Box of Toys were a short-lived British new wave band, consisting of members Brian Atherton (lead vocals and keyboards), Andy Redhead (drums and guitar), Phil Martin (sax, keyboards and vocals), and Roy Campbell (bass and vocals). They released two singles, "I'm Thinking of You Now" in 1983, and "Precious Is the Pearl" in 1984. The debut single achieved minor commercial success, brushing the outer reaches of the UK Singles Chart.
History Box of Toys were formed around the breakup of A Select Committee (active from 1981 to 1983), a powerpop band consisting of members Brian Jones, Tim Lees, Steve Downey, Phil Martin and Andy Redhead. Two members from that band, Redhead and Martin, then teamed up with Roy Campbell and Brian Atherton to form Box of Toys. The project was managed by Inevitable Records owner Jeremy Lewis. Before releasing any material, the quartet recorded a session with John Peel in April 1983. The band then released two singles, "I'm Thinking of You Now" (b/w "Old Man Rome") in August 1983, and "Precious Is the Pearl" (b/w "It Goes Without Saying" and "When Daylight Is Over") in 1984.
Andy Redhead joined the band 3D, alongside John 'Riff' Reynolds, Steve Spurgin, and Jon Corner, effectively replacing drummer Brian Rawling. Following the dissolution of A Select Committee and subsequent projects, members of the circuit also participated in Lovers By Design until 1986. Brian Atherton went on to form The Light.
Discography Commercial Singles Year Release Details Tracklist Personnel & Label Credits 1983 "I'm Thinking of You Now" Format: 7" Single Label: Inevitable Records Catalog: INEV 13 A-Side: "I'm Thinking of You Now" B-Side: "Old Man Rome" Lineup: Brian Atherton (vocals, keyboards), Andy Redhead (drums), Phil Martin (saxophone), Roy Campbell (bass). Production: Jeremy Lewis. 1984 "Precious Is the Pearl" Format: 7" & 12" Single Label: Inevitable Records Catalog: INEV 15 (7") / 12 INEV T15 (12") 7" Edition: A-Side: "Precious Is the Pearl" B-Side: "It Goes Without Saying"
12" Edition: A-Side: "Precious Is the Pearl" B-Side: "It Goes Without Saying" / "When Daylight Is Over" Lineup: Brian Atherton (vocals, keyboards), Andy Redhead (drums), Phil Martin (saxophone), Roy Campbell (bass). Production: Jeremy Lewis.
Compilations Year Release Details Tracklist & Box-Set Layout Personnel & Label Credits 2019 Birth Of A Nation: Inevitable Records: An Independent Liverpool 1979–1986 Format: 3-CD Box Set Label: Cherry Red Records Catalog: CDTRED755 Studio Singles (CD2): CD2, Track 3: "I'm Thinking Of You Now" CD2, Track 4: "Old Man Rome" CD2, Track 7: "Precious Is The Pearl" CD2, Track 8: "It Goes Without Saying"
John Peel Session (CD3): CD3, Track 17: "Precious In The Pearl" CD3, Track 18: "When Daylight Is Over (Sunset)" CD3, Track 19: "Times Takes Me Back" CD3, Track 20: "Thinking Of You Now" Lineup: Brian Atherton (vocals, keyboards), Andy Redhead (drums), Phil Martin (saxophone), Roy Campbell (bass). Songwriting: Tracks co-written by Brian Atherton and Phil Martin, with Peel session tracks 18–20 credited solely to Atherton. Notes: Disc 3 contains the band's complete BBC Radio 1 John Peel session originally recorded on 13 April 1983.
References
External links