Toyen are a Czech rock group named after the Czech painter Toyen. The band formed in 1989 by three members of the new-wave band Letadlo. Having been banned from performing by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s, Toyen would form only shortly after the Velvet Revolution. Although the band's compositions are predominantly in Czech, the pieces are occasionally performed in English. Members Petr Chromovský – lead vocal, rhythmic guitar & keyboard Ivo Heger (composer) – lead guitar Petr Václavek (lyricist) – bass guitar Jiří Šimeček (founding member/graphic designer) – percussion Conversing with Industry Professionals Scott Murphy of 'US-NYC', and marketing supervisor at ABC-TV, witnessed the act’s performances while frequenting Prague clubs/music events, with Murphy eventually deciding to collaborate with the group in preparation for their first US tour, starting production of their first 'EP': "The Following - The Disappeared Rail-Roads". The singles from this album performed favourably on Czech charts. The compositions were characterized as; "mid-tempo, blues-rooted, granting feelings of nostalgia with charming melodies and sophisticated elements of guitar". The physical copies of the EP featured a cover with photography by Tono Stano - and is supposedly still considered a "collectible rarity". Members of Toyen were also able to converse with Paul King' of MTV's 120 Minutes (UK) at a music competition in Bregenz. King would feature live-footage of the band in Prague, recorded by David Ondricek in the episode of 120 Minutes. International Acknowledgements Toyen started their US tour at the Broadway club, The Shooting Gallery, with a subsequent performance at CBGB. The band would go on to sign a record deal with Czech label 'Sony Music - Bonton'. Allowing the studio-production of their follow-up album; "Last Free Swans!", which was written in collaboration with producer Colin Stuart and featured lyrics by London's, Matt Black. This albumfeatured a "stronger psychedelic/groovy vibe", in comparison to the act's previous release. Toyen were invited to Wales to perform the 'Open-Air Summer Festival in Cardiff, as well as being invited to do a performance in Austria that same year. British electronic act Depeche Mode took Toyen on as a support-act for the Prague performance of their 'Devotion Tour, in 1993. Later Achievements Lead-guitarist Ivo Heger left the act in the years following their US tour, causing grief amongst fans. Heger went on to create his own project; 'The Way', as Toyen had signed a new agreement with 'BMG CZ'. Scott