The volatile punk-rocker-pole-dancer outfit is set to let loose with a tour, single, and record release.
The duo are ready to explode onto the stage after a hiatus. Dolly Daggerz, singer and dancer in the band, says her and guitarist Mickey are excited to be together again doing music. ‘‘We had two years off. I think I lost who I was a little bit so it was very much like coming back to who I am and finding that fire and drive with music again. When I don’t do music and don’t write songs and don’t create, then it just sucks. It’s just not who I am. It feels like I’m missing something.”
Being without Tokyo Taboo has been a revelation to Dolly. “I think it’s important to honour who you are and not lose that. It’s hard to keep going in the music industry. It’s really hard but it’s worth it when you write songs you’re really into and really believe in. It’s such an amazing thing. It’s such a gift.”
The difficulties and costs of recording and putting on shows are all too real.“The UK in particular has gotten more and more expensive and I think it’s really hard for bands now.” Says Dolly. “We get caught in this weird position. We need to pay our musicians. At the same time the venues charge a lot to hire them and travelling to the shows is actually expensive as well. The costs just add up.”
Dolly says pre-ticket sales are as important as ever. “It’s tricky to just hope for the best because you just know how much that show costs.”
“I think it’s important for people to know that when a band cancels a show, it’s not because they can’t be arsed and they just want to sit on the sofa and eat ice-cream. It’s just that they properly look at the presales and think ‘It’s not going to cover anything’ or ‘we’re probably going to be in debt’.”
For a punk band it can be even more of a challenge. “Especially if you’re a DIY artist without label funding. Maybe the label funding would give you some kind of sense of security.”
Merch sales can also become a bit of a lifeline. “We actually found out the other day that we have like a million streams across all our music. The streaming thing doesn’t make most bands money, therefore we have physical merch because it really does support the band. We’ve even sold things from studio sessions like signed snare skins, lyric sheets and those types of things. All of those things really help. People love it because it’s a unique item they can keep.”
“I think that’s a way bands can make money and recoup some of the money back from making a record.”
The band has a lot to say on their upcoming record, FVCK YOUR OPINION. “The songwriting is very… Well the title says it all really.” Dolly says. “It’s very fiery and has a lot of attitude. The premise is being authentically you, even if people don’t like that.”
Being authentic is key for the band. “I like the weirdos.” She says. “On Netflix there’s a Depeche Mode live thing. When the lead singer of Depeche Mode is performing he’s having such a good time spinning around and dancing but not in a really cool way but in a kind of geeky way. Being himself. I think that’s really inspiring.”
The album was recorded in Wales with producer Romesh Dodangoda. “We went with him because he’s in the UK and because he has worked with artists that we were leaning towards sound-wise. That modern rock sound. He’s an amazing producer because he’s worked with Bring Me the Horizon and Nova twins.”
A second album means so much to the band. “We’ve been wanting to write a second album for so long. I’m actually really glad that we waited a bit because I was able to develop my voice quite a lot by doing lots of live shows. I feel like my voice is completely different on this record in a good way.”
The band has worked tirelessly to get the record right. “When performing live, you vibe off the atmosphere and adrenaline. You get that push to go for it. When you’re recording it’s you and the producer so it isn’t the same. You have to generate that energy.”
“It was hard. We had a lot of late nights towards the end to get it finished.”
The band are very happy with what they were able to achieve with Dodangoda. “I think he has put a stamp on it that is very 2026 and very modern and exciting when you listen to it. Especially our new single Wings. The song is amazing.”
The band is set to play some smaller venue shows on their Wings tour. “I feel like it’s a really good chance to actually see us and meet us properly before things go and explode with the new album.”
Dolly has made sure to book as many female artists to play with them on the tour as possible. “I try to book women in every band. Every band has a female person in it.”
“The statistics are really disheartening since it’s something like eighty-percent males in the big festival line-ups. I don’t think it’s because there aren’t enough women out there. I think it’s just that the festivals feel like it’s a risk.”
Dolly is also collaborating on an upcoming festival, Loud Women. “They create festivals and showcase nights with the premise of having female bands. If you go to a festival by Loud Women you’ll find mostly women on stage.”
This will be Dolly’s first time collaborating on the upcoming festival in which the band will also perform. “Because I’m a pole dancer, I’m trying to combine rock and roll music with dancers. It’s going to be a nice fusion of two things I really love. It’ll be interesting to see how it goes because it’s a cool concept that I haven’t seen done before.”
The upcoming tour marks an exciting time for Tokyo Taboo. “Our shows are always fun.” Says Dolly. “Every night is going to be different with a different support. With the chaos of our shows, it’s different every time so it’s definitely one not to be missed.
TOKYO TABOO SHOWS
Thu 16 Apr – The Saddle Inn (Chester)
Fri 17 Apr – The Old Salutation (Nottingham)
Sun 19 Apr – Wharf Chambers (Leeds)
Mon 20 Apr – Daltons (Brighton)
Fri 24 Apr – The Water Rats (London)
LOUD WOMEN : ROCK N POLE
Sat 13 Jun – Daltons (Brighton)
