It’s been six years since the anniversary of our reunion show. Here is the long awaited filmed performance of Z-TOYZ at the historic Churchills. We hope you enjoy it. Hans Walters vocals, Peter Spirer Guitar, Scott Levy Drums, Craig Keil Bass and special guest Zane Suarez guitar.
Hans Walters vocals, Peter Spirer Guitar, Scott Levy Drums, Craig Keil Bass and special guest Zane Suarez guitar.
For those that don’t know. Peter Spirer was also the name of Peter Spirer’s father. Peter senior passed away September 11, 2020. He was 89. Always a big supporter of the band. He financed the first pro sound system which allowed the band to gig locally in Miami. Back then you had to bring your own P.A. to a club. A successful businessman with his beloved company Horizon Industries, he attended Z Toyz shows whenever possible and bands like Queen, Foreigner, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were among his favorites. Though Z Toyz was top on his list. Always a great storyteller he even contributed lyrics to a Z Toyz song called Rising Star. While other band mates had father issues who didn’t always want their sons to be musicians, Peter senior was always supportive. Perhaps one of the coolest Dads on the planet, Peter was blessed to have someone he could count on, always in his corner. He will be deeply missed by all.
My friend Drew Stone sent this to me. Interesting because I was a Hanoi Rocks fan but I don’t even remember Z Toyz opening for lead singer Michael Monroe? I can’t remember one detail from that show. We played Sundance a few times and I always enjoyed the vibe. It was a club way out on Long Island in Bayshore. The ticket next to ours was for a show with Guns and Roses at Sundance. This was their first New York tour. We had been given an advanced copy of the record by a producer and we thought it was amazing from the get go. This is the year before the band took off. Sundance wasn’t that big of a club maybe two or three hundred people. They played three shows that week. I had the privilege of seeing everyone of them. They played an unplugged set at the CBGB’s Record Canteen. That was cool because I hadn’t seen a band do that. Mind you this was before MTV unplugged. I think it was part of the New Music Seminar week. They also played Brooklyn L’Amour’s. What I remember about Sundance GnR show was that the guitars were slightly out of tune making them sound huge. I also remember Slash threw up, (vomited) during the middle of a song and never missed a note. That was insane. That night the toilets backed up. The stench was horrible and there were inches of muck spewing out onto the floor. I spoke with Duff after the show, he said, “we’ve played some shitholes but these one takes the cake. I thought, yeah he’s right. Oh… I got to go backstage that night because the band opening was a band I had just directed a video for, Japanese band EZO. Good guys but hardly ever understood a word they said.
I found out Saturday that the lead singer in my first pro band, Gypsy, died of cancer. Alan Parillo was a great guy who had a good voice, and amazing look, and tons of charisma. He had a good ten years on me but always treated me like an equal. He was funny and charming, I loved his stories about seeing the first Zep tour, we hit Grove together when the Grove was cool, and I got my feet wet while still in High School playing clubs until 3 in the morning. What a time! We lost touch over the years but reconnected recently. He sounded a bit frail but I had no idea of the severity of his illness. I shared my most recent film with him which he loved and I’m glad he had a chance to see it. Rest easy my old friend
Alan Parillo Alan and Pamela Alan and Peter Spirer
Have you ever wanted to go back in time? We did. On April 2, our whole band got to spend one night back on stage as if it were 1984. After many years of not playing together we got up on stage at Churchills in Miami, for one more round. It was hot, it was fast, and thankfully it was well received. We had friends and fans fly in from as far as California and New York. The crowd was loud, the energy electric, and we had more fun than I ever imagined. It was truly like going back in time.
I want to thank everyone who attended. I want to thank my long time friend and sound man extraordinaire Tom Winch. You did an amazing job. Thanks to the camera people that night and my good friend Giorgio Sferra. Thanks to our road crew, who were as much a part of the group as the band members . While Will Hart was helping our drummer Scott Levy, Glenn Brosnick my old guitar tech, saved the day for me when he noticed the guts of my guitar spill out just as we were about to begin. Usually I’m the one with the screw loose, but this time it was my pink paisley tele. I yelled, “get some duct tape”, Glenn slapped some on and it worked without a hitch. Our manager Joe Ohrin flew in from Pennsylvania. I always love spending time with Joe, this time was no different. Funny and always positive, he kept us all amused. Richard Shelter and Rob Elba deserve a ton of thanks for putting this thing together. My wife for spending time with me reliving the rock dream. My mother and Mike for always being there. But most importantly I want to thank the four other guys, my brothers, who played so fucking well that night, Hanz, Soctt, Craig and Zane. We have our issues like any family, but your talent and passion is undeniable. It was a privilege to play with you guys and playing together again it occurred to me that it’s a fucking crime we didn’t see more glory. But we had incredible times together, some of them documented on this blog, and I would not trade any of it for anything. If you were there you know what I mean. 
ZToyz at Churchills!
We hope to see you at the Miami Punk Rock High Reunion Weekend! ZTOYZ will feature Hanz, Peter, Craig, Scott and special guest, Zane Suarez.
Richard Shelter asked if members of Z-Toyz might have interest in reuniting April 1st, 2017. Not sure it’s going to happen but we are going to try and make it work. Hanz, Zane, Peter and Scott are in. Let’s see! We will keep you posted.
One of Z Toyz finest bass players was Craig Kiell. Craig was nicknamed, Fingers of Steel, because he played without a pick. The only one who didn’t like his style of playing was Ric Browde. While recording some demos he gave Craig a hard time in the studio. But Craig persevered, played with a pick and got through the sessions. Well after Z Toyz, Craig continued playing music. One of his gigs is playing in a U2 cover band called Unforgettable Fire. U2 recently played eight sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. On an off night, the Edge and Adam Clayton joined Craig’s band on stage. They were playing a club of about 450 people. Some in attendance said they felt like they had won the lottery. Check the link….http://www.uf2.com/
From lead singer Hanz…
The infamous t-shirt
When we first heard that we were opening for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, someone at the UM Student Entertainment Committee told us that they would be giving out or selling concert t-shirts with us listed as the opening act for the Blackhearts. Joan apparently found out about this and was furious. She told the University that she was not going to allow a “girl band” to open up for her (I guess she assumed a band named Z Toyz was all-female). When she found out we were all male, she relented but insisted that the t-shirts were out. The UM gave us a few, and I still have the one I got (pictured).
The story about John being found in Joan’s dressing room puts other happenings that evening into perspective. We were all in our “dressing room” (really just another eating room in the main cafeteria), hanging out after our set. We looked over and noticed Joan stretching in the doorway to our room. I thought “why here of all places? Can’t she stretch in her own dressing room, or just about anywhere else in this huge building besides across the threshold of the room we are in!? Why is she being such an asshole?” Scott had a different take. After seeing Joan pushing territorial limits, he walked over to the doorway, lit up a cigarette and attempted to make small talk with Joan while she was getting ready for her show. She was not amused.
Hanz
ZTOYZ 