Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

A huge thank you to Stephen for his review of The Humans at The Scala, and for the photos also:

On arrival at the Scala the signs of Mr Fripp’s well known intolerance for illegal recording, were noticeable in the form of a large number of hand printed poster notices from ‘The Humans’ stating that “no unauthorised photography or recording of any kind would be permitted or you will be asked to leave”. Harsh perhaps? But frankly refreshing to be at a gig again without being confronted by a sea of mobile phone screens shining back at you and distracting from the act in hand. The act in this case being Toyah, Bill Reiflin, Chris Wong and ‘Mr Willcox’ as the guest man at the back.

After a no doubt talented, but rather middle-of-road support artist, Robert commenced the proceedings solo with one of his trademark soundscapes. I have personally always found watching RF perform to feel slightly voyeuristic and at times the hushed reverence can be uncomfortable (maybe a “good evening” would help ease the audience in). However he is always impressive whether you are a fan or not, and at times I was wondering how such sounds could be coming from a mere guitar. During the piece, as reported, a shout of ‘Cmon Toyah’ could be heard, presumably from someone imagining the opening bars of Good Morning Universe would perhaps be next – erm, nope.

Please click here, or above, for the full review and larger versions of the pictures.

Toyah And The Humans Gig In Cheltenham Raises Money

A gig by pop punk legend Toyah Willcox and The Humans at St Michael’s Church in Bishop’s Cleeve gave a much-needed cash boost to the building.

The church was packed on February 20 for the free gig which was a warm-up concert before the band kicks off their tour in March. The audience was asked to give a donation to the church fabric fund and more than £1,000 was raised on the night.

Team vicar Mike Holloway thanked the band and everyone who enjoyed the event. “The concert was great and there was a lovely atmosphere in the church,” he said. “It was nice to see it being used like that and it is always good to have live music there.

“If people went along expecting the Toyah of old, it was not that at all. The new stuff is very different.”

The cash raised will be put into a fund for future building work at St Michael’s.

“It was great people were able to enjoy the gig for free and give some money to help the church,” he said.

The Humans, which was launched in 2007, is made up of REM drummer Bill Rieflin, who plays bass guitar, Chris Wong and Toyah’s husband Robert Fripp.

A response, at the ‘DGM Live’ Forum, to the “review” that has rapidly became vaguely infamous;

RF has long lambasted the quality of music criticism, in particular for its paucity of basic humanity and its ineptitude (and, of course, nastiness). A perfect example of this was a ’review’ of The Humans performance at the Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser earlier this week (by Pete Paphides of the Times, 26 February). Not a review at all really, in actuality simply a nasty sideswipe at Toyah and RF. This is not a surprise, I take the Times on Saturdays (mainly for the fine crosswords) and often read Paphides’s music reviews. They are uniformly tiresome, the type of review that is sadly typical of the British press in particular (thankfully the more reasonable and intelligent John Bungey contributes to the Times too). Such reviews appear to have little to do with music and more to do with self-aggrandisement and a rather sad attempt by columnists (especially those past the first flush of youth) to remain hip to the latest thing. It was this pathetic attempt to remain perpetually ’cool’ that led me to abandon British music magazines in the first place. Anyway I’m sure Toyah and RF don’t take this nonsense to heart. All the same… the casual reader is given a distorted, uninformed and partial impression of a band, mainly because they don’t follow the accepted musical orthodoxy. Which, to me at least, is still a pain in the ass. By fishbonealice

Toyah, after performing with The Humans on the final date of their mini-tour, at The Scala on Wednesday night. Please click on these for larger versions. (Thanks to Manuel Sylvain)

The ‘Financial Times’ have reviewed Wednesday’s gig at The Scala;

The Humans, Scala, London
By Ludovic Hunter-Tilney

The Humans are an art-rock band featuring two bassists – one, confusingly, is REM’s drummer Bill Rieflin – and Fripp on guitar. Willcox, in a black PVC top, a memento of her 1970s punk roots, led the line with expressive vocals, twirling dances and stylised stage movements: Stevie Nicks meets Brechtian cabaret.

The twin bass players, occasionally complemented by programmed beats, played sinewy, rumbling rhythms, a kind of twisted funk, with Fripp contributing a range of guitar effects, from gnarly riffs and a pounding cover of Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” to delightfully subtle chimes.

On this basis the work of Mrs Robert Fripp and Mr Toyah Willcox, as Willcox introduced herself and her husband, deserves a far wider audience.

Read the full review at ‘FT.com/Arts’ here.

‘SwimathonPete’s Blog’ offers an interesting perspective of the Bishops Cleeve warm-up show in his Toyah Toyah Toyah post. Read that here. (Thanks to Paul Lomas)

A brief mention for The Humans in the ‘London Evening Standard’ review of Thursday’s Haiti Fundraiser;

Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser @ The Roundhouse: Egos landing for Haiti, By Rick Pearson

Last night, a conveyer belt of stars took part in a five-hour musical marathon to raise money for Haiti. Egos were left at the door as all profits from the show at the Roundhouse went to ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontières, in a bid to help the charities rebuild the country following the earthquake.

Of the early acts, The Humans were the strangest, Bombay Bicycle Club the hippest and The Futureheads the most entertaining — particularly during a rabble-rousing rendition of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love.

Read the full review here.

Meanwhile, today’s ‘Mirror’ features a news story on Toyah – the interesting aspect is that it is a report on/reaction to a review of The Humans’ set at the Haiti Fundraiser by ‘The Times’ newspaper;

The Mirror: Toyah’s Shock & Bore | The Mirror/Celebs: Toyah Gets Fans Seeing Red And Not Because Of Her Hair This Time: Singer Toyah Willcox’s hair may have changed from electric pink to stylish blonde but the ex-punk still has some people seeing red.

Her performance at a fundraiser for the Haiti quake was panned by The Times critic Pete Paphides.

He described it as: “A succession of songs so uniformly awful that the applause they elicited stemmed from the realisation that mere silence would heighten the sense of communal embarrassment.”

Clearly the 51-year old singer still has the power to shock.

‘The-Rocker/Zeitgeist’, “an idiosyncratic collection of music news and reviews”, recently gave the thumbs-up to both ‘We Are The Humans’ and ‘In The Court Of The Crimson Queen’;

The Humans – We Are The Humans
The Humans are an odd little cove. A project that was first put together to perform new songs at a series of concerts in Estonia, they comprise Chris Wong, Bill Rieflin and one Toyah Willcox.

After the shows were completed, they went into the studio to record the material, before heading back to Estonia to perform them again. Which is a curious, yet perversely intriguing way of doing things.

Most of the music comprises dense, electronic landscapes, with the clipped, robotic voice of Toyah acting as an additional instrument. It’s certainly interesting, and bears more than a passing resemblance to solo David Sylvain. Which is a good thing. ‘Twisted Soul’ is probably the closest thing to anything conventional, and acts as a good entry point. Me? I liked it.

Toyah – In The Court Of The Crimson Queen
Listening to The Humans album reminded me that I had quite forgotten how good the last Toyah album was, the wittily titled “In The Court Of The Crimson Queen”.

Toyah is one of those people who only really became interesting to me after the hits dried up, and this album is a bit of a secret joy. There’s half a dozen songs here that deserved to be huge with the likes of ‘Sensational’, the bluesy (!) ‘Latex Messiah’ and ‘Legacy’, utter delights. However, it would be a brave man who listened to ‘Come’ and ‘Bad Man’ more than once.

You really ought to buy this, just so Toyah doesn’t have to slum it on the Vampires Rock tour again.

There’s now a good online selection of reviews, fan opinions and comments on, and about, the mini-tour by The Humans. Go here for interesting overviews and reviews of Bishops Cleeve, and here for a great review by Merx of Wyre Piddle. ‘DGM Live’ visitor Colin Coates reviews the Cambridge concert here, and for numerous fan opinions on each of the gigs visit Toyah’s Official Facebook here.

There are further fan opinions at The Official Toyah MySpace and The Humans MySpace, and, as previously mentioned, The Assembly website, here, has a great selection of photos from the Leamington Spa gig.

The Humans’ very short, but nonetheless sweet, tour is over, the final gig being The Scala in London last night. There’s already been many reports on how good the five shows have been. Tonight, The Humans play a set at the Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser at The Roundhouse, London. Also playing are Paul Weller, The Futureheads, The Magic Numbers, Bombay Bicycle Club, KT Tunstall and many others. Please click below for further details on this.

Yet another glowing review for ‘We Are The Humans’. This one from ‘Tasty Fanzine’;

The Humans – ‘We Are The Humans’
If anyone ever asks me what my favourite King Crimson album is, I can answer without blinking that 1971’s ‘Islands’ is probably the group at the actual peak of their abilities. Robert Fripp is involved in ‘We Are The Humans’ at varying points. Toyah, for those of you born in the 80s, was a bit of a star around the beginning of that decade. If anyone asks me what my favourite Toyah song is, I might scratch and frown while comparing ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘Ieya’. ‘We Are The Humans’ is very much Toyah’s own album, and Bill Reeflin from REM plays bass and all sorts of other things. Toyah and Robert Fripp are married, and The Humans are inexplicably big in Estonia, where they can include the Estonian President and Justice Minister (these aren’t the same person) as committed fans (says the press blurb). Getting all of this?

Toyah, I am pleased to inform the Tasty readership has, after 25 years, still got it. In buckets. ‘We Are The Humans’ could’ve been released in 1983 to acclaim from her then legions of adoring fans, although it certainly sounds an altogether harder edged proposition than the girly synth punk Toyah was then known for. The combination of vocal aptitude and tunes that had me imagining a bluesier Scritti Politti make for an as ever challenging performance from the original diminutive ginger topped pop pixie, and I only want to ask, do the Humans perform ‘Good Morning Universe’ as an encore? I’m sure they could. [Review by JG]

• DSD, who reviewed ‘We Are The Humans’ at the end of last year, have also given a grudgingly positive-ish review to ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’. Read the review here.

The Humans’ Toyah, looking wonderful onstage, with Bill, at The Assembly, Leamington Spa on Monday 22nd February. Is London ready for The Humans? They play The Scala tonight! Please click below for a two-page gallery of great photographs from The Humans gig at The Assembly website.

The Humans play The Junction in Cambridge tonight, the fourth concert of their six-date mini tour of England… Here are three good reasons to be there.

..

The Humans two warm-up gigs in Bishops Cleeve & Pershore went incredibly well, playing to capacity audiences both nights. The set-list comprised of the entire ‘We Are The Humans’ album, four new songs; ‘Sugar Rush’, ‘Sweet Agitation’, ‘Fragment Pool’ and ‘Put A Woman On The Moon’, plus ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ and a cover of the Hendrix classic ‘Purple Haze’.

The Humans play their first gig proper in the UK tonight; The Assembly, Leamington Spa (01926 523001). Followed by The Junction in Cambridge (01223 511511) tomorrow night, The Scala, London (020783 32022) on Wednesday night, and the Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser at The Roundhouse, London on Thursday. Tickets for the first three gigs are still available. Judging by the reaction to, and feedback from, the two warm-up shows these are gigs not to be missed!

The Humans; Warm-up gig, Bishops Cleeve, somewhere in the deep dark depths of Gloucestershire

Having been introduced to Toyah in 1980/81 by fashion designer Richard Sorger (www.richardsorger.com), who at the time I was at school with, I jumped at the chance to see her play live. I had owned vinyl copies of Anthem and The Changeling…. I still have a cassette tape of Warrior Rock in my attic.

Robert Fripp on the other hand, was a name that I had heard but I have to admit, his music, I had not. I own many CDs by Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Michael Brook etc but for some reason he had missed my radar. But not any longer! He has a new fan today.

The church at Bishop’s Cleeve was full. I believe there were about 300 seats.
Robert Fripp started proceedings with The Humans (Chris Wong, Bill Rieflin & Toyah Willcox) joining him after the opening track.

Ms Willcox started off unnecessarily nervous, or at least came across that way, but that seemed to lessen further in to the show. The audience was very receptive and appreciative.

The Humans are a three piece, four when Robert Fripp joins them as a special guest. The band has two bass players and no drummer.

The Humans played all of the tracks from their “we are the humans” along with a reprise of “We are the humans” at the end. This was followed by an encore comprising of excellent versions of “These Boots Were Made For Walking” and “Purple Haze”.

Chris Wong’s bass playing on “Is It Wrong” stood out for me. You can hear this track on Toyah’s MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/toyahofficial). It reminded me of Mick Karn (Japan / Dali’s Car / Rain Tree Crow) although Chris may not appreciate me saying that!

I personally liked it so much that I am hoping to be able to make it to the Cambridge gig on Tuesday.

Review by Symon Payne

Further photos from The Humans rehearsal sessions. To everyone who is heading to Bishops Cleeve this evening – I hope you have as good a time as The Humans have been having during their rehearsals for the gigs.

These are sure to be special shows (I’m not envious whatsoever. Not a bit. Nope, no… no… no!! ;)) Please click on the pictures for larger versions. (Thanks again to John)

There’s now just a matter of hours before The Humans play their first, albeit a warm-up, gig on UK soil. The band have been rehearsing for the shows and next week’s short tour, and it looks like they are having a ball. Both this weekend’s highly anticipated warm-up shows are booked to capacity. The dates in Leamington Spa, Cambridge and London next week now look unmissable!

Please click on the pictures for larger versions. (Thanks to John)

The ‘Coventry Telegraph’ also has a new interview with Toyah:

Pop Icon, Toyah Willcox Takes New Band On The Road

The lady in the thigh-high boots and flaming basque-cum-breastplate is unmistakably Toyah Willcox – the stack-heeled wench with her back to camera requires a tad more explanation.

“Ah yes,” says Toyah, “that’s John Wayne! He’s actually a transvestite who owns a nightclub in Stoke-on-Trent – I met him because he’s a Toyah impersonator and now he’s my PA.

“He was there when we were making our video and the director said ‘right John, get your gear on, we’re filming you’.”

Toyah (the surname has been superfluous since It’s A Mystery provided her breakthrough hit in 1981) supplies the information in a matter-of-fact tone which confirms that the bizarre is perfectly normal in her world…

… Artists can sometimes get decidedly sniffy if interviewers attempt to pin down their sound, but Toyah, fortunately, warms to the suggestion that there is a Brechtian feel to The Humans’ music.

“That’s a nice comparison,” she says. “It’s not 100 per cent because there’s a lot of energy and we’ll be playing some new stuff which is very Seattle grunge, but it is a listening experience rather than the ‘come on everybody sing along’ when I’m out there as Toyah. And, yes, it is a bit dark and bleak – the Humans’ world is permanently in winter!”

That being the case, long-term fans expecting a quick chorus of Thunder In The Mountains or Brave New World will be disappointed.

“We will be doing some hits, but they’re not Toyah hits,” she says. “That’s not a possibility because we are so peculiar – it’s not a band set-up – it’s two bass players and a guitar and vocals.”

Read the full interview online at ‘Coventry Telegraph’ here.

A new Toyah interview, by the ‘Gloucestershire Echo’:

Toyah Willcox And The Humans Come To Cheltenham

Former pop punk star Toyah Willcox has chosen a Bishop’s Cleeve church to kick off her new tour.

St Michael’s and All Angels Church will be filled with fans of the singer, who shot to fame 30 years ago with hits such as It’s a Mystery.

Her new band The Humans will play a free, intimate gig at the church, which has a capacity of 200 people, on Saturday.

Joining the one-time princess of punk on stage will be REM drummer Bill Rieflin.

Toyah, who has had 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 albums and toured the world, said: “We have a strong association with Bishop’s Cleeve artist PJ Crook.

“And a long-standing relationship with Cheltenham.”

Toyah and her husband, guitarist Robert Fripp, are patrons of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum and she said her mother, who was a touring dancer, worked in a theatre in Cheltenham before she was born.

This will be her first gig in Cleeve, but Robert has already played at the church twice.

“I am so excited about it,” said Toyah.

Read the full interview online at ‘This is Gloucestershire’ here.

The Humans, led by 80s singer Toyah Willcox, will be playing a free warm-up gig in Bishop’s Cleeve before embarking on a tour of the UK.

St Michael’s & All Angels’ Church in Bishops Cleeve will play host to the very first live show from The Humans this February, when the free warm-up gig takes place.

The band led by Toyah Willcox, with special guest Robert Fripp, will be playing the first warm-up performance in Gloucestershire prior to kicking off the band’s UK tour.

Taking place on Saturday 20 February 2010, tickets to the gig are free of charge but are limited in number. Email info@moriartymusic.com with the subject ‘The Humans at Bishops Cleeve’ to request free tickets.

Toyah is interviewed in the latest issue (Feb/March 2010) of ‘Classic Rock Society’ magazine.

Steve Tomlin talks to Toyah Willcox about her latest musical project: The Humans

Toyah Willcox first came into the public conciousness 30 years ago as a flame haired pop-punk songstress bouncing around the Top Of The Pops stage to songs such as ‘It’s A Mystery’, a single I own to this day. You may think her flirtation with fame was brief, but that is not the case. This is a woman of many talents. Apart from continuing to record solo albums, the most recent of which came out in 2008, she has pursued a successful acting career on both stage and screen, remember ‘Quadrophenia’? She’s also been a regular on our TV screens as a presenter and contestant on ‘reality’ shows. As well as all of this, she has undertaken possibly her most difficult challenge, being the wife of Prog Godfather, the reputedly difficult Robert Fripp.

Now she has formed a new band, The Humans, who have an album and single out and are touring the UK in February. I managed to find 10 minutes in the lady’s busy schedule to find out more about this and everything else in her ridiculously busy schedule.

Read the full interview at Toyah’s Official Facebook, here. You may have to register.

It may seem like a strange choice of venue for a pop legend to perform at, but Toyah Willcox is to play a low-key gig in Bishops Cleeve Parish Church.

The ‘secret’ gig will be a warm-up ahead of a short UK tour for Toyah’s new band The Humans, and will offer a unique opportunity to see the band in very intimate and beautiful surroundings.

The performance will take place on Saturday, 20 February, 2010.

The band also features Bill Reiflin (who plays drums for R.E.M.), Chris Wong, and Toyah’s husband and King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp.

Admission will be free but at the end of the evening a collection will be made which will be donated to the local Parish community.

Read the full version here. View an alternative version of this news story here.