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Category: Music
Throughout the 80's, before becoming an item, the members of Toein' in the Dark were treading the same boards at the same venues, in particular at the Rotherham Labour Club before its demise. They often appeared on the same bill, supporting the same worthy causes (the steelworkers' and miners' strikes being just two) either as individuals, duos or in bands such as the Red G'Zunders, Jiggery Polkary, Kinnegad Slashers, Moanin' Minnies and the New Andy Hoult Band. Ray and Mark Hearne were also regular performers during those vibrant times for the club. So in 1993, when Mark was short of an Irish band to join him for a gig at the Rockingham Arms, Wentworth, he hastily combined and rehearsed two consenting duos from the Labour Club scene, Malcolm & Jenny Fox and Andy Hoult & Bob Meakin. Mark went on to pursue a solo career and the new band got its first booking!
Why "Toein' in the Dark", the band are often asked? Well, they were happy to play on without a name for a while, until a bizarre conversation about caravans and a prominent Tory politician and his alleged toe fetish took place around a campfire in a Lincolnshire field! The band members, friends and families had gathered with their assorted tents and caravans for a weekend in the fresh air, something they often enjoyed doing. That night, one member of the group, surprised that Malc and Jen had arrived so late in the evening, enquired "How did you manage to get here at this late hour?" "Well, we drove here" replied Malc dryly. "What! Towing in the dark?" was the concerned reply. "That'll do" Malc said and with the subtle spelling change and numerous attempts to photograph forty toes for their early posters, the band name was christened.
Sadly, Malcolm had been suffering from a serious heart condition for several years, but despite this he enjoyed performing with the band and continued to play right up until his death in November 1998. Carmel O'Toole was welcomed into the band the following year and Toein' in the Dark has continued to grow and develop in style, performance and confidence, culminating in the release of their first CD in the Spring of 2002.
From the outset, Toein' in the Dark has always been keen to demonstrate a commitment and support for humanitarian and socialist causes including Amnesty International, Trade Unions, disadvantaged groups and their local community. They reflect this in their choice of some of their songs.
4:40 PM
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