Miss Guy (Toilet Boys Vox) - "Dumb Blonde" CD EP Review

Miss Guy - established DJ and front-man for the recently reunited glam-punk band Toilet Boys – just released his first solo disc, “Dumb Blonde”. Miss Guy has been a fixture in the downtown NYC rock scene for over fifteen years, co-written songs with Deborah Harry (“Charm Alarm”) and Boy George (“Stay Away from Pretty Boys”) and is now stepping out under his own name with the release of this new EP (and he has a follow-up EP readied for later this year). Miss Guy always showcased a wide range of musical styles when DJing and his new disc spans a number of musical genres.

The disc opens with the glammed-up autobiographical song “Dumb Blonde” which, with its big hooks and melodic gutter punk riffs, sounds like it could have come from the Toilet Boys back catalogue. From there, Miss Guy goes into the slinky and pulsing dance club grind of “Take It Off” and follows this with the winsome power-pop number “Magic”. “Don’t Stop” is a mellow semi-acoustic love ballad the combines an acoustic guitar with an electronic beat. The disc’s final track, “Sometimes”, is a hazy, late-night mix of acoustic instrumentation and electronic feedback that ends the disc on an ethereal note.



Miss Guy is the resident DJ at the NYC parties DropOut at WiP (Deborah Harry joined Miss Guy for a song at the party this past week) and POGO at Hotel Chantelle.

“Dumb Blonde” was co-written and produced by Super Buddha’s Barbara Jean Morrison and Charles W. Nieland and is available via iTunes and Amazon.

Links:
Miss Guy

Toilet Boys Open For Guns N' Roses @ Webster Hall (The Ritz) on Feb. 15

Toilet Boys will open for the legendary Guns N’ Roses at their sold out show at The Ritz (Webster Hall) on Wednesday, February 15th in New York City. Ironically, The Ritz (Webster Hall) was the location of Toilet Boys last big New York show prior to their European tour in January 2003 after which Toilet Boys disbanded and went their separate ways. Now almost 10 years later after reuniting, Toilet Boys return to perform in the iconic location of their last major NYC show.

Toilet Boys are the infamous neo-punk Glam Rock band that has toured the US, Europe, and Asia with Blondie, The Ramones, Rancid, The Damned, Joan Jett, Motorhead, The Donnas and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The last great NYC rock n’ roll band, Toilet Boys grew out of the iconic club scene of Don Hill’s and CBGB’s where legends were born.

With one foot in a limo and the other in the dark heart of the NYC club scene, Toilet Boys have whipped crowds into a frenzy everywhere from the bullrings of Spain to the kinkiest, sexiest parties in the US to Madison Square Garden.

Revered by the New York Post, LA Times, and Rolling Stone, Toilet Boys have been deemed “a New York Rock Legend”. The UK’s NME states, “Miss Guy and the boys made rock history with their first visit to London."

Having reunited in Spain at the 2010 Azkena Rock Festival where they shared the stage with KISS, Bob Dylan, Slash and The Hives, Toilet Boys are currently writing new music and working on a cutting-edge stage show. A sight to behold, Toilet Boys are back!



Links:
Toilet Boys

Toilet Boys - "Sex Music" CD Review

The Toilet Boys have returned for one last hurrah. A new CD of previously unreleased tracks, "Sex Music", was released in December on Dead City Records.

This isn't a Toilet Boys reunion though as the majority of tracks were written and demo'd by the band prior to their breakup in 2003. There is one newly written song on this disc, "Drug of Choice", along with a remix of this song by each of the three band members.

This disc is a fun return to the not-so-long-ago days when the East Village was both sleazy and dangerous. Anyone who caught the band's live show in the late 90's will know exactly what I mean. This disc captures the high-energy glam/gutter punk sounds of the first few Toilet Boys releases and the leadoff track, "Sex Music", sets the tone for the rest of the disc. "Sex Music" starts with a spoken word intro from Theo and Debbie Harry and song has the repeated chorus "This is the sound of flesh". To repurpose a quote that Sean Pierce gave to Rolling Stone 10 years ago...Sex Music is the sound of an "already an up-and-running rock & roll machine going for broke and kicking ass".

Aside for the remixes, which are fun but unessential, there isn't a bad track on this disc. The Toilet Boys even tip their hat to former tour mates The Ramones with a glammed-up cover of "Carbona Not Glue".

The band held a CD release party at the Marquee a few weeks ago but, sadly, have no active plans to record or tour. It looks like each of the Boys will keep on with their current solo projects - Sean is playing in Theo's band, Eddie is in Psychic TV and Miss Guy is finishing up a solo CD.

Screen Test: Interview w/ Rob Roth, Theo Kogan & Sean Pierce

Earlier this afternoon, I had the chance to talk with Rob Roth (who conceived and directed Screen Test) along with Theo Kogan and Sean Pierce (who are performing the live score) about the upcoming performance of Screen Test.



Screen Test "seamlessly blends haunting hallucinatory imagery, modern paranoia, and the gritty sensibility of the NYC underground rock scene to explore what is real and artificial, the role fantasy plays in survival, and how the political and media landscapes of fear affect our current mindset."

This is the third year that Screen Test has been in production so check out one of the clips from last year's performance. There are a couple other clips on YouTube.



Screen Test is playing at the Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street. The shows are January 12 & 13 and the performance starts at 8:30PM each night. Tickets are $20.

Toilet Boys' CD Release Party is at The Marquee on Wednesday, December 12th

After four years of silence, The Toilet Boys are "back" for one final release, "Sex Music". Most of the tracks on "Sex Music" were written and demo'd in the year before Toilet Boys went on their final tour.

"Four years later, the Boys have come together to re-record some of these demo's that would have made up their next release. The energy of the sessions even inspired a brand new track -- “Drug of Choice” – complete with a remix by each member of the band.”

Here is the complete track list for the new CD:
1 Sex Music
2 Nothing To Lose
3 Gimme Everything
4 Astrological
5 Gods And Monsters
6 Carbona Not Glue (Ramones cover)
7 Drug Of Choice
8 Let's Do It Again

Remixes:
9 XXX Music (The Cult of Sean Pierce Remix)
10 Nothing To Lose (Miss Guy Loves Daddy mix)
11 Drug Of Choice (Electric Eddie Meets Bryin Dall Remix)

The record release party is at The Marquee, 289 10th Avenue.

Links:
Toilet Boys' MySpace page
Dead City Records

An Interview with Theo and the Skyscrapers (Theo and Sean)

Theo & the Skyscrapers have a new CD "So Many Ways to Die" which will be released this Tuesday and the band's tour started yesterday in Philadelphia. The band is playing the Knitting Factory on August 11th.

So, without further preamble, here is the interview...


Old and Boring Stuff

BrooklynRocks- What is the current status of the Lunachicks? What lead to the reunion show in 2004? Any further reunion shows planned?

Theo- Everyone is well, we are family. No shows planned.


BrooklynRocks-I read an interview with Gina (Bantam/x-Lunachicks) where she said that the only men that approach women in bands after the show are either 40 year old guys who live in their mother’s basement or 14 year olds still going through puberty. Any thoughts on this? Is life on the road not the days of heady debauchery that David Lee Roth and Quiet Riot wanted everyone to think it was?

Theo- I think it is generally less crazy for women, because many guys are intimidated by us...and come to think of it- i got asked for a kiss by a 14 year old with braces this past week in Italy and was given a sunflower ripped out of the ground by a creepy over 40 year old man, so I guess it is still true. I have witnessed males in bands getting A LOT more groupie action on tour. Plus, Lunachicks definitely had a "special" audience at times. .


BrooklynRocks- What is up with the Toilet Boys reunion CD? How did it come together? What role does Theo play on the new CD? Is there a tour planned (and will Theo and Debbie Harry be a part of it)?

Sean- the CD is coming out on DEAD CITY RECORDS, basically cause they wanted to release anything we had, so instead of putting out some shitty old demos we decided to re- record some of the songs we were writing before we stopped playing. Theo and Debbie Harry make appearances on 2 songs... in SEX MUSIC as a Radio Host and Call In Requester, and at the end of DRUG OF CHOICE- shouting out their drugs of choice.

There are no tour plans.


Theo and the Skyscrapers

BrooklynRocks- How did the Sean and Theo start writing together?

Theo- We kind of just did... it was natural, it was a while ago and we recorded with an 8 track cassette the first time in a rehearsal room in NYC!


BrooklynRocks- I generally hear horror stories about a band’s first show – what was the first T.A.T.S show like and where did it take place?

Theo- it was at Plaid in NYC , which is now closed and it was sort of super nerve-racking but it was very crowded ! We've come a long way since...Morningwood played too!


BrooklynRocks- What’s the new CD like and how does it differ from the first?

Theo- Electronic bass!! And it's more focused and has a more of a concept - it is a bit simpler in a stripped down way and I think the writing is better...


BrooklynRocks- How did you end up releasing the CD yourself?

Theo- Seems like more and more DIY is the way to go- it's always been that way in many ways, but we don't want to wait around for anything at this point. And we don't have to.


BrooklynRocks- Are you planning on signing bands to your new label (like Joan Jett and Blackheart Records) or is this just a vehicle for T.A.T.S?

Sean- Who knows - anything is possible, but we definitely wouldn't want to do that before all the pieces are in place.


BrooklynRocks- Are there any songs in the live show that didn’t make it to the CD?

Sean- who knows, in Italy we ran out of songs and wrote one on the spot especially for those crazy Italians!! Anything is possible!


BrooklynRocks- How did you end up starting the tour in Italy? Any thoughts on the current tour? (shows, bands you are looking forward to playing with)

Sean- Italy just kind of happened... Our friends in the Big Art Group asked Theo and I to score and perform a couple songs for a show they were doing there, then the festival asked us to play as the grand finally. It was an amazing time.

As for the U.S. tour- looking forward to all of it! We play with the Static Age, the Start, and there are always some awesome local bands that you get to see along the way.... can't wait!


BrooklynRocks- What are your thoughts on the current state New York club scene? (Sin-e, CBGB, Continental, Coney Island High, Brownies, etc. are all now closed)

Theo- SAD SAD SAD...less and less live music venues in a city that should have and had so many. Say helllooo to Brooklyn, people!

Sean- It's sad, but that is New York for ya... it's kind of a love it or leave it situation... roll with the punches kind of thing. The whole cities changed so much that it is obvious that the pockets of creativity would change too...


BrooklynRocks- What are the plans for T.A.T.S after the CD release and tour? (new recordings, other projects, etc.) Any major labels interested in the CD?

Sean- more touring recording and theatre performances... check out our 'Screentest' show.

A collaboration with director Rob Roth... we will be doing that again in January!


Music Scene

BrooklynRocks- How has the press treated this CD and the last? How tough is it to get mainstream press coverage when it seems that the biggest press coverage of female-fronted bands is pop (Brittney) or American Idol (Kelly Clarkson)?

Sean- We really don't pay much attention to that stuff... we do what we do and don't really give a fuck about the way it's received or who's receiving it.

Theo- We got a lot of coverage on the last CD- mainstream doesn’t always matter although it helps for sure - the more coverage the better! - The new Cd is just getting out there and so far has been well received.


BrooklynRocks- Do you keep up with any of the new bands on the NY club circuit? Are there any bands that you think will break out? What is the last band that you paid money to see?

Sean- the last band I would have paid money to see is the HORRORS... they were fucking amazing!!!

THEO- I don't really know.. I can't remember who I paid money to see last- I am kind of spoiled in that way...we have lots friends in bands, I don't want to mention one band without mentioning all ...


BrooklynRocks- Thoughts on bands reuniting…It seems almost every band possible has now reunited (Flipper, Dead Boys, Sham 69, Gorilla Biscuits). Any thoughts on this and any bands you wish had stayed “gone”? Any bands (with living members) that you would like to see reunited? Any plans to attend any of the summer reunion tours (The Police, Genesis, The Stray Cats, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.)

Theo- Make that money I say to them! And have fun, hopefully...I didn't see the Sex Pistols reunion if that tells you anything....Not planning to see any of it right now 'cuz we'll be on tour!

EEEEEeeeew Genesis!!!!

Many thanks to Kristina @ Cohn & Wolfe for setting up this interview.

Links:
Theo and the Skyscrapers MySpace page (link)

Theo (x-Lunachicks) and the Skyscrapers are Back with New CD and Tour

Theo and the Skyscrapers are back with a new CD entitled, 'So Many Ways To Die,' which is self-released on the band's own label, Dark Daddy Records.

The new record is a noticeable more mature full-length that shows significant growth and undeniable band chemistry. The ambitious album is more focused and climactic, mixing electronic elements with hypnotic, dark dance. Check out an advance mp3 of the cut Jealousy Died.

For anyone unfamiliar with Theo & her bandmates:

Theo & The Skyscrapers consist of a trio of renowned New York City musicians: Theo Kogan, former lead singer of the legendary all-female band Lunachicks; Sean Pierce, from the Toilet Boys; and drummer, Chris Kling. The band unofficially began when Theo and Toilet Boys co-front-man, Sean Pierce, began collaborating on songs. No strangers to the full on rock-‘n-roll lifestyle, Theo and Sean have played shows and toured around the world with bands like Marilyn Manson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rancid, NOFX, The Donnas, Blondie and No Doubt (to name a few).

When Theo and Sean were ready to officially start a band, they found Chris Kling, a drummer talented and tall enough to fit the bill. Skyscrapers stand over 6'5". Theo & The Skyscrapers instantly became a confident trio with electronic bass played by Sean Pierce.

In March 2006, Theo & the Skyscrapers’ debut album was released. Their new wave metal pop songs created an infectious beat that brought new enthusiasts to live shows and stirred an overwhelming outpouring of support in the online community. Fiercely loyal fans and fresh faces deeply connected to the band’s thunderous doom and dance sound.

The band starts an East Coast tour in Phildelphia on July 7th and the tour finishes up with a show at the Knitting Factory (in New York) on August 11th.

Here is a complete list of tour dates:

7/01 Inteatro Festival Polverigi-Ancona, Italy
7/07 The Khyber Philadelphia, PA
7/08 The Ottobar Baltimore, MD
7/10 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
7/12 Churchill's Pub Miami, FL
7/13 Orpheum Tampa, FL
7/17 Emo's Austin, TX
7/19 The Phix Phoenix, AZ
7/20 The Casbah San Diego, CA
7/21 TBA Los Angeles, CA
7/22 Thee Parkside San Francisco, CA
7/23 Blue Lamp* Sacramento, CA
7/24 Wow Hall Eugene, OR
7/25 El Corazon** Seattle, WA
7/26 Neurolux*** Boise, ID
7/27 Bar Deluxe Salt Lake City, UT
7/28 Hi-Dive Denver, CO
7/29 Grand Emporium Kansas City, MO
7/30 Triple Rock Minneapolis, MN
8/01 Creepy Crawl St. Louis, MO
8/02 The Note Chicago, IL
8/03 Magic Stick Detroit, MI
8/04 Top Cats Cincinnati, OH
8/05 Diesel Pittsburgh, PA
8/11 Knitting Factory New York, NY

(U.S. dates w/ the Static Age, * = w/ theStart, **= opening for Unwritten Law,
***= Opening for Exene Cervenka (of "X") and the Original Sinners)

Links:
Theo and the Skyscrapers' MySpace Page (link)