Simon Sellars: Sleepy Brain Archives

Interview by Mikelangelo

all images © Toydeath

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Imagine a hyper band of aliens channeling through a broken AM radio, and someone’s playing with the speed control. But the Hendrix-worthy feedback wails are actually the sirens of toy fire engines, the spastic beats courtesy of model helicopters. Toydeath proves that punk ain’t dead, it’s just moved into a toy box. Upon returning from their recent tour in Germany, Holland and Belgium, Toydeath’s more recent alter egos include band member Michael Lira’s trangressive adaptation of Donny Darko and the new, transgendered Le-booby.

Mikelangelo gets behind the translucent mask of GI Joe, Toydeath’s core circuit-bender.
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Toydeath’s GI Joe

When did you first realise that electronic toy instruments had an allure not found in ‘normal’ instruments?

I realised in the ‘toy’ section of Canberra Target that I could become a heavy-metal god with the purple Microjammer pumping out a full rock sound, even though I was only a part-time Sax player for Prik Harness.

Do you start songs and pieces from sounds or samples that you find in particular instruments. Or do you already have the ideas in your head and search for toy instruments that can create what you are looking for?

We really start with what sounds we have available from the toys. But recently, circuit-bending the toys has opened up a whole new world of sound. When I shop I look for toys that have a wide variety of sounds or a very special sound. It’s the toys that Toydeath rejects that make Toydeath the Best!

It’s usually quite easy to pick a group’s influences but not in your case. I am intrigued to know what strange and sinister forces have inspired Toydeath.

Toydeath is influenced by some of the biggest names in the industry. Groups such as Fisher Price, Tomy and Mattel have had a huge effect on the Toydeath sound.

What are some of the best places to source toy instruments?

Two-dollar shops have provided the weirdest toys and are the cheapest place to buy. This is where you get fucked up covers of western brands, such as Spader Man: he looks just like Spider Man but was bitten by a radioactive spade instead of a spider. Spader man can dig a trench in only 5 seconds! Toyshops such as Toys R’ Us and Uncle Pete’s are more expensive but have some great shit. I was able to return a toy to Toys R’ Us after destroying it during the modification process. I told them it didn’t work when I got home and they cheerfully replaced it!

How many toy instruments do you now have in your collection?

I would have to count them! We take 2 large suitcases to gigs – approximately 25 toys. I would say we have about 200 to 300 toys.

Annabel

With so many instruments on stage, I imagine it could be very easy for things to go wrong. What’s the most entertaining disaster you have ever had at a gig?

People seem to like the chaos between songs when we change toys, and the sounds of toys dying when the batteries run out. I once knocked the PA and mixer over by tripping over some cables, and landed on my arse with my white “fuck me” boots in the air. Amusing for everyone but me!

A large part of the Toydeath live show is the look and performance of the group. Tell me about the genesis of your costumes and identities.

We started out as a death-metal band and our look was all Zed Zeppelin and David Lee Roth: long wigs, studded belts, etc. Now our costumes and characters are more toy-like. We have had Space Bunny, My Little Pony, Ballerina, Cowboy, Witch, Nursey – our current line up is Cry Baby, GI Joe and Le Booby.

I have always found you to be the most creepy member of Toydeath on stage, whether it was your guise as an escaped Rock Replicant, a dancing Cyborg Cowboy, or your current incarnation as a robotic GI Joe. Will there be more character transformations in the future?

Yes! I have been GI Joe for too long! I need to move with the times and keep up with the tastes of today’s kids, so I’, thinking of becoming Bob the Builder.

You have a CD available. Where can music lovers find it?

It’s sold out but you can download tracks at www.toydeath.com.

Are there plans for a new disc?

Yes. We are recording and mixing a new CD with our latest songs.

Toydeath seem to be perfect for merchandising: swap cards, computer games, action figures. Is there anything like this we can look forward to?

Look, if Hi 5 and the Wiggles can have their own toys then I think we should too, but ours will be much better. Watch out for swap cards soon! Comes with a stick of Wasabi chewing gum.

What exciting gigs have you got coming up in the future?

A tour of China and Japan, and we may not come back!

Thank you, GI JOE.

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