Cover art by Kate Egan (eganart.blogspot.com)
In 2007, two friends sat in their basement in South Philly and started recording some very wonderful and crude joke songs in the style of Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. Through coincidence and the hand of God they began playing out as Toy Soldiers, and in about a year's time, got serious enough to get themselves (by then a trio) into the studio at The Fire in Fishtown. But, when it came to the making of this record, bandleader Ron Gallo knew he was ready for a bigger sound. So he called up some friends and within a few months time, Whisper Down the Lane was recorded and the band was transformed. Since then, the band that was thrown together for the recording has tripled in size and has now become the Toy Soldiers you'll see at most every show.
This album, which could most accurately be compared to "Joe Cocker at Woodstock," is full of wonderfully catchy rock 'n' roll tunes like "Love Ya Like I Love Ya." It even has a few "positively 4th st"-esque sassy tunes ("The Wretch"), as well as some swampy stompin' blues ("Throw Me Down") which hit you right away, and stick to you.
And the live show, I must say, is quite a spectacle.
Photo by Jordan Sheftel (jordansheftelsphotography.shutterfly.com)
OH ME OH MY!
Yes, I know the scoop and I could probably make a Sundae with it… but I decided to sit down with band leader Ron Gallo and dig into his feelings about the record and the newly supersized band.
Girl About Town: If you could describe the feeling of releasing this album and compare to any other event you’ve experienced, what would it be?
Ron Gallo: As a male, giving birth to a child. A beautiful, healthy child that I went through some time and hard work for, that I will love and watch grow.
What's your favorite and least favorite track on the album and why?
I can’t pick just one, I can only pick two mainly due to different reasons. I love “Throw Me Down” because I feel like every note on that track couldn’t be better and it spotlights all the singers, it’s really the only time they take a lead vocal role, it’s the track I like to show people for the first time. I also love “Which Way Waltz” because I feel like it speaks more for what is to come and is most in-tune with what I would enjoy most if I didn’t create it. I like to consider it the bridge to the future of Toy Soldiers. My least favorite track is “Wrecking Ball” because of opposite reasons for why I chose my favorites.
When people start to integrate this album into their lives, where do you think it will fit (i.e… love-makin soundtrack, bad-day pick-me-up)?
I consider this album a house-cleaning album, a countryside car driving album, a sunny day city walking album. It’s alive, energetic--you’re going to make it the soundtrack to movement, progress, dancing, traveling, fun. It’s a good ol’ time album. However, I feel like a few specific songs could be integrated individually. “Morningbirds” is when you wake up on a sunny day, lazy, tired, joyfully punch-drunk, and soon as the drums hit you realize you need to get moving. “Wrecking Ball” is what you’d listen to in a car chase or driving through a city at night. “Love Ya Like I Love Ya” is a just a lighthearted, fun walking song. The soundtrack to motion.
Who, in your opinion, is the best dressed on stage?
In terms of “Toy Soldiers aesthetic” I enjoy most how everyone is themselves. The ladies always look so beautiful in their 'purdy dresses. You and Vinchelle are just classy ladies. But, I must say everyone is overshadowed if Josiah joins us for a show. That kid’s got style, like no other. Talk about thinking outside the box, Josiah is always wearing amazing things, often including face paint, not to mention his pet minks that rest on his shoulder during performance.
What have been the pros and cons of tripling the band in size... logistically, musically, communally, etc.?
The pro’s are that it conveys that sense of community that I love. What better thing can people relate to than a big group of people? We are just like a big band of gypsies now, and it’s comforting and just plain fun to be involved with so many people. Musically, I get to relax a bit more instead of having to cover a lot more space and also it just adds an entirely different sound. Bare bones to flesh and skin and clothes. Musically it’s what I’ve always wanted, and everyone in the band is brilliant in their own way. Now! On the other side of the fence rounding up 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 people, has got to be one of the most stressful things to do, sometimes it’s impossible, and sometimes it works just fine. Though the more the merrier, it’s also; the more there is to handle. Then there’s always the little things: like space in cars, and sleeping arrangements, and on stage--but that’s the beauty of it all, working with what we got for the better.
How do you think you will feel about the record in five years?
I already look back on this album as the last one of its kind. There probably won’t be a Toy Soldiers album like it again, in terms of one that is this fun. It will always be a first album so it will always be important to me and some of these songs have become staples to Toy Soldiers as a band. I think I will probably feel the same way that John Lennon felt about Please Please Me. Yes that was fun, but I’ve moved on to a more weighty approach to my songs, just as any would: as they grow older, see more, learn more, etc. But, I will always remember and relate to their sentiments. The songs I write on my own, and usually perform solo--are far more thoughtful, emotional, and lyrically driven. They’ve become possibilities now in this big band because we have people who are into it and willing to make diversions and try new things, add layers, sing along, etc.
So, girls and guys about town… there you have it. Whisper Down the Lane, the very first Toy Soldiers album… coming to a venue/indie record store/itunes near you. Enjoy!
* See Toy Soldiers LIVE at World Café live Downstairs on October 28th with Andrew Lipke & the Prospects, Lady, and TJ Kong
* Purchase Whisper Down the Lane online here.
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