Dangerous Toys

In 1989 Columbia put out the debut album by Austin-based rockers Dangerous Toys, whose gritty Southern rock and metal edge mounted a direct challenge to glam metal's hold over MTV and rock radio. The two charting singles “Teas'n, Pleas'n” and “Scared” quickly built a fervent audience and drove the record to gold status. Although Hellacious Acres from 1991 drew favorable notices, the rising grunge and alternative-rock tide proved insurmountable; after issuing The R*tist 4*merly Known as Dangerous Toys in 1995 the band never returned to the studio, yet they have kept performing live across the ensuing decades.

Dangerous Toys formed in Austin in 1987 when vocalist Jason McMaster joined guitarists Scott Dalhover and Danny Aaron, drummer Mark Geary, and bassist Mike Watson. A Columbia deal was signed the following year, leading to the self-titled debut one year later. The LP climbed to number 65 on the Billboard 200 behind the strength of those two singles and soon found the group sharing stages with The Cult, L.A. Guns, Stryper, Faster Pussycat, and Bonham. Later in 1989 they supplied “Demon Bell (The Ballad of Horace Pinker)” to the soundtrack of Wes Craven’s thriller Shocker. Roy Thomas Baker produced the 1991 follow-up Hellacious Acres, which included the singles “Gimme' No Lip” and “Line 'Em Up” plus a cover of Bad Company’s “Feel Like Makin' Love.” That album reached number 67 on the Billboard 200, but the changing hard-rock landscape prompted Columbia to drop the act. Guitarist Danny Aaron left during the Hellacious Acres tour and was first replaced by Kevin Fowler, then by Paul Lidel of Dirty Looks. Lidel’s first recording with the band was 1994’s Pissed, released on EMP Label Group and marked by a darker, more aggressive sound. Bassist Mike Watson exited before the fourth album, 1995’s The R'tist 4'merly Known As Dangerous Toys, whose cover art referenced Prince’s 1988 release Lovesexy. Like its predecessor, the record failed to register on the charts. The 1999 live set Vitamins and Crash Helmets Tour-Live Greatest Hits became Dangerous Toys’ final recorded release. The group reconvened in 2001 for a run of shows and has continued sporadic reunions into the 2020s.