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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...
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