Yup. That one.
Track Listing..
- Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz
- Rock & Roll (Is Gonna Set The Night On Fire)
- Wild Angels
- 48 Hours
- Toast Of The Town
- Rock And Roll Outlaws
- Only The Young
- The Last Kiss
- Your Mama Won’t Know
- I Wanna Be With You
No, it’s not reversed Mötley Crüe with a blonde bassist and dark haired singer, although their cover of Toast Of The Town may be convincing.
Let me just say one thing; I used to be absolutely obsessed with this album around early 2020. And I still think it’s an absolute gem and a true hair metal staple. Even so, I bought a limited edition pink vinyl pressing of the record and I cherish it very much. Moving on..
Pretty Boy Floyd released their debut album Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz on October 5th, 1989. Although I think this record would be a hit any year it would happen to be released, I do think these guys missed that perfect glam mark around the 86’ era.
I can’t say enough good things about this album, truly. Pretty Boy Floyd is such cool group of guys that happened to of made one of the best hair/glam/sleaze rock albums ever.
So, without further ado, Aub takes on Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz…
I began this album overview many many months ago and have sporadically been working on it since. Recently, I lost my biggest rock n roll mentor, my uncle Brian. In light of these events, this specific album overview is in dedication to him, who happened to have really loved this record. Party it up for me wherever you are, Bri!
Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz kicks us off. Nothing like a good title track. I love this song. Point blank. The intro alone signifies you’re in for something good. Around the 56 second mark, drummer Kari Kane comes in and absolutely knocks you out with that beat. Then in comes bassist Vinnie Chas and guitarist Kristy Krash Majors. Then, you hear this picture perfect voice built for glam roll in. Yeah, that’s Steve Sex Summers. Ok fine, Steve Summers. Moving on, there’s no doubt this tune rocks hard. Pbf spent years looking for their guitarist until Kristy showed up, and man, it was worth it. The personnel on this album really all scream sleaze and I eat it up every time I give this album a listen. This song alone being what you hear first really sets the tone and that’s something I enjoy about it.
Rock & Roll (Is Gonna Set The Night On Fire) is the party song you’ve been looking for. Man do I truly enjoy the guitar on this album. Really screams glam. Now, that chorus? Now that’s a damn chorus. Fun, memorable, catchy, everything. Steve’s “hit it Krash” around the 1:57 mark is so cool. The harmonies after the solo, absolutely mesmerizing. Since this is a no skip album, I have to tell you, I thoroughly enjoy this song and think it’s a whole hell of a lot of fun.
Wild Angels is a nice addition to this album, claiming the third spot as a slower, more ballad like type. I love the pacing of this tune, slowing down on the verses and picking up with that wicked guitar sound back on the chorus. Kristy krash MAJORS, everyone. This song has some really great instrumentals. I love pretty much everything about it, especially the bass! Thank you vinnie. You’re very missed. Continuing on, the solo here is also incredibly fun and rich. Have got to hand it to the personnel here. Also, the breakdown around the 3:21 mark? Switching up the pace, y’all! overall, a really great one from these guys.
48 hours is the perfect rockstar party song. But then again, so is this entire album! I mean, that alarm clock sound? So cool! a great touch. I think the guitars on this specific track fit it so well, as they do throughout this entire record, truly. I also want to comment on the layered vocals here, then as they slowly fall back and steve comes back into the picture. I think the inclusiveness of the others on backing vocals really adds to the party aspect of this album. Super well thought out and put together. That solo, too! Kristy krash MAJORS! Once again! Now that bass line vinnie is putting down around the 1:59 mark is so sexy. RIP mister chas! What a talent!
Toast Of The Town is quite the cover. I specifically remember watching a youtuber mention the fact that since Mötley’s debut was so hard to come by back then, this was the only version they really had. I don’t mind it! But I also don’t have much to comment on granted it’s just a cover and we all know Crüe’s original. Overall not bad.
Rock And Roll Outlaws is another fast paced, in your face glam tune. One thing I personally really enjoy here once again is the backing vocals. Pbf is the one band that I believe really played into that. Side note on the 1:10 mark and the “looking for a thrill”, I really like how they did that. That specific part plays through my head easily 20 times a day. “rock, shock, rock, shock!” Ugh, this album is so fun. I find it hard to believe it’s a 1989 release! these guys were so committed! Again, i’ll comment on Kristy’s playing. Perfect glam guitarist.
Only The Young is another really decent track on this record. The acoustic intro! Very nice change of pace! And you know, I love Steve’s voice, personally. After that very moving intro, it picks STRAIGHT up into this full on rock tune, with a pretty nice message too! I can’t put my finger on it, but this album is just the epitome of glam. Especially here with that fake out in the beginning with the slow intro to the fast paced riffing. Specifically, i enjoy the chorus most here on this tune. Very nice inclusion of backing vocals. If there’s anything pbf can do, it’s throw in some niiiice backing vocals. And the solo here! Very melodic! There’s a lot going on here but it all blends nicely and cohesively.
The Last Kiss IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! Back when I had finally gave this album a proper listen, this is one of the ones I fell absolutely in love with. It holds a very special place in my heart. The makeup of this song reminds me a lot of Only The Young. there’s a lot going on, but you can’t help but admire how cohesive it is. The chorus is just magical. The backing vocals, Steve’s voice, it’s all just so whimsical. the slight acoustic strumming! This is one of the songs on the album that I can picture really anyone with an ear for glam liking. it’s simply not unlikeable. This one feels like it blows by so fast due to just how much fun it is!
Your Mama Won’t Know is another GEM off this album. I can’t even tell you just how much I enjoy this one. I will say it again; THIS IS A PARTY ALBUM. Originally, it was my uncle who called it a party album and ever since, i’ve thought back to that, because he’s so right! Pbf managed to create a truly timeless piece of music media, I mean this is just glam metal to it’s full force crammed into 36 minutes and 29 seconds which is relatively short! And they still managed a masterpiece! Your Mama Won’t Know is one of my favorites due to just how fast and fun it is. The beginning wastes no time with that fast riff and whistle blow. This tune really keeps you on your toes. Once again with those backing vocals! I would also LOVE to point out the lyric creativity on this specific track! the first verse ends with “to keep the boys away”. The second verse ends with “to keep the floyds away” THE. F L O Y D S AWAY! HOW CLEVER! And when I tell you I NEVER noticed that, I really hadn’t. Can you tell this is my favorite song off the album? Ha! before I ramble more, i’ll stop here. Absolutely nothing to hate about this one.
I Wanna Be With You is the hit. Now, as much as i enjoy this song, why are these twenty somethings singing about meeting this girl at school?? that’s really my only critique. Other than the kind of strange story being told, I ADORE how magical this one is. Super light and airy vocals from Steve. when the guitar rolls in around 49 seconds you’re reminded that this is still a rock ballad. They’re not soft, guys! They’re still hard rock! They promise! Moving on, of course i enjoy this song. I enjoy the many layers happening here and how pbf does it. Now that bridge around the 2:35 mark is super cool, love how heavy the guitar gets while still being a softer ballad. 3:06, key change! overall, a really solid one from these guys. I understand how it’s the hit.
Here’s how i’d rank it!
- Your Mama Won’t Know
- The Last Kiss
- Wild Angels
- Rock & Roll (is gonna set the night on fire)
- I Wanna Be With You
- Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz
- Only The Young
- 48 Hours
- Rock And Roll Outlaws
- Toast Of The Town
Well folks, there you have it, my final overview on Pretty Boy Floyd’s ‘Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz’. Peace and love, aub ❤
