From The Shaggs to the C86 bands of the mid-80s to Daniel Johnson to K Records and a zillion tiny indie bands worldwide, the desire to make music regardless of your resources refuses to die. 87 and the Toys, an American/Japanese band (in case you were worried about the title of their new EP, Japanesey if you Pleasey) based in Portland have taken the DIY ethic and run with it. Like, real sprinting, not just a light jog.

Recorded on 8-track via a tiny handheld recorder, it ticks all the boxes – girl/boy voices; toy drum kit; chiming guitars; lyrics about animated TV characters and food. It’s a fightback against corporate schlock, stripping away everything that makes glossy pin up stars so saccharine and boring yet still injecting gallons of glucose. Of note in particular is BoJack, an ode to binging on Netflix just a little too heavily. Harmless fun and all the better for it.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/87andthetoys

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/87band/

Website: https://87andthetoys.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/87andthetoys/sets/japanesy-if-you-pleasey  

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pv3LeeMHwQtauS4aPrxHX?si=kRlGaG0vTtGRXZL8YYoUsw

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChwi1ucmaeMWuWLkJTE6HMg