I’m just about to launch the first fanzines for 2026 – Issues 66 – 68 – and these focus on one of the most incredible and memorable Toyah eras… Anthem.
I love the Anthem band… One of the finest bands in music history – Just listen to Nigel Glockler, his mindblowing brilliance perfectly captured during Toyah’s At The Rainbow gig, but all five members of this band are incredible. I’ll always have a soft spot for Joel Bogen, though.
These fanzines also encompass At The Rainbow, the Anthem Tour and Toyah’s career in 1981 in general… in their 45th Anniversary year!
Here’s a fab Christmas Eve treat, courtesy of my pal, and fellow Toyah fan, Brian.
An AI video for Toyah’s legendary Anthem album track Jungles Of Jupiter. This is a completely non profit project and created as a fan tribute to Toyah’s inspirational imagery and music. Watch below or at Dreamscape’s YouTube channel.
Toyah has been an incredible inspiration to us, for almost our entire lives. So many friendships that wouldn’t have happened, so much joy and happiness, so much music and creative visuals…
We had a fun, pre-festive, day out in Glasgow last week, beginning with a lovely breakfast at The Crystal Palace and then onto the West End and spending some quality time at – the stunning 575 year old – Glasgow University, a visit to, the equally fantastic, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, a saunter around beautiful Princes Square and then along to HMV on Argyle Street for some Toyah spotting – Yup that’s the album that changed my life – Anthem – I’m modelling!
Last weekend’s Saturday Song from Toyah – channelling her inner James Bond – was a really rare (well, I’d never saw it anyway!) 1981 performance of, the Anthem track, Jungles Of Jupiter on Italian music show, Popcorn. Watch by clicking on the screenshot.
Nigel Glockler wasn’t always behind the kit for Saxon! Dive deep into his fascinating career, from his early days drumming for Toyah to how he landed the coveted gig with Saxon. Get ready for some truly unbelievable rock & roll stories!
Congratulations to Toyah, Alan Sawyers, Craig Astley and Cherry Red – Last year’s fabulous Anthem Box Set WON the category of Best Mixed Media Package at the Making Vinyl Awards 2023.
A specially filmed acoustic performance of the song Obsolete from the album Anthem.
There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am Toyah At Home slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.
A vintage concert performance of the song We Are live at Drury Lane, filmed in 1981. This track is from the forthcoming live 2LP and CD+DVD “Live At Drury Lane”, released on 12 May by Cherry Red.
There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am Toyah At Home slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.
A vintage television clip of the song “Jungles Of Jupiter” live at Drury Lane, filmed in 1981. This track is from the forthcoming live 2LP and CD+DVD “Live At Drury Lane”, released on 12 May by Cherry Red.
There’s new songs every Saturday morning uploaded to the Toyah channel in the 11am Toyah At Home slot. Remember to catch a new monthly Toyah At Home special at 11am on the first Saturday of each month.
Phil Marriott spoke with Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler about his time with Toyah in 1981, a hugely successful time for Toyah and her band, during which they released the No.2 album Anthem and hits such as ‘It’s A Mystery’ and ‘Thunder In The Mountains’.
LIVE REVIEW: TOYAH + VANITY FAIRY AT THE FLEECE, BRISTOL
Here’s a review I’ve long dreamed of writing; namely my favourite live artist, in my favourite live music venue, in my favourite city. If that isn’t enough to make it an interesting night out, my wife is also joining me – her first live gig for forty years. Here, it has to be categorically stated that my wife has no musical passions for Toyah but, as I discovered the Birmingham singer/actress back in 1980 and my wife as recently as 1988, she’s always been (mostly) very patient and contented herself with eye-rolling while I relive my teenage years of enthusiastic pogo dancing. An added element here is that both my wife and I are disabled – this being a key issue for her not attending gigs for so long – so it would naturally be interesting to see how the venue catered for us less-mobile types. Here, knowing The Fleece well was a distinct advantage. To me, it’s the perfect music location, consisting of a single, long room with not a trace of evil staircases. However, we contacted The Fleece well in advance to ask about specific details concerning disabled patrons. The venue did not disappoint us, being courteous and helpful through every stage of the booking process. So, before we get to Toyah, a shout out to Holly Angus and the team in Bristol for their support.
SDEtv examines the three physical editions of Cherry Red’s reissue of Toyah’s Anthem, including the super deluxe edition box set. Click below to watch.
This is, of all the Toyah reissues this far, also recommended to the casual fan. It contains just as much challenging ‘meat’ as the previous albums, but with the familiar hooks which will help less seasoned travellers navigate the truly fascinating outposts. Unreservedly recommended.
With this 2CD/DVD set, the deluxe Toyah reissue campaign from Cherry Red reaches 1981 – with an amazing four releases having spanned the previous two years from 1979. Anthem, the third studio album, was both the mainstream breakthrough and simultaneously an album which almost didn’t get made. Following the previous year’s live album Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!, the band (which we must remind ourselves, was itself named ‘Toyah’, in much the same way as ‘Alice Cooper’ was originally the band name as well as the frontman) fell apart, leaving just Toyah herself and creative lynchpin guitarist Joel Bogen. A short-lived band was assembled but quickly fell apart again after not really working out, and it seemed as if Toyah, the band, might be done. Toyah herself almost became the full-time vocalist with the band Blood Donor, who had the original version of It’s A Mystery in their repertoire, but after a few demo recordings that didn’t come to fruition. Nick Tauber, recruited as producer again after his work on the live album, pulled together a new crew along with Bogen, comprising bassist Phil Spalding, keyboardist Adrian Lee and future Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler. The new line-up recorded and released the four-track EP Four From Toyah early in 1981, with It’s A Mystery as its lead track, and the record’s unexpected massive success ensured they would not look back from that point on.
• Continue reading at Velvet Thunder. See more reviews of Anthem and other releases here.
A montage from the Anthem Tour 2022 at Epic Studios Norwich (16th September). See/hear a full version of Pop Star from the same gig here. (Thanks to Julie and Tony)
Join Toyah for a deep dive into the music and stories and your questions answered in the third of three new specials dedicated to Anthem. As the classic Gold-certified selling album receives its long-awaited remastered, expanded and deluxe release, this special celebrates the songs, the images and history in style. Enjoy much-loved songs, rarely seen footage plus and an extended selection of your questions answered by Toyah as she goes behind the music.
I’m just about to launch the first fanzines for 2026 – Issues 66 – 68 – and these focus on one of the most incredible and memorable Toyah eras… Anthem.
