In Spring 1996, Peter van Heijningen (guitars) and Mark Smit (keyboards) decide to form a new band. They got to know each other while playing in another band. After working with a variety of musicians for some time, their new band began to take shape in 1997 with the addition of drummer Robert van Kooij en bass player Ron van de Bas. Since there was no singer the band decide to play instrumental 'Prog Rock'. The name ToyZ is chosen and in a short amount of time an impressive instrumental repertoire is built.
Initially their efforts are confined to the practice room, until the band have their first appearance when they participate in a festival named 'De Platina Plug' (The Platinum Plug in English) in Dordrecht. The very melodic rock that ToyZ has to offer is very much appreciated by both audience and jury and results in the band winning the festival contest. The resulting media attention results in an invitations to several established open air festivals, including WantijPop in Dordrecht and Westerpop in Delft. In addition they are asked to do a live performance for the local radio station in Dordrecht.
The Westerpop event is a great success as well, with ToyZ winning the first price of the talent scouting competition once again. The first price included a chance to perform on the main festival day of Westerpop in 1999, studio time and a gig at Speakers in Delft.
The price money from the Platina Plug contest is invested in recordings for a new demo. These recordings take place Fall 1998 with the demo CD Remember as the result. By now performances are taking place in quick succession, including the highlight CD presentation event in Speaker and further appearances at Westerpop, Flowerpop in Naaldwijk and Trailerpop in Rotterdam 1999.
Mid 2000 a female singer is recruited and the band starts working on new material. A new demo is recorded early 2001, again resulting in many performances in cafes, pop/rock venues and several festivals with the Bospop performance in Weert topping it all. Work has already begun on a complete CD when the cliche which hits so many bands strikes: because of musical differences the band collapses. Peter, Ron and Robert attempt to continue with an American singer/songwriter living in the Netherlands and have several performances under the ToyZ name. Their attempt fails, the fire is gone and the band finally calls it quits in 2002.
But a fierce fire like this is hard to put out and obviously kept on smouldering. The band members stayed in personal contact and the CD Remember was and is still being played on Arrow Classic Rock, one of the nations national radio stations. Early 2004, Peter, Ron and Robert, together with new keyboard player Arjan van Gog, decide to resurrect ToyZ and to pick up where they stopped with both old and new instrumental repertoire. Armed with heaps of motivation and inspiration, ToyZ is set to take on the stage once again and to live up to their promise. Several appearance have already been scheduled for this year and many, many more are yet to come. The original Remember CD has been re-issued in a form that finally does justice to its contents and work has begun on the new CD.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.toyz-web.com
Track List:
1. Remember
2. Tides
3. No way out
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Initially their efforts are confined to the practice room, until the band have their first appearance when they participate in a festival named 'De Platina Plug' (The Platinum Plug in English) in Dordrecht. The very melodic rock that ToyZ has to offer is very much appreciated by both audience and jury and results in the band winning the festival contest. The resulting media attention results in an invitations to several established open air festivals, including WantijPop in Dordrecht and Westerpop in Delft. In addition they are asked to do a live performance for the local radio station in Dordrecht.
The Westerpop event is a great success as well, with ToyZ winning the first price of the talent scouting competition once again. The first price included a chance to perform on the main festival day of Westerpop in 1999, studio time and a gig at Speakers in Delft.
The price money from the Platina Plug contest is invested in recordings for a new demo. These recordings take place Fall 1998 with the demo CD Remember as the result. By now performances are taking place in quick succession, including the highlight CD presentation event in Speaker and further appearances at Westerpop, Flowerpop in Naaldwijk and Trailerpop in Rotterdam 1999.
Mid 2000 a female singer is recruited and the band starts working on new material. A new demo is recorded early 2001, again resulting in many performances in cafes, pop/rock venues and several festivals with the Bospop performance in Weert topping it all. Work has already begun on a complete CD when the cliche which hits so many bands strikes: because of musical differences the band collapses. Peter, Ron and Robert attempt to continue with an American singer/songwriter living in the Netherlands and have several performances under the ToyZ name. Their attempt fails, the fire is gone and the band finally calls it quits in 2002.
But a fierce fire like this is hard to put out and obviously kept on smouldering. The band members stayed in personal contact and the CD Remember was and is still being played on Arrow Classic Rock, one of the nations national radio stations. Early 2004, Peter, Ron and Robert, together with new keyboard player Arjan van Gog, decide to resurrect ToyZ and to pick up where they stopped with both old and new instrumental repertoire. Armed with heaps of motivation and inspiration, ToyZ is set to take on the stage once again and to live up to their promise. Several appearance have already been scheduled for this year and many, many more are yet to come. The original Remember CD has been re-issued in a form that finally does justice to its contents and work has begun on the new CD.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.toyz-web.com
Track List:
1. Remember
2. Tides
3. No way out
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- ROCK: Progressive Rock
- NEW AGE: New Age
- TYPE: INSTRUMENTAL