Upon hearing “Le Disko” and falling for a new synth band, I was excited about Shiny Toy Guns. Their album We Are Pilots got great exposure here in the States, after their third and final version was released.
So, just a week or two ago when I heard they had a new single “Ricochet” and a new album coming out in November, my excitement returned. Then, I also heard they had a new female lead singer. What?!
Previously, Carah Faye Charnow was the woman singing about riding racecars. Now, they’ve got another lady, Sisley Treasure. Now, I have to admit, I am just not as excited. After the prominence of her voice and the overall “sound” in their previous hits (esp. “Le Disko”), it’s going to take some gettin’ used to. “Ricochet” didn’t get me energized or feeling any of those good vibes. Maybe it’ll grow on me, maybe I’ll end up liking it, but right now…not so much. I think Treasure might have a tough road ahead, though. Tons of fans are just not happy**. Not to mention the fact that Treasure appeared on “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll,” which is in a bit of a different direction than whatever Shiny Toy Guns is doing/going for.
Especially when I read this on ReadJunk.com:
“…we moved forward with our initial choice for co-lead singer of the band in 2002, longtime friend SISELY TREASURE. At that time she was still locked into her Dreamworks Records deal with her former project COOLER KIDS and we were not able to bring her in. So we have returned to the exact original idea and lineup that SHINY TOY GUNS was meant to be.”
Um, what? So, I’m sure none of the money you made and the exposure you’ve gotten has anything to do with Carah, right? Everything is going to be fine and dandy now that you have your Number 1 choice back. Or you could lose over half your fan base. But, at least you’re now what “was meant to be.”
There was much speculation on whether Charnow was fired, or if she was leaving to get married, or pursue a solo career. As it turns out, we still don’t really know the truth. She says it wasn’t her decision to leave the band. STG says that it was her choice or else she’d still be with the group. Regardless, she’s moved on to another band in Sweden. So, best of luck to her!
But, that’s not the first surprise! Nope…WHAT THE —-? Charnow wasn’t the first one to get chucked (or…not?). First was Ursula Vari! And who even knows why she got the boot! Do the men in Shiny Toy Guns get tired of looking at the same girl, or what?
Who knows?
But, if I were Sisley Treasure, I might be a little worried in another 2 years.
Shiny Toy Guns’ new album Season of Poison will be out November 4th.
**example of unhappiness concerning new singer from a blog commenter:
“Well I hope no one minds me saying this but the more I think about it, she has probably had a lucky escape because this group have shown themselves in their true colours and I think she is better than any of that. At first I didn’t know what to think but now I feel inclined in believing her side of what has happened here. I hope this new project she says she is working on turns out well for her. She’ll always have my support! :)”
Musically Amusing 
Kicking out Carah is such bullshit. If they had wanted Treasure to begin with…then why even add a female vocal to We Are Pilots at all. Honestly, the record couldve been held up by the guys alone.
Then: Fans grow to love Carah and now POOF! she’s gone? Screw that.
The new tunes SUCK. And you wanna know what’s worse than a Pussycat Doll? a WANNABE pussycat doll!
I’m so done with Shiny now, and it’s sad because when I saw them open for The Sounds in NYC…they KILLED IT.
Hey Nick,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
And I AGREE!
Definitely not into them big like I was. Your NYC adventure seeing them w/ The Sounds sounds like it was a blast, though! 🙂
There was something “special” about Carah’s voice, style, and stage presence. I have to admit, if they were going to kick her out, they should have just added another instrumentalist/BGV singer. Chad has a kick ass voice and could carry the band much better without the new singer.
I loved the first album so much and admire Chad’s musical ability that I am giving the new album a chance. It is growing on me, but not like the first album. I don’t really like the songs where the girl sings.
Season of Poison is a fitting title though. I think it has poisoned their career.
Kim,
Thanks for the comment! I think a lot of people feel the same way. I’m not really sure where I stand…but I don’t think sales are going to be nearly as good as they were with We Are Pilots.
I like your analogy of Season of Poison, though. lol 🙂
Stop back sometime!
I totally thought STG was the shit for a freakin long time. I automatically fell in love with Carah.
When I saw the new shit, I was like ” SHE’S GONE! HELL HAS OFFICIALLY FROZEN OVER.”
I was so depressed. Despite that, I gave the new shit a chance. I didnt like it, one bit.
AND THEN I found out about the past. I heard all about the pussy cat shit, the previous STG history, the sad rumors about reasons for her leaving/being booted. I was like WHAT THE FUCK?!
Well I was relieved to hear Carah has a new project. I saw it and love Versant already.
Any ways, I love Crarah Faye forever. ❤
Yep, just bought the new STG today because it was on sale and was greatly disappointed. This new cd is crap. I tried listening to it a few times and I just didn’t feel the same way I did with the first one.Then, when I looked at it closer I realized that Carah wasn’t on it at all. What a difference her presence made.
Well…at least it was on sale, right?! lol. 🙂
It’s pretty obvious that she was removed from the band; otherwise I doubt they’d still be pursuing Sisely. It was as though she was out of contract, out of work, and they nabbed her up as quickly as possible. I’ll be the first to admit my sketchiness, my love for reality television did not turn me away from watching “Pussy Cat Dolls: The Search for the Next Doll” in which Sisely was a participant (who was just as bitchy, and whiny as the next girl, even crying and arguing about her hair style. Hello? What did you expect when you tried out for PCD?).
On album? She’s meh. Watching her live is much better, but it’s still not the same. Running into a few of the members prior to the show, and their complete and utter lack of response to their loving fans (I sat on my bar stool, I don’t care enough, frankly)…. Well, it appalled me. The show was still all right, she was better than I expected, but still not what I was hoping for or used to.
very interesting…. i just did a review of their show on my blog (rosemaryrocks.wordpress.com)… i had never seen them before, and never really listened to them, with the exception of the verizon wireless commercial. i thought they put on a great show, though. all, i can speak for is what i heard at the show, and it was pretty good. i really enjoyed all of the other comments though. i had no idea that any of this stuff had gone on.