New Single 'Galactic Girl' streaming now

W: Mandy Morgan I: @eyes_widephotography

Born from the ashes of scene staples Gnarlah and Beach Riot, Brighton’s Toy Parlour are proving that independent alt-rock is alive, roaring, and surprisingly wholesome. Fresh off a massive tour support slot with Don Broco, the five-piece powerhouse break down their sonic identity, four-part harmony obsession, and why their new single 'Galactic Girl' is a straight-up love song drenched in distortion.

“A bit like if you plugged a jukebox at a late-night bar into a Big Muff pedal."

For anyone just tuning in, Toy Parlour are a quintet that have only been together for just over a year. All five members have been staples in the local music scene forever. At the end of the day, they are just five mates hanging out and having a good time. When asked to define their sonic identity for a first-time listener, they don't hesitate: "Heavy Fuzz Pop", describing it like plugging a jukebox at a late-night bar straight into a Big Muff pedal.

Gone are the days of backstage debauchery; Toy Parlour’s pre-stage prep leans into keeping the machine oiled. They admit they used to be much cooler, but nowadays it's all vocal warm-ups and stretche, mixed in with just chilling out backstage with a few beers or whiskies and chatting. Positioning themselves across multiple lanes, the band combines varied inspirations into their set. While elements softly incorporate the current era of Nu-Metal, nodding to contemporaries like Don Broco and Dead Poet Society, their core lies in 90s grunge and alt-rock, with artists like Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana maintaining permanent spots on their playlists.

Their latest single was primarily written by bassist Rory as a direct tribute to his wife. At its core, it is a straight-up love song surrounded by riffs, capturing just how perfect someone can be and an intense devotion bordering on obsession. When the needle drops, fans can expect pure earworms. Since it's a love song, the band wanted every aspect to be as catchy as possible, from the primary riff to the hook-filled chorus, mimicking that all-encompassing feeling of being completely enamored with someone.

With all five members contributing, their greatest strength is pure internal chemistry. They know what makes each other tick and what hypes them up, allowing them to follow thoughtlines instinctively during songwriting without having to explain a loose vision sitting in someone's head. When it comes to collective influences, 90s grunge remains their anchor, even if it sparks weekly debate. The band constantly argues over who the best of the 'Big Four' was, though they cheekily declare Alice in Chains as the definitive winner.

“Close harmonies can be overlooked in the Alt-Rock world, but we think it really can make a track.”

As a group featuring four vocalists, Toy Parlour place an immense focus on vocal layering and close harmonies, taking inspiration from both early pioneers like System of a Down and modern contemporaries like Dead Poet Society. If they could open the studio doors to any dream collaborator, their top pick is Nina Persson of The Cardigans. While it might seem like a rogue choice, they admire how intricately layered and beautifully written her material is, believing her delicate vocal style would create a striking contrast over heavy riffs and two bass guitars.

Navigating the industry as a fully independent band means juggling full-time jobs, funding, and time management without label backing. They lean into each other's individual strengths to divide up the workload that management would normally handle. Forming the project itself was a major hurdle; transitioning from their previous bands, Gnarlah and Beach Riot, required accepting an entirely fresh start and hoping their fans would make the leap with them. Fortunately, the love and support from their audience was immediate.

Their core mission from day one was simple: make music fun again, stripping away the self-imposed pressure of perfectionism. That renewed energy paid off during their recent tour supporting Don Broco, where playing to 1,000-capacity rooms helped them refine their live performance and figure out what truly resonates with a crowd. Their absolute favorite track to unleash live is 'Love Me', a three-minute barrage of heavy riffs that consistently triggers brutal mosh pits and massive chorus singalongs.

Tour life has already brought its share of memorable moments, including a nerve-wracking show in Leeds where drummer Jonny’s kick pedal snapped mid-set. After a terrifying five-minute pause, the crowd returned with double the energy, prompting a venue security guard to remark that he was amazed they didn't get bottled off stage. As for the ideal cinematic backdrop for 'Galactic Girl'? While their inner film nerds dream of a Denis Villeneuve space opera or an Ingmar Bergman psychological drama, they admit it would fit right into a mid-noughties teen comedy like 'Mean Girls' or 'Wild Child', preferably directed by someone aggressively cool like Christopher Nolan.