Toy Soldiers

Artist Information

Biography

Toy Soldiers – a lively & hard-working band formed in 2007 by frontman Ron Gallo, started out as just a duo, then spent the next few years with a fluctuating cast of players. They eventually settled into a solid 5-piece who love a good song and dance; no pretense or wall between the band and audience, members often times ending up in the crowd. The group, consisting of Gallo (lead vocals, guitar), Dominic Billett (drums), Bill McCloskey (bass), Matt Kelly (guitar), and Luke Leidy (keys), spent most of 2012 playing hundreds of shows up and down the East Coast and in their hometown of Philadelphia, tearing through dive bars, festival stages and even theaters with their soulful brand of rock n' roll music. Their first record, Whisper Down the Lane was described by WXPN’s Bruce Warren as a "gritty, dirty collection of liquor-fueled Americana music, shifting flawlessly from roots, to blues, to country, to rockabilly…an undeniable barn-burner." The follow-up, self-produced Get Through the Time EP was a look into the more pensive and heartfelt side of songwriting; and Toy Soldiers’ most recent release, Midweek Mountain Getaway, a split EP recorded all live with good friend & Nashville artist Jordan Hull, embraces the communal, live aspect of the band. 2013 will see the beginning of a new chapter, with the Fall release of their second full-length, entitled The Maybe Boys. The album was recorded with producer Bill Moriarty (Dr. Dog, Man Man) and bridges the gap between all of their previous efforts, combining the group's earnest and eclectic songwriting style with the explosive energy of their live show. Named one of the “Top Bands to Watch in 2013” by USA Today, Toy Soldiers’ have no intention of slowing their roll as they move ahead into the year, continuing to spread the music and inevitable good times.

Instrumentation

Ron Gallo - Guitar, Harmonica, Singing
Dominic Billett - Drums, Backup Vocals
Bill McCloskey - Bass
Matt Kelly - Guitar, Backup Vocals
Luke Leidy - Piano, organ

Discography

The Maybe Boys - To Be Released Fall 2013
Tell the Teller EP - 2012
Midweek Mountain Getaway (Split EP w/ Jordan Hull) - 2011
Get Through the Time EP - 2011
Whisper Down the Lane - 2012

Radio Tracks (AAA, college radio):
"Heart in a Mousetrap"
"Maybe"
"Been Here All My Days"
"When I Tripped Into You"
"Throw Me Down"
"Hard Times"
"Love Ya Like I Love Ya"
"Back Rider"
"Long Gone"
"Which Way Waltz"
"The Wretch"
"Get Through the Time"

Official Website

http://ohnotoysoldiers.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Tell the Teller
  Listen  
• Been Here All My Days
  Listen  
• Heart in a Mousetrap
  Listen  
• Red Dress
  Listen  
• Maybe
  Listen  
• Throw Me Down
  Listen  
• Hard Times
  Listen  
• Laughing Pain
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• Tight Rope
  Listen  
• When I Tripped Into You
  Listen  

Video

Heart in a Mousetrap.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Meet Toy Soldiers [+ Show ]
  

  About "Whisper Down the Lane": It’s a righteous collection of rootsy, jangly, scraggly, soulful in...About "Whisper Down the Lane":
  It’s a righteous collection of rootsy, jangly, scraggly, soulful indie inspired songs that bring to mind Shangri-La era Kinks, Nashville Skyline-era Dylan, Bright Eyes and the Black Keys, The Coasters and Carl Perkins. Rock it.

• Toy Soldiers: Whisper Down the Lane [+ Show ]
  

  What came through the speakers was a gritty, dirty collection of liquor-fueled Americana music. Shi...What came through the speakers was a gritty, dirty collection of liquor-fueled Americana music. Shifting flawlessly from roots, to blues, to country, to rockabilly Whisper Down the Lane is an undeniable barn-burner.

• Fitz and The Tantrums Bring the Funk [+ Show ]
  

  Philly's Toy Soldiers opened. They've been through several lineup and stylistic switcheroos, but on ...Philly's Toy Soldiers opened. They've been through several lineup and stylistic switcheroos, but on this night they struck on a cool, shambling brand of dirtball blues, country, and soulful rockabilly. Their nice-guy vocals made them akin to a clean-shaven version of the Band. Good direction, that.
  
  

• Review: Day 2 of the Sundrop Music Festival (Toy Soldiers) @ The Fire [+ Show ]
  

  In all fairness, White Birds had the very difficult task of following Toy Soldiers, who had just bro...In all fairness, White Birds had the very difficult task of following Toy Soldiers, who had just brought the house down. Toy Soldiers roots-rocked out for over 40 minutes and had half the crowd shouting for an encore (but they were already over time). Charismatic frontman Ron Gallo, performing his fourth set of the day, was in top form. I had seen Toy Soldiers once before (albeit in a very different setting) and listened to their new EP, but it wasn’t until last night that I fully appreciated what this band can do. The band was incredibly tight, giving the indication that they practice tirelessly and take their music seriously. They also have a very talented frontman in Gallo, and the entire band brings an incredible amount of energy to the stage that infects the crowd immediately.

• Toy Soldiers: Whisper Down the Lane [+ Show ]
  

  Every time the first track of Toy Soldiers’ Whisper Down the Lane comes on, my son thinks it’s the b...Every time the first track of Toy Soldiers’ Whisper Down the Lane comes on, my son thinks it’s the beginning of the Johnny Cash song “Going to Memphis.” But he is never disappointed when he realizes his mistake. The song, “Throw Me Down,” begins with an tinny, echoing couple of lines from lead singer Ron Gallo that give way to a roll-the-windows-down, crank-it-til-the-knob-falls-off, sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs good time. A bluesy guitar riff rolls along toward a call-and-answer between Gallo and Kate Foust (Perkasie), who channels her inner blues goddess, and then Gallo and the ever-soulful Vinchelle Woods.
  
  And that’s just the first song.
  
  The rest of the album has a rockabilly spirit, but calls to mind a wide variety of influences – traces of everything from The Clash to Led Zeppelin to Roy Orbison. Listening to this CD is like drinking really good wine; the flavor develops and blooms and hints at a well-rounded appreciation for and love of music. There’s a whole lot of talent on this disc. A dozen musicians are credited on the liner notes, playing everything from the expected (guitar, piano, variety of vocals) to the more unexpected (banjo, slide guitar, harmonica, horns) to the downright delightful (“shovel”). With this many people playing, the songs end up with enough layers of sound to make Phil Spector weep. It’s great fun and it’s something that many albums can’t claim to be: interesting. Gallo’s versatility as a songwriter is vast.
  
  This is one of those rare finds that you can play all the way through without skipping any tracks. They’re all good, and they all sound different. The title track, like “Throw Me Down,” plays with tempo to great effect. Just try to sit still.
  
  And that’s just the CD.
  
  See them live and I promise you’ll be an instant fan. You’re gonna love Vinchelle Woods. Check out their website to see a video of Woods on lead vocals for their cover of “Natural Woman” at World Café Live in October 2009.
  
  If you couldn’t tell, I’ve quickly become a huge fan of this band and Whisper Down the Lane. It gets heavy rotation in our house (and in the car, and in my office), and I can’t wait to see them play live again. I look forward to watching these stars rise.~JJS

Setlist

Basic Requirements

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