Toadies

Fort Worth alt-rock band Toadies return with The Charmer, their most personal and visceral album to date. Recorded at Electrical Audio with legendary producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey), the album captures the band playing live in the room—no computers, just tape—delivering their raw, Southern-tinged grunge sound at its most immediate. Formed in 1989, Toadies built a devoted following with their platinum-selling debut Rubberneck and the radio staple “Possum Kingdom,” blending Pixies-style dynamics with Texas grit, classic rock, and dark, off-kilter storytelling. Their sound—heavy yet nuanced, unpredictable yet deeply melodic—has set them apart from their alt-rock peers for decades. The Charmer marks a full-circle moment: a 30-year dream realized with Albini behind the board. The record leans into the band’s live energy, with amps in the room and performances captured together, creating a tense, electric atmosphere throughout. Released via Austin’s Spaceflight Records, a nonprofit label focused on artist ownership and fair royalties, The Charmer reflects both creative freedom and a forward-thinking approach to the music industry. Made on their own terms, with their dream producer, and released through a hands-off label that puts the artist first, The Charmer is the most defiantly “Toadies” Toadies album yet.