Though we all expected it to happen sooner, our young, handsome and talented Garreth (none of these terms apply to the rest of us!) has been drafted into the big time.

He is the new lead singer with the Illegal Eagles and will be touring with them from October onwards.

Fortunately, he’s decided he likes the Toads so much that he’ll carry on making a noise with us when he isn’t touring the world. Good on ‘im.

Marcus - August 2010

Firstly thanks to all who braved the silly weather and made it to the golf club gig, all of the toads (except Hugh who is, after all, a drummer and doesn’t care about anything very much) hope very much that the good drenching that you no doubt received didn’t leave you with a chill. We have, of course, a colossal fan base but would rather not lose anyone to defective or lacking foul weather gear.

The band has once again done ‘being recording stars’ at the same little cottage in Studland that we hired last year. Out of one window is a fine view of the sea and out of the other a fine view of a pub (very rock and roll). Anyway, apart from getting terribly drunk and staring moodily out to sea we did manage to get three new tracks down.

1. Satan’s Twitch, a poem written years ago and finally put to music, it is about something but we’ll let you decide just what.

2. Things Get Better Every Day, as close as the toads have ever come to a pop song with Birdsy guitars and sing-a-longa Toads chorus.

3. Quiet, an observation on the blame culture that we seem to have arrived at (before you start it’s not my fault).

Anyway give them a listen and let us know what you think.

Illegal downloads - much though the Toads pride themselves on their ‘be as naughty as possible’ ethic I must just point out that Porters Jewellers in Hartley Wintney have informed me that their patience is running thin and that if I don’t pay for the watch strap that they have been saving for me for three years now that they will ‘with deep regret’ (their words) be forced to return the strap to their suppliers. I would tearfully implore you all to please help me to fight this travesty by quickly rushing to iTunes and downloading everything the Toads have ever done. The security of my beloved watch is at stake and I know that any of you who are lucky enough to have a watch of your own (or perhaps look forward to owning a watch in the not too distant future) will know the heartache endured when it is threatened. Bless you all. Love Phil.

Phil - July 2010

So, in walks Richard “Wozzer” Worrall, serial entrepreneur, fast bowler, lady’s handicapper and X-Factor fan, with the idea of taking this much loved event to new levels.

Woz, in a manner I’m sure Epstein would have been proud of, has secured the rather swish Hartley Wintney Golf Club as a venue, pulled in the fabulous support act Mandu and designed a high level marketing campaign to support the event (ok, some posters).

Now, because we’re having to hire the Golf Club we’re going to have to ask you dip into to your pocket to the tune of a measly fiver. Any profits made on the night will go towards ‘Phil’s new watchstrap fund’. Album sales have almost brought enough in for this worthy cause but we’re hoping that this event will finally fill the coffers up enough for him to stop going on about it.

Woz assures me that he’s nearly sold all of the tickets already! The only way to get one of the few remaining ‘golden’ tickets is to ask Wozzer nicely for one (ticket that is). So, to avoid disappointment, send me an email using the contact form below and I’ll pass on your details.

Oh yeah, it’s happening on Tuesday 29th December 2009. We’d love to see you.

Ho ho ho.

Marcus - November 2009

He’s A Honey - a short story about our frock wearing bass player. Rock, with extra lashings of rock sauce.

The Things That Make Her Rich - the first ever ‘cover’ recorded by the Toads. Much more soulful than the previous track; starts slow, speeds up.

Lost In A Moment – veers towards the 70s in a ‘progressive’ manner. ‘Lost’ starts with the sound of the sea recorded at 4am through over 50 cables joined together (yes, really) by our lovely Garreth. The enthusiasm of youth.

Marcus - February 2009

And, you’ve guessed it, last week he was summoned to the Beeb to be humiliated in the line-up on Buzzcocks. Well, all his friends hired a bus and got tickets just to get a better view when his entrails were dragged out across the stage.

But, would you credit it, they just said that he had nice sparkly eyes – typical, there goes the rest of the blood sports. Still, we did all have BBC beer and biscuits in the green room after so not a complete loss.

Phil - April 2008