Pocket Rocket

Pocket Rocket began life as a studio project for ex-67 singer and guitarist Toby Burton and his drum machine, The Phantom Limb in 1998. Before long though, Burton began drafting in musician-friends to back him up live, and by 2000 Pocket Rocket could be seen playing both electric and acoustic sets, with various instrumental support around both London’s rock and chilled-club circuits. The earliest line-up included Toby’s lifelong friend Michael Wilson on bass, Stewart George on saxophone and Jean-Marc Brunerie on drums. Jean-Marc was later replaced by ex-67 drummer Gavin Richards. Between 2004-2007, as a result of other commitments and the departure of Richards, Burton redrafted The Phantom Limb into the line up. However, in September 2007, with more time on his hands again, Burton began rebuilding the band, first drafting in ex-Demented-Are-Go guitarist ‘Lex’ Luther Taylor and completing the new line-up with ex-Fairground Worker Nigel Edginton-Vigus on drums.

What Colin Gillman AKA Axevictim has to say about Pocket Rocket:

I have come to know Toby Burton (above left) reasonably well since I was pointed in his general direction by Kenny back when I was having a crisis about what to wear on stage. Toby had recently founded his global social networking site for mature musicians Rock Til You Drop and what with me being a highly opinionated type personage I rapidly found that I was calling Toby up for chats and inviting him to come along and meet with me and the lads in Magic Ship for a drink. Since then I’ve been a supporter of his RTYD gigs which are showcases for the bands that populate Toby’s site. I’ll even go so far as to say that I have managed to persuade the dear fellow to set up a music download site and even a social networking site for music fans. I like Toby. I’d say that I am proud to call him mate. And here’s the thing. When he wasn’t a mate I wasn’t all that bothered about checking out his band Pocket Rocket’s back catalogue. Let’s face it. Most musicians are far to self absorbed and competitive to be thinking about someone else’s band. We’re far too busy thinking about ourselves. However, since adopting the moniker of mate I have begun to listen more to Toby’s songs and to his lyrics (which are odd but quirky odd like Jarvis Cocker might be considered odd) and I have come to love his singing style which is very English provincial (which is also what a lot of his lyrical subject matter is about) and coming from Godalming and wanting desperately to become a punk his music simply oozes small town frustration. The band is another matter entirely. A really great bunch of tight sounding musos with a highly distinctive and original style. All said and done Pocket Rocket are a terrific band that I am delighted to have discovered since joining the RTYD networking site. So, if you like the kind of English quirkyness as described above and want to check out his band’s music you can do so at the RTYD Download site. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.