Toy Love

Toy Love

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1978
Defunct	1980
Headquarters	Dunedin , New Zealand
Products	Punk rock, new wave music

Toy Love was a punk rock and new wave group originating from Dunedin, New Zealand, active between 1978 and 1980. The lineup prominently featured Chris Knox, Alec Bathgate, and Paul Kean.

History

Led by vocalist Chris Knox, the ensemble included guitarist Alec Bathgate, bassist Paul Kean, drummer Mike Dooley, and keyboardist Jane Walker. Having evolved from the earlier punk outfit The Enemy, Toy Love is recognized as a foundational act within the Dunedin sound scene. Throughout their short-lived existence of less than two years, they extensively toured in Australia.

Toy Love issued a single self-titled album, although the band expressed dissatisfaction with its production, which diluted their originally gritty style. In April 2005, this album was remastered and re-released as a double CD named Cuts, featuring demos and previously unreleased material. Later, in 2012, a double LP compilation also titled Toy Love was released, containing singles, B-sides, demos, and live performances; its cover art matched that of Cuts.

After the group disbanded, Bathgate and Knox went on to establish the Tall Dwarfs, while Kean became a member of The Bats.

In 2012, Toy Love received induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and was honored with the Legacy Award at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Keyboard player Jane Walker passed away in October 2018; her death was publicly announced by Flying Nun Records.

Studio albums

Studio albums with New Zealand chart rankings

Title	Album information	Highest chart position
		NZ
Toy Love	Released: August 1980 Label: Deluxe Records, WEA (Z 20008) Formats: LP, Cassette	4

Live albums

Live albums with New Zealand chart rankings

Title	Album information	Highest chart position
		NZ
Live At The Gluepot	Released: April 2012 Label: Real Groovy Records (RGLP 001) Formats: 2xLP, 2xCD Recorded September 1980 in Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ	11

Compilation albums

Compilation albums with New Zealand chart rankings

Title	Album information	Highest chart position
		NZ
Cuts	Released: April 2005 Label: Flying Nun Records (FNCD473) Format: 2xCD	23
Toy Love	Released: 3 November 2012 Label: Flying Nun Records (FNLP528/FNCT001) Format: 2xLP

Extended Plays

EPs

Title	Information
Toy Love	Year issued: 1980 Record label: Deluxe Records (catalog number 20630) Format type: 7" vinyl

Singles

Selected Singles with New Zealand chart rankings

Title	Release Year	Highest chart position	Associated Album
		NZ
1979	"Rebel" / "Squeeze"	29	Toy Love (EP)
1980	"Don't Ask Me"	10	Toy Love
	"Bride of Frankenstein"	22

Aotearoa Music Awards

Since 1965, the Aotearoa Music Awards—previously known as the New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)—have annually celebrated outstanding achievements in New Zealand's music scene.

! |- | 2012 || Toy Love || New Zealand Music Hall of Fame || || |-

External links

• Official Toy Love artist page at Flying Nun