Modified Toy Orchestra


I went to see the Modified Toy Orchestra on Wednesday night at the Town Hall, Birmingham. I felt compelled to write a few words.

Despite my interest in circuit bending and electronic music I had only heard of the Modified Toy Orchestra prior to my time in Brum. My interest was sparked further when it became clear that they attract nothing short of hero status in Birmingham, so I dug a bit deeper. Everything I read and heard built my interest, although I must confess to initially, slightly jealously, pondering what the big deal was. It was just a bit of circuit bending, right? WRONG!

The Modified Toy Orchestra does two things very well. Firstly, they take circuit bent instruments and toys and make great live music with them. That’s not easy. Making interesting noises is one thing, using them in tunes in the studio another but creating fully fledged compositions and an immersive live show is something far above and beyond that. Secondly, they do FUN. I was like a child; reminded of the time my grandparents took me to a Shakin’ Stevens gig in Leicester, where I nearly broke the seat. OK, I wasn’t jumping up and down this time, well, I was on the inside! Personally, I think fun is underrated in music / art. I try to add a big dollop of fun into most of the stuff I do. Glatze especially has a balls-out, fun-at-all-costs mentality, which I know isn’t everyone’s cuppa. I would warn anyone who doesn’t like having fun to avoid the Modified Toy Orchestra.

Ooh, I just thought of one last thing, Brian Duffy has a charming stage presence which shines throughout their performances! Big up Brian, the Modified Toy Orchestra and Capsule for finally bringing them home.

Reflecting on Bristow

Simply put, the Dirty Bristow launch party & fete fookin’ rocked!

That about sums it up and no surprise when you have a beautiful new boutique publication launching, brought to us by a pair of amazing gentlemen, a room full of lovely people and a bonkers idea set in the perfect venue. Everything from the cross-dressed door man, Danny’s dad with his face painted like a dart board for the retarded, the various games and stalls, and the broad selection of entertainment made this a really wonderful and memorable event! It was a lovely thing that left me feeling warm and hopeful for the future.

Of course this is about a magazine at the end of the day. One I hope to see flourish. A brave/stupid venture, brought to you by two very brave/stupid individuals and their band of willing supporters. Respec’!

Ooh, and for my part I pulled some silly faces…


Thanks to Pete Ashton for the great photo

Glatze, live and thrice live

Last weekend I played a thoroughly enjoyable gig at the Frog and Fiddle in Cheltenham. It wasn’t as well attended as I’d like but the room was ace, the sound system was storming and everyone who was there was there was lovely and seemed to really enjoy it! BINGO!

Having been concentrating on other things for a while I now find myself with three gigs in three weekends. Following on from Cheltenham I will be playing at the Dirty Bristow Fete this Saturday and the Whales EP launch party on the 5th of September. I’m really chuffed to have been asked (!) but I also have my concerns…

Apart from the usual nerves and self-doubts I am also a little worried about both gigs, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I worry that people who have heard my EP will expect me to sound like that. In fact I am billed as a “Romany Surf Step Supremo” by Bad Egg (see flyer below), which is cool / true but I only do one tune from my EP in my liveset. Secondly, I might be a bit of an odd act for the Dirty Bristow bill. I am particularly concerned what the Dirty Bristow lot are going to make of my raucous antics at 9:30pm…ho hum! Both of these might be non-issues and I will give it my all regardless but I just wanted to get these thoughts out in the open. Either way Glatze does what he does, so nehhhh!

Event flyers below (click each flyer for more info):