The Toy Box

Retro Spins: Britny Fox - Boys In Heat

With the massive success of their debut, and sudden boost in popularity, Britny Fox found themselves touring with the likes of Ratt, Warrant, and Poison, performing in massive arenas, which only served to push them more and more into the limelight. Critics praised them, and fans awarded them as the best debut band of 1988.

Returning to the studio, they released their sophomore album, Boys In Heat. With it would come a handful of singles, none of which would hit the charts. This was odd, considering the album peaked at number seventy-nine on the Billboard 200.

In Motion is a decent opening track. It brings with it the high energy expected from the boys. But that's about where it all ends.

Welcome to 1989, where albums are predominantly being pushed on CD format, and as a result are bloated. By song eight, it felt like it had been playing for an eternity, and still had five more tracks to go in this over hour long album. Mind you, by this point, I hadn't heard anything that left me saying, "Wow, that's great!" In fact, I found myself tuning things out.

Overall, I don't need Britny Fox in my life. They're just another hair band, lost in the pool of an over saturated market of better options.

After its release, lead singer "Dizzy" Dean Davidson would make the decision to depart the band. He'd cite a dislike for the band's material, calling it label and management controlled, as well as prefabricated. He'd go on to form Blackeyed Susan, and release Electric Rattlebone in 1991 under label, Mercury. The album would be a complete failure, resulting in the label pulling support during the middle of their tour. A second album, Just A Taste, would be self released in 1992. However, it too would fail to garner any attention.

The departure of Davidson, and the failure of their second album would lead to the band departing CBS Records. However, they wouldn't throw in the towel. Instead, they'd hire new singer, Tommy Paris, and release their third album, Bite Down Hard in 1991. It ultimately would also fail, swallowed up in the emerging grunge scene. They'd disband in 1992.

This lineup would reunite in 2000, and release their final studio album to date, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. Unsurprisingly, it was not successful. The boys would once again disband. By 2006, Billy Childs would be the only remaining original member, and once again launch Britny Fox. Greg D'Angelo would replace original drummer, Johnny Dee, only to be replaced the following year by Henry Now. Tommy Krash would replace guitarist Michael Kelly Smith, but he too would be out the following year, replaced by Greg Polcari. Tommy Paris would return as lead singer, but if you're following the trend so far, you guessed it. By 2007 he too was out, replaced by Jamie Fletcher. This lineup stayed intact through 2014.

In 2010, Davidson unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the original members of the band. Instead, the above noted lineup would change in 2015, with drummer Johnny Dee, and Tommy Paris returning. They'd join Childs with new guitarist Chris Sanders. This would only last until 2017, and the band would go dormant until 2022, when Childs once again reformed the band with Ronnie Rogers, Greg Polcari, and Henry Now. This iteration is the current lineup, but who knows how long that will last.

As of late, I've been getting a lot of band recommendations from a co-worker of mine. Specifically, a co-worker who was big into 80's metal. He's made some recommendations of bands that probably should be in my ever expanding CD collection already, but also some I've never heard of. Over these past few weeks, I've been crossing off several albums, many I don't know. Will I find myself some new music? Or will I discover I've yet again wasted a bunch of money on bands and albums I don't need? We'll find out soon enough as I get the remaining stragglers in and start playing through them.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Retro Spins: Britny Fox - Britny Fox

Ah, the 80's. Where the men were so into their long hair, high heels, slinky clothes, and makeup, that Steven Tyler himself would be duped by one from behind, prompting him to write, Dude (Looks Like A Lady). You couldn't swing a stick without hitting a hair band. For the girls, it was bad boys singing ballads to them. For the guys, it was hard rock energy and rebellion.

Britny Fox emerged in the mid 80's, securing a recording contract thanks to their ties with Tony Destra, and Michael Kelly Smith, of Cinderella, who were both part of the original lineup. Prior to Destra's death in 1986, the band recorded the demo, In America. This was followed by Rock Is Gonna Fight, with new drummer, Adam West, in 1987. This would lead to their 1988 self-titled debut, which would be considered one of the best of the year, being certified gold. This allowed them the opportunity to tour extensively, opening for acts such as Poison, Warrant, and Ratt. They would also win Metal Edge magazine's Readers Choice Award for Best New Band.

MTV would help push their success with the steady rotation of videos for Girlschool, Long Way To Love, and the power ballad, Save The Weak. Despite this, only Long Way would see any chart success, and just barely by making number one hundred on the Billboard Hot 100. Chart success was far better for the album as a whole, peaking at thirty-nine on the Billboard 200.

All of this, and would you believe I never heard of them until recently? It's true. I came across them while doing a general search of Google for 80's hair bands. Though I went back and forth a few times, I eventually pulled the trigger, grabbing both of their albums from the decade.

Firing it up, I was immediately greeted by Girlschool. Seeing the album cover, I was expecting a Bon Jovi type album. What I instead got was beaten over the head by the raspy powerful vocals of "Dizzy" Dean Davidson. I honestly had to stop after track three, and take a break to regroup myself, and start over.

I'm glad I did because my original impression was, "I didn't sign on for this." Whereas coming back a few days later, mentally prepared for what I was instore for, things resonated better.

The back to back openers, Girlschool, and Longway To Lover were pretty solid entries. Nothing amazing by any means, but definitely rocking that 80's hairband sound.

When ballad, Save The Weak started up, I didn't even need to read the song title to know what it was. Not because I knew it, or had heard it previously. Rather, it just had that cheesy ballad sound to it right from the start. It definitely wasn't for me. It's the kind of track you'd easily find on those compilation albums that you ordered off a television ad from Time Life in the 90's. It's terrible in all the right ways.

As for the rest of the album, it was relatively forgettable, and quickly fell into background noise territory. There was nothing bad about it by any means. But in the world of your Mötley Crüe's, Bon Jovi's, Def Leppard's, and everyone else in the hair metal scene, they just don't stand out as much.

Britny Fox would return to the studio to release 1989's Boys In Heat, an album title which really doesn't excite me to listen to next. However, shortly after it dropped, so to did lead singer Davidson. He dropped right out of the band, and went on to form another group. We'll pick up there tomorrow.

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Retro Spins: Lita Ford - Lita

Between 1985 and 1986, Lita was hard at work recording her third solo studio album, The Bride Wore Black. Unfortunately, it would ultimately be shelved by her record label, Mercury. Further complications at the label involving internal management shakeups would result in her being dropped. Not to worry, Lita would sign with Sharon Osbourne Management and obtain a new deal through RCA.

Her misfortune would turn out to be Mercury's loss. With the supervision of Sharon, and producer Mike Chapman, Ford would go on to record her most successful album in her career, 1988's Lita. It was led by hits, Kiss Me Deadly, Back To The Cave, and the massive duet with Ozzy Osbourne, Close My Eyes Forever. The latter remains her most successful single, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. As a whole, the album would peak at number 29 on the Billboard 200.

Music videos for Kiss Me Deadly, Back To The Cave, of course, Close My Eyes burned up airplay on MTV, further launching the album into mainstream success. Kiss Me Deadly would also go on to be crowned number seventy-six on VH1's list of best hard rock songs.

For how long this album's been in my life, I'm disappointed with myself to say I've never actually listened to it in its entirety. While I wasn't denying myself a perfect masterpiece, I was missing out on some solid gems.

Back To The Cave, Blueberry, Broken Dreams, Kiss Me Deadly, and yes, the song I bought the album for, Close My Eyes Forever, were all fantastic additions to my shuffle list. With the exception of the latter, the album keeps up a consistent hard rock sound with awesome guitar solos, and wonderful synthesizers.

Hearing Close My Eyes Forever really hit me hard. Hearing Ozzy in his prime coming through the headphones was almost too much. I think it may very well be the first time I actually mourned his death and not just acknowledged mentally that he was gone. It's an epic track, and one which will forever live in my personal rotation.

Lita would be at her peak with the album, and its success allowed her the ability to continue on throughout the 90's. However, before doing so, she'd part ways with Osbourne, citing a love-hate relationship. She'd release two more albums for RCA: Stiletto (1990), Dangerous Curves (1991). The last would provide her final career charting single, Shot Of Poison. Prior to taking an extended hiatus, Ford moved to German label, ZYX, and released 1995's Black.

By this time, she had shifted her priorities to raising her kids. It wouldn't be until 2008 that she'd reemerge with a new band and release Wicked Wonderland in 2009. Though she label hopped from this point on, she would release two more studio albums to date, Living Like A Runaway (2012), and Time Capsule (2016).

Speaking of the Runaways, while Ford has long advocated for a reunion, it's all come down to holdout Joan Jett. Though she loves rock and roll, Jett has held the stance that the Runaways legacy should be left untainted. She sees no reason to recreate it decades later. As of 2006, it's become a rather moot point with the passing of Sandy West.

As for Lita herself, she continues to perform live, with her most recent being in March of 2026. At sixty-seven, she seems to have no interest in slowing down, and hey, why not. She's still physically fit and able to rock a stage. So, if the fans keep coming, why stop now?

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Retro Spins: Lita Ford - Dancin' On the Edge

Wither her debut a commercial failure, Lita Ford was in need of a hit record. This would be somewhat achieved with her 1984 follow-up, Dancin' On The Edge.

The album itself would feature Randy Castillo on drums, who would later join Ozzy Osbourne, and Hugh McDonald, who would go on to join Bon Jovi in 1994, replacing founding bassist, Alec John Such. Singles, Fire In My Heart, and Gotta Let Go, would become international successes, and the album as a whole would peak at sixty-six on the Billboard 200.

Both Gotta Let Go, and Dressed To Kill would receive music video, and receive extensive airplay on MTV. The latter would feature a cameo from her then fiancé, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. The two, however, would not ultimately wed, and actually break-up in the mid-80's.

Dancin' On The Edge is definitely a better album than 1983's Out For Blood. Whereas her debut suffers from mediocrity, and no hits, her sophomore release offers better material, and though not perfect, a decent listening experience. It also feels a bit more polished.

Gotta Let Go, Dressed To Kill, Hit 'N Run, Fire In My Heart, and Don't Let Me Down are all decent tracks. I don't know that I'll necessarily remember them by tomorrow, but for now, they're pretty okay. Like I said above, it's a better album, but it's not amazing by any means.

What I will say is that so far, I haven't heard anything that would necessarily make me a fan, nor would any one album keep me invested to keep buying, nor listening if I didn't already own them. Like I've said before, I check a lot of boxes in the vast era of 80's music.

Lita would spend most of 1984 touring extensively in support of the album, and wrapped this up with an MTV recorded special concert. However, this tireless effort would not save her from her label, who dropped her in 1985.

This would be cited as a combination of her continued lack of commercial success, as well as a major management internal shakeups at the label. Ford would say that the new manager brought in o oversee the label didn't know how to market female pop-metal artists, and was more of a country fan. Though this has only been clarified from her own perspective.

Prior to being dropped, Ford did record a third album, The Bride Wore Black, produced by Tony Iommi. It was ultimately shelved, and unfortunately, is considered lost media at this point. Well, to an extent. Lita has stated she has a copy of the album on tape, but that it's never been released, nor do any bootlegs exist.

She would eventually find new management ~~Satan~~, er...Sharon Osbourne, and sign with RCA records between 1986 and 1987. Teaming up with legendary producer Mike Chapman, and working alongside Osbourne's husband for the duet, Close My Eyes Forever, Ford would soon release her most successful album in the entirety of her solo career. That's where we pick up tomorrow, as we close out her 80's era discography.

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Retro Spins: Lita Ford - Out for Blood

Who's ready for more hard rock?

Born Lita Rossana Ford to her British father, and Italian mother, the Ford's relocated from the UK to the USA in 1965, eventually settling in Long Beach, California. Drawing inspiration from Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, she began learning guitar at the age of eleven.

At the age of sixteen, she was recruited by Kim Fowley to join The Runaways, serving as lead guitarist. They would release their self titled debut in 1976, and make a fairly significant impact on the heard rock scene. However, by 1977, lead singer Cherie Currie, and bassist Jackie Fox would quit. Currie would sight burnout as her reason for departing. Fox, unfortunately, would face far worse circumstances prompting her to leave, citing sexual assault from her manager.

The band would part was with manager Fowley, and continue on, bringing Vickie Blue in on bass. Lita Ford and Joan Jett would share lead vocal duties. However, by 1978, the girls found themselves disagreeing on their musical style. While Ford and Sandy West wanted to continue on as a hard rock band, Jett pushed for a more punk sound, influenced by The Ramones. Unable to compromise, The Runaways disbanded in 1979.

It wouldn't be until 1982 that Lita would sign with Mercury Records, and record her solo debut, Out For Blood (1983). Unfortunately, the album would prove unsuccessful for her, garnering very little, if no attention.

Upon its initial release, the cover featured a leather clad Ford standing in front of a spider web, and holding a bleeding guitar. However, being deemed too controversial for the label, this would soon be changed to a cleaner version, having her stand before a purple backdrop, still in leather, and still holding a guitar, but free of blood. She would quip in an interview how the label was worried about blood on a guitar, but made no comment about her wearing a leather g-string.

Personally, I was never a big fan of her work, mainly because I don't know much of it. I picked up her 1988 released Lita, but really only to get the Ozzy Osbourne duet. With the exception of a handful of tracks from that record, that's about the extent of my knowledge on any of her music.

If you're not new to this Blog, and you've read my Retro Spins before, you know that I often end up with albums I initially have no interest in, and simply obtain them to check an 80's box. That's where we're at with Lita Ford. This album, and her 1984 follow-up, Dancin' On The Edge, ended up in my collection on a whim while completing my Alice Cooper 80's discography.

Playing through Out For Blood, it definitely had a hard rock sound to it. It even reminded me a bit in its overall presentation as a Runaways album. However, what it lacked was anything which stood out as good. For the most part, it was just mediocre and forgettable.

Her second album would fair a bit better, bringing with it two hits in multiple countries, but sadly, not the USA. Despite this, she would soon find herself without a label, and it would be another four years before she released her third album. But we're getting too far ahead. First stop tomorrow is 1984's Dancin' On The Edge.

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Retro Spins: Alice Cooper - Raise Your Fist And Yell

Today I'm wrapping up my tour of duty through Alice Cooper's 80's discography. Not because 1987's Riase Your Fist And Yell was his last entry of the decade, but rather because I've already played through 1989's Trash. It's been an interesting journey with highs and lows, changing styles, and a complete resurgence in his career.

As noted in yesterday's post, Cooper entered 1987 with an appearance at WrestleMania III, joining Jake "The Snake" Roberts in his corner for his match against Honky Tonk Man. This was followed by a cameo appearance in the film, Prince Of Darkness, playing a vagrant. Cooper would also contribute the title track song for the movie, which would later be included on his 1987 album.

The release of Raise Your Fist And Yell continued to comeback success of Cooper, with the album peaking at number seventy-three on the Billboard 200. To support the record, he embarked on the controversial Live In The Flesh Tour. Though all theatrics, the act was deemed so violent and gory that Germany would force him to remove elements, and members of Parliament in the UK would unsuccessfully attempt to ban it all together.

From the opening riff, it's a much louder album than any of his predecessors have been. It has a vibe of Ozzy Osbourne's No Rest For The Wicked. The opening song, Freedom, appears to serve as the title track, incorporating "raise your fist and yell" into the chorus. It's a decent song for sure.

With track two, I got the sense that intros were the name of the game. Whereas Freedom had a slick guitar lick opening, Lock Me Up thundered across an eighteen second solo drum roll.

The intros fell to the wayside from there, but the heavy metal sounds kept coming. Guitarist Kane Roberts was not only dishing out satisfying solos but adding flourishes here and there that made for a unique listening experience. This was all kept in time with the thundering bass of Kip Winger (later to be known for his own band, Winger).

Step On You was probably the last song I heard which I would consider adding to a shuffle list. From there, the rest of the album just continued to be loud and mediocre. Not bad, just not memorable.

Alice kicked off 1988 contributing a cover of Spirits', I Got A Line On You to the soundtrack for Iron Eagle II. He'd later use the tune as the B-side to the single for Poison from 1989's Trash. Prior to the end of the year, his contract would expire with MCA. He'd switch to Epic Records after being presented an offer that ultimately allowed him an unlimited budget, as well as no time limit to record albums.

Trash would serve as a commercial comeback for Cooper, returning him to the glory days of Billion Dollar Babies and School's Out. It would peak at number twenty on the Billboard 200 and feature a slew of guest appearances which included Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Joan Jett, and Diane Warren. But if you want more on that, please check out that specific post.

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Christmas Catalogs - Montgomery Ward 1974

Hey! You want to spend the next two years looking at the fantastic Christmas catalogs produced by Sears, JCPenny, and Montgomery Ward? Cause I do! Yeah, I said two years, cause that's a lot of catalogs! Join me on most Monday's each month as I post up one of those fabulous books starting with 1970, and ending with 1989.

Look through every page, feeling every bit of nostalgia. Chuckle at the look and style of the wardrobes those zanny past decade people wore. Gawk at the toys you used to have, but long since parted ways with. Bring back all those memories of hours spent laying on the floor, combing every inch as your young mind pined over everything you wanted. Reminisce over the Christmas that followed as you unwrapped those lucky few that you got.

I'm going to take a pause on catalogs through July, and will pick back up with them in August. The plan is to finish out through December through 1979, while continuing to sprinkle in other content.

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