Toshes - The Mask We Wear

Toshes

The Mask We Wear

by Calen Nesten at 15 July 2014, 6:48 PM

TOSHES released their EP The Mask We Wear early in September 2013 and is nothing but fourteen minutes of madness. “Tosh” is British slang meaning “rubbish or nonsense”, nonsense yes, rubbish no.

TOSHES seems to be plagued by musical ADHD, each track features metal, rock and funk riffs that slowly become infused with TOSHES’ own psychedelic flavor and a vocalist with a style that seems to come straight from a hallucinogen induced stupor at Jim Morrison’s estate. “Dealer of Despair” starts the album off with a mixture of blues, rock, and funk, reminiscent of bands like THE STROKES, only more chaotic.

The track sets an expectation for a generic blues rock band, but that notion quickly disappears. “Adrenaline” is a great track to highlight the bands’ versatility with its recognizably psychedelic rock tone that mixes elements of hardcore. The track features (around 2:30) one of the calmest metal breakdowns I have ever heard. My favorite track, “The Tribe” is a wacky trip that conjures memories of FRANK ZAPPA and PRIMUS. The final track, “Precious Junk” ends the EP with a chaotic, grungy rock song that probably has something to do with drugs. TOSHES works hard to make unique music and in spite of their clearly psychedelic influence, they are careful not to fall to far into one particular sound.

These green-obsessed, masked gentlemen are currently working on a full-length album, which will hopefully bring more evil funk to very eager ears. In the meantime, grab your favorite green item and enjoy the (very) likely drug-induced journey into the minds behind TOSHES.