Coming tomorrow at 11am… The Toyah At Home / Love Is The Law special. The songs. the video, the tour, the recording process, the photos. Some of your questions answered by Toyah plus music and lots of unseen photos. Not to be missed. Toyah At Home airs at Toyah’s YouTube channel and Facebook page simultaneously.
• Love Is The Law is out next Friday, 8th November. Pre-order this exciting release at Cherry Red.
Cherry Red Records release a special limited edition 10” vinyl EP of Toyah’s 1982 version of the seasonal Greg Lake classic I Believe In Father Christmas.
Originally recorded for inclusion on the ITV special Pop Goes Christmas, the track features Toyah Willcox (vocals), Joel Bogen (acoustic guitar) and Keith Hale (keyboards). The much-loved version is newly remastered from the original master tapes, and the EP also includes three previously unreleased variations unearthed from the archives.
Side One includes the main version and the backing track that enables Toyah’s evocative backing vocals for the track to be heard clearly. Side Two features an alternate vocal from the November 1982 Marquee Studios session, without additional overdubs and backing vocals. An Instrumental version completes the EP.
The 10” vinyl is pressed on snow white vinyl and protected by a festive red die-cut inner disco bag inner sleeve that carries the a gift wrap design featuring a repeated classic Toyah logo motif. The EP outer jacket is a newly designed and sports fantastically festive and relevant period photography from the 1982 television programme the track was recorded for.
All EPs come with a colour Toyah Christmas Card (with a rare colour image of Toyah) in a throwback to the annual Christmas cards posted out to members of The Intergalactic Ranchhouse, the official Toyah fan club ran by Safari Records.
The EP is the third in a series of 10″ vinyl releases. The second 10″ EP, Rebel Run reached number 1 in the UK Singles Vinyl Chart, no.3 on the Physical Singles Chart on Friday 27 September.
• Pre-Order I Believe In Father Christmas on 10″ Vinyl EP at Cherry Red. Read the news at toyahwillcox.com. Watch Toyah announcing the release during, a surprise bonus episode of, Toyah At Home (which also includes a special video for The Vow from The Saturday Show in 1983).
Toyah’s 1983 studio album Love Is The Law receives new remastered and expanded editions, released by Cherry Red Records on Friday 8 November 2024. This follows the acclaimed and enthusiastically received series of remastered editions of four studio albums and four live albums that chronicle the band’s recording history from 1979-1983.
The album releases can be ordered from www.cherryred.co.uk.
For full track list and more details visit the Album page in the Discography of Toyah’s official website.
Reaching the UK album charts in November 1983, the album saw Toyah, Joel Bogen and Simon Darlow write and record the album whilst Toyah appeared as the lead in the successful theatre production of Trafford Tanzi at the Mermaid Theatre.
Previewed by the single Rebel Run, the album also includes fan favourites Dreamscape, Martian Cowboy and one of Toyah’s long-term personal favourites, I Explode. The title track features a group of fans singing on the song’s chorus after being invited into the Marquee Studios, Soho one evening in August 1983.
Following the acclaimed reissue Toyah series, this release once again features the album remastered from the original mastertapes by Nick Watson, overseen by Joel Bogen.
The LP reissue is pressed on translucent red vinyl and features a new colour inner bag plus a lyric insert. The 2CD+DVD edition features 31 bonus tracks, of which 21 are previously unreleased. Amongst these are B-Sides, alternate mixes, rarities, home demos, instrumentals and studio outtakes.
The DVD features two newly filmed 2024 interviews with Toyah Willcox reflecting on making the LP. These specially edited docu-features include extensive photographs from the Mermaid Theatre fan gatherings and several private studio session photos to bring the “Summer of ’83” story back to life once again.
The LP and 2CD+DVD artwork feature newly scanned archive negatives from the album photo shoot to both refresh the visuals with an alternate front cover and achieve a higher quality print finish, since the exact LP shot negatives are missing.
• Pre-Order Love Is The Law on 2CD+DVD, and semi-transparent red vinyl at Cherry Red (The editions with postcards sold out almost immediately!). Read the news/press release – and listen to a preview of Rebel Run (Extended) – and album page/full tracklist/release gallery at toyahwillcox.com. Watch Toyah announce the release on Toyah At Home.
One Week Today – Saturday 31st August – Toyah announces the remastered / expanded editions of the 1983 album, Love Is The Law in Toyah At Home. 11am at Toyah’s YouTube channel and Facebook. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
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)
Another exciting Toyah reissue. Rebel Run, Toyah’s penultimate physical single release on Safari Records, receives a 10″ colour vinyl EP release on 20th September 2024.
NB. This release features a number of previously unseen Rebel Run/Love Is The Law era Toyah photos, including the great new cover shot – See another at toyahwillcox.com.
TOYAH: REBEL RUN, 10-INCH COLOURED VINYL EXPANDED EP
Newly expanded and remastered EP version of Toyah’s 1983 Top 30 single ‘Rebel Run’. This specially expanded EP is a pre-cursor to the forthcoming Cherry Red reissue of the Toyah band’s final studio album ‘Love Is The Law’.
Recorded in July 1983 at the Marquee Studios, Rebel Run was produced by Nick Tauber, and saw Toyah and Joel Bogen joined by songwriter and keyboardist Simon Darlow to create new material following the silver- certified album ‘The Changeling’.
Pressed on grey-coloured 10” vinyl, the EP is led by a previously unreleased extended version of ‘Rebel Run’, mixed during the original album recording sessions in 1983, but which remained in the vaults. Also making its debut from the archives is an Alternate version of the album title track ‘Love Is The Law’ featuring alternate lyrics. Side Two presents new remasters of the two original B-Sides of ‘Rebel Run’ and an unheard Instrumental version of the EP’s title track.
The tracks have been remastered by Nick Watson from the original master tapes and approved by Joel Bogen.
The EP features stunning previously unseen photography from the album photo sessions, depicting a futuristic aesthetic with Toyah in red body armour custom-designed by Swanky Modes. The outfit was worn by Toyah in the single’s promo video inspired by sci-fi movie Tron. A colour inner bag features yet further rare imagery.
A limited edition postcard of a previously-unseen image of Toyah will come with every 10” vinyl EP.
TRACK LISTING
REBEL SIDE (SIDE ONE)
1. Rebel Run (Extended)*
2. Love Is The Law (Alternate)*
RUN SIDE (SIDE TWO)
1. Rebel Run (Instrumental)*
2. To The Mountains High
3. Baptised In Fire
* previously unreleased
• Pre-order at Cherry Red Records. See further info at toyahwillcox.com. See Toyah announce the release at this morning’s Toyah At Home.
Roses In Chains, Toyah’s new single is out now! The video premieres on Facebook / YouTube at 11am, Saturday 22nd June. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
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 will release a new single, Roses In Chains on Friday 21st June 2024 in time for Toyah second consecutive year of appearing on the bills of the legendary Glastonbury Festival and Isle of Wight Festival.
This captivating new song is a collaboration with her long-time writing partner Simon Darlow, and features the legendary Robert Fripp, adding his signature guitar to the production.
Roses In Chains emerged through collaborative song-writing sessions between Toyah and Simon, crafting a song that delves into the intense dynamics of human relationships. “The idea behind the song is the intensity of relationships; nothing is plain sailing, but bonds are unbreakable” Toyah explains. This theme of enduring connections is powerfully conveyed through both the music and the lyrics.
• Pre save the song now by clicking on the digital cover. See further details at toyahwillcox.com.
Bird In Flight, the lead song from Toyah’s Double-A Side single – along with Tribal Look – and very first Toyah release of the 1980’s, is included on an upcoming new 4CD compilation.
Heaven Sent – The Rise Of New Pop 1979 – 1983, will be released on 28th July, with Bird In Flight included on CD1.
The compilation boasts a wealth of great late 70s/early 80s bands and artists, including: Soft Cell, The Cure, The Human League, Tears For Fears, Altered Images, Eurythmics, Grace Jones, The Clash, The Associates, Japan, Teardrop Explodes, Hazel O’Connor, The Jam, Madness, Godley & Creme (who directed two Toyah videos in 1981) and many more.
• See further info and pre-order at Cherry Red Records.
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.
Out now! Toyah’s Warrior Rock – Toyah On Tour. A remastered and expanded release of Toyah’s 1982 Top 20 album. Buy Warrior Rock at Cherry Red Records.
An exclusive photo montage video of Street Creature live at Hammersmith Odeon. This outtake is taken from the concert in July 1982 that was recorded for the double live album Warrior Rock. The full uncut live album plus 26 bonus tracks including this one is available on the 3CD edition/digital editions released tomorrow.
Coming this Friday… Street Creature, a fully mixed and mastered LP outtake from the Hammersmith Odeon concert recording. Download or stream 03.05.2024.
The track previews the remastered and expanded Deluxe Edition of Warrior Rock, out 17.05.2024.
• Pre-order Warrior Rock now from Cherry Red. See: Street Creature digital release previews Warrior Rock at toyahwillcox.com, also: Facebook and Instagram.
On 17 May 2024, Cherry Red Records is delighted to issue the remastered and expanded editions of Toyah’s 1982 Top 20 album “Warrior Rock -Toyah On Tour”. Originally released as live double album in October 1982, Warrior Rock was recorded at Hammersmith Odeon (Now Hammersmith Apollo), London across the final two nights of the tour.
The album presents 15 songs centred around material from the band’s top 10 albums Anthem and The Changeling. The album is named after Warrior Rock, the B-Side of Toyah’s 1982 single Brave New World. The band’s hit singles It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains all feature on the album alongside fan favourites Ieya, Danced and War Boys.
This expanded reissue now documents The Changeling Tour, Toyah’s highly successful run of 25 UK concert dates in June/July 1982 in a more comprehensive fashion. The 3CD set was compiled by Craig Astley and Joel Bogen and presents 41 remastered tracks from master tapes/archive sources featuring 26 previously unreleased bonus tracks. A total of 19 different songs feature from 11 different gigs, recorded at 9 different locations.
For the first time ever, the ’four sides’ of the original live double album are included on CD – unabridged and uncut. Nick Watson/Fluid Mastering has remastered the package from the original mastertapes and archive sources, overseen by Joel Bogen.
A wealth of bonus tracks have been unearthed from the archives to provide both a glimpse backstage at concert preparations, and act as a definitive souvenir of the tour’s journey across the UK.
• Pre-order Warrior Rock on 3CD and translucent green double vinyl from tomorrow at 10am at Cherry Red’s new website. Read the full news/press release at toyahwillcox.com. See the full tracklist and release images in the Music section at Toyah’s official website. Watch Toyah announce the release at You Tube.
Toyah is currently topping the Official Legacy Chart, along with Trevor Horn and Robert Fripp with their cover of Relax. The song moved up from number two to one this week. Stream or buy the track, and the album it is taken from, by clicking below.
Toyah’s classic track Neon Womb – the opening song from Sheep Farming In Barnet (EP and LP) is included on a new 5CD compilation, Moving Away From The Pulsebeat (Post-Punk Britain 1977-1981), released on Cherry Red Records on 29th March.
Neon Womb is track 8 on CD2. The collection also includes: The Human League, Joy Division, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Clash, Teardrop Explodes, The Cure, Adam & The Ants, XTC and many more.
105 tracks charting the British Post-Punk explosion 1978-1981
A compendium of familiar names, underground oddities and freshly excavated historical nuggets
Featuring band-by-band biographies and detailed sleevenotes by Mark Paytrees
• Further info, full tracklist and order link at Cherry Red. NB. Browse our “Toyah on Compilations” news archive.
Included in the release of Echoes: Ancient & Modern is a brand new interpretation of Relax – one of the 80s most successful records in the UK. Featuring performances by Toyah and Robert Fripp. Listen or download the track now by clicking below. (Text & Image © Trevor Horn)
This month is huge for Doctor Who and Whovians all over the planet – It’s Who’s 60th Anniversary on 23rd November – and it’s just been announced Toyah is a cast member of a new Doctor Who inspired audio drama, released on 14th December.
Children of the Circus is a new, original, musical play (on audio) based on Doctor Who’s The Greatest Show in the Galaxy by Stephen Wyatt. Out 14 Dec, Toyah stars as The Band Of Infinite Harmony alongside a reunited cast including Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor) and Sophie Aldred (Ace).
Starring Christopher Guard as Bellboy, Dee Sadler as Flowerchild and Ella, Sophie Aldred as Captain Gren and AJ, Toyah Willcox as The Band of Infinite Harmony, Ian Reddington as Delios and the Chief Clown, and Sylvester McCoy as the High Poet.
With Daisy Dunlop, Verity White, Kim Jones, Kenton Hall, Barnaby Eaton-Jones and Ian Kubiak.
Special guest appearances by Ricco Ross as The Ringmaster, Jessica Martin as Mags, Chris Jury as Deadbeat, Deborah Manship as Morgana, Gian Sammarco as Whizz Kid, Daniel Peacock as Nord, and Dean Hollingsworth as the Bus Conductor and Station Announcer.
Produced and directed by Barnaby Eaton-Jones, for AUK Studios.
• Further info at toyahwillcox.com and doctorwhonews.com. Pre-order the limited-edition 2CD set here.
