Toy (before they
were known as that) were originally formed in 1992 when Iain McMurtrie (vocals
/ guitar) and Grant Copeland (drums / vocals) started jamming together. Originally
they were a three piece band playing covers, with Steven Roper on bass, although
he never really learned the instrument. After jamming for a while McMurtie &
Copeland recruited Jason Connolly (guitar), whilst Roper left the band. Sometime
in 1994 a new bass player, Martin Miller was recruited, followed by Gavin Marshall
(vocals). This line-up played one date in 1995 at the local Community Centre in
Bonnybridge, afterwhich McMurtie decided to quit the band, citing the usual musical
differences. He went on to form Defect.
Toy continued under the management of Jason's father Jim Connolly (promoter at
the Engine Room), and started playing live regularly in 1998. The summer of that
year saw them contribute a track to a heavy metal compilation album, and then
sign to Org Records. In 1999 the band picked up interest from Sony Records, and
had their music used on the Channel 5 sports programme "Rad".In 2001 they supported The Cooper Temple Clause at the Engine Room, Falkirk, and then went quiet for a couple of years, with only occasional dates.
By 2005 they had slimmed down to a three piece of Connolly, Marshall & Reni (bass), utilising drum machines and synths, with a more New Wave edge to them. After a few months they decided to recruit a drummer, and were joined by John. In 2008 John & Connolly formed Enemy Of Rome.
WEBSITE:
http://www.toyrock.com