Description

Dangerous Toys – Pissed – Cassette

Dangerous Toys’ Pissed is the third studio album by the Texas-based hard rock and heavy metal band. Known for their energetic, rebellious style, Dangerous Toys emerged in the late 1980s with a blend of glam metal, sleaze rock, and a hard-edged sense of humor. With Pissed, the band took a more aggressive turn, moving away from their earlier, somewhat more polished glam sound towards a rawer, heavier approach that fit into the mid-1990s’ shift in rock and metal.

When Dangerous Toys released their self-titled debut album on Columbia records in 1989, their raw southern rock and metal served as an immediate attack on glam metal’s reign on MTV and rock radio. Their two hit singles, ‘Teas’n, Pleas’n’ and ‘Scared,’ gained the band a rabid following and helped the album go gold.

Dangerous Toys was founded in Texas in 1987 by vocalist Jason McMaster along with guitarists Scott Dalhover and Danny Aaron, bassist Mark Geary, and drummer Mike Watson. They released the follow up to Dangerous Toys, Hellacious Acres, in 1991, and while the album sold reasonably well, it didn’t match the groups initial success. After getting dropped from Columbia, the original lineup slowly began to dwindle. Danny Aaron left before their third album, Pissed. Mike Watson left before recording The R’tist 4’merly Known As Dangerous Toys in 1995. Although the band officially broke up in the late ’90s, they released a live album in 1999 and occasionally reunite for a few shows.

Pissed shows Dangerous Toys embracing a more aggressive and raw sound compared to their previous albums. While the band’s earlier releases, like their self-titled debut (1989), leaned more towards glam metal and sleaze rock, Pissed has a harder, more abrasive tone, with elements of groove metal and hard rock woven throughout the album. The guitars on Pissed, courtesy of Scott Dalhover and Paul Lidel, are sharp, featuring a blend of hard-hitting riffs and bluesy solos. The heavier guitar work is accompanied by a tight rhythm section that adds a more muscular feel to the album.

While Dangerous Toys maintained their core hard rock sound, Pissed also reflects the influence of the grunge and alternative metal movements of the early 1990s, with a darker, more angst-driven approach compared to their previous work.

Key Tracks

“Pissed”: The title track is a high-energy anthem full of anger and attitude, reflecting the frustration and aggression that characterizes much of the album. Jason McMaster’s snarling vocals and the song’s powerful riffs set the tone for the rest of the record.
“Paintrain”: A hard-driving track, “Paintrain” blends groove-heavy riffs with a strong rhythm section. The song has a raw, dirty energy that showcases the band’s shift towards a more stripped-down, no-frills approach to rock.
“Loser”: This track carries a bluesier tone, with gritty lyrics and a mid-tempo groove. “Loser” has the sleazy, swaggering attitude that fans would expect from Dangerous Toys, but with a rougher edge that fits the album’s heavier sound.

Pissed channels themes of frustration, anger, and rebellion, reflecting a more intense, no-nonsense attitude compared to the band’s earlier work. Tracks like “Pissed” and “Paintrain” are full of anti-authority sentiments and a desire to push back against the system. Many songs explore personal battles, including feelings of alienation, anger, and disillusionment. “The Numb” and “Loser” focus on internal struggles, while still maintaining the band’s gritty rock edge. The lyrics across the album maintain a straightforward, tough-guy approach, full of swagger and bravado. This no-frills attitude matches the stripped-down production and more aggressive musical style, making Pissed feel raw and authentic.

The guitars on Pissed are heavier and more aggressive than on previous Dangerous Toys albums. Scott Dalhover and Paul Lidel deliver hard-hitting riffs and blues-infused solos that blend classic rock elements with a harder, more modern metal sound. Mark Geary’s drumming and Mike Watson’s bass playing provide a solid, driving force behind the guitars. The rhythm section keeps the energy high, with tight grooves that propel the songs forward, adding to the album’s heavy, raw feel. Jason McMaster’s vocal delivery is snarling and gritty throughout the album, adding to the aggressive tone of the record. His voice suits the darker, more rebellious themes, giving the songs an extra layer of intensity.

Pissed represents a shift in Dangerous Toys’ sound, reflecting the broader changes in rock and metal during the early to mid-1990s. As glam metal lost mainstream appeal in the face of grunge and alternative metal, many bands adjusted their sound to stay relevant. Pissed is Dangerous Toys’ answer to this shift, embracing a more raw, hard-hitting style that fit the times. Pissed has retained a cult following among fans of hard rock and sleaze metal. Its heavier, angrier tone resonated with listeners looking for something more intense and unpolished than the band’s previous work. Although Dangerous Toys’ biggest hits came earlier in their career, Pissed showed that the band could evolve and continue to produce music that stayed true to their rock roots while also adapting to new influences. The album solidified their place in the hard rock underground, where they have continued to be respected.

Pissed by Dangerous Toys is a hard-hitting, aggressive album that marked a shift in the band’s sound towards a grittier, heavier style. With raw, no-frills production and a focus on anger and rebellion, the album reflects the changing landscape of rock music in the mid-1990s. While it didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as the band’s earlier work, Pissed remains a cult favorite among fans of hard rock and sleaze metal, showcasing Dangerous Toys’ ability to evolve while staying true to their rock roots.

DMZ Records

Song List
Pissed
Paintrain
Law Is Mine, The
Promise The Moon
Strange
Loser
Hard Luck Champion
Screamin’ For More
Oh Well, So What?
Illustrated Man