Earlier this month Modified Toy Orchestra premiered their new album Plastic Planet at the Birmingham Town Hall. On Sunday / 10 / October this performance will travel to Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Modified Toy Orchestra make experimental electronic music. But, unlike most experimental electronic music there are no laptops, no midi, no samplers and no synthesisers. In fact, no conventional instruments are used at all. Instead, a series of children’s electronic toys, rescued from car boot sales, have been modified to utilise new connections within each toy, liberating the previously disregarded, surplus value always held within their circuits.

Here’s some pictures from the Birmingham show, which was really fantastic::

And a review from The Times::

And here’s a video of Brian Duffy on BBC News demonstrating some of the toys that make up the orchestra. To watch the video follow this link.

Tickets are £13, and are available from here.

The Times review by Stephen Dalton:

With a rocket that can count up to ten in different languages, a toy guitar, a Speak and Spell and a creepy-looking Hula Barbie, no Orchestra comes anywhere close to being like Modified Toy Orchestra.

Read the full Brum live review here
Pictures: Katja Ogrin, Words: Ross Cotton

Next Capsule show is 29th September at Hare and Hounds – avant folk artist Josephine Foster performing a special collection of traditional Spanish folk songs along with the Victor Herrero band, support from sound artist Swallows.Tickets can be purchased in Polar Bear, Swordfish and here

To watch the video follow this link::  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11176344

And don’t forget they play Birmingham Town Hall on Wednesday night.  Limited tickets are still available from here::  http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/modified-toy-orchestra-presents-plastic-planet

On Wednesday / 08 / September, Modified Toy Orchestra are performing at Birmingham Town Hall.

Modified Toy Orchestra make experimental electronic music.  But, unlike most experimental electronic music there are no laptops, no midi, no samplers and no synthesisers.  In fact, no conventional instruments are used at all.  Instead, a series of children’s electronic toys, rescued from car boot sales, have been modified to utilise new connections within each toy, liberating the previously disregarded, surplus value always held within their circuits.  This is sure to be an unforgettable performance within the wonderful surroundings of the Birmingham Town Hall.

Here’s Brian Duffy, the project originator, on BBC Breakfast demonstrating some of the instruments to a couple of bemused presenters::

And here’s the orchestra playing live at Supersonic 2006::

Tickets for the show are on sale now and are available from here:: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/modified-toy-orchestra-presents-plastic-planet

The performers will use only modified toys to create wacky, playful electronic pop songs

Here they are at Supersonic 2006:

Purchase your tickets direct from Town Hall Birmingham

5th August: Silver Apples + Pram @ Hare and Hounds
We’re extremely excited to host the great grandaddy of electronica, Silver Apples created what are now widely regarded as the first rock-orientated albums to utilise electronic techniques.
Get tickets

13th August: Tunng + Health & Efficiency @ mac
Twisted pop wonders perform at mac’s outdoor arena
Get tickets

8th September: Modified Toy Orchestra @ Town Hall Birmingham
After international performances to critical and audience acclaim, MTO return to their hometown for this UK premiere of their new album Plastic Planet, performed using only modified toys.
Get tickets

29th September: Josephine Foster and the Victor Herrero Band @ Hare and Hounds
One of the most enigmatic, luminious and enlightening American singers of her time
Get tickets

11th October: Red Sparowes @ Hare and Hounds
Epic, instrumental songs that manage to pummel you into submission
Get tickets

PLUS more Supersonic Festival announcements to come, watch this space as they say

To celebrate reaching the ripe old age of 10 we produced this super limited edition 7″ vinyl with tracks by two of Birmingham’s most talented acts, Modified Toy Orchestra + Einstellung. The package also contains a beautifully designed 18 page booklet with tonnes of photos to commemorate our last decade of activity from SUNN 0))) shows in drained pools to Giant (aka Shepard Fairey) exhibition way back in 2000 .
And at only £5 these are a real bargain BUY NOW

(Only 300 produced – get them while you can)

Also available as a high fashion accessory a very limited edition enamel badge also available from our SHOP design by the pretty amazing Francesca Williams.

You too can be as cool as this lady…

“Last night at the Cinema I served a woman wearing a steel Capsule pin. She
seemed genuinely astounded when I complemented her on her badge and I looked like the coolest popcorn shoveler who has ever lived. If you live Birmingham and don’t know who Capsule are then you’re probably not actually living in Birmingham, you’re probably just existing, shuffling along mindlessly in a grey musicless world. If you’d like to learn a little about Capsule you can make a start by reading their new zine, a shamelessly self promotional little document which features n article about Skweee by Total Boner Mike Coley. Maybe he’ll eventually get around to posting in on here but in the meantime head over to Capsule’s site to read it.”
www.totallybone.com/

We got some beautiful flowers and fancy bottles of bubbly from Warm Circuit Records

Here are photos from our final birthday event which took place at Vivid, much merriment was had by all and the 6pm start certainly left a few folks a wee bit tipsy by the end. All the acts were local inhabitants, all were superb and just goes to show that Birmingham should be very proud of the wealth of talent that exists on our very doorstep. Special mention to Brian Duffy of the Modified Toy Orchestra, who despite extreme back pain and a haze of very strong pain killers played an absolutely storming set. It was an exhausting month and we should all be grateful that we will be 10 but once – a massive word of thanks to so many people that were involved in making these celebrations so much fun.

Stinky Wizzleteat opened proceedings with a fair bit of skipping

Una Corda were on top form and had even grown comedy moustaches for the occasion

Health & Efficiency used all manner of instruments

With tremendous drumming

Modified Toy Orchestra were on fine form with their new members

Barbie was looking stunning in her new party outfit

drum n bass duo PCM had everyone dancing like maniacs

Thanks to all of you that braved our first night of snow

Capsule Grannies not getting any younger

10 years of shows charted for all to see - we've done a fair few gigs!

]]> http://www.capsule.org.uk/blog/2010/01/11/better-late-than-never/feed/ 2 http://www.capsule.org.uk/blog/2009/12/18/closing-party-last-capsule-event-of-the-year/ http://www.capsule.org.uk/blog/2009/12/18/closing-party-last-capsule-event-of-the-year/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:17:21 +0000 Capsule http://www.capsule.org.uk/blog/?p=891 So the birthday celebrations come to an end tomorrow and for the closing party we are keeping things local – so if you’re not from round these parts it’s time for an education in Birmingham underground music. Showcasing both acts that have stalked Capsule shows since the early days and the brand spanking new, this frenzied party of dark lords, Barbie dolls, sweat and growls should round things off nicely.

Doors are at 6 – yep it’s an early one. There’s a free gift to the first 100 through the door plus a raffle, short films and snacks to go alongside the wealth of incredible local artists.

Many folks have asked for a running order so here is an approx one give or take 5/10 minutes:

Doors 6.00pm
6.45 pm Stinky Weasel Teats
7.45 pm Una Corda
8.55 pm Kipple
9.10pm Health & Efficiency
10.10pm Modified Toy Orchestra
11.20pm PCM
1.00 am Curfew
This will be sprinkled with various DJ sets – expect a fair bit of reach and grab action!

Last few tickets available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk

LISTEN HERE

1. Beestung Lips – Reverse Alchemy (2:14)
2. Pram – Mother of Pearl (3:16)
3. Una Corda – Three (6:54)
4. Lightning Dust – Dreamer (3:46)
5. Modified Toy Orchestra – A Grand Occasion (2:07)
6. Tweak Bird – Whorses (2:29)
7. Einstellung – Tot (4:01)
8. PCM – Davros Dominion (5:05)
9. Six Organs Of Admittance – Shelter From The Ash (3:24)
10. Om – On The Mountain At Dawn (21:18)

Opening Party
Tuesday 1st December 2009
Capsule are 10! launch party
Monotonix + Beestung Lips
Esquilax + Cum Dogs
@ VIVID. Heath Mill Lane . Birmingham
LIMITED CAPACITY
Doors 8.00pm
Advanced Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk

The launch party of Capsule’s 10-year retrospective exhibition features a number of special guests Israel’s garage rockers Monotonix, who certainly know how to start a party, rock you senseless and leave you wanting so much more will be headlining the opening show. In celebration of some of the ground breaking local music Capsule have championed Esquilax will be performing a special one off live performance, alongside Cum Dogs, a new project from Modified Toy Orchestra’s Brian Duffy. Infamous locals Beestung Lips will also be joining the proceedings.
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Wednesday 2nd December 2009
Capsule are 10!
Tunng + Six Organs Of Admittance
Lightning Dust + Bela Emerson
@ Town Hall Birmingham
Doors 7.00pm
Advanced Tickets ONLY from https://tickets.thsh.co.uk/
or phone – 0121 780 3333

An extraordinary night of entertainment at the spectacular Town Hall Birmingham. Special guests include old friends Tunng who combine a perfect mixture of skewed electronica and pastoral English Folk music. Six Organs of Admittance, psych-folk-pop, hippie jams updated for the kids of today. Lightning Dust, the side project of Amber Webber and Joshua Wells, both members of Canadian band Black Mountain. Complimented by the bewitching Bela Emerson, an innovative and prolific performer of electric cello, electronics, tenor viol and musical saw.
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Tuesday 8th December 2009
Capsule are 10!
Lightning Bolt + Tweak Bird +Pete Prescription
@ Vivid . Heath Mill Lane . Birmingham
SOLD OUT
Doors 8.00pm

The mighty Lightning Bolt will be performing an intimate gig in Vivid art gallery as part of Capsule’s 10th birthday celebrations. This strictly limited capacity show re-lives the first time Lightning Bolt played for Capsule back in 2004 in what is now the theatre space of the Custard Factory. Nothing less than a thrill to witness, Tweak Bird’s heavy, progressive psychedelia has earned them a reputation as an exciting new live act.  The man behind the world’s only and best Happy Hardcore covers band, Pete_Prescription completes the line up, expect Krautrock, melody, Noise or something else entirely.
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Thursday 10th December
Sunn 0))) + Om
The Asylum, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3LS
Advanced Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Polar Bear/Swordfish

Capsule’s favourite cult doom outfit Sunn 0))) will be performing their ‘Monoliths and Dimensions’ album, illusory, beautiful and not entirely linear Sunn 0))) have become one of the most important experimental acts in the world. Om provide support to create what should be a show rich in darkness and intensity.
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Friday 11th December
Pram with Visuals by Film Ficciones + Light Trap
@ Vivid . Heath Mill Lane . Birmingham
LIMITED CAPACITY
Doors 8.00pm
Advanced Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Polar Bear / Swordfish

Members of Haxan, Una Corda and sound artist Nicholas Bullen collaborate to create a progressive, experimental adventure in sound, Light Trap. Following this will be an eerie Victoriana inspired Pram performance alongside Film Ficciones in the warehouse space of Vivid.
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Sunday 13th December
Capsule and 7 Inch Cinema present:
Afternoon Tea – a light buffet with a healthy serving of films
Vivid, 140 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AR FREE EVENT
2pm – 6pm

Almost since day one, 7 Inch Cinema have been crouching in a corner at Capsule gigs with a video projector gaffa-taped to a stool showing films of hairy men shouting and small dogs in space. To celebrate the grannies’ remarkable and unexpected longevity they shall be gathering up some filmic highlights from the last decade and showing them at Vivid, alongside the customary mix of light snacks and word-searches.
FEEL FREE TO BRING CAKE TO SHARE
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Wednesday 16th December
Beak> (Geoff Barrow – PORTISHEAD)
Einstellung + Thought Forms
Vivid, 140 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AR
Advanced Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Polar Bear/Swordfish

BEAK> were formed in January 2009 by three Bristol musicians, Billy Fuller, Matt Williams and Geoff Barrow. Geoff Barrow is a musician and producer best known for forming and producing music group Portishead and part owner of the independent record label Invada Records . Einstellung blend glorious monotonous Krautrock with melodic tones and heavy slabs of Sabbath riffage, whilst finding time to declare sonic warfare on those tinnitus victims who have passed the point of no return.
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Thursday 17th December
Capsule & Created In Birmingham present:
Knowing Me Knowing You
FREE EVENT with complimentary wine from Barefoot Wines
6.30pm – 9.00pm
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we all just talked a bit more? If you’re doing something super awesome, got some plans under your creative sleeves, putting on interesting gigs, exhibitions and the like then tell people about it at this little talky talky chit chat in association with Created In Birmingham. Or if you’re just interested in meeting some like minded folks feel free to come along.
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Saturday 19th December
Capsule 10th Birthday Closing Party
Modified Toy Orchestra
PCM + Calvados Beam Trio
Una Corda + Stinky Wizzleteat
Plus a selection of special guests DJs
Vivid, 140 Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AR
Advanced Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk

The closing party to Capsule’s 10th birthday celebrations will see a gathering of some of Birmingham’s most mind blowing experimental live acts – paying tribute to the ten years of exciting, genre pushing music that Capsule have produced and provided a stage for. Modified Toy Orchestra are a collection of abandoned and reconstructed Childrens electronic toys, conducted by a selection of musicians to create electronic music in a league of its own. PCM, the dark lords of drum n bass have long been key figures in the Midlands underground dance scene and firm Capsule favourites.
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