- Bill -- bass (1969-70)

- Billy -- guitar (1969-70)

- Joey -- drums (1969-70)

- Sal -- keyboards (1969-70)

- Greg Weiss -- vocals (1969-70)
 

- Andromeda (Greg Weiss)

Gene: pop

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Toy Factory

Company: AVCO Embassy

Catalog: AVE 33013

Year: 1970

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Comments: WYCS stamped on front cover; promo copy sticker on front cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4865

Price: $25.00

Though we haven't been able to track down much bibliographical information on this late-60s bi-racial outfit, we think they were from Long Island, New York.  From the liner notes on their LP we can also tell you George Weiss was the lead singer and was responsible for writing roughly half the material.  The rest of the line up consisted of  bassist Bill, guitarist Billy, drummer Joey and keyboard player Sal (great detail there).  Regardless of their roots, they seem to have made their recording debut with a 1969 single for Jubilee ("Sunny, Sunny Feeling" b/w "Sunny, Sunny Feeling" Jubilee catalog number 45-5668). 

Dropped by Jubilee, the following year the band reappeared on AVCO Embassy.  Produced by Bernie Lawrence, the majority of 1970's "Toy Factory" found the band trying to fight their way through rather faceless MOR pop.  Lead singer Greg Weiss had a decent voice, but on tracks such as "What Is Youth", "To Live or Die" and "Honey, Forever" he employed an irritating faux-English accent that recalled Davy Jones.  He also had an irritating habit of throwing mock sobs and groans into the mix ("When I'm with You" and "Honey Forever").  Strike three were the occasional French lyrics he tossed into the mix ("To Live or Die" and "Honey Forever").  Curiously, the band was at their best when they cut loose and go for a harder rock sound.  In this case, the pseudo-psychedelic "No Rhyme To Orange" (sporting a nice fuzz guitar solo) and "Things" was a nifty slice of blue-eyed soul.  "Summertime" also found the band turning in one of the weirdest George Gershwin covers we've ever heard.  This one certainly won't change your life, but it's one of those period failures that's worth checking out.

"Toy Factory" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) What Is Youth   (Rota - Walter) - 2:58

2.) To Live or Die   (Baslie Vlastos) - 2:19

3.) Dear Girl   (Franklin Osborne) - 3:44

4.) Yesterday's Love   (Greg Weiss - Carroll) - 3:00

5.) No Rhyme To Orange   (Greg Weiss - Carroll) - 2:33

(side 2)

1.) Summertime   (George Gershwin) - 4:19

2.) When I'm with You   (Greg Weiss) - 4:26

3.) Things   (Greg Weiss - Carroll) - 3:01

4.) Honey Forever   (Baslie Vlastos) - 3:24

5.) Little Girl   (Greg Weiss) - 3:04

AVCO Embassy pulled "What Is Youth" b/w "Honey, Forever" (AVCO Embassy catalog number AVE-4533) as a single.  Like the parent LP, it vanished without a trace.

Weiss reappeared as a member of the New York-based Andromeda (we think it's the same guy).