Toys Went Berserk
Encyclopedia
Toys Went Berserk was a Sydney-based, post-punk outfit that formed in late 1985. TWB consisted of members who had previously been in various indie bands such as Box of Fish, Lavender Disaster, Happy Hate Me Nots, and Dusk Furrow. Toys Went Berserk was noted for their energetic live performances and their music (comparable to bands such as Skeletal Family
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Xmal Deutschland
) was quite distinctive in the Sydney scene of the time.
They released numerous records, including six singles and three albums (two LPs and one CD), and toured in the US and Australia. You can also hear their gothy version of "Stairway to Heaven" (ABC TV's "Money or the Gun" show), on the album of the same name. The band recorded their last album "Sensory" in the States, with the (Pixies) producer Gary Smith at the helm, returning the following year to tour. The band split in early 1992.
Singer Coo Bennett and guitarist Andy Jarvis moved to England for a while and started a new band called 'Feast' (1993–1998) and 'Houdini' (1998–2001). In late 2003, they returned to Australia (Perth, WA), starting their own "Trickster music" label. Toys Went Berserk have regrouped twice, for reunion shows; the first was in 1997 and the second in 2005, to promote the release of a new double "best of" CD. Entitled "The Bitter & the Sweet - best and rarest" it includes most of their studio releases, plus selected demos and live recordings. Coo and Andy released an album as Houdini Twins in 2006 ("In the Blink of an Eye") and perform regularly with their band Rocket to Memphis. RTM have released two CDs "Swampwater Shuffle (2007)" and "Hip-Shakin' Voodoo(2009)" and toured in Japan and the UK in April 2010. Their music is described as "swampabilly".
A 42 track, double CD compile of this mid 80's - early 90's Sydney pop foursome. Features a 16 page booklet with liners, photos and artwork.
Skeletal Family
Skeletal Family were an English gothic rock band which formed in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England in December 1982. The band formed from the remaining membership of an earlier group, called The Elements, and took their name from the title of the song "Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family"...
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Xmal Deutschland
Xmal Deutschland
Xmal Deutschland , often written as X-Mal Deutschland, was a musical group from Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1980 with a completely female line-up, they became successful outside their native country. The lead singer of the band is vocalist Anja Huwe...
) was quite distinctive in the Sydney scene of the time.
They released numerous records, including six singles and three albums (two LPs and one CD), and toured in the US and Australia. You can also hear their gothy version of "Stairway to Heaven" (ABC TV's "Money or the Gun" show), on the album of the same name. The band recorded their last album "Sensory" in the States, with the (Pixies) producer Gary Smith at the helm, returning the following year to tour. The band split in early 1992.
Singer Coo Bennett and guitarist Andy Jarvis moved to England for a while and started a new band called 'Feast' (1993–1998) and 'Houdini' (1998–2001). In late 2003, they returned to Australia (Perth, WA), starting their own "Trickster music" label. Toys Went Berserk have regrouped twice, for reunion shows; the first was in 1997 and the second in 2005, to promote the release of a new double "best of" CD. Entitled "The Bitter & the Sweet - best and rarest" it includes most of their studio releases, plus selected demos and live recordings. Coo and Andy released an album as Houdini Twins in 2006 ("In the Blink of an Eye") and perform regularly with their band Rocket to Memphis. RTM have released two CDs "Swampwater Shuffle (2007)" and "Hip-Shakin' Voodoo(2009)" and toured in Japan and the UK in April 2010. Their music is described as "swampabilly".
Albums
- The Smiler With A Knife (1988, 1SMILER)
- Sensory (1990, SENSUAL1)
Singles and EPs
- Don't Run Away/Gun At My Head (1986, SPLAT1) 7"
- Pieces (1986, SLICE1) 2x12"
- No Warning/Inseparable (1988, STAB1) 7"
- Forever and a Day/Something Better (1988, HIT1) 7"
- Wheels In Motion/Spot (1990, 1INMOTION) 7"
- Brand New Life/Stairway To Heaven (1990, BRANDNEW1) 7"
- Have No More (1990, HAVEONE) 12" E.P.
Compilations
- Toys Went Berserk: The Bitter & the Sweet
A 42 track, double CD compile of this mid 80's - early 90's Sydney pop foursome. Features a 16 page booklet with liners, photos and artwork.