Toy Soldiers (band)
Encyclopedia
Toy Soldiers is an American Rock N' Roll band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. The group's sound melds elements of folk
, roots rock
, blues, and soul
.
on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
. Though the band's sound was initially lo-fi and sparse, they eventually expanded to as large as ten members, including keyboards, horns, and backing vocalists. The band's membership remained fluid at times, with some members occasionally meeting each other for the first time as they took the stage for shows. Their debut album, Whisper Down the Lane, was initially self-released in the fall of 2009, but after signing with MAD Dragon Records, the group re-recorded several songs for the re-release of the album. MAD Dragon reissued the record on May 18, 2010. Critic Richie Unterberger
noted the album's gospel
and old-time music
influences and likened Gallo's singing to that of Lou Reed
and Marc Bolan
. The group accompanied the CD release with several live dates, including as a headliner and with Midlake
. The group played the WXPN
Xponential Music Festival in July 2010.
As of October 2010, there is an entirely new and solidified lineup consisting of Gallo, Dominic Billett, Matt Kelly, Bill McCloskey and Luke Leidy. The new group recorded a new EP titled "Get Through the Time" released on Ropeadope Records
on September 20th, 2011. They also released a split EP, "Midweek Mountain Getaway" with Nashville Singer-Songwriter, Jordan Hull.
The band won The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards in the Blues Song category for their song "Throw Me Down". Toy Soldiers were also nominated for Alt. Country Album and College Label Release.
Former
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The group's sound melds elements of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, roots rock
Roots rock
Roots rock is a term now used to describe rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is particularly associated with the creation of hybrid sub-genres from the later 1960s including country rock and Southern rock, which have been seen as responses to the...
, blues, and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
.
History
Toy Soldiers formed in 2007 as a two-piece with Ron Gallo as the primary songwriter, alongside former drummer Mike Baurer. The name Toy Soldiers was taken from a paintingPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest art museums in the United States. It is located at the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The Museum was established in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition of the same year...
. Though the band's sound was initially lo-fi and sparse, they eventually expanded to as large as ten members, including keyboards, horns, and backing vocalists. The band's membership remained fluid at times, with some members occasionally meeting each other for the first time as they took the stage for shows. Their debut album, Whisper Down the Lane, was initially self-released in the fall of 2009, but after signing with MAD Dragon Records, the group re-recorded several songs for the re-release of the album. MAD Dragon reissued the record on May 18, 2010. Critic Richie Unterberger
Richie Unterberger
Richie Unterberger is a US author and journalist whose focus is popular music and travel writing.-Life and writing:Having worked as a DJ at WXPN in Philadelphia, he started reviewing records for Op magazine in 1983...
noted the album's gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
and old-time music
Old-time music
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music, with roots in the folk music of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and countries in Africa. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance, and clogging. The genre also...
influences and likened Gallo's singing to that of Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
and Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
. The group accompanied the CD release with several live dates, including as a headliner and with Midlake
Midlake
Midlake is an American rock band from Denton, Texas. The band first gained popularity in Europe, signing to Bella Union Records and playing at festivals such as Les Inrockuptibles, Wintercase, End Of The Road Festival and South by Southwest.-History:...
. The group played the WXPN
WXPN
WXPN is a non-commercial, public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that broadcasts a music radio format called adult album alternative , along with many other format shows supported all with an indie slant...
Xponential Music Festival in July 2010.
As of October 2010, there is an entirely new and solidified lineup consisting of Gallo, Dominic Billett, Matt Kelly, Bill McCloskey and Luke Leidy. The new group recorded a new EP titled "Get Through the Time" released on Ropeadope Records
Ropeadope Records
Ropeadope Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, hip hop, electronic and downtempo music. The label was founded by Andy Hurwitz in New York City and later moved to Philadelphia, where it is now located....
on September 20th, 2011. They also released a split EP, "Midweek Mountain Getaway" with Nashville Singer-Songwriter, Jordan Hull.
The band won The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards in the Blues Song category for their song "Throw Me Down". Toy Soldiers were also nominated for Alt. Country Album and College Label Release.
Members
Current- Ron Gallo - vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Dominic Billett - drums, vocals
- Matt Kelly - guitar, vocals
- Luke Leidy - piano, organ
- Bill McCloskey - bass
- Garrett Smith - percussion
Former
- Bennett Daniels - bass
- Dan King - guitar
- Noah Skaroff - saxophone, banjo, lap steel guitar, organ, vocals
- Tom Cladek - drums
- Kate Foust - vocals
- Tyler Beck - bass
- Josiah Wise - vocals
- Zach Poyatt - vocals, guitar, piano
- Mike Baurer - drums
- Vinchelle Woods - vocals