Earlier this year here at the indie Philly blog, Root Down In The Shadow, we started the fun series #Philly Presents,
...bands writing about other bands. The most common reaction from
bands to this project: "Wait? Are we covering other bands?" And so
#CoverClub was born!
Rewinding back a few months, Joe Fletcher the road warrior extraordinaire, was down in Austin, doing one of many SXSW shows! At the showcase he heard the scrappy but bangin' fellas from Philadelphia, Toy Soldiers!
Joe Fletcher, explained, "I first met Dom Billett and Matt Kelly at a show of mine in Lancaster, PA last fall, and after hanging out awhile after the show I could tell we were speaking the same language. I never got a chance to see Toy Soldiers until we were booked at the same SXSW showcase this past March. It was an event called Northern Exposure at The Taproom on 6th and Toy Soldiers went on right before my band. I was immediately floored by their spirit and then by their songs. They brought the hungover afternoon crowd to life instantly and inspired me to gather my band for a quick acknowledgment of the fact that we'd better give it our all up there that day or we were gonna be bowled over in the wake of Toy Soldiers' set. I believe they pushed us to give our best performance of the SXSW week.
On the way back home from Texas I listened to a three song sampler from the forthcoming album The Maybe Boys endlessly. I had a show in York, PA at The Holy Hound on my way to RI and Dom reached out to offer percussion for that show as he'd been listening to my record a good deal as well. I'd normally decline such an offer as we'd be performing with no chance to rehearse. Something about his desire and conviction told me that he wouldn't be offering if he didn't think it'd be awesome. We wound up playing at least an hour for a great crowd and having a hell of a time.
Before you know it I was discussing a July tour with their manager which had the Soldiers doing their own set and also backing me up. We have now gone on to play quite a few shows together and it's always a thrill for me."
Enough connection was made, that Joe Fletcher was invited to Philly for a solid, locals' 4th of July party at the Jerk Hut with the Toy Soldiers, the Lawsuits, Levee Drivers and TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb! Furthermore Joe Fletcher took the Toy Soldiers out on the road with him for two weeks with the Toy Soldiers as his backing band. the pinnacle was the Toy Soldiers playing some songs on the Joe Fletcher curated "Nashville to Newport" portion of the Newport Folk Festival!!!
When Joe Fletcher came back through Philadelphia in October and was asked to cover a Philly band, it was a no-brainer to cover the Toy Soldiers! According to Joe, "They are not only my favorite band from Philadelphia but my favorite working band today, from anywhere!"
Cover Club | Joe Fletcher "Heart In A Mousetrap" (Toy Soldiers)
Rewinding back a few months, Joe Fletcher the road warrior extraordinaire, was down in Austin, doing one of many SXSW shows! At the showcase he heard the scrappy but bangin' fellas from Philadelphia, Toy Soldiers!
Joe Fletcher, explained, "I first met Dom Billett and Matt Kelly at a show of mine in Lancaster, PA last fall, and after hanging out awhile after the show I could tell we were speaking the same language. I never got a chance to see Toy Soldiers until we were booked at the same SXSW showcase this past March. It was an event called Northern Exposure at The Taproom on 6th and Toy Soldiers went on right before my band. I was immediately floored by their spirit and then by their songs. They brought the hungover afternoon crowd to life instantly and inspired me to gather my band for a quick acknowledgment of the fact that we'd better give it our all up there that day or we were gonna be bowled over in the wake of Toy Soldiers' set. I believe they pushed us to give our best performance of the SXSW week.
On the way back home from Texas I listened to a three song sampler from the forthcoming album The Maybe Boys endlessly. I had a show in York, PA at The Holy Hound on my way to RI and Dom reached out to offer percussion for that show as he'd been listening to my record a good deal as well. I'd normally decline such an offer as we'd be performing with no chance to rehearse. Something about his desire and conviction told me that he wouldn't be offering if he didn't think it'd be awesome. We wound up playing at least an hour for a great crowd and having a hell of a time.
Before you know it I was discussing a July tour with their manager which had the Soldiers doing their own set and also backing me up. We have now gone on to play quite a few shows together and it's always a thrill for me."
 |
| Joe Fletcher with Toy Soldiers at Fergie's |
Enough connection was made, that Joe Fletcher was invited to Philly for a solid, locals' 4th of July party at the Jerk Hut with the Toy Soldiers, the Lawsuits, Levee Drivers and TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb! Furthermore Joe Fletcher took the Toy Soldiers out on the road with him for two weeks with the Toy Soldiers as his backing band. the pinnacle was the Toy Soldiers playing some songs on the Joe Fletcher curated "Nashville to Newport" portion of the Newport Folk Festival!!!
When Joe Fletcher came back through Philadelphia in October and was asked to cover a Philly band, it was a no-brainer to cover the Toy Soldiers! According to Joe, "They are not only my favorite band from Philadelphia but my favorite working band today, from anywhere!"
Cover Club | Joe Fletcher "Heart In A Mousetrap" (Toy Soldiers)
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