#PhillyPresents: by Ron Gallo
Your band name: Toy Soldiers
Style: Rock N’ Roll
Years on the Scene: 5 years
Current Members:
Dominic Billett - Drums, Vocals
Bill McCloskey - Bass
Matt Kelly - Guitar
Luke Leidy - Keys
Ron Gallo - Vocals, Guitar
Any new album projects? Sessions in the works?
We just finished a full-length album entitled, The Maybe Boys with Philly record-making mastermind Bill Moriarty that’s looking to be out in September alongside a documentary called, The Maybe Trails, that our pal, Seth Klinger made about life on the road. In the meantime we also did a live session at Converse Rubber Tracks Studio in Brooklyn which we’re releasing as an 7” on July 4th this year!
Why he's an inspiration.. why you like listening to and watching him?
I really think Thom is a genius in every sense of the word. He’s extremely unique, humble and often a nervous wreck leading up to every performance but once he takes the stage it’s pretty apparent he was born to be on one. He’s a real character and a true showman. He has a divine ability to command a room with just himself and a finnicky classical guitar. He has this HUGE voice that can range from silk sheets to a primal howl. Not to mention his songs are brilliant. They’re timeless and classic, super accessible yet complex, he’s an old soul cast into today’s world and his lyrics have a lot of nostalgic language and imagery but somehow applied perfectly to todays world and what it is that’s right in front of him. Thom McCarthy is Philadelphia’s finest hidden gem that needs some light shed upon him!
Thom McCarthy - Tiempo @ PhilaMOCA
Where to see him? May 26th, Ortlieb’s Lounge.
Why? If my musical love confession for Thom wasn’t enough well then here’s more.... It’s going to be a great night, part of a new monthly event i’m taking on at Ortlieb’s Lounge called “R.G.’s 3 for 3!” It’s 3 musicians and 3 comedians for 3 bucks. This month we of course have Thom, The Devil Whale (from Salt Lake City who will be in town recording with Bill Moriarty) and myself providing music and three mighty fine Philly comedians Garrett Smith, Dan Scully and Caitlin Feeney. woo!
Philly music hero (band/producer/promoter):
My grandpa, Tom Shaw. He wasn’t a musician, producer or promoter but he was a bartender/bouncer in Philly clubs in the 50’s and 60’s and he has the coolest stories in the world from back then through which i can relive a time when i wasn’t around. To seeing country and jazz greats in tiny clubs, to getting in altercations with Screaming Jay Hawkins. He’s the man.
Other than that, Billie Holiday, we used to neighbors.
Music info/source site for Philly: The Swollen Fox! He’s everywhere all the time and working his ass off to cover all the great happenings in Philly through and through. Not to mention has been a great friend and supporter to TS and helping us along the way.
Honorable mention: XPN’s The Key
Random thoughts? I really think there’s no better place to be right now than Philadelphia for music. This is coming from someone that hasn’t lived elsewhere but I don’t care, the stuff happening right here is the best, enough to make this city super relevant and very soon and it’s all done with such grace, camraderie and positivity.
Other exciting news for Toy Soldiers?
Keep ears out for July 4th BBQ/Vinyl Release Daytime Party, the album coming in the fall (and a hometown release show TBA...) and some touring we’ll be doing this July with Joe Fletcher and The Wrong Reasons (from RI) and Andrew Combs (from Nashville). We also just found out we’ll be at Philadelphia Folk Festival this year, Friday, Main Stage.
If you are looking for more Band on Band action.. try the whole series here: @PhillyPresents:
Your band name: Toy Soldiers Style: Rock N’ Roll
Years on the Scene: 5 years
Current Members:
Dominic Billett - Drums, Vocals
Bill McCloskey - Bass
Matt Kelly - Guitar
Luke Leidy - Keys
Ron Gallo - Vocals, Guitar
Any new album projects? Sessions in the works?
We just finished a full-length album entitled, The Maybe Boys with Philly record-making mastermind Bill Moriarty that’s looking to be out in September alongside a documentary called, The Maybe Trails, that our pal, Seth Klinger made about life on the road. In the meantime we also did a live session at Converse Rubber Tracks Studio in Brooklyn which we’re releasing as an 7” on July 4th this year!
Introducing: Thom McCarthy
Why he's an inspiration.. why you like listening to and watching him?
I really think Thom is a genius in every sense of the word. He’s extremely unique, humble and often a nervous wreck leading up to every performance but once he takes the stage it’s pretty apparent he was born to be on one. He’s a real character and a true showman. He has a divine ability to command a room with just himself and a finnicky classical guitar. He has this HUGE voice that can range from silk sheets to a primal howl. Not to mention his songs are brilliant. They’re timeless and classic, super accessible yet complex, he’s an old soul cast into today’s world and his lyrics have a lot of nostalgic language and imagery but somehow applied perfectly to todays world and what it is that’s right in front of him. Thom McCarthy is Philadelphia’s finest hidden gem that needs some light shed upon him!
Thom McCarthy - Tiempo @ PhilaMOCA
Where to see him? May 26th, Ortlieb’s Lounge.
Why? If my musical love confession for Thom wasn’t enough well then here’s more.... It’s going to be a great night, part of a new monthly event i’m taking on at Ortlieb’s Lounge called “R.G.’s 3 for 3!” It’s 3 musicians and 3 comedians for 3 bucks. This month we of course have Thom, The Devil Whale (from Salt Lake City who will be in town recording with Bill Moriarty) and myself providing music and three mighty fine Philly comedians Garrett Smith, Dan Scully and Caitlin Feeney. woo!
Philly music hero (band/producer/promoter):
My grandpa, Tom Shaw. He wasn’t a musician, producer or promoter but he was a bartender/bouncer in Philly clubs in the 50’s and 60’s and he has the coolest stories in the world from back then through which i can relive a time when i wasn’t around. To seeing country and jazz greats in tiny clubs, to getting in altercations with Screaming Jay Hawkins. He’s the man.
Other than that, Billie Holiday, we used to neighbors.
Music info/source site for Philly: The Swollen Fox! He’s everywhere all the time and working his ass off to cover all the great happenings in Philly through and through. Not to mention has been a great friend and supporter to TS and helping us along the way.
Honorable mention: XPN’s The Key
Random thoughts? I really think there’s no better place to be right now than Philadelphia for music. This is coming from someone that hasn’t lived elsewhere but I don’t care, the stuff happening right here is the best, enough to make this city super relevant and very soon and it’s all done with such grace, camraderie and positivity.
Other exciting news for Toy Soldiers?
Keep ears out for July 4th BBQ/Vinyl Release Daytime Party, the album coming in the fall (and a hometown release show TBA...) and some touring we’ll be doing this July with Joe Fletcher and The Wrong Reasons (from RI) and Andrew Combs (from Nashville). We also just found out we’ll be at Philadelphia Folk Festival this year, Friday, Main Stage.
If you are looking for more Band on Band action.. try the whole series here: @PhillyPresents:
Comments
Post a Comment