TOAD THE WET SPROCKET ROCKS A SOLD OUT TROCADERO

Posted By Rob Nagy

Toad the Wet Sprocket, named in honor of a sketch by the Monty Python comedy troupe, first came to national prominence 1991 with the Columbia Records release “Fear” yielding the bands first two hits “Walk on the Ocean” and “All I Want”.
Formed in 1986, this Santa Barbara, California based foursome consisting of lead singer and guitarist Glen Phillips, lead guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning and drummer Randy Guss, successfully created a folk-pop sound making them one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the early nineties. Honing their skills in the local bar scene, “Toad”, as their fans fondly refer to them, entered a local
studio in 1988 recording their debut album “Bread and Circus”, which was completed in a little over a week at a cost of $650. Initially sold as a homemade cassette in Santa Barbara record stores, “Bread and Circus” found its way to Columbia Records, who signed Toad only after agreeing to the band's request to reissue the album in its original form, without any alterations or remixes. Toad hit the road performing at a backbreaking pace releasing their sophomore effort “The Somber Pale” in 1990 followed by 1993’s “Dulcinea”, which yielded their third and fourth hit singles "Fall Down" and “Something”. “In Light Syrup”, a collection of unreleased material was released in 1995 followed by the bands last official album “Coil” in 1997. One year later “Toad the Wet Sprocket” called it quits. T hey recorded two studio tracks for a compilation release, “
P.S. A Toad Retrospective” in1999. Following a three year hiatus they temporarily reunited in 2002, playing a benefit in their hometown of Santa Barbara as well as opening a few shows for the Counting Crows. While they continued to regroup from time to time playing many successful concert dates, staying together permanently seemed to be difficult as they routinely decided to continue on their individual paths.

On June 11^th Toad the Wet Sprocket, currently on a mini tour of the northeast, made a rare Philadelphia appearance playing to a sellout crowd at the Trocadero. All four original members graced the stage to a thunderous applause playing a ninety minute set of all the Toad hits and beyond, which included “Fall Down”, “Something”, “All I Want” and “Walk on the Ocean”.
With all four band members having now moved onto solo projects, producing and recording, lead singer and principal songwriter Glen Phillips has most recently released his fifth solo effort “Secrets of the New Explorers”. While Toad is not officially together or a touring band anymore, they continue to play sporadic dates through-out the U.S. If tonight was any indication of what Toad is still capable of doing on stage look for them to return in the future. For more info on Toad the Wet Sprocket go to www.toadthewetsprocket.com

Photo by Rob Nagy