ONE MAN BANDS – The Toms(Tom Marolda)

Tom Marolda is a legend.  At least, in the world of ‘power pop’ he is!  If you are not familiar with the music of Marolda, you have made a special discovery here.   The debut album, released in 1979 was a watershed release in the world of power pop.   The self-titled “The Toms” was listed as #12 on the all-time best ever list in John M. Borack’s massive pop tome, “Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Guide To Power Pop”, 30 years later, it still sounds timeless.

“The Toms” was reissued by Not Lame Records in 1997 with bonus tracks and then again in 2004 as a 2 CD set with a bevy of excellent, unreleased songs.  Marolda still makes music under “The Toms” name and with another incredibly vital project called Horizontal Ladies Club. He, also, writes music for TV shows and a new album of HLC has been released.  The Toms CDs are, sadly, out of print.  However, all his music(which is ‘extremely highly recommended’, folks!) is available digitally and direct from Marolda at his main site.   More links connected to Tom Marolda and The Toms are at the of this interview.  Post your memories or opinions on The Toms and Marolda’s music below.

What recording equipment did you use?

The forty or so songs that I wrote and recorded on a weekend of canceled clients in my studio were recorded on a 16 track Tascam tape recorder. It had a remote control that I could stop and start from drum booth which was 20 feet away. I am not a really good drummer but could keep time and throw a fill in every once in awhile.

Was this a home studio?

It was a home studio in the basement that I converted to be semi-professional for clients like The Smithereens, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, Valentine, members of EWF, members of Springsteen’s band and many others. It was very homey and had a small gym and my vinyl record collection in an adjacent room.

Assuming this was pre-computer you must have done a lot of overdubbing.

I would record a rhythm guitar first and then the drums along with the additional guitars and vocals. No keys or synths were used, so I did many overdubs.

Did the songs on “THE TOMS” all come before the songs on the “SIMPLICITY” which was released years later? 
All the songs from that weekend session ended up forming the two albums although Simplicity was released much later and The Toms with bonus tracks never released from the session were finally put out as well.

Where and when did you record SIMPLICITY?

SIMPLICITY was recorded during the same sessions but mixed on digital equipment when I recently released it. I think that because it was never released on vinyl, just CD and downloads, the sound doesn’t have the warmth of the original Toms project.
Do you notice a difference in sound quality between the vinyl versions and CDs?
I notice a huge difference between vinyl and CD just as any other record from the vinyl era suffers the same sound deficiencies when released on CD or even worse on mp3 codex itunes where the sound is extremely squashed. Today’s listener really doesn’t know the difference unless they buy an LP.

What guitars did you use?

The guitars I used on the session were mainly an Ibenez copy of a Gibson Les Paul black solid body with custom pick-ups. Humbucker in the front and a Fender Telecaster pick-up in the back which made for an interesting combination. I also used a Danolectro guitar and a six string Danolectro Bass. The drums were an old Ludwig set similar to the one Ringo Starr used for the early Beatle recordings.

Have you thought about revisiting this type of material?  Man, I can’t tell you how many great bands there are these days including a lot of guys doing it all themselves.

I will revisit this style of material and writing as I have stock piled many songs in that power-pop genre. I still record with the same instruments and have the same sounding voice after a few years between the last Toms record. I aggressively put out 2 albums a year under various names besides writing songs for TV and Film. Rocky, America’s Next Top Model, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Smallville, The Playboy Club and many more.

Are you performing these days?

Too busy to perform although I would like to someday. Right now my focus is in the studio with other artists and my weekly requests for material and songs written for TV and film. I also have a web site donated to helping the aspiring songwriter, producer or anyone desiring a career in the music business. It is: www.mysonggram.com

Are you recording?

I record everyday. My latest project for myself is y other band HORIZONTAL LADIES CLUB which has released 5 albums and a new one is being mixed now for fall release.
I record between 5 and ten songs a week for either clients or myself, so I am still full steam ahead. I use a Yamaha 2400 digital workstation that resembles the closest sound to tape for me. I know I should be using pro-tools or a similar software recording system, but my old school stubborn ways forbids me right now. I get laughed at sometimes until they hear the finished product and wonder how I got that sound :}

TOM MAROLDA/THE TOMS Links:

Tommy Marolda’s main site – HERE

Buy music from The Toms & Horizontal Ladies Club – HERE

Marolda’s songwriting and music career site – HERE

The Toms at AllMusicGuide – HERE

Review of “The Toms” by Mark Deming at Rovi – HERE

Horizontal Ladies Club on MySpace – HERE