The Toniks

A penchant for melody, resplendent with hooks … Somewhere between The Feeling and Snow Patrol - Three Chords

Light, upbeat, breezy pop …It aims for epic and will perhaps get there - Is This Music

The Toniks may be just the ticket as the days lengthen - Whisperin & Hollerin 7/10

A bit like the LAs / The Rembrandts / Dodgy all out on a picnic - Loud Horizon Music

A rock band you would want your daughters to meet - Room Thirteen

Click here to join The Toniks Facebook page:

                      

The Toniks

The Toniks, from Guildford and surrounding areas, have been writing and gigging together in their present form for just under a year and before even their first gig had a Number 1 and Number 3 in the People's Choice charts. With support from respected industry contacts like Graham Dominy (Eurythmics, Dave Stewart, Razorlight, and Imelda May) who, liking their sound, gave them free studio time for their first CD, they have, after being likened to such groups as Blur, The Lightening Seeds, The Feeling, Squeeze, Ocean Colour Scene, and The Small Faces, been able to make their music stand for itself as original empathetic pop songs. Drawing on some of their influences of early Who tracks, Northern Soul, The Beatles and The Jam, the sum is their own unique style. They see their sound as quintessentially British. On seeing them play at The Bullet Bar, Camden, Dan Moore from Supervision Management (Kaiser Chiefs) remarked on their set, 'really loved the show and strong songs.'

Moving ever onward and working even harder, this year finds The Toniks releasing their first CD and promotional activities ensue, from the traditional networking sites, publicity vehicles and local radio play, they are also advertising in more widely spread music magazines, and have set up radio interviews for several different radio stations in the South East. In addition, an upcoming slot at The Libertaire was recently moved forward as the promoter was anxious to ensure that publishers and A&R contacts get the opportunity to hear their songs and witness their energy as they play as such a tight, engaging, unit. As they say themselves 'You won’t see a fifteen minute guitar solo - it's all about the songs'. Winning the heat of Battle of the Bands at The Libertaire marks a new stage in the bands fast growing popularity with promoters, A&R and most importantly their fans.

The Toniks originally formed in January 2008 when friends – singer Mark Taylor & guitarist Jez Parish, revisited some songs they wrote some time ago and started to jam along together, the band grew organically when Gary, a friend of Jez's joined on drums, as well as Tom Parish, Jez’s cousin on guitar. Later Jim and Tom (to replace Tom P who left to pursue the iniquitous dens of academia at Leeds) came. This second formation in November 2008 really brought the sound together that they were looking for and since then they have been in high demand gigging in London and the South East, building a loyal following. The Toniks have also become synonymous for their commitment to supporting charities such as a local children's hospice and Oxjam, giving their time very generously and enthusiastically in these projects. Live, they are a tight unit whose energy and uplifting songs have become their trademark winning them a recent round of battle of the bands at The Libertaire in Acton. A telling tribute is that on that second week in January, a band that can fill a gig on a Thursday night when traditionally, even mates are hard to persuade out must have something for the future. When people who could see them locally still follow their gigs up to London to get a Toniks fix, there is something brewing, they are talking to a collective consciousness and people are responding.

Their big career plan? More music to more people, show the diversity and range of songs they have and despite their hard work and belief in themselves, their music their energy and enthusiasm for their audience are exactly what is needed in these days of empty wallets and worn hopes. To paraphrase the great Dick Van Dyke – it may well be a jolly holiday with Mary but with The Toniks you get the summer all year round (even in the real Summer which, let's face it is usually rubbish) and, as a recent quote from BBC Southern Counties radio states when describing the band 'Tears for Fears meets the Feeling – an epic epic sound - sky's the limit!' So, see, hear, listen and feel the Toniks music knowing what was ‘wonderful then and soon to be again’ always means something to someone, you can see from their faces at gigs and that is their story and their greatness. The story just beginning to tell of greatness to come.

Elaine McGinty

Click here to join The Toniks Facebook page:

                     

Click here to join The Toniks Facebook page: