Shiny Toy Guns – You Sing I Write

Shiny Toy Guns Bring Energetic Show to NYC

I don’t think I’ve witnessed a concert as versatile as Shiny Toy Guns performance last Thursday at Webster Hall. A blend of every musical genre you can possibly imagine — dance, rock, electronica, indie, even some Hip-Hop thrown into the mix — Shiny Toy Guns surely impressed all in attendance.

Their explosive sound is indisputable as the floor of Webster Hall shook continuously from the beginning to the very end of their performance. (So much so, that a few times I literally thought it may cave in.) In fact, their 13-song hour-long set didn’t seem long enough for die-hard fans as the show closed with continuous screams for a second encore.

Surrounded by fog and bright lights, the LA-based band started off with “Starts With One” from debut album, We Are Pilots. Their performance was stellar and the intensity never faltered. Shiny Toy Guns were spot on as they segued from electronic songs to more rock based tracks with keyboard accompaniment. Whatever they were playing, they did no wrong.

It’s hard to determine which song was the crowd favorite. While high energy dance track “Ricochet!” brought the hands in the air, “Le Disko” switched things up with its heavy bass and percussion elements. And I can’t forget to mention the sing along choruses encompassing hit single “Ghost Town” from most recent release, Season of Poison. With its soaring guitar and keyboard features throughout the track, “Ghost Town” had the crowd screaming for more.

Currently on tour with the All-American Rejects, Shiny Toy Guns were clearly in their element Thursday headlining Webster Hall. “It’s good to be back,” co-lead singer Chad Petree said. “We have a lot of pent up energy.”

And he wasn’t lying. Fellow co-lead singer, Sisely Treasure’s energy was contagious and her constant jumping around onstage only enticed the audience to do the same. Highlights included the band’s cover of Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” as well as last song of the night, “You Are the One.”

While they’ve been opening up for the All-American Rejects, there is no denying the need for Shiny Toy Guns to be headlining their own shows. Definitely a band I recommend catching live if you have a chance, as I would see them again if the opportunity arises.

For more on Shiny Toy Guns be sure to visit their Web site and MySpace where you can download a song for free!

I’ve been hearing a lot about Shiny Toy Guns lately, so I decided to check them out for myself. While I only had maybe a minute glimpse at their set during South By Southwest, I’ve heard wonders about their live performance. After taking a listen to their MySpace and some songs on YouTube, I stumbled on their single “Ghost Town” and liked what I heard.

While the song itself sounds more like it’d be played at a club, it has been a hit on the modern rock charts. Charts aside, there’s much more meaning behind the song. On their Web site, a fan asked the story behind the track to which Shiny Toy Guns wrote, “Ghost Town is anything that holds you back, that puts a ceiling on your life or your goals. Its an anthem for any and all who want to get out of the ‘ghost town’ in their lives and want to move forward and progress to become the people they always wanted to be.”

They continue, “The song is sort of our anthem about how you can and very much will be able to do anything that you want to do, whenever you want too, with the right motivation and the desire and will to break free from whatever is keeping you living in a ghost town.”

Can you relate? You can watch the music video for “Ghost Town” here. Be sure to visit their Web site as well as give their tunes a listen on MySpace. I’m hoping to catch a show of theirs soon, so I’ll be sure to let you know how they are live!