Gaz Toy Dolls Page cube script
The Toy Dolls - what can I say? Quite a lot actually, but I'll keep it short for now and add more later, then at least you've got a few nice pictures to be looking at while you wait (and wait... could be a long time the way I do things!). I first heard the Toy Dolls a long time ago when either Janice Long or Annie Nightingale (can't remember which) used to play strange songs late at night - it was "Up The Garden Path" I remember most vividly. It was about the same time that Tribe of Toffs "John Kettley is a Weatherman" and The Not Sensibles "I'm In Love With Margaret Thatcher" were in the charts (mine, that is), so you can see I've been listening to some strange stuff for a long time. In 1984, I moved to Newcastle upon Tyne (yes, I'm afraid I was a "bloody student"), and soon found the Volume Records shop where The Toy Dolls lived. A group of us clubbed together our student grants and bought a copy of "A Far Out Disc" and played it continuously for the entire time we were living there, thus learning Geordie accents from Olga's little chats in between the songs, and enabling us to mix safely doon Toon without getting beaten up by the locals. We even ventured out to see The Toy Dolls live at a gig, just the once, and joined in with the boo-ing when "Blue Suede Shoes" came on too slowly, then cheered wildly once it speeded up to the correct tempo. Boy, was that a wild night. Fun all the way. I'd love to see them touring again round here somewhere one day, not just in Germany and Japan (bigger punk scene out there it would seem). My personal favourite I think is "Stay Mellow", which always reminds me of my Tyneside days and puts a smile on my face whatever my mood.

Anyway, here are some photos I've collected over the years, as a loyal member of the TDFC as was, and irregular newsletter collector since the fan club wound down...

Olga on climbing frame
Toy Dolls framed
Toy Dolls bathtime
Toy Dolls bedtime

Since I made this page, Olga has set up a proper Toy Dolls website, complete with guitar lessons, photos, latest tour news, etc., so go look at TheToyDolls.com and enjoy!

Stay Mellow!