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Where Is My Mind?: Toy Soldiers' Ron Gallo
- by Q.D. Tran & Maggie Grabmeier
My fondest memory of the band Toy Soldiers was the first time that I ever heard them perform. The Deli Philly was asked to sponsor the inaugural show by what later became known as the short-lived Fishtown Collective. It was also the first or second time that we had ever sponsored an event, which took place in a plastic bag factory diagonally across the street from Kung Fu Necktie on Front St. Someone’s father had allowed the collective to build a massive stage so that bands could perform at one big Valentine’s Day party. About five hundred college kids - mostly from Temple - took over the place as nearly ten of them walked on stage and helped us shimmy, twist and boogie the night away. (To this day, I have no clue what the DIY space was called, nor do I think that it ran long enough to even get a name, well, according to my partners in crime. If anyone out there knows otherwise, please feel free to leave it in the comment section of this post.) Toy Soldiers have gone through plenty of growing pains since then, as the band shrunk and grew again in size like the waistband of a “Biggest Loser” contestant. Well, the group seems to be settling into their own skin as they get ready to celebrate the release of their new album The Maybe Boys at Johnny Brenda’s this evening. We had a chance to catch up with the band’s frontman Ron Gallo, the gangly, lone constant that has kept this army of “maybe boys” marching forward. So before you head upstairs at JB’s tonight, please check out our recent interview with Gallo below.
The Deli: What’s the story behind calling the new album The Maybe Boys?
Ron Gallo: One night in Austin, TX during SXSW, we were made aware of the notion that almost every girl in Austin is beautiful, or a “yes.” Luke then discovered that when people look at us, they probably say “eh...they’re maybe boys.” Also, nothing in the world of our band is ever certain.
TD: You worked with producer Bill Moriarty on this LP. Did he provide any good lessons about recording in a studio that you’ll take with you moving forward?
RG: “Maximize on the talents of the people in the room.” - B. Moriarty
TD: Do you prefer the recording/songwriting atmosphere or playing live and touring?
RG: Recording/songwriting atmosphere is better for sanity, health and creative nourishment, while touring is often bad for all of those things, but just as exciting. We’re very much a “live band” so we feel like we’re in our mode when doing so. I’d say equal.
TD: Is there anything that binds this album together thematically, or is it mostly piecemealed over time? What do you want people to take away from listening to it?
RG: Probably just the energy behind it. It jumps all over the spectrum of genres so there’s not a lot of continuity stylistically, but somehow it all seems to work because of the general energy/vibe behind it.
I think we want people to have a good time all the time with this record. If people can find anything to take from it, we’re happy and hope its lots of different things.
TD: You’ve certainly faced a lot of adversity on tour, and must have gained a wealth of knowledge from those experiences. What advice would you give a young band about to hit the road?
RG: Keep expectations low, and work your ass off, and always keep the goals of the band in mind, and don’t stop no matter what. Be friendly, good people, and be realistic about what you can afford to accomplish and how far you can go.
TD: What city or cities (besides Philly) do you enjoy performing in, and why?
RG: We are all madly in love with New Orleans. And Boston/New England area has been very great to us.
TD: You just wrapped up doing your Ron Gallo Revue at Fergie’s. What are some of your favorite moments during that residency?
RG: Oh man... It was such an amazing year. Highlight was singing Limp Bizkit karaoke while Tom Green (yes, that one) played drums. Thanks to all my awesome friends who were a part of it.
TD: It’s obviously noticeable that you’re heavily influenced by the blues. What is it that you love so much about the genre?
RG: The feeling. Something about it just gets under your skin and down to your bones. It’s simple, and lets the emotion and soul of music be completely exposed. I think all people have it engrained in them somewhere.
TD: What’s the biggest difference between being a band in college and a band out of college?
RG: Class. Then we had it, now we have none.
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
RG: My local Philly music news! and a chicken cutlet Italiano.
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