Toys Went Berserk
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Defunct | 1992 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1992; reunited in 1998, 2005, and 2016 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Toys Went Berserk emerged as an Australian post-punk ensemble formed in Sydney towards the end of 1985. Their discography includes two studio albums: The Smiler with a Knife (1989) and Sensory (1990). The group dissolved in early 1992 but reunited on three occasions—in 1998, 2005, and again in 2016.
History
The band was established by Lesley-Anne "Coo" Bennett (lead vocals, piano), Andy Jarvis (guitar), Mark Nicholson (drums), Bill Quarry (bass guitar), and Steve Turbit (guitar). Bennett had previously fronted the Perth-based band Lavender Disaster, while the other members had backgrounds in various Sydney music groups. Their name was derived from a line in Siouxsie and the Banshees' track "Spellbound." Drawing inspiration from bands such as Skeletal Family and Siouxsie and the Banshees, their sound distinguished itself within Sydney’s music landscape through layered guitar work, inventive percussion, and Bennett’s unique vocal style.
Their initial recorded song, "One Day (My Head Is Going to Explode)," featured on the 1986 Aberrant Records compilation Trousers in Action No. 2. This was succeeded by their first single "Guns at My Head" released in October 1986 and the double 12" EP titled Pieces in early 1987. During 1987, guitarist Steve Turbit was temporarily replaced by Carolyn Polley.
The debut album, The Smiler with a Knife, was launched on 7 November 1989 and produced by Rob Younger at Trafalgar Studios. Despite initial doubts stemming from Younger’s association with Detroit rock, the album presented a crisp and robust sound with a harder edge. Polley departed prior to recording sessions, resulting in the band continuing as a quartet.
Throughout their career, Toys Went Berserk issued six singles and three albums across vinyl and CD formats while extensively touring in both Australia and the United States. Their gothic-inspired rendition of Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven" received airtime on ABC-TV’s The Money or the Gun program and was included on the 1993 compilation album Stairways to Heaven.
Their sophomore album, Sensory (1990), was recorded at Fort Apache Studios near Boston under the guidance of producer Gary Smith, recognized for his work with Throwing Muses and Pixies. In 1991, they toured the US and supported international acts such as the Cramps, Sugarcubes, the Fall, Dinosaur Jr., and the Selector before disbanding in early 1992.
Afterwards
Following the band's breakup, Bennett and Jarvis—who were partners—moved to England where they formed new groups Feast (1993–98) and Houdini (1998–2001). Returning to Perth in 2003, they established their own label, Trickster Music, releasing an album under Houdini Twins. Toys Went Berserk reunited for live performances in 1998 and 2005; these events coincided with the release of a compilation double album titled The Bitter & the Sweet: Best and Rarest, which collected studio tracks, demos, and live recordings. In 2016, they celebrated their 30th anniversary with a shared concert in Sydney alongside fellow contemporaries Ratcat.
Bennett and Jarvis also spearheaded Perth-based projects Rocket to Memphis (RTM) and Catzilla. RTM released four CDs—Swampwater Shuffle (2007), Hip-Shakin' Voodoo (2009), Jungle Juice (2011), Do the Crawl (2013)—alongside two vinyl singles, touring Japan and the UK. Catzilla featured Bennett on vocals/keyboards and Jarvis on guitar; they issued a vinyl EP titled Going Wild in 2016 followed by a self-titled album in 2017, also undertaking tours in Japan.
Studio Albums
- Pieces (1987)
- The Smiler With A Knife (1989)
- Sensory (1991)
Compilation Albums
- The Bitter & The Sweet – Best & Rarest (2005)
Singles and EPs
- Don't Run Away / Guns At My Head (7", 1986)
- No Warning / Inseparable (7", 1988)
- Forever And A Day (7", 1988)
- Have No More (12", 1989)
- Brand New Life (7", 1990)
- Wheels In Motion (7", 1990)
- Worlds Away (CD, 2016)