tune in at 11am for all of the details on a new 2CD Deluxe Edition. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Two Expanded Toyah Platters Shine A Fresh Light On Her Past
Last years have seen a long-overdue reappraisal of Toyah‘s career: unjustifiably perceived by too many a listener as a quintessential ’80s artiste, Ms. Willcox proved again and again that she still is a queen of intelligent quirk-rock – and not only by cavorting with her husband in the acclaimed YouTube series but also by curating a series of her classic albums’ reissues, which are to be prolonged soon by two more titles. Appearing on May 17th is an expanded version of “Warrior Rock: Toyah On Tour” from 1982, and on July 26th a deluxe version of “Minx” from 1985.
• Continue reading at Let It Rock.
This past weekend Toyah revisited her 1985 album, Minx, by exploring the second single released from it, Soul Passing Through Soul, in Toyah At Home. Here’s a bit of SPTS fan art I put together a few years ago… (While on the subject of Minx – Space Between The Sounds is still one of my favourite Toyah songs. Yup, it’s over-the-top but bloody brilliant!!)
I was sad to hear of the death of Janice Long at Christmas. I grew up through the 80s listening to her BBC Radio 1 show and loving many of the bands she championed, most notably The Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen and Manic Street Preachers.
Janice was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1. A true pioneer!
I also often listened to Janice’s BBC Radio 2 show much later on. She was a true music fan and a great broadcaster who was so good at her job it felt like you were listening to a friend. She will be greatly missed.
Janice interviewed Toyah many times, most memorably in 1983 (Love Is The Law era), 1985 (Minx era), and 2021 (Posh Pop era). Toyah also guested twice on The Janice Long Review Show on Vintage TV in 2012, and was one of the artists Janice chose on her NOW 80’s show Janice Long’s Ladies With Attitude.
Toyah paid tribute to Janice on Boxing Day, saying: “Dear wonderful Janice Long championed women in music. Janice has been in my life my whole career, my deepest sympathy to all her family, friends, listeners and fans. Too young to lose you. Toyah xxx”
There have been many tributes to Janice over the past few days, from her friends, work colleagues and many of the bands she supported via her radio shows over the years.
The Guardian said: “The DJ Janice Long, who has died aged 66 following a short illness, became a pioneer in broadcasting as the first woman to have her own weekday show on BBC Radio 1 and the first to become a regular presenter of Top of the Pops. Unlike some of the prominent DJs with whom she shared the airwaves during the first part of her career in the 1980s, Long was a genuine music fan, credited with giving a helping hand to a number of artists whom she had championed, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers, the Teardrop Explodes, Amy Winehouse and the Coral.”
• Read The Guardian‘s full Janice Long obituary here.
• See Toyah’s tribute to Janice here.
• Browse Dreamscape’s Janice Long news archive here.
• Click on the screenshots – from Toyah’s appearance on Vintage TV’s The Janice Long Review Show in 2012 – to view larger versions. (Thanks to Paul for the 1985 Radio Times clipping)
Toyah scores highest solo album placement with ‘Posh Pop’
The ’80s icon has teased plans to tour the album across the UK, Europe and the US.
‘Posh Pop’ is Toyah’s best charting album of her solo career. The singer’s 16th LP, featuring the singles Levitate, Zoom Zoom and Summer of Love, debuted at No. 22 on the UK chart, beating her solo debut ‘Minx’, which peaked at 24.
It’s beaten only by ‘Anthem’ and ‘The Changeling’, both of which were released by the singer’s eponymous new wave band, of which she was frontwoman. ‘Anthem’ was a UK No. 2 hit, while ‘The Changeling’ reached No. 6. The live album “Warrior Rock’ also hit No. 20.
• Continue reading at Retro Pop. Read Retro Pop’s recent interview with Toyah.
