If you are of the Gen X years, then you are more than familiar with Martika whether it be from her stint on Kids Incorporated which also gave us Fergie plus Mario Lopez and Jennifer Love Hewitt just to name a few, or her smash hit “Toy Soldiers”. “Toy Soldiers” is undeniably a classic of its time and is a song that has endured through the decades, with its impact still felt among those who grew up during that era. Personally, I played the cassette single to death and know that I annoyed my parents with it constantly on repeat.
Synth wave master Davey Oberlin, the mastermind behind All the Damn Vampires, knows the genre is steeped in nostalgia and often invokes the sounds and aesthetics of the 80s. By choosing this sonic palette, All the Damn Vampires and his collaborators immediately place their rendition within a broader cultural conversation about retro influences and modern reinterpretations. While I was ready for synth wave greatness, but what they gave us was an upgrade of the original and it’s damn fantastic.
The decision to amplify the guitars and enlist vocalist Angela Steelman to channel Martika‘s original vocals adds another layer of complexity to the homage. It’s not just a straightforward cover but a reimagining that seeks to honour the original while injecting new energy and textures. Guitarist Andy James‘ contribution plays a pivotal role in shaping the updated sound, adding a modern edge that still respects the original.
The success of this cover not only hinges on the fidelity of the original’s emotional core but the updated production choices and the chemistry between all the performers. All the Damn Vampires’ ability to balance these elements is from a mind that understands where the past and the present intersect. Their approach is one that appreciates the cultural landscape of an era that is held dear to those that experienced it and one who knows what limited technology or sounds of that era was as well. It’s a delicate tightrope walk between reverence and innovation and All the Damn Vampires‘ keen ear for what made the original impactful allows them to push the boundaries to offer something fresh.
By embracing the spirit of synth wave that All the Damn Vampires is so great at and amplifying key elements of Martika‘s original, they have crafted a homage that speaks not only to the enduring power of the song but also to the creative potential of revisiting musical touchstones through a modern lens.
