Toad the Wet Sprocket

Toad the Wet Sprocket was an American folk pop band consisting of singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band formed in 1986 at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California, and drew their name from the John Cleese monologue "Rock Notes" on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (1980).

Toad the Wet Sprocket released six original LPs, one compilation album, various singles, a music video compilation, and one live recording, who reissued their independently produced debut Bread and Circus in 1989. Their best-known album is 1991's Fear, which featured the hit singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean".

Toad the Wet Sprocket formally broke up in July 1998, citing creative differences and strain on the foursome's friendship. Glen Phillips has since embarked on a solo career, and Todd Nichols went on to form the band Lapdog, which currently includes Randy Guss and formerly included Dean Dinning.

Toad the Wet Sprocket temporarily reunited for a 25-date tour in February and March 2003; it went so well that they continued to tour in 2004, and are (as of March 2005) working on a new album.

Discography

Albums

  • Bread and Circus (1989)
  • Pale (1990)
  • Fear (1991) RIAA certified Platinum
    • "Walk on the Ocean"
    • "All I Want"
  • Dulcinea (1994) RIAA certified Platinum
    • "Something's Always Wrong"
    • "Fall Down"
  • In Light Syrup (1995) RIAA certified Gold
    • "Brother"
    • "Good Intentions"
  • Coil (1997)
    • "Come Down"
    • "Crazy Life"
  • P.S. (A Toad Retrospective) (1999) (contains two new tracks)
    • "P.S."
    • "Silo Lullaby"
  • Welcome Home: Live At The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara 1992 (released on October 19, 2004)
    • Recorded live in Santa Barbara, California on September 30, 1992.

Singles/Promotional

  • Five Live promo CD (1992)
  • All I Want CD single (1992)
  • Fall Down CD single (1994)
  • Acoustic Dance Party (1994 live album)
  • Fly From Heaven CD single (1995)
  • Come Down CD single (1996)


Videos

  • Seven Songs Seldom Seen (1992 music video compilation)
    • "All I Want"
    • "Walk on the Ocean"


Appearances

Toad the Wet Sprocket songs have also appeared on various soundtracks, samplers and compilations:

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack (1992)
    • "Little Heaven" (collected on In Light Syrup)
  • Columbia Indestructible compilation
    • "Cinnamon Girl" (live; previously unreleased)
  • Coca-Cola sampler (1991)
    • "Walk on the Ocean" (from Fear (Toad the Wet Sprocket album))
  • Drop Zone soundtrack (1994)
    • "Fall Down" (from Dulcinea)
  • Empire Records soundtrack (1995)
    • "Crazy Life" (from Coil)
  • Fear soundtrack (1996)
    • "Something's Always Wrong" (from Dulcinea)
  • Friends soundtrack (1995)
    • "Good Intentions" (collected on In Light Syrup)
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer soundtrack (1997)
    • "Hey Bulldog" (remake of Beatles song)
  • Kiss My Ass (1994 KISS tribute album)
    • "Rock and Roll All Night" (remake of KISS song)
  • M.O.M. II: Music For Our Mother Ocean compilation (1997)
    • "Acid" (previously unreleased?)
  • The Best of Columbia Records Radio Hour Volume 2 (1996)
    • "Fly From Heaven" (from Dulcinea)
  • So I Married an Axe Murderer soundtrack (1993)
    • "Brother" (collected on In Light Syrup)
  • Stop Handgun Violence (2000)
    • "This Is My Life" (previously unreleased)
  • Ultimate Athlete: Pushing The Limits soundtrack (1994)
    • "Stories I Tell" (from Fear)
  • Working Class Hero: A Tribute To John Lennon (1995)
    • "Instant Karma" (remake of John Lennon song)

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Toad the Wet Sprocket songs have also appeared on various soundtracks, samplers and compilations:. External links:.
. Vertical Horizon Discography.
. In the middle of 2004, the band ended their relationship with RCA. Toad the Wet Sprocket temporarily reunited for a 25-date tour in February and March 2003; it went so well that they continued to tour in 2004, and are (as of March 2005) working on a new album. A first single, "I'm Still Here", did moderately well, but faded relatively quickly and with little fanfare.

Glen Phillips has since embarked on a solo career, and Todd Nichols went on to form the band Lapdog, which currently includes Randy Guss and formerly included Dean Dinning. A larger tour started in August, leading up to the release of the album. Toad the Wet Sprocket formally broke up in July 1998, citing creative differences and strain on the foursome's friendship. Eventually the band went on a short tour in early 2003, and it was announced that Go would finally be released a year late, in September 2003. Their best-known album is 1991's Fear, which featured the hit singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean". It seemed everyone at RCA who had worked with the band on Everything You Want was no longer there, and the new employees weren't quite sure what to do with a band that did not quite fit the emerging trends of popular music. Toad the Wet Sprocket released six original LPs, one compilation album, various singles, a music video compilation, and one live recording, who reissued their independently produced debut Bread and Circus in 1989. It was announced that the new album, Go, would be released in September of 2002, but as the date drew closer, it appeared that this would not happen.

The band formed in 1986 at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California, and drew their name from the John Cleese monologue "Rock Notes" on Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album (1980). However, some management changes at RCA prevented this. Toad the Wet Sprocket was an American folk pop band consisting of singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. They then took a break, then came back to the studio to record their follow-up, which they hoped would be released soon enough to take advantage of the huge popularity of Everything You Want. "Instant Karma" (remake of John Lennon song). The band, which had been touring constantly since the album was released, continued touring until well into 2001. Working Class Hero: A Tribute To John Lennon (1995)

    . The fourth single, "Best I Ever Had", was played moderately.

    "Stories I Tell" (from Fear). A third single, "You're a God", also did very well. Ultimate Athlete: Pushing The Limits soundtrack (1994)

      . The second single, "Everything You Want", skyrocketed to the top of the charts, and became one of the most played songs on the radio in 2000. "This Is My Life" (previously unreleased). The first single, "We Are", made little impact. Stop Handgun Violence (2000)
        . The band's first effort with RCA was 1999's Everything You Want (RCA re-released the three older albums as well, with new packaging).

        "Brother" (collected on In Light Syrup). There were many more auditions, but they eventually came back to Sean, and he officially joined Vertical Horizon. So I Married an Axe Murderer soundtrack (1993)

          . Ryan had never intended to join the band permanently, so the three other members held auditions for a permanent bass player. Their first audition was Sean Hurley, and everyone liked him immediately. "Fly From Heaven" (from Dulcinea). Their wishes came true, and the band was signed to RCA Records. The Best of Columbia Records Radio Hour Volume 2 (1996)
            . Also, by this time, the band was explicit in their intent to find a major record label; band members have said that it was no accident that the first track of Live Stages opens with the sounds of a large cheering audience.

            "Acid" (previously unreleased?). Live Stages signaled a departure from the original acoustic guitar-based music, and featured heavy emphasis on electric guitar. II: Music For Our Mother Ocean compilation (1997)

              . This featured Matt, Keith, and Ed, as well as Ryan Fisher on bass. M.O.M. In 1997, a live album, Live Stages, was released. "Rock and Roll All Night" (remake of KISS song). More touring followed, and soon Matt and Keith were joined by Ed Toth on drums.

              Kiss My Ass (1994 KISS tribute album)

                . Guests included members of Jackopierce, as well as Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band on drums. "Hey Bulldog" (remake of Beatles song). The resulting album, Running on Ice, again had Matt and Keith playing acoustic guitar and singing, but with the addition of other guest musicians to play other instruments. I Know What You Did Last Summer soundtrack (1997)
                  . By 1995, they were ready to record again. "Good Intentions" (collected on In Light Syrup). Matt and Keith toured for several years after this, mostly appearing with similar bands such as Jackopierce.

                  Friends soundtrack (1995)

                    . Both also contributed to writing all the songs, and both sang. "Something's Always Wrong" (from Dulcinea). There and Back Again was recorded in Matt's old high school over a period of a few days, and Matt and Keith together played all the instruments appearing on the album, though they both mostly played acoustic guitar. Fear soundtrack (1996)
                      . The acoustic rock band Vertical Horizon was formed in 1990 by Georgetown University undergrads Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane; after graduation in 1991 the duo relocated to Boston and, in 1992, self-released their debut album There and Back Again. "Crazy Life" (from Coil). liberty.alphaquam.com : Liberty, a fan message board.

                      Empire Records soundtrack (1995)

                        . www.verticalhorizon.com : Official site. "Fall Down" (from Dulcinea). 2003 - Go. Drop Zone soundtrack (1994)
                          . 1999 - Everything You Want. "Walk on the Ocean" (from Fear (Toad the Wet Sprocket album)). 1997 - Live Stages.

                          Coca-Cola sampler (1991)

                            . 1995 - Running on Ice. "Cinnamon Girl" (live; previously unreleased). 1992 - There and Back Again. Columbia Indestructible compilation
                              . "Little Heaven" (collected on In Light Syrup).

                              Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack (1992)

                                . "Walk on the Ocean". "All I Want". Seven Songs Seldom Seen (1992 music video compilation)
                                  .

                                  Come Down CD single (1996). Fly From Heaven CD single (1995). Acoustic Dance Party (1994 live album). Fall Down CD single (1994).

                                  All I Want CD single (1992). Five Live promo CD (1992). Recorded live in Santa Barbara, California on September 30, 1992. Welcome Home: Live At The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara 1992 (released on October 19, 2004)

                                    .

                                    "Silo Lullaby". "P.S.". (A Toad Retrospective) (1999) (contains two new tracks)

                                      . P.S.

                                      "Crazy Life". "Come Down". Coil (1997)

                                        . "Good Intentions".

                                        "Brother". In Light Syrup (1995) RIAA certified Gold

                                          . "Fall Down". "Something's Always Wrong".

                                          Dulcinea (1994) RIAA certified Platinum

                                            . "All I Want". "Walk on the Ocean". Fear (1991) RIAA certified Platinum
                                              .

                                              Pale (1990). Bread and Circus (1989).