Right now, the core group is Steve, Felix, Tim, Richie and Ned. This allows us to stretch into all kinds of different music, although we usually still stick to songs with 3-4 chords max. With that kind of dedication, we're a pretty cool band, music nonwithstanding.
Felix Holst - Bass
Unlike the rest of us (and Richie) Felix actually has played in a real band, The Kustom Built, which was a hot band on the Manchester scene back in the day. As the resident Brit of the Band, he also ensures that we have at least one member who has that proper band attitude throughout all shows.
Bonus Points: Only person in the band with a cool Cadillac Hearse (to carry all the equipment, of course). Designed the new logo for the band on Steve's bass drum and then spray painted it himself.
Johanna Kent - vocals
Johanna is a newcomer to The Toys, but she's no newcomer to singing, having torn up shows at Disney previously. Johanna made her singing debut with us at the Secret Acoustic show in August 2007.
Bonus Points: Missed a practice when she had to sing for Nelson Mandela and other fine dignitaries. Sings higher than anyone else in the band, which also sounds better than when we try to sing falsetto.
Tim Kilpin - Keyboard, Guitar, Vocals
Tim plays a mean guitar as well as excellent keyboards and sings incredibly well. His old 70's band was called Tempest, and while they sound like a Styx cover band, they ROCK! He's way cool, and plays just about anything. Tim came back out of retirement for the 2004 Matty Awards show, where he proceeded to show everyone truly tasty guitar playing. As we've been finding out, he's no slouch on the keys, either.
Bonus Points: in 1978 Tim's band won a state fair battle of the bands, beating out the precursor to the Violent Femmes.
Steve LaBella - Drums
Steve is our hip drummer who bangs with the best of them. While he doesn't sing, he has been asking for a microphone (not necessarily plugged in) so he can emulate those cool drummers that sing as well. Who those cool drummers are, you'll just have to ask Steve.
Bonus Points: Knows the drum parts to every Police and Rush song ever written; has the same drum set he had in high school.
Ned Ward - guitar, vocals
New and improved Ned plays more weird stuff on guitar, as well as playing crunchy and clean parts. Frequently accused of having Gear Acquisition Syndrome, there's always something old and/or new on his pedalboard. Never one to let quality stand in the way, and enjoys pushing the band to new limits with learning new songs.
Bonus Points: Storage unit is stocked with enough band equipment to rival Guitar Center.
Richie Weintraub - guitar, vocals
Richie's guitar playing prowess goes way back. As a youth in the 60's, Richie was the lead member of a group called London and the Bridges - there's a great interview with Richie here at 60sgaragebands.com
While he was in Hong Kong, Richie played in bands over there and wowed the crowds in Lan Kwai Fong. Richie has been playing with us since our Holiday show in December 2006, he's at almost every practice, so we've finally acquiesced and made him officially part of The Toys.
Bonus Points: Knows most songs pre-1974. Owns a custom Telecaster painted by a guy named The Harpoon.