Toy Called God is a groove Metal band from Brentwood, California that mixes crushing distortion, great hooks and an amazing ability to make your head bang involuntarily. I had the pleasure of asking Patrick some questions about Toy Called God and how the music scene is in his part of the country.
I know a lot of people have their own version of what your guys band name means, but what does it mean to you guys and how did the name come about?
Well, for us, the name is a statement to all those who use their “Toy Called God” or Allah or Buddha or Satan, to control the behaviors, wills, morals and beliefs of others. Every person has the capacity for right and wrong and instinctual most times we know when we do both. The name reflects the fact no man should tell another what is right or how to live.
What musical influences does Toy Called God pull from the pits of hell?
All the usual suspects, (the big 4, as well as Pantera, Testament, Overkill), but also a ton of alternative bands as well like NIN, TOOL etc etc.. we also draw influences from many of our friends and people we have come up playing music with for years.
Do you guys have any insane tour stories?
Our trip to Pittsburgh, PA was so loaded with debauchery that due to legal reasons, we are not allowed to discuss what happened.
If you could plan your own tour, what bands would you bring on the road with you?
WOW! There are so many incredible bands we have done shows that we would love to tour with if we had the opportunity to. This is super hard to answer because we love so many of our friends bands. I know for sure on this list though, Dedvolt, and Pushing The Sun would most likely be our first choices.
Any musical plans TCG has not announced to the world yet but would like to make it exclusive here?
We have a new video.. but we have been torn which video to do, i.e. WIld Child or Martyr Dumb, but we are announcing today the next video is going to be WIld Child!!!
How is the music scene in your area? Any places you are hoping to play at someday?
The Bay Area is where the thrash started, it’s hallowed metal ground. That being said, if you are trying to get in the mix here, you better bring your A game to the stage every night, because you never know who will be in the crowd. The alumni list of bands that have flown out of here means you could see Holt, Hammett, Billy, Locicero, Bostaph and many, many others in a crowd or at your show. The talent level here is off the charts in the bands tearing up clubs currently, and you have the best talent in the world coming here to start where it started also means you have a very saturated market that is making a comeback to gain it’s rightful status as the Metal Mecca of the World. Locally, we have very few places we want to play but haven’t yet, but we definitely would love to play anywhere our friends and fans want us to play!!
If you could only own 5 albums, what would they be?
Dark Side of The Moon, Rust in Peace, Cowboys From Hell, Alive (Kiss), Black Sabbath.
Is there anything else you want the world to know about Toy Called God?
That we hope to get out to see you all as soon as we can and that our new video drops soon, watch for an announcement and that songs for our new album are almost complete and we be dropping on you all in 2014. Stay Metal m/
Check them out on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ToyCalledGodBand
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