Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah – Sheep Farming In Barnet
Expanded Edition (Cherry Red)

Any time is a good time to have Toyah’s often-overlooked early ’80s albums revisited, but in this case there seems to be no more expedient occasion to have this album back in the public eye, in its most impressive form yet. Toyah has come to prominence very much on social media during the Covid pandemic and associated lockdowns, appearing in a series of light-hearted and very amusing videos with her husband, Robert Fripp. Now, many of those in the ‘prog rock’ fraternity – who may have passed over Toyah’s output with little more than a cursory glance at the hit singles – have been fond of expressing their surprise at the union of the ultra-serious King Crimson frontman, with his almost ‘Prog Godfather’ reputation, and the woman often looked back on as a kind of ‘post-punk pixie’ with wild hair and a handful of hits. This album comes out just at the right time to remind people that, in truth, the relative musical outputs of both parties at the dawn of the 1980s really weren’t as far apart as you may think. This isn’t punk, and it certainly isn’t pop-punk. If you want to give it a name at all, art-punk is closer, as what is found among the 41 tracks here is a brilliantly adventurous mix of the post-punk approach of bands like Magazine or Wire, combined with an art-rock influence in the music itself, which is astonishingly mature considering these were 20 year olds at the time.

• Continue reading at Velvet Thunder.

Released 16 years ago, The Safari Records Singles Collection – Parts 1 and 2 were, and are, an amazing addition to Toyah’s mighty and comprehensive discography. Extended versions of both compilation albums are now available to stream. Listen to Part 1 here, and Part 2 here.

Toyah has announced that she will be putting on a lively and energetic concert with her full live electric band at The Factory Live, located at Unit 9A, Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, BN14 8BX on Thursday 29th July 2021.

Toyah and her chums will be performing her hit singles including ‘Good Morning Universe‘, ‘Thunder In The Mountains‘, ‘Brave New World‘, ‘I Want To Be Free‘ and ‘It’s A Mystery‘ alongside modern days classics ‘Sensational’ and ‘Dance In The Hurricane‘ from her 2019 charting album ‘In The Court Of The Crimson Queen‘.

The band will be: Toyah Willcox (vocals), Chris Wong (guitar), Andy Doble (keyboards), Mike Nichols (bass) and John Humphrey (drums). Purchase your Toyah tickets here. Further information on Toyah here.

• Continue reading at Brighton and Hove News.

Watch Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox cover Motörhead classic

The latest episode of Sunday Lockdown Lunch is here

King Crimson’s Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox have shared another cover in their weekly lockdown series, this time tackling a Motörhead classic. The pair began the Sunday Lockdown Lunch covers series last year and have shared their own takes on tracks by the likes of Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Alice Cooper, Foo Fighters and more.

For this week’s video, Willcox dressed in a maid’s outfit and dealt cards into the gust of a fan. Fripp, meanwhile, sat to her side playing the guitar as she sang.

• Continue reading at the NME. See also Classic Rock/Louder, Kerrang and Metal Sucks.

Toyah plays the role of Haroldia The Herald in Martin Kiszko’s fifteen-part audio/radio drama King Frank & The Knights Of The Ecoquest for Fun Kids Radio. See Martin’s tweet about this (including a photo of him and Toyah) here, and Toyah’s by clicking below.

A new Toyah track with Simon Darlow and Bobby Willcox features on the album release Miniatures 2020. The track Future Dreaming is what Simon Darlow describes as a “theatre production in 3 parts that had to fit in a minute … from star birth to the peace of the infinite.”

Former Mott The Hoople keyboardist Morgan Fisher released an obscure underground album in 1980 called “Miniatures”. It was effectively a collection of 52 “miniature masterpieces”, i.e. tracks of one minute length or less by a myriad of music legends and cult figures. Although at the time, the album flew pretty much below the radar it has over the years had a lasting and continually growing influence.

• Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com.

Super rare footage from Toyah’s early acting CV was uploaded to You Tube at the end of 2020. A Couple Of Cranks is a 1978 drama from BBC Midlands in which Toyah had a small role. Filmed around the same time as The Corn Is Green with Katharine Hepburn. Click below to watch. Fast forward to around 7.30 for Toyah. See larger versions of the screen caps here. (Thanks to Andy)

Toyah and Robert brightened up Sunday afternoon with a cover of Motorhead’s amazing The Ace Of Spades. No doubt Lemmy was there in spirit! Click below to watch. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

A couple of incredibly rare early 80s European Toyah magazine covers were posted at Facebook recently. Tip, a German magazine, featured Toyah on their cover in January 1980 and December 1981. (Thanks to whoever unearthed these rarities!)

Welcome to episode nine of our Patreon exclusive podcast documentary series, An Uncanny Hour hosted by Robin Ince.

In this episode we look at the life and influence of artist, activist and director Derek Jarman and more specifically his 1978 cult film, Jubilee. Was the film a punk film, a film about punk, or neither? How does it work in tandem with Jarman’s activism as a leading campaigner against Clause 28 and the homophobia of the time and how is it still relevant today?

Robin Ince talks about his affection for Jarman’s work and talks to:

Musician, actor and one of the stars of Jubilee, Toyah Willcox | Creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jubilee performer, Richard O’Brien | Writer, journalist and friend of Derek Jarman, Jon Savage | Performance artist, musician, writer and creator of some of Derek Jarman’s soundtracks, Cosey Fanni Tutti | Musician, writer and front man for The Membranes, John Robb | Comedian, writer and former punk, Charlie Higson

• Continue reading/Watch the podcast at The Cosmic Shambles Network.

Evoke Candle Co. have announced their officially licensed Anthem by Toyah candle.

The candle comes boxed and is scented with a fragrance chosen by Toyah. Pre-order the candle. Click here to watch Toyah unbox the candle.

The candle celebrates Anthem – an album that inspired so many people around the world and reverberates with a kick ass spirit to this day. It features the iconic album artwork and a gorgeous blue vessel.

In honour of the 40th Anniversary of the album Anthem by Toyah in 2021, Evoke Candle Co. are pleased to have partnered with Cherry Red Records on this limited-edition candle. Released in 1981, Anthem went to number two on the British Record Charts, had two Top Ten singles, It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, and has been awarded Gold Record Status. A tour in support of Anthem followed, with sold out shows all over the UK.

In honour of the 40th Anniversary in 2021 of the Toyah album Anthem, Toyah is pleased to have partnered with Evoke Candle Co. & Cherry Red Records for this limited-edition candle.

Toyah and Cherry Red Records are delighted to announce the newly remastered and expanded release of Toyah’s 1980 album “The Blue Meaning” on 28 May 2021. This is the second in a reissue programme of Toyah’s entire Safari Records catalogue.

PRE-ORDER NOW

Produced by Steve James with arrangements by Steve James and ‘Toyah’ the band (Joel Bogen, Pete Bush, Toyah Willcox, Steve Bray and Charlie Francis), the album reached number 1 on the UK Independent Album Chart and charted in the main UK Top 40 album chart in June 1980.

Remastered by Nick Watson from the original mastertapes and original sources, overseen and approved by Joel Bogen. The album features the ultimate fan favourite ‘Ieya’ considered a signature song by the band, which was also released as a single.

2-CD+DVD digipack with a fully illustrated 24-page booklet containing a brand new introduction note from Toyah plus rare and unseen imagery including album cover outtakes taken at Wykehurst Place, a gothic revival mansion in Bolney, Sussex.

This expanded edition features 27 remastered bonus tracks including single mixes, live tracks, rarities and unheard demos compiled by Craig Astley. Amongst the 20 previously unreleased tracks are the final recordings made by this band line-up including ‘Silence Won’t Do’ and ‘Jack & Jill’, as seen being recorded on the 1980 ITV documentary “Toyah” and have been long awaited by fans for forty years.

The very first demo of ‘Angels & Demons’ recorded at Eel Pie Studios, an Alternate Vocal take of ‘Blue Meanings’ with the previously unheard original longer song outro and three tracks recorded live at the ICA London all make their release debuts.

Includes the early original version of ‘It’s A Mystery’ by Blood Donor feat Toyah Willcox that a ‘new’ line-up of Toyah ‘the band’ went on to record and enjoy their first hit single with in 1981.
A sleevenote by Toyah’s archivist Craig Astley, with input from Toyah Willcox and Joel Bogen, chronicles the creation of the album and reveals the recording origins of the bonus material.

Includes a DVD (NTSC/Region Free) containing three brand new features with Toyah Willcox, an interview about the album/period, a track-by-track album commentary and an exclusive acoustic three-song session of songs from the era – all filmed October 2020.

The DVD also includes rare archive BBC TV performances of ‘Mummies’ and ‘Danced’ from Friday Night, Saturday Morning (November 1980) available on DVD for the first time ever.

Strictly limited edition neon pink coloured vinyl echoes Toyah’s hair colour from the back sleeve and the colourful glow surrounding the gothic mansion, Wykehurst Place in Sussex on the LP’s front cover. The vinyl LP features the original album track listing and features rare unseen imagery plus full album lyrics.

Initial copies of the Vinyl LP from Cherry Red website come with a signed postcard by Toyah – design exclusive to the LP pre-order. Initial copies of the 2CD+DVD from Cherry Red website come with a signed postcard by Toyah – design exclusive to the 2CD+DVD pre-order.

• Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com to see the full tracklist, hear a preview track and read further details on the release. Pre-order The Blue Meaning, 2CD/1DVD Deluxe Edition, and Limited Edition Colour Vinyl LP here.

Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Friday 26th March: 10pm
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: Channel 5: Sunday 28th March: 10.55pm
1983. Series 1, Episode 4. Simon Bates narrates this look at the music of 1983, featuring interviews with Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker, Carol Decker, Jenny Powell and other famous faces. Among the featured tracks are Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), New Order’s Blue Monday, and Bad Boys by Wham! Director: Yvette Lyons, Sian Brooks, Vanessa L. Williams. Starring: Simon Bates, Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker, Jenny Powell, Carol Decker.

Every Tuesday Toyah is counting down to the release of the newly remastered release of the 1980 album The Blue Meaning, released by Cherry Red Records. You can pre-order the deluxe 2CD+DVD set featuring 27 bonus tracks, or limited edition neon pink vinyl from Cherry Red.

Celebrity Catchphrase: ITV2: Thursday 25th March: 6pm
Celebrity Catchphrase: ITV: Saturday 27th March: 6pm
Stephen Mulhern hosts a celebrity special of the classic game show, with Nicola Coughlan, Stephen Mangan and Toyah Willcox all trying to say what they see as they guess well-known phrases for the chance to win a £50,000 jackpot for their chosen charity.

The Electric Ladies Tour with Hazel O’Connor has been rescheduled to June 2022. If you have already bought tickets please do hang onto them, they remain valid for the rescheduled dates. Three brand new extra dates have been added. Click below for further info.

A Musical History: BBC4: Friday 2nd April: 11.30pm
Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac fan Edith Bowman provides a narrative overview alongside other celebrity fans who all pay tribute to the band in this hit-filled hour. Contributors include KT Tunstall, Travis’ frontman Fran Healy, Toyah Willcox, Sian Pattenden and Emma Dabiri.

80s Stars – Then & Now!: Wednesday 24th March: NOW 80s: 9am
Where are they now? Classic hits, followed by some recent songs, including Pet Shop Boys, Kylie, Toyah, The Stones, Tony Hadley, The Pretenders, UB40, Rick Astley and T’Pau!

Apologies for the lack of updates recently. News posts will, hopefully, resume in early 2021!

Toyah introduces an amazing appearance from October 1981. We Are, from the album Anthem, performed on German music show Rockpop, a programme that ran from 1977 to 1982. Watch Toyah’s Intro, and then take a trip back to 1981 for We Are.