Dangerous Toys is an Austin, Texas-based rock band, with often humorous lyrics. Founded in 1987, Dangerous Toys released four full-length albums and one live album before unofficially disbanding at the turn of the millennium. The band found mainstream success with its debut album Dangerous Toys (1989), which featured the singles "Teas'n, Pleas'n" and "Scared" and it was certified gold by the RIAA five years after its release. Their next two albums, Hellacious Acres (1991) and Pissed (1994), were not as successful as the self-titled debut, but also received acclaim. Although they have not released any new material since their fourth studio album The R*tist 4*merly Known as Dangerous Toys (1995), Dangerous Toys have continued to perform live over the years.
History
Early days and first two albums (1987–1991) Dangerous Toys was formed in October 1987. Jason McMaster, singer for Watchtower, was invited by Tim Trembley to join his band, Onyxx, as singer. Onyxx included Scott Dalhover (guitar), Mark Geary (drums) and Mike Watson (bass).
In 1988, now calling themselves Dangerous Toys, the band was signed to Columbia Records, after a publishing representative had signed them to a deal in March at South-By-Southwest. Soon afterwards Tim Trembley left the band and they were without a second guitarist. On their eponymous debut album, which was produced by Max Norman (Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne), Scott Dalhover played all the guitar tracks. Shortly before its release, guitarist Danny Aaron joined; despite not playing on the album, he appears on the back cover. Released in May 1989, Dangerous Toys gave the band its major breakthrough, peaking at number 65 on the Billboard 200, receiving gold certification by the RIAA, and the singles "Teas'n Pleas'n" and "Scared" enjoying heavy rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball. Dangerous Toys toured worldwide in support of the album during 1989 and 1990, performing from clubs to arenas and amphitheaters with such acts as The Cult, L.A. Guns, Stryper, Faster Pussycat, The Almighty, Bonham and Junkyard.
Dangerous Toys also contributed to a song on the soundtrack for the 1989 Wes Craven movie Shocker, "Demon Bell (The Ballad of Horace Pinker)".
In 1991, their second album, Hellacious Acres, was released. It was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who had produced albums for several major rock artists (The Cars, Queen, Journey), and featured the singles "Sticks and Stones" and "Line 'Em Up"; videos were shot for both of them and received some airplay on Headbangers Ball. However, the singles did not chart and the album was not as successful as the self-titled debut, ending up at number 67 on the Billboard 200 chart. Shortly after embarking on the Operation Rock & Roll tour with Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Motörhead and Metal Church, Dangerous Toys was dropped from Columbia.
Lineup changes and two more albums (1992–1998) In 1992, Danny Aaron left the band and was replaced by Kevin Fowler. Fowler never played on a Dangerous Toys album, but he did tour with the band - performing in over 200 live shows during 1993. In January 1994, Paul Lidel of Dirty Looks, a hard rock band from Erie, Pennsylvania, replaced Fowler.
The third Dangerous Toys album, Pissed (DMZ/Dos/Antones [USA], Bullet Proof [Europe]. 1994), was full of pent up anger, bile, and venom. The band's lyrics and attitude became harsher and the music had a darker tone, with song titles like "Loser" and "Hard Luck Champion."
In 1994, just after they finished recording the Pissed album, bassist Mike Watson was replaced by Michael Hannon from Salty Dog (Geffen). Hannon toured with the band, performing in over 200 shows during 1994 and 1995.
After touring, Hannon left, so Jason McMaster played bass in addition to performing lead vocals. The band considered changing their name, but stuck with Dangerous Toys, even poking fun at their name on the title of their fourth (and final) studio album to date; The R-tist 4-merly Known as Dangerous Toys (DMZ/Dos/Antones. 1995). The humor backfired: fan reaction was not favorable and the album barely sold.
Later years (1999–present) In 1999, Dangerous Toys released a live album, Vitamins and Crash Helmets Tour-Live Greatest Hits (Deadline/Cleopatra). After that, band activity slowed.