Smells Like Alternative

FYI: Toad The Wet Sprocket

by acostill on November 30th, 2007

For some reason “Walk on the Ocean” has been stuck in my head; and let’s also mention that Toad The Wet Sprocket will be playing at this year’s Rock Boat.

• The band formed in Santa Barbara in 1986.
• They got their name from Eric Idle’e monologue on “Rock Notes” from Monty Python’s album Contractual Obligations.
• In 1988 Toad self-financed their first album, Bread and Circus, for $650.
• While recording their second album, Pale, the band signed to Columbia Records.
• The band passed on an opportunity to re-record Pale and they also had Columbia reissue Bread and Circus.
• Toad released their third album, fear, on August 27, 1991.
• Their break through single, ”All I Want”, was almost left off of fear.
• Another version of “Walk on the Ocean” appears on the compilation Almost Kinda Acoustic.
• After 2 years on the road, frontman Glen Phillips had to have surgery on his pipes.
• Toad returned in 1994 with Dulcinea, which would go on to platinum status.
• Dulcinea produced two top 40 tracks from Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, “Fall Down” and “Something’s Always Wrong”.
• In 1995 the band released a compilation of b-sides and rarities called In Light Syrup.
• The song “Brother” appeared in the Mike Myers flick So I Married An Axe Murderer.
• “Good Intentions” was featured on Friends.
• In 1997, the band released their fifth album, Coil.
• In July of 1998 Toad The Wet Sprocket broke up.
• In 1999, PS (A Toad Retrospective) was released.
• The reunited for some shows in 2002, including a benefit show the Rape Crisis Center in their hometown of Santa Barbara and opening up for the Counting Crows.
• The live album, Welcome Home: Live at the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara 1992, was released in 2004.
• In 2006 the band lined up a 34 date U.S. tour.

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