|
On this page are reviews of the Toast shows, including comments that our favorite people...Toastheads...send us.
We
ended Toast in our sixth year, having played 73 performances at places such as Chicago's Elbo Room, Johnny O’Hagan’s
in Wrigleyville, Gabe's Backstage Lounge and Teddy O’Brien’s in Highwood, Hanson Brother's Tavern in Northfield,
Grandpa's at the Depot, Tower Grille, and Potato Creek Johnnie's in Glenview, C.J. Arthur's in Wilmette, Landmark Inn of Northbrook,
the Morton Grove Days 4th of July Festival, Evanston's Hotel Orrington, Tommy Nevins Live, and The 1800 Club, Indian Hill
Country Club, the new Wilmette Theater opening, many private parties, a video shoot for the TV show 'America's Got Talent!',
and have even opened for Collective Soul at The Rave, a multi-staged large concert venue in Milwaukee!
73 gigs in 6 years
June
4 2010 Friday - Elbo Room Chicago - Toast’s final gig.
April 16 th 2010 Friday - Tower Grille - Toasts 2nd time at this great-looking place. The house
was packed.
(Comment) Nice Job!...Your best tunes are those originals. My neighbor
Bert who is a huge music nut is always a great barometer and he really likes the Band. - DS
March 11 2010 Thursday - Elbo Room Chicago - An exciting event with five bands playing. The Elbo Room is very friendly,
organized, and well-equipped in getting the bands on stage smoothly. They had a technician running sound and another running
an elaborate light show! The comments were that Toast played well and had fun onstage that was infectious for the large audience
there.
February 21st 2010 Sunday - Hanson Brother's Tavern - Haitian Fundraiser. Three thousand, three hundred and twenty-one
dollars raised for Doctors Without Borders during a Sunday afternoon of great music and a silent auction.
February 6 th 2010 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - Another fun night at Grandpas!
December 11 th 2009 Friday - Tower Grille - Toasts 1st time at this great-looking place. They
tell us it won’t be our last time! Lots of positive comments on Toast’s sound.
December 5 th 2009 Saturday - Hanson Brother's Tavern - It was a good gig. We put about 5 new tunes in
the lineup. Had a good crowd. Did not play too loud. It was fun.
July 25th 2009 Saturday - Hanson Brother's Tavern - Celebrating Toast’s 5th year together!
Many positive comments about Toast’s sound this night.
July 10 th 2009 Gabe's Backstage Lounge - for the Friday night crowd, this was a treat.
July 4th 2009 Saturday - Hanson Brother's Tavern -
for a bang-up time, Jeff Davies from Mea Culpa filled in for Howie. We watched the fireworks right at Hanson’s!
June 06 2009 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - Mark Litin filled in for
Howie 6:30PM Toast, 9:30PM Crisis
May 2 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - Dave Steffan filled in for Paul.
February 28 2009 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - Another Toast ‘Early Show” evening. Hansons had a filled
house! With guest players Mike Donaubauer (vocal) and Gary Zucker (drums). John McHough followed and continued this fun night.
February 7 2009 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - A packed house with a crazed dance crowd that kept Toast going
to the wee hours.
November 29 2008 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - Another double-header! A fun-filled, early, post-Thanksgiving
evening, at a packed house! We went from swing dancing to rockin' the rafters with everyone stompin' the dance floor. John
McHough followed with an entertaining set. What a fun night!
November 7 2008 Friday - El Jardin in The Glen Town Center - Toast’s first time at this restaurant/bar.
Very appreciative house crowd and manager, who want Toast back anytime!
October 11 2008 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - With opening act Brian Adams. Brian was a great act; talented
and entertaining, we hope to see him again.
August 16 2008 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - Toast's Last Summer Concert - The house was rockin”
August 2 2008 Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's - Fabulous Sound - It’s like the Sound of the Band Doubled
- I guess the sound board is an instrument too! LG
July 11th 2008 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern -
A double-header with our friend: John McHough and his talented band
June 21 2008 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - "We want you back again" - John, Grandpa's manager. A fun night with a lot of dancing.
May 24 2008 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - Another Double bill with Lemondrop opening for Toast! A particularly
fun and well-performed night!
May 3rd 2008 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - Toast is back and Chris was singing her little heart out.
April 4 2008 Friday - Hotti Biscotti (Chicago) - A debut for three new Toast original songs, ‘Thin Places,’ ‘Falling Home’ and ‘His Shoes!’
February 16 2008 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - Their Newsletter says it all: Blond Bombshell Chris (she taught
us some new moves) with Toast was DRO (dancing room only)!
January 25 2008 Friday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - Double bill with Lemondrop opening for Toast! A fun night!
December 8 2007 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - We love this place! Great sound, a good room, and a good crowd.
November 17 2007 Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette - Back again, and having fun with a great crowd! We did a debut of ‘The Toast Song’ by Heywood Banks.
November 9 2007 Friday - Johnny O'Hagans (a Wrigleyville Chicago Irish Bar) - Although space was tight, and presented
sound challenges, the place was packed with a great crowd who had a fun night with Toast. Even the management commented what
a nice group of people were there to hear Toast!
October 20 2007 Saturday - Hanson Brothers Tavern - A fun and dancing crowd had a great time at Hanson Brothers on
this Toasty night - Co-owner Paul said Toast sounded better than ever!
September 15 2007 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - "The Best Toast has sounded here!" - John, Grandpa's manager. Guest appearance Mike Donabauer sang Crossroads.
August 11 2007 Saturday - Private Party at Teddy O'Briens in Highwood, IL - Our hosts were delighted, lots of great
comments from guests who danced and rocked with Toast.
July 28 2007 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - It was a dance crowd that wanted more Toast to the wee hours. A particularly fun gig for all!
July 1 2007 Saturday - Morton
Grove Days Festival! Harrer Park,
Morton Grove, IL. The sound
was great, even the mayor was happy as Toast provided the late afternoon rock on the festival stage. "Awesome gig on Sunday
at the MG Fest. We totally enjoyed you guys." -MZ
June 30 2007 Saturday - Private Party at Indian Hill Country Club, Winnetka,
IL - Lots of fun, lots of dancing, great party!
Our host said: "Toast exceeded expectations by 100%!"
June 15 2007 Friday - Hanson Brother's Tavern Northbrook, IL. First time
at a friendly new venue. We loved the place! Drew
played with us and his solos were awesome. Guest appearances were made by Mike
Donaubauer, Jerry Barry, and John McHough. The dance floor was hoppin!
May 5th 2007 Saturday - Gabe's Backstage Lounge Highwood, IL - Mickey handled
the sound masterfully for Toast again. A Cinco de Mayo with music and friends.
April 28 2007 Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - Glenview,
January 20 2007 - Gabe's Backstage Lounge - Highwood, IL
Great place! "Toast sounded better at Gabe's than ever!"
"...Toast at its best!" 'Ya hadda be there!
wow! Highwood Saturday Night
wow!
wow!
wow!
you guys sounded great, looked great, the place was packed, and jumping, and wow!
November 11 2006 - Hotel Orrington St Francis Fund-raiser Dinner, Silent Auction and Toast kept the dance floor full
October 28 2006, Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - We
had a great time, played in costumes! The place was rockin and dancing for the most part. The manager was complimentary,
so we will chalk it up as a win.
September 9
2006, Saturday - Grandpa's at the Depot - We got good reviews from the new manager, who will 'definitely have Toast back again!'
August 19 2006, Saturday at CJ Arthurs. If you stayed to the end for the acapelllo performances you probably were singing! it was a ball!
August 12 2006, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnnie's, The dance floor got a workout this night!
July 8 2006, Saturday - Private Party - House sale, Toast kept the 200+ person crowd going, and they asked for many
encores, we could hardly tear down
June 24 2006, Saturday - Wilmette Theater opening, Toast entertained the crowd for the event.
June 17 2006, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnnie's, Toast rocked the night away until 2:00 am!
June 10 2006, Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette
Toast -kept the toes tapping on this special anniversary night at C.J.'s
April 8 2006, Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette CD Release Party! Toast - EKSTREEMLEEBURNT
CD GIVEAWAYS, little dinosaurs, a big T-Rex! AND MORE!!!
March 3 2006, Friday - Landmark Inn (Northbrook)-
Mike, the night manager said "Like your song choices - It was a good night!" Special Thanks to Mark Litin from The
Fabulous Beyondos for being our fill-in drummer
February 10 2006, Friday - Art Auction
Benefit for DesPlaines
School District
A lot of fun. Toast played before and after the Art Auction, and kept
it going long into the night.
December 17 2006, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's
Dec 3rd 2005, Saturday - Hotel Orrington
Fundraiser Art Auction, a hugely attended dress-up event with dinner serves, with Toast as the final course, the dance
floor was full!
November 19, 2005, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's
Another fun-filled evening with musicians John McHugh, Jerry Barry playing tunes with Toast, with many others who
spontaneously joined in with vocals and enjoyed sharing the stage with the band.
October 22, 2005, Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette - New original songs debuted:
'No Way Out' by Drew, 'Trapped in Her Trip' by Chris, "got Me' by Paul!
The 6 of you ought to be toasted for keeping us happier than a winning Chicago,
team.
L. G. - Wilmette, IL
September 10, 2005, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's - A Raucusly toasty night!
August 26, 2005, Friday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette - Our friends at C.J.'s again set
the stage for a great night, with Wil and Drew both performing numerous songs
with us. We even had Fred-X jumping up to play congas, and Mike and Sue of The
Fabulous Beyondos lending impromptu backing vocals. ...Always loads of fun at
C.J.'s!
August 19, 2005, Friday - Tommy Nevin's Live - A fun night! Drew was able to join us for many tunes, including Crazy
Train. The crowd danced the night away.
July 9 2005, Saturday - Tommy Nevin's Live - Thanks to Wil Johnson who sang and added percussion to several tunes
with us. We like this place!
June 10 2005, Friday - Grandpa's at the Depot - Switched locations from CJ's due to tragedy there
April 29, 2005, Friday - Grazie' Ristorante & Banquet Dinner Dance/Art Auction -The house was a-rockin; the dance
floor was filled all night [need we say more?]
March 19, 2005, Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette
Back to that same 'ol place, C. J.'s A fun crowd, a rock'n night!
March 12th, 2005 Saturday - 1800 Club, 1800 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL - A very comfortable place to play!
The Tai food, big cushy sofas, and eclectic atmosphere was appreciated by all. Lots of compliments on the band's playing at
this gig. Thank you all who came!
You could throw in a little Jeff Air for your singer she did good on white rabbit. Dead is good, Reggeeee is good,
Long guitar leads are even better. It was fun and cheap and a good time was had by all! - DW
February 26, 2005 Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette
Another fun night at CJ's! Many friends were there. Howie claimed writership
on nearly all the classics we play, but most of the audience forgave him for that! A
lot of laughs, especially Mike D's antics during White Rabbit, cracked us all up.
From the Illinois Entertainer - Look for the Toast listing:
Toast was proud to play at one of the premier venues for live entertainment in the Chicago area!
We all had a great time! It was an inspired and spirited night of playing. The Young Arsonists
were fine gentlemen. Special thanks to the members of The Fabulous Beyondos for being there and showing your support! We owe you one, Mike, Sue, and Wil!
January 28 Friday, 2005 8:30-12:00 - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette
Toast had a great night Friday at CJs. They say Toast is at their 'most popular band' level, and people were overheard
talking about Toast's upcoming gig the day before. Anyway, the band played great and all who were there had a great time!
December 4, 2004, Saturday - C.J. Arthur's Wilmette
November 13, 2004, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's Saloon & Grill
October 2, 2004, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's Saloon & Grill
September 11, 2004, Saturday - Potato Creek Johnny's Saloon & Grill
We had a great time at PCJ's on Saturday night. You guys rock! First time we had a chance to hear Toast and it won't be the
last! Your bass guitar is awesome!
Thanks for making our night a blast!
Maggie :-)
Hey! You guys sounded fantastic this w/e at CJs and Potato Creek Johnny's! Ever
think about how to work in that ukulele somewhere? :-)
-Cari
You guys are polished! Everybody's on the same page and having a great
time! The audience loves it!!!!! I
had a great time listening and dancing to the music! Can't wait for the next
time!
-Rene
September 10, 2004 Friday 8:30-12:00
I loved your gig at CJ's. It was the best you guys ever did! Jim's
range is so fantastic. I loved Chris singing Go Ask Alice (White Rabbit). And Howie the drummer doing Basket Case was incredible
as was Will doing Black Magic Woman and Paul was out of sight. I don't have the words - I just want to have Paul's babies.
I missed hearing your number one hit Why Won't You See Me. I guess I left too early. Hope to see you guys soon. You're the
best!
-Anne
...just needed to totally unwind and get into the happy part of my
brain - you guys definitely got me there.
Looking forward to enjoying more of your music!
-Cari
We had a blast, you sounded fantastic!!!
-Janice
Toast performed prior to COLLECTIVE SOUL!
They have eight #1 rock hits with sales of over 8 million records, and recorded
recently with Elton John.
Toast played a short set of mostly original songs, prior
to the Collective Soul performance
in the 400 person Rave Vibe Room. The crowd flocked to the Toast stage, and the house was rockin!
The Rave Bar at The Eagles Club
Is the #1 place in Wisconsin: the state's only showcase venue. Patrons continually praise the venue's crisp acoustics
("the 400 person Rave Bar makes any band sound good"). photo collages of previous concerts that adorn the walls. Countless
national acts made their Wisconsin debut on this stage, including The Wallflowers, Third Eye Blind, Smashmouth, Blink 182,
Creed, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthew’s Band and Tantric. It just goes to show... you really never know who you might catch
at the Rave Bar! ...Like Toast!
August 2004 - Toast inaugural performance CJ Arthur’s
July 2004 - The Jim O’Connell All Star Band
|
 |
|
