Toy (German band)

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T.O.Y. (Trademark of Youth) is a German futurepop/synthpop band. The project was formerly known as Evils Toy, which was closer to electro-industrial in sound.

History[]

As Evils Toy[]

Evils Toy started out in 1992 as the project of Volker Lutz and Thorsten Brenda. Thorsten and Volker were introduced by a mutual friend who knew that each of the duo were heavily into industrial music and were already working on music of their own.^[1] After completing several tracks together they sent a demo tape to several labels, including the German Hypnobeat label (a sub-label of Hyperium Records) who released their debut album Human Refuse at the end of 1993. Their second full-length release, Morbid Mind, was released a year later and was recorded at André Schmechta's T.G.I.F. Studios, known for recording works by André's project X-Marks the Pedwalk and many other well-known German EBM and industrial bands. This studio collaboration with André also yielded an XMTP remix of "Dear God" that was included on the album.^[2]

Their combination of distorted vocals and EBM rhythms with occasional touches of melody proved relatively successful, though their real breakthrough came in 1995 with their "Organics" single, which received significant airplay on both sides of the Atlantic. The Illusion album, released in 1997, was the last album by this act that might accurately be defined as "industrial".

The Angels Only! album, released the following year, moved away from distorted vocals and towards a more synthpop style. This was the first Evils Toy recording to feature Oliver Taranczewski, as well as the last recorded with Thorsten Brenda. For background vocals and live keyboards Volker brought in his long-time girlfriend Cordula K, who also appears in the videos for "Virtual State" and "Dream With Me". Silvertears in 2000 was the last release under the name Evils Toy. The project was known as "T.O.Y." thereafter.^[3]

As T.O.Y.[]

Soon after renaming themselves, the re-formed band released their first album: Space Radio, which defined a fresh and revitalized style. Their second album under the name, White Lights, was diverse and followed a similar line that was familiar to listeners of the previous album.

The band have produced many remixes for other bands like Apoptygma Berzerk, In Strict Confidence, De/Vision and !Bang Elektronika. Volker has also undertaken many album productions in his SonicStage Recording Studios. He has worked with bands like And One, L'Âme Immortelle, Funker Vogt and Pulcher Femina.

In 2004 Volker made a song for the German radio play The three investigators-Song contest. Also in 2004, the computer game giant Konami used a special song done by T.O.Y. on the new PS2 & Xbox release: Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2. The track was a remix of the popular DDR and Beatmania IIDX song "i feel..." by famous game music composer, Akira Yamaoka. Bands like , Echo Image, Alien#Six13 and Midihead also contributed to the soundtrack.

In 2005 Oliver released an album under the name Yavin 4 in the US. An album sounding more like the older Evils Toy releases mixed with modern dance and drum & bass elements. Also he produced the album Aftermath that was released in 2006

After split-up rumours concerning the future of T.O.Y. they are, in fact, working on new songs. All such songs are more or less raw demos, some with vocals, some without, but represent the kind of music fans expect to hear on the next T.O.Y. release.

In May 2009 Taranczewski left the band for good. Volker said he would finish the album, entitled PAIN IS LOVE, on his own.^[4]

After Taranczewski's departure, Markus Helmert and Christian "Léo" Leonhardt joined Volker, playing keyboards and drums, respectively.

In September 2014, Helmert had to quit the band due to health reasons. About the same time, Taranczewski re-joined the band as a keyboardist, while Leonhardt was replaced by Marc A. Nathaniel on drums. Together the new/old lineup will finish the upcoming album Pain is Love as well playing live gigs.^[5]

In March 2017 O.Taranczewski again left the band due to private reasons and Helge Wiegand, songwriter from cologne and also keyboardplayer and vocalist of the band Diorama joined in April 2017.

Members[]

• Volker Lutz (vocals, arrangements, programming, producer).
• Helge Wiegand (keyboards, vocals)
• Marc A. Nathaniel (drums).

Previous members[]

• Thorsten Brenda (keyboards).
• Cordula K. (vocals, keyboards).
• Christian "Léo" Leonhardt (drums).
• Markus Helmert (keyboards).
• Oliver Taranczewski (lyrics, keyboards)

Discography[]

As Evils Toy[]

Compilation appearances (as Evils Toy)[]

As T.O.Y.[]

Compilation appearances (as T.O.Y)[]

References[]

External links[]

• Official Website
• T.O.Y. on Facebook
• Evils Toy discography at Discogs
• Toy discography at Discogs