R.I.P. Shoes And Socks Off

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. Read his statement, below, and come see him play one last time on his tour with Someone Died.

"Ever since the first show, Shoes and Socks Off has been a bit of a pain in the arse. Bloody thing. The restrictions I place on it, and the fact that pretty much all the songs are about one very personal subject, make it’s functioning depend too heavily on me maintaining a certain level of ‘mope’, and in all honesty I don’t have the stones to maintain said mope any longer.
I’m not sure if it was at all cathartic or even much good, but it was certainly necessary, so I’m grateful to those who backed me up over the last 4 years.
I’m proud of what was achieved and blown away at the level at which a select few people have connected with the songs and shown their love and support. If you came to a gig, put on a show, bought a record or let me sleep on your floor, thank you."

Final Shoes and Socks Off dates:

September

15 – Southsea Festival

Mega Front-Man Tour with Someone Died (someonedied.tumblr.com) (Alan Welsh/Tangled Hair/Colour)

16 – The Lamb – Devizes
17 – The Pav-Tav - Brighton
18 – The Grey Horse – Kingston
19 – Nation of Shopkeepers – Leeds
20 – The Bell - Manchester
21 – The Pilgrim – Liverpool
22 – The Chameleon Arts Café - Nottingham
24 – The Old Blue Last – London (with Ross Secondsmile)

The final show falls on the world famous Meet Me In St. Louis Day, not only that, but it will mark four years to the day since the first Shoes and Socks Off album was recorded. Neat.