TOYAH ON
RADIO TRENT, NOTTINGHAM
JANUARY 1981

DJ: Good evening, it’s 6.30 on the big one and it means it’s Castle Rock! And in Tuesday night’s 90 minute rocker we'll be meeting the star of stage and screen, to quote the cliché - and what’s more, an exclusive track from her new EP, that’s Toyah. She’ll be live in just a few minutes time

SONG: Revelations

DJ: A track by the title of “Revelations”, which comes from “Four From Toyah". That’s the brand new EP which is coming out very shortly

In fact to tell us the exact date we now have Toyah Willcox live in the studio. Welcome to Nottingham, dear.

TOYAH: Hello!

DJ: When does it actually come out?

TOYAH: At the end of this month. It’s the 30th or 31st, I’m not sure …

DJ: Is it released as an single or a EP or what?

TOYAH: It’s suppose to be counted a single. There’s two main tracks on it. “It’s A Mystery” and “War Boys” are the ones the radios will play but otherwise it’s generally known as “Four From Toyah.” It is to be treated like a single

DJ: So as we go into the charts it can then legally go into the chart as single?

TOYAH: Supposedly, yeah

DJ: Why did you decide to do it because you’ve done that before with an alternative play with what … six tracks before?

 

 

TOYAH: Yeah. Well, we decided to have 4 tracks this time so it allowed better quality. It’s just the band had split and we got a new band together now. We’re writing new material and we wanted something a bit more special than just a single

 
DJ: Right. We’ll talk about the music in a short while, but first of all how ... I mean I wouldn’t attempt it - how would you describe your career? What you do? Because it’s so varied - to say the least?

TOYAH: (chuckles) Overcrowded really! I just act and sing, simple as that. That’s all I really want to do. I don’t want to do anything other than those two medias. Whereas a lot people say I’m a multi-media person I’m not really. I’m just concentrating on two steady careers

DJ: Do you feel you can do that? I always felt that you can only aim yourself - if you want to do something fully in one direction, you’re obviously proving that wrong but what happens -

TOYAH: People keep telling me I can’t do both because you’re only suppose to work from 9 to 5 but I can work from 7 till 10 at night with the greatest of ease. Then I can do both. I can act in the day and sing at night usually. And that’s pretty well how it works

DJ: Supposing the band got really big. I mean that wouldn’t justify the rest of people in the band, would it?

TOYAH: Well, what I usually do is spend six months doing music, six months acting. I split the year in half so I can concentrate solidly on the one for quite a few months. Which is the best thing to do. If the band does take off then I’ll give it more time than the acting but no way will I give up acting

DJ: So why? Is it a case of wanting to do both? You like those things equally or -

TOYAH: I like them equally. I feel the need to do both. I like to get away from music by acting and I like to get away from acting by doing music. And they both complement each other in a very peculiar way. I get a lot of inspiration for songs when I’m acting and it’s really good. It refreshes me a lot

DJ: Ever bother taking holidays or is that something never heard of?

TOYAH: I often dream about going away to the sun but I haven’t got time at the moment

DJ: I can imagine. So what sort of things have you been up to recently?

TOYAH: Well, I’m on tour at the moment with the new band, I’ve been in the studio over Christmas recording. The tour ends on Monday and I go away to do "Tales Of The Unexpected" (below as "Blue Marigold") for a month and then during "Tales" I start on a new album

I want the album out by May and will be back on a major concert tour by May. Then I’ll be off round the world after that. Oh, and I’ve got to fit Derek Jarman's new movie in! Somewhere in between that lot! (chuckles) 

DJ: Any TV going in amongst that?

TOYAH: Well, I’ve got the “Look Hear“ series to be done, which I’ll do every Sunday, which I’ll start on the 22 of Feb

DJ: Are you doing any radio?

TOYAH: I do lots radio interviews but I haven’t actually got
a program -

DJ: You can start interviewing me, we can swap it around for a change!

TOYAH: I don’t … I tried interviewing once and it’s very difficult, it’s surprisingly difficult -

DJ: It’s not as easy as people think -

TOYAH: It’s not at all. I was very surprised

DJ: You mentioned “Look Here”, based in the East Midlands. We obviously can get that program over here. How did you actually land the job there?

TOYAH: I did one of the first pilots for it about three years ago and I was actually invited on it to talk about "Jubilee", Derek Jarman’s movie (below, Toyah with Jordan as "Amyl Nitrate")

And Roger Castle, who producers the program and created it, was looking for someone to present the show even though they had presenters when I was on it. He wasn’t quite happy with them and the following week I was asked if I’d do the whole series

DJ: You must’ve made a good impression!

TOYAH: It was amazing, I couldn’t believe it. It was really good

DJ: And it all started from there?

TOYAH: Yeah

DJ: You’re interested as well, I understand, in black magic?

TOYAH: No … (laughs) I’m fascinated by it but to say I’m interested in it ...

DJ: It’s not a thing you’ve delved into then?

TOYAH: No, I think that’s silly

DJ: I always make the mistake of believing your bio because you’d never do that. You’re just 22 having done all these things. Does that mean that in your eyes - and I mean in your eyes, not anyone else’s - that you’re anything special or you’ve just got a bit more energy than most normal human beings?

 

TOYAH: I just think it’s got to do with a little bit more energy. I’ve got a lot of sort of push behind me, this sort of driving ambition but doesn’t leave me alone. Sometimes I wish it would!

DJ: Is that serious?

TOYAH: Yeah! I mean it’s an obsession. My work is a total obsession, I’m a workaholic. I know I won’t stop till the day I die or I’ve conquered the world. And if I ever do conquer the world God forbid, I mean that’s provision to a Heil Hitler! (laughs) I’ll probably want to go on and do another planet or something bizarre

DJ: Do you have a final ambition?

TOYAH: I’d love to be an astronaut, I think it would be wonderful (laughs)

DJ: Aiming for the starts in more ways than one! Let’s move onto your present work. I suppose I can call it a single. The main track from the EP which is “It’s A Mystery” - what made you decide to pull that one off? Or did you?

TOYAH: It’s written by a friend of mine whom I wrote “Victims Of The Riddle” with, which was our first single. I wrote the lyrics and he did the tune. Well, I can’t explain why we did it

My favourite track on the EP is a track called the “War Boys”. But this particular track “It’s A Mystery”, it’s incredibly commercial, it seemed very suitable to release after the documentary (the ATV documentary "Toyah", 1980). Because the documentary made me out to be this wild person and people are sort waiting and expecting something from me…

DJ: You’re quite calm really, aren’t you?

TOYAH: Quite calm, no … not at all! (laughs)

DJ: We’ll listen to “War Boys” in a short time but let’s have listen to “It’s A Mystery”, the A-side and indeed one of the A tracks on the brand new EP from Toyah

SONG: It’s A Mystery

DJ: Sounds like a winner to me but it’s up to you to decide that. “It’s A Mystery” from the brand new EP from Toyah. Back to Toyah now. How much - can I say the business side - do you get involved in? You seem very active when it comes to the work side. What about business? Do you have much of a say?

TOYAH: Well, I design most of the … what I do is I come up with all the basic ideas and let the more advanced people take it from there. Such as record covers, when and where we’re going to play and same with the albums - when are we going to do the albums. I just say when and then other people work it out for me because I’m no good with paperwork or anything like that, I stay away from accounts

DJ: So it’s fair to say then - if you can veto venues to say “I’ll want to play here, there” or wherever … that is a big say. Why do you want such a say?

 

 

TOYAH: Because when you’re on the road you know more about the venues than actual booking agents know. And you say to the agents “I want to play venues where kids under 16 can get in” and they’ll go “Oh yes, I know those, you will play the universities, they’ll let them in”

And you get there and they won’t let them in unless a student signs them in, which is ridiculous because you can’t always find someone prepared to do that. I know for the next tour we’re going to be at venues and hopefully we’ll get special licensing, things where younger kids can come in but there’ll still be a bar

DJ: Sort of matinee performances that Madness recently got into -

TOYAH: Yeah, right

DJ: Seemed like quite a good idea

TOYAH: Yeah, that’s the reason I want to have a say so that we give everyone a chance to come and see us. Because you get so many little kids hanging outside -

DJ: It’s true!

TOYAH: You always end up letting them in through the fire escape

DJ: Shouldn’t say too much about that! It’s hearsay I’m going on now. I understand you had and album called “Sheep Farming in Barnet” out but just in Germany?

TOYAH: Well, we had it out as an AP over here which is really an equivalent to an EP. Because we were with an label in Germany they released it just as an album with two more tracks on it. That’s all, it was just the same as the AP

DJ: So it’s good value here rather than going to go out and buy an album that’s going to cost you considerably more?

TOYAH: Yeah, because the AP was the price of a single. And of course the album is much more expensive

DJ: Fair comment, can’t argue with that. The live gigs - let’s get back to now. First of all - who’s in the band at present?

TOYAH: Well, we’ve got Bruce Wolley's ex-drummer -

DJ: Ah, local lad!

TOYAH: Is he?

DJ: Comes from Lothbury just down’ the road-

TOYAH: Oh, right. We’ve got the Original Mirrors ex-bass player. I’ve still got Joel (Bogen), who’s the original guitarist and Cliff Richard’s ex-keyboard player -

DJ: You play Leicester tonight, I understand the tickets are almost sold out if not completely?

TOYAH: Yeah, I think they’ve got about hundred or so to go. I know they’ve pretty well sold about a thousand

 

DJ: Is it going - being very honest about it - is it going really well?

TOYAH: It’s completely sold out most of the places. I mean yesterday we played Durham and that’s the first gig that hadn’t sold out but it was still pretty full

DJ: And how was reaction on stage?

TOYAH: Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I don’t know why ... (laughs)

DJ: Can you tell a Toyah fan… I mean it’s easy enough to notice a Status Quo fan -

TOYAH: There was one in the front who was screaming and crying and pulling his hair out. It’s quite amazing what’s been going on -

DJ: You must get a cross section down there then?

TOYAH: Well, we’ve got the calmer audience at the back and the younger ones at the front. They sort of sort themselves out. You’ve got people who want to listen stay at the back. One’s that want to dance in the middle and the ones that want to sort of grope and scream at the front!

DJ: Would you say the band you’ve got now is the best you’ve had so far?

TOYAH: Definitely. They perform more, they’ve got their own identity. I think the musicians - the quality of their playing is much better. I find them much more exciting to work with. They’re a little older than the last band, only a fraction though …

DJ: Experience counts

TOYAH: Yeah

DJ: That’s a good idea. We’ll be seeing you down in Rock City on Friday so then there’s no need to go to Leicester if you can’t get a ticket tonight - what should be a good gig in itself. Have a good gig!

TOYAH: Thank you

DJ: I’m sure you will. What does the future hold for you after this tour?

TOYAH: “Tales Of The Unexpected” and an album and bang on tour again

DJ: No holidays at all?
 
TOYAH: I haven’t even got a day off, just looking at it!

DJ: It’s sad for some people, isn’t it? (Toyah laughs) “War Boys" is the track we’re going to finish with, which is your favourite. Why?

TOYAH: Because I wrote it all! Biased! It was the first track I actually wrote. It started off - I played the keyboards on it as well but I couldn’t do it quite as well as Adrian, our new keyboard player, could do it, so he did it all again
 
DJ: You left it to the professionals?

TOYAH: Yeah!

DJ: Have a good tour! See you soon!

SONG: War Boys

You can listen to the interview HERE

TOYAH ON
BBC RADIO ONE
WITH PETER POWELL
1.4.1985

PETER: Welcome!

TOYAH: Hello, it’s nice to be back

PETER: A lot of people want to speak to you so let’s get straight to the calls - Heather Long is first. Heather? 

HEATHER: Hello! 

TOYAH: Hi Heather!

 PETER: Where are you from? 

HEATHER: I’m from Belfast

PETER: Here’s Toyah for you

HEATHER: What do you think of people like Tracey Ullman (below with Toyah in 1983) mimicking you?

TOYAH: In the beginning I used to hate it. I wanted smash her face in but in the end all they’re doing is complementing you

I saw a playback of her mimicking me only about a year ago and I actually enjoyed it but when she first did it I was really angry but that was because I was young and stupid

 

PETER: What’s the other part of your question, Heather?

HEATHER: Who would you like to work with in film, theatre, music? 

TOYAH: I think at heart I’m still a great fan of other people. Whenever I see other people I always sort of adore them and when I meet them I get totally star struck and can’t talk to them. And one of those people that does that to me is David Bowie and I’d love to work with him

PETER: Thank you, Heather

TOYAH: Bye! 

HEATHER: Bye bye! 

PETER: Margaret Francis is next - from where Margaret? 

MARGARET: Bedford

PETER: OK, here’s Toyah for you

MARGARET: How would you like to be remembered in the future? By what film or record or LP or whatever?
 
TOYAH: I’d like to be remembered for breaking certain boundaries. I think up until now my music’s been taken with a pinch of salt, which is always a hard thing to accept so for the future now I’d like to be accepted for writing good lyrics and singing good songs. And also for being remembered having a high quality of what I do I suppose

PETER: Thanks, Margaret

TOYAH: Thank you, Margaret

MARGARET: Thank you

PETER: Bye bye. Amanda Sizer, is that right, Amanda? From where? 

AMANDA: Langley in Slough. Now, you’ve worked with Sir Laurence Olivier (in "The Ebony Tower" 1983, below) and Roger Daltrey (in "Murder : Ultimate Grounds For Divorce", 1984) What film did you enjoy the most?

TOYAH: Er, let me think … I mean working with Sir Laurence was lovely because when you’re working with someone of his standard and his age, you usually find they’re far more wiser to work with. They’re very calm and they have a lot of sort of things to tell you you can benefit from

And then with Roger Daltrey you’re working with someone who is so ultra famous, who I can still remember from my younger days with The Who and everything. I must admit I was very in awe of Roger Daltrey. I was a little bit shy with him in which case I probably enjoyed working with Sir Laurence more because I love people of his age

 

 

PETER: Second part of the question please?
 
AMANDA: Have you written any songs lately and who helped you? 

TOYAH: Oh, yeah. Have I written some songs lately! I’ve just written an album. On the album I think there’s about ten songs, but to achieve that album - the standard it’s at - we wrote about 24 songs

And I’ve got to the stage now where I write a bit of music and I write all the lyrics but I can’t write all the music on my own because I can’t play anything well enough

PETER: If there was someone we’d know as a songwriter, famous person for instance … who would you most like to write a song with?You mentioned Bowie earlier on? 

TOYAH: Yeah, well, obviously there’s Bowie, he’s just a God! But at the moment I’d really like to write with Bruce Springsteen

PETER: Are there any songs in particular you really like?

TOYAH: I’ve been thinking about that and I think I’d like to be really gooey and hear “Win” which is on “Young Americans”

PETER: Oh, right

SONG: Davie Bowie: Win

PETER: Davie Bowie and “Win”. Cath Tedstone is next, Cath? 

CATH: Hiya! 

PETER: Hi, where are you from? 

CATH: Merthyr village in South Wales

TOYAH: (in a mock Welsh accent) Oh, South Wales, loo-vely!

PETER: Well, she’s introduced herself. What’s your question for Toyah? 

CATH: Do you think being an individual is good and has it helped you to get where you are?
 
TOYAH: I think whenever, in whatever situation you are - whether you are at school or going for a job interview or whether you’re going in front of a TV camera or anything … you’ve always got to remember that people around you are in a lot of ways equal to you and no one is lower than you

And I think a lot of individuals take other people around them for granted. So in my early days, when I was busy being extremely individual, I was taking people for granted and that’s not good, that’s not good at all

But I think you’ve got to have something special and you can only have that by knowing yourself and knowing your own capabilities. That’s where your individualism comes from because you know yourself so well

PETER: Thanks, Cath! 

CATH: Thanks! 

PETER: Helen Reece is next . . .

TOYAH: Hi, how are you? 

HELEN: I’m fine, thank you! 

TOYAH: Good! 

HELEN: What is your favourite acting role? What’s it been?

 

TOYAH: Oh dear … I’ve done lots that have been really tremendous parts to play. I still feel that "Miranda" in "The Tempest" (above, with David Meyer as "Ferdinand") was good fun to do because I’m so bad at Shakespeare it was a real challenge. I was sort of lisping all over the place … (chuckles) I just think that the cheek of me playing Shakespeare, it was so pretentious it was wonderful!

PETER: Thank you, Helen! 

HELEN: Thank you! 

TOYAH: Thank you! Good to talk to you!

HELEN: Bye! 

TOYAH: Bye!

PETER: Richard Evans is next. How are you doing?

RICHARD: Hello, Toyah! 

TOYAH: Hello, Richard! 

RICHARD: Two questions -

TOYAH: Oh, good

RICHARD: Firstly, what are the 3 most important things in your life? 

TOYAH: Number one is the fans that keep me going!

RICHARD: Thank you! 

TOYAH: So there you go! Well, they are you know. And number two is TV because without it I would be really lost. Because believe it or not, in a way I wake up every morning and all I’ve really got to look forward to is my work and performing and stuff. So if it wasn’t for the media of TV I’d be lost because dyed hair means nothing on radio! God bless radio though ... (she chuckles) 

PETER: Is there anything at home which is really precious? 

TOYAH: My collection of books. I love a collection of books because they’re my knowledge outlet and I have a top floor in the house I live in - it’s got one room as an office and the other room is my creative room and that room no one goes in! 

PETER: Your den, Toyah’s den!

 

TOYAH: And also I collect Buddha's -

PETER: Oh, really?

TOYAH: So my Buddha’s are my very precious collection but those are material things 

PETER: Thank you for you call

TOYAH: Thank you! Bye! 

PETER: Susan Wright is next. Susan?

SUSAN: Hello. Is there anything you miss from before you where famous?

TOYAH: It’s silly selfish little things like I can’t go to Tesco’s and go shopping. Can’t really do that now as it gets a bit difficult. But I think that is very small price to pay

But also I can’t see as many friends as I used to see and I’m terrible at staying in touch with people. My dad even phones up and says “hi, I’m still alive!” (Toyah and Peter chuckle) I’m just very bad like that

 PETER: What’s the other part of your question, Sue? 

SUSAN: Do you think you’re at the high of your singing career? 

TOYAH: On bad mornings I think that, when I’m feeling insecure I think that … but no, I feel that the success I’ve had so far is what I call the young stage of success when everyone thinks of you as something new and glittering and exciting. And now it’s up to me to prove that I’m more than that, to prove that I have a place in history as one of the good singers

I mean OK, my voice may be not as rich as someone like Annie Lennox or Alf (Alison Moyet) but I’m certainly going to do my hardest to prove that. As a rock singer I have something to offer, and a lot of new ideas yet. I’m not just a singer - I’m a visual artist as well and I think I’ve got a lot to do there too

PETER: So do I! Thank you very much, Susan

TOYAH: Thank you! Bye! 

PETER: That’s all we’ve got time for … Welcome back! 

TOYAH: It’s good to be back! 

PETER: Here’s Toyah’s new single! 

TOYAH: Yeah!

SONG: Don’t Fall In Love

You can listen to the interview HERE