By Gordon Durich
Thousand Oaks, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/14/25 – Hatched in sublime Santa Barbara back in 1986, Toad The Wet Sprocket has gone a long way from being a high school alternative band.
Toad The Wet Sprocket experienced success early on in the mainstream music industry, with the single “All I Want.” The feel-good tune broke the band, and was followed by a parade of other hits including “Walk On The Ocean.” Thousand Oaks was treated to the talents of the Toad and their musical confreres Vertical Horizon and K.T. Tunstall, during their Good Intentions tour at the Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, as an almost perfect send-off to summer.
Taking their name from a Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show sketch, the temporary name stuck. And won them attention. The album “Dulcinea” which dropped in 1994, is in my humble opinion, their best work. It played seemingly on non-stop rotation at the Tower Records store where this writer worked back in the day.
The catchy “Something’s Always Wrong” and raw “Fall Down” were and remain relevant as could be seen by the audience reaction. Barefoot Glen Phillips’ lead stunning vocals and guitars blended with Dean Dinning’s smooth bass (and keys), along with drums and (my favorite instrument) percussion from Carl Thomson. Todd Nichol’s guitars and backing vocals and Jonathan Kingham resulted is a sound that translated from record to stage.
“All I Want” from the “Fear” release, and the “Walk on the Ocean” are possibly TTWS’ most commercial yet mellifluous offerings. The latter served as a perfect encore. Their music has satisfied followers over the decades. This from a simple band that started as a joke (as in their name), grew organically and despite a hiatus, continue to shine. And fill the airwaves and headspace.
Singer and multi-talented musician K.T. Tunstall with her exultant energy and storytelling stole the show. Her mega hit “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” (with fun story she told) and “Suddenly I See” revved up the house.
www.toadthewetsprocket.com
