October 31, 2002: The news just keeps getting better. Toad's first show since December 31, 1997 will be a benefit for the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center with special guests Nickel Creek. Other unnamed "special guests" are also slated to appear at the Santa Barbara show. Tickets for the show, scheduled for Wednesday December 4, go on sale next weekend (Saturday November 9th).

Glen has been collaborating with Nickel Creek, a fantastic bluegrass (or "newgrass") band from San Diego for over a year now, with a joint album, Mutual Admiration Society, due out next spring. Toad has been a supporter of the S.B. Rape Crisis Center for many years, and before the band's breakup, they usually played one benefit show for the center each year.

In addition to the Santa Barbara show, the band also announced new tourdates in Los Angeles (Dec. 11) and San Diego (Dec. 13). Full details available on the Tourdates page.

A 20-city tour in February is also still a possibility, according to the band, so "for those of you non-west coasters, be patient, the new year could bring good news for you."

As always, stay tuned and keep an eye on Glen and Lapdog's official sites, respectively: www.glenphillips.com and www.lapdogmusic.com. The Toad-L and Victim lists at Yahoo! Groups are also great places to look for the latest news and discussion.

October 24, 2002: More reunion shows have been announced--five in San Francisco--and a 20-city Toad tour may follow in February. Also a possibility: new Toad songs!

Toad's been making news with their reunion over the past couple weeks, showing up on CNN's news crawl, many music industry news sites, and in a front page article on their hometown paper, the Santa Barbara News-Press. According to the News-Press article, Glen will still pursue his solo career, and Lapdog will continue to record as well, but the foursome may write and record new songs together.

In addition to the shows with Counting Crows and possible February tour, Toad is also trying to set up a benefit show for the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center in the next few months.

In other news, Toad have set up a new web site at www.toadthewetsprocket.com.

In Lapdog news, don't forget: Lapdog's second album, Mayfly, is now on sale for pre-orders at www.lapdogmusic.com. Order now, and you'll be entered in a sweepstakes with prizes including a weekend in Vegas with Lapdog, and Toad's Taylor guitar (which he wrote much of Dulcinea with). In addition, a full track from Mayfly, "Staring at the Sun," is available for download at MP3.com.

October 10, 2002: Will Toad get back together? They will, for at least a few shows with Counting Crows, and writes Todd, "maybe much more."

Today, Todd, Glen, Dean, and Randy got together in a LA studio for their first rehearsal since 1998. One show with Counting Crows has already been announced, with more (hopefully) to follow.

As for that one show, Toad will be opening for Counting Crows December 10 at House of Blues Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.

Stay tuned, and keep an eye on Glen and Lapdog's official sites, respectively: www.glenphillips.com and www.lapdogmusic.com. The Toad-L and Victim lists at Yahoo! Groups are also great places to look for the latest news and discussion.

Todd's post, from www.lapdogmusic.com:

You guys shouldn't get too excited about this one LA
show you know about. It now looks like there will be
several more California shows with the Crows. Plus, Toad
rehearsed today and we are talking about doing more in the
future- maybe much more. We'll see what happens. Stay
tuned-Todd

October 10, 2002: Lapdog's second album, Mayfly, is now on sale for pre-orders at www.lapdogmusic.com. Order now, and you'll be entered in a sweepstakes with prizes including a weekend in Vegas with Lapdog, and Toad's Taylor guitar (which he wrote much of Dulcinea with). In addition, a full track from Mayfly, "Staring at the Sun," is available for download at MP3.com.

May 14, 2002: The follow-up to Near Tonight just got a little closer. Word from Lapdog's manager, Joe Lyons, is that Todd is putting the finishing touches on the album. We could see pre-orders and samples from the new album as early as next month:

"Just a short note to update you all that recording the new CD is going slower, but better than expected. Todd is taking his time recording the finishing touches because, well, umm, he can! We are now planning to start taking preorders next month when we will also post a taste of the new CD."

In other news, Lapdog will be playing a few gigs in the Pacific Northwest later this month. Check the tourdates page for more info.

November 8, 2001: Lapdog is on tour! Word from those lucky enough to see them, the shows have been fantastic.

A Thansgiving-eve gig and a December 8 show at the Gig in Hollywood remain. Shows in San Diego, the Bay Area, and Phoenix may follow in January. Stay tuned.

September 8, 2001: Lapdog has a live show coming up, Friday October 19 at 14 Below in Santa Monica, CA. The band should hit the stage around 10:30. Advance ticket sales may happen soon on the band's web site.

In other news, the band posted a new song, "No Way Out," at MP3.com. The song is an outtake from the Near Tonight sessions.

August 20, 2001: Lapdog has relocated to Los Angeles, so Santa Barbara-based guitarist Rob Taylor has left the band. Johnny Hawthorn joins the band as guitarist, background vocalist, and driver of the Winnebago. The band also has a new bass player, Eric Holden. Randy Guss remains on drums, and of course, Todd Nichols on lead vocals and guitars.

In a recent post to the band's web site, Todd announced that the band is currently rehearsing songs from their new album, and "will work them out live at some soon-to-be-announced shows. We plan to sneak out and play somewhere in September as a warm-up (Bay area?), and we'll be announcing some west-coast shows in October. Everyone else don't feel left out , we1ll come out your way sooner or later."

The band has also released a new MP3, "Won't Let It." The song is an old Toad tune, an outtake from Coil. It's available for download from MP3.com.

If you don't already have a copy of Lapdog's debut CD, "Near Tonight," swing by their recently redesigned website, www.lapdogmusic.com and order one today!

In a note posted to Lapdog's web site June 30, Todd said the band hopes to have their debut album on sale by August. Initial plans call for the album to be sold via their web site, but the band is also trying to work out national distribution to get the album on store shelves.

Well folks- sorry to say the rumors about Dean leaving Lapdog are true. It came as somewhat of a surprise to me and I am very bummed out by it. I can't tell you much about the reasons behind his decision (because he hasn't said much) but I think he is leaving music altogether. I think that after Toad broke up Dean saw Lapdog as an easier transition out of that situation. He is now pursuing a career in voice-over work and attempting to live a rock and roll-free life. As for myself, I will continue on with Lapdog, as music is what makes me feel alive. It is what I *have* to do- regardless of big labels and big money, and so-called success. The album will still come out so don't worry. I am really proud of these songs and can't wait for you guys to hear the CD. We have been set back by this loss, musically and even more personally, but we are starting to move on and hope you will stick with us. If it weren't for you folks we would be nowhere- so thanks again for your patience and support. - Todd