Shoes And Socks Off
His debut album 'From The Muddy Banks Of Melitzer' was recorded in one day in September 2008 and released via DIY indie label Big Scary Monsters (whom he has worked with ever since). It was swiftly followed by 'Hand-Reared Suburban Piglet', featuring the same 10 songs, but re-worked with drums, strings, keys and programming.
During the winter of 2009, a third full length was released. 'To Where The Skyline Is Fortified With Windows And Doors' comprised of 10 new songs, some of which featured members of Nitkowski, Palehorse and Blakfish. Following quickly in summer 2010, 'Robin Hood Waiter Champion Have-Not', Shoes And Socks Off's fourth album was released. Hayes took it on tour with a full band, featuring members of Nitkowski, Palehorse and Talons. A homemade video was created for every song on the record.
2011 saw the release of 'Don't Blame Yourself, It's In Your Blood', a three-disc anthology of all Hayes' recorded output to date, and 'Dot Dot Dot & Other Works', a lyric book containing words to every Shoes And Socks Off and Meet Me in St. Louis song. The book came with a download link to 10 new demos, each of which had been recorded whilst on a 40-day tour of mainland Europe in early 2011.
On May 14 2012, Shoes And Socks Off's fifth solo album 'Miles Of Mad Water' will be released on 12" vinyl in the UK and mainland Europe. Toby will be touring heavily over the remainder of the year, this time with a band. Oliver Newton (Yndi Halda) and Alex Petersen (Elle Milano/Love Among The Mannequins) complete the line up, making Shoes And Socks Off into a noisy, sad-song project, with beats you can dance to.
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Shoes And Socks Off news
Free 2012 sampler 6th December 2012 This year we've had the pleasure of working with 12 incredible bands on their new music, marking the most successful year so far for our little label. As a thank you to all who've supported us through this, we've put a free sampler online featuring a song from each. Click for more information.
The end of Shoes And Socks Off 3rd October 2012 Last Monday, 24th September 2012, 5 years to the day from the release of Meet Me In St Louis' debut (and unfortunately, only) album, Shoes And Socks Off called it a day in front of a packed Old Blue Last in London! Click here to watch a video of the final song, including a very nice ending.
Final SASO EP and tour 10th September 2012 Shoes And Socks Off, who plays his final shows this month, has just recorded one last EP and made it available for free via Bandcamp. Click here to read the press release and download it now. See you at one of the final gigs!
R.I.P. Shoes And Socks Off 13th August 2012 It's with heavy hearts we can confirm Shoes And Socks Off is to end next month. After four years and five amazing albums, Toby is drawing a line under the project to focus on pastures new. Click here to read his statement and check out the final tour dates.
BSM at the festivals 23rd April 2012 We're going to be popping up at a number of festivals this summer, starting with a merch stall at Groezrock in Belgium this weekend, so be sure to come and say hi if you're there. Below you'll find info on a few more we'll be seeing you at...
Making Music's For Pussies #001 20th April 2012 Introducing our latest t-shirt design, the first in a series which will all come with free digital compilations. Pick #001 up from our webstore now. Click here for tracklisting and more info...
SASO Tork Sport video 13th April 2012 The video for 'Tork Sport', the first track taken from the new Shoes And Socks Off album is now up online. It's a perfect accompaniment to the beautiful, glitchy two and a half minute song, made by Toby himself. Enjoy!
New SASO album 2nd April 2012 Shoes And Socks Off unveils new album, 'Miles Of Mad Water', debuts the first track from it and announces a run of UK dates supporting old BSM friend, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly.
An update and a half 11th August 2011 It's been pretty chaotic here lately and only going to get worse, so whilst I have a few moments free I thought I'd post a little update on what's going on with us and our bands...
Shoes And Books Off 29th July 2011 We're proud to present our first ever book release! 'Dot Dot Dot And Other Works' by Shoes And Socks Off features the lyrics to all SASO and Meet Me In St Louis songs, including the original scribbled notes and corrections in some cases, and comes with a set of 10 new, free MP3 demo downloads...
Hymns unveil 'A Punch To The Temple' video 8th July 2011 Hymns unveiled their new video yesterday for recent digital single, 'A Punch To The Temple'. The boys play a bunch of shows this month with Shoes And Socks Off before releasing a live DVD, 'Revelations', next month.
SASO video is 'Made' 6th May 2011 Shoes And Socks Off has recorded a brand new, one-off single which will be given away free from next week exclusively via his mailing list. To get it, all you need to do is sign up at www.shoesandsocksoff.co.uk and the track will appear in your inbox next Wednesday. Check out the video for 'Made'.
Tour, tour, tour 26th January 2011 The start of the year is always a busy time on the touring calendar and 2011 is doing itself proud so far. Here's a quick catch up of what we have in store...
SASO goes to Europe 14th January 2011 Shoes And Socks Off heads over to Europe with Tubelord next month for his first ever tour of the mainland. Look out for UK shows in the spring along with info on a couple of new releases. Click here to see the list of dates.
