Toyshop Murders - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Having been immersed in the tradition of Prog Rock and its sheer mountains of keyboards, I decided that the idea of a prog rock project would be a great outlet for my playing and writing abilities(not that they move mountains) so with the help of John Giles, we set about the task of writing and recording material that was both inventive and memorable( I can whistle the tunes, but not the solos-or the drum fills). Over a period of time, many songs were recorded and the project was ready for release, but unfortunately with new compositions coming into my head and gear coming into the studio (which is too full now), the project is taking longer and longer to finish.In fact I think SMILE by Brian Wilson took ages, I may have beaten it. I'm trying my best to complete this album. but with work for other artists and other projects, it's proving a little difficult. All the drums and bass will be recorded at Sonic One Studios in Llanelli, South Wales where Tim has a fine SSL desk and a great collection of vintage mics and outboard gear that makes everyone sound awesome. The tracks vary in prog styles. Some are very humorous, some very sad, some a huge and some are very aggresive. I have titled the album...."POMPOUS CIRCUMSTANCE" because frankly I find prog rock very pompous. The album title is just a play on words from Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance". The album maybe a single CD, or even a double.....I couldn't even think about a triple album....Only YES,Genesis and ELP would have got away with that in the 70's. Nowadays...they would be shot down and burnt at the stake along with their keyboards and capes. The use of Hammond, Piano and Moogs are very important on these tracks, but I've also used other synths to complement the textures. There's even a church organ in there. Somewhere? Hopefully I will finish this album very soon as I'm running out of patience telling people "it will be finished soon, HONEST". I've put a few MP3 tasters up here, but they are purely the core ideas I started with and they are without the real instruments. Only the Vocals will remain from these recordings. Thanks for your time.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/19/2005
Band Website: toyshopmurders.co.uk
Band Members: The A team
Influences: What could you possibly say about influences that wouldn't incriminate a band.Influences stretch from Emerson, Lake and Palmer to Janacek, from Jan Hammer to UK. Return to forever, Weather Report, Rufus Wainwright, Jellyfish, James Taylor, Focus, John Williams's scoring(astouding ability to create a memorable theme), Ben Folds, In general, most music that is emotive and inspiring.
Sounds Like: Toyshop Murders
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Its been a wierd and stressful month.

I am a little late writing this blog. I had planned to write it alot earlier, but with one thing and another I've not found anything to say(for those who know me well.....shut it with the wisecracks)....
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:51:00 PST

Theremin Heaven

I've just taken delivery of a Moog Theremin. It's so difficult to play. Imagine moving your hand towards an aerial to make the sound, but there no notes to see and a range of 2 feet incorporating 5 oc...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:20:00 PST

Session work

I've just finished a session(on Accordion I'll add), that was produced by Chris Porter with arrangements by Matteo for the artist/Singer Alfie Boe who has an awesome voice. The Orchestra were the Roya...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 05:54:00 PST

Returning home

Five weeks of touring was fun with Chris de Burgh and the band. We played lots of castles and parks. Every gig was outdoors except one. The weather was fantastic. It rained only twice and even though ...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:11:00 PST

The Chris De Burgh Summer Tour

So Chris and his management decided to ask the band onto the summer tour. As CdeB was doing the tour SOLO, we were told to keep it a secret. Well, no longer is it a secret and we are flying into Leipz...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:23:00 PST

Finishing songs off with Mal

This week, I'm finishing some songs off that I wrote with Mal Pope. Mal and I have known each other since we were 18/19 years old. Together with Tony Kiley-Drums(in the Chris de Burgh band) and Andrew...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Mon, 21 May 2007 04:26:00 PST

Guthrie Govan

I was played some tracks by a guitarist called GUTHRIE GOVAN..... If you haven't checked him out.... Go do it now.....he's unbelievable. He's on MYSPACE.....somewhere I'd go as far as to say...he's th...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Sun, 13 May 2007 03:20:00 PST

finally Got the 2nd Voyager

I've just got back from the USA and whilst I was there,picked up my Second Moog Voyager.It is one of the Select series which is custom backlighting and cabinet. It has the backlighting in the colours...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:15:00 PST

Comic Relief

I enjoyed the Comic Relief this year and was surprised to see Mr de Burgh on with Mitchell and Webb singing.,,,,"Table of Reds". He was great and fair play, when someone takes the piss out of yo...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:24:00 PST

Move on up!get on down

I realised the other day that prog rock is on the up. More and more bands are really coming onboard the prog heaven dreamboat. I'm glad to see it happen too as musicianship seems to have left the indu...
Posted by Toyshop Murders on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:16:00 PST