Dig That Groove Baby

It’s been remarked a few times that this blog is “jazz centric.” For that I need to apologize, since jazz is by no means my sole musical interest. Looking back, it does seem that I’ve been wading in the jazz pool enough that it’s time for some variety. On that note, I’d like to take a trip back to the days of my youth and revisit one of my first musical loves: The Toy Dolls.

Still going after almost 30 yrs (though I haven’t checked them out in a LONG while), the Toy Dolls were/are a highly caffeinated cartoon-ish punk band that drank thirstily from the cup of Chuck Berry. In heyday of 80’s American hardcore, where bands like the Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front ruled the East Coast scene, the Dolls were, for me, a welcome change of pace. Also, since they were British and loosely affiliated with the Oi! movement, you could listen to them without fear of getting beat up by the skinhead faction - which was present at every damn show in those days.

The Dolls had cult status in the US. In my hometown, there were a handful of us who grabbed up every Dolls record we could find. As it turns out, they all sound pretty much the same. So if you are interested, I suggest checking out my favorite: 1983’s Dig That Groove Baby (pictured above). It’s one of the records I used to teach myself to play the drums. The title track kicks things off and pretty much sums up everything the Toy Dolls were/are about - and what I loved about them. Enjoy the video and the lyrics. Poetry, man. Poetry…

Friday Night Is Bath Night This Is What They Say
We Are Gonna Dig The Groove, We've Waited All Day
We Wear Trendy Trousers With Belts A Mile Too Long
We Are Gonna Catch The Bus Into The Town
We Are Boogie On Down...

Dig That Groove Ba-A-By
Dig That Groove Ba-A-By
Dig That Groove Ba-A-A-A-By
Dig That Groove Ba-A-By
Dig That Groove Ba-A-By
Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig Dig
Digga Digga Digga Dig That Groove Baby

There They Are Again Covered In Old Spice
They Think They Will Get The Girls Cause
They Smell Nice,
They All Call Me Riff Raff
'Coz I Wear A Crombie
I Couldn't Stand It Being Just Like Them
They All Look Like Puffs Not Men

See That Trendy There She Used To Be A Punk
Now She's Off To The Disco To Listen To Junk
Her Boyfriend Was A Skinhead
He Used To Shout Oi! Oi!
Play That Funky Music That's What They Say Now
Come With Me And I'll Show You How