Toy Saints: Pushing Boundaries in the Alt-Rock Scene

Toy Saints are a Sydney-based alt-rock band on the rise, merging 90s alt-rock nostalgia with a raw, modern intensity. Formed in 2014, the band’s early years were marked by experimentation under a different name. In 2024, they rebranded as Toy Saints, signalling a fresh direction and a deeper commitment to their sound. Their debut EP, ‘Colour of the Week’, is the culmination of years of hard work, a perfect reflection of their evolving identity, and a glimpse into what’s to come. But who exactly are Toy Saints, and what’s driving them?

At the heart of Toy Saints is a deep-seated passion for music. For them, music is more than just a career—it’s a lifelong obsession. The band's journey began when frontman Ethan Pastor first encountered Green Day’s live performance in Japan at the age of 7. The energy, the spectacle, and the connection between band and crowd sparked something inside him that never went out. From that moment, Ethan and the rest of the band knew they had to channel that same energy into their own music. It’s no surprise, then, that Toy Saints’ influences are rooted in iconic acts like Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Sonic Youth, alongside modern heavy hitters like Turnstile, The Drones, and Shady Nasty. These inspirations manifest in their music, combining gritty grunge energy with refined, heartfelt songwriting.

Their debut EP, ‘Colour of the Week’, is the sound of Toy Saints finding their true voice. The songs are dynamic, aggressive, and unapologetically raw. Over the years, their sound has matured, evolving from early experimentation into a refined yet still untamed expression of who they are. “We’ve come a long way,” says Ethan, reflecting on the band’s growth. “At first, we were just figuring things out. Our sound, our identity. Now, it feels like everything is falling into place.”

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In their early years, the band faced its share of challenges, including a disastrous gig in Wollongong when they were just teenagers. “We were 15, playing a 1000-cap room with no one in the crowd,” Ethan recalls. “The promoter and sound engineer didn’t show up, and the headline band was yelling at the organisers mid-set. It was chaos, but it was a lesson in resilience.”

Despite such setbacks, Toy Saints have found their groove, particularly in live performances, where they thrive. “Headlining in Caringbah was a huge moment for us,” says Ethan. “The energy in the room was unreal, and it felt like the culmination of everything we’ve worked for.” Their songs, like *You Would Know*, which is a crowd favourite, explode with intensity on stage, creating an electric atmosphere as fans scream the lyrics back at the band.

But what’s next for Toy Saints? They’re already hard at work on their debut album, with plenty of new material on the horizon. “We’ve got a roster of songs that we’re really excited about,” Ethan shares. “The album is a big step, but it’s also just the beginning. We’re focused on hard work and pushing boundaries.” The band isn’t just looking inward, either. They’re inspired by the local music scene and are eager to collaborate with like-minded artists who share their drive to innovate and push the envelope. Bands like Shady Nasty and G.U.N are on their list, as well as a collaboration with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age.

Despite their growing success, Toy Saints remain grounded. They know that their journey is far from over. Their message to their fans is simple yet heartfelt: “Thank you. For listening, for coming to shows, for supporting us. Music means nothing without the people who connect with it.” It’s clear that their fans are just as much a part of the journey as the band itself.

But it’s not just about playing to the crowd for Toy Saints—it’s about the bigger picture. They’re disillusioned with the current state of the mainstream music industry, particularly how radio and media outlets push the same formulaic music without exploring the diversity of talent that exists. Ethan has strong words for the industry: “We need to give power back to the artist and promote more diverse Australian music. We need pop songs that hit as hard as ABBA did in the 70s. Mainstream media is failing to recognize that. There’s so much talent out there that isn’t getting the spotlight it deserves.”

As for the future, Toy Saints are determined to carve out a space where they can continue to evolve, collaborate, and push the boundaries of alt-rock. With their debut EP now out and an album in the works, they’re poised to make waves in the music scene. For fans and critics alike, it’s clear that Toy Saints are a band to watch.

Their journey has just begun, but one thing is for certain: they’re here to make their mark.