Dangerous Toys is an Austin, Texas-based hard rock band with often humorous lyrics. Founded in 1987, Dangerous Toys put out four full-length albums and one live album by 1999.The band has never officially disband, but has a semi-bi-annual celebration of the early hits.

Their major label debut, the Gold-certified Dangerous Toys featured the singles "Teas N' Pleas N' " and "Scared". In 2006 "Teas N' Pleas N' " was covered by Shadows Fall (Atlantic Records) on their B-Sides LP Fallout From The War, featuring guest vocals from Toys' vocalist Jason McMaster.

The sophmore release on Sony/Columbia, "Hellacious Acres", although not certified, has sold up to gold status.(Note- Sales Accounting system called "Soundscan" ,starting later than the release date of summer 1991).

1994-Pissed- Released 1994, and "The R-tist 4-merly known as Dangerous Toys" released 1995. Both on Antones-DMZ-Dos records(Independant label).

Early Days

Dangerous Toys was formed in October 1987. Jason McMaster, singer for Watchtower, was invited by Tim Trembley to fill in for his band, Onyxx, as singer. Onyxx was a female singer they had recently let go. The band included Scott Dalhover (guitar), Mark Geary (drums) and Mike Watson (bass).

In 1988, now calling themselves Dangerous Toys, the band were signed to Columbia Records. Tim Trembley left the band prior to the first recording for Columbia, and they were without a second guitarist. On their eponymous debut album, produced by Max Norman (Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne) Scott Dalhover played all the guitar tracks. Shortly before its release, guitarist Danny Aaron joined. Though he did not play on the album, he appears on the back cover.

In 1991, their second album, Hellacious Acres, was released. It was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who had produced albums for several major rock artists (The Cars, Queen, Journey). Hellacious Acres featured the singles "Gimme No Lip" and "Line 'Em Up." Unfortunately, neither song charted as a hit. The 1991 summer tour with Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Metal Church, and Motorhead was a ditch effort by Sony, to sell off the "Metal" of the label,to make room for the "Seattle Movement" which was rapidly trending at the time.

The wrote 100 songs or more for the label, before asking to be let go by mid 1992.

Changing With The Times

In 1992, Danny Aaron left the band, and was replaced by Kevin Fowler. Fowler never played on a Dangerous Toys album, but he did tour with the band - performing in over 200 live shows during 1993. In January, 1994, Paul Lidel of Dirty Looks-(Atlantic Records) replaced Fowler.

The third Dangerous Toys album, Pissed (DMZ/Dos/Antones , Bullet Proof . 1994), was full of pent up anger, bile, and venom. The band's lyrics and attitude became harsher, and the music had a bluesy,but darker tone, with song titles like "Pissed", "Strange" and "Hard Luck Champion."(sales up to 20,000)

In 1994, just after they finished recording the Pissed album, bassist Mike Watson was temporarily replaced by Michael Hannon from Salty Dog (Geffen). Hannon toured with the band, performing in over 200 shows during 1994 and 1995.

1995 Jason McMaster played bass in addition to doing lead vocals for the writing sessions for a new release. The band considered changing their name, but stuck with Dangerous Toys, even poking fun at their name on the title of their fourth (and final) studio album to date; The R-tist 4-merly Known as Dangerous Toys (DMZ/Dos/Antones. 1995). The record was heavier,and meaner than ever,yet as well,had softer material than ever before. The label folded six weeks into the tour and promotion of the release:and,With the band touring as a four piece, fan reaction was not favorable, and the album barely sold.(10,000).

Semi-Disbanded

In 1999, both Pissed and The R-tist 4-merly known as DT...were re-issued on Deadline/Cleopatra Records along with releasing a live album, Vitamins and Crash Helmets Tour-Live Greatest Hits (Deadline/Cleopatra). This also saw the return of Original bassist,Mike Watson.

Though not a full-time ongoing band, Dangerous Toys still regroup and perform at least one live show every year.

In 2001, they played a few shows in their hometown of Austin, Texas and in Tokyo, Japan.They reunited for another set of live shows in Austin and Tokyo during February, 2003, Austin in May, 2005, and at Bat Fest (an annual Austin event) with Rhino Bucket in September, 2006.

A show later that year was recorded, and released as XX, a 20 year career retrospective of the bands music CD/DVD. The XX was released on MVD Visual (seeofsound.com).