Band Toddsplanet returns to soulful rock in their latest show

Typically a hub for ostentatious personalities, Hollywood is an unassuming place for exclusive live shows. Even more unusual for the flashy city is a soulful rock band playing in an intimate setting. As the touring guitarist for The Offspring and an enthusiastic member of the rock scene, Todd Morse seamlessly brought this unusual concept to life with his band Toddsplanet, breathing fresh air into what can admittedly turn into a stale club scene.

Toddsplanet reintroduces a style of soul music to the rock music scene that hasn’t been done in a while, which is why people are embracing it with open arms.

“History is cyclical,” Morse said. “The electronic lean-in music right now is going to create a hunger for the opposite.”

Morse’s band originally started out as a passion project. Cozied up to a lively crowd at The Sayers Club for one of their shows, the band chose the perfect setting for a show that needed to maintain high energy while keeping the environment personable. Consisting of a ten-piece band, the group merges a horns section and backup vocalists with the typical rock band elements to bring rock music back to its soul-driven roots.

“Somewhere along the way, the sexuality of rock ’n’ roll connected with the spirituality of gospel,” Morse said. “For me, that’s the most powerful thing, and it’s what makes you want to dance and what uplifts you.”

Trying to preserve that feeling while maintaining their artistic voice, the band specializes in making well-executed, inventive covers of classics as well as performing original songs. As the lead in producing and arranging the songs, Morse crafts material that’s well above the typical cover band quality. His musical influences, such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley and Wilson Pickett, and fierce dedication to preserving quality has helped Morse become a seasoned songwriter and skilled at preparing covers that are fresh yet fun and still recognizable.

Opening up with high energy, the band burst into “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones, quickening the tempo of the lines to allow audience members to get lost in the rhythm. Morse leaned into the crowd and teased out lyrics, making the audience a part of his performance. As his passion project, it’s easy to see Morse’s love for his music as he feeds off the energy from the crowd and mingles among his band members.

To keep the audience on their feet, the band breaks into an original feel-good tune “Good Love,” featuring The Voice contestant Maiya Sykes. It felt like good friends jamming out at home just for fun. The band looked happy to be there — they exuded sincere passion for their art. The stage is level with the audience, bringing them even closer to the strong female vocals and infectious melody. With her voice gliding across her dynamic vocal range, Sykes was full-force and in her element.

This show also served as the debut of the band’s new song. What Morse claims as the closest he’s gotten to a Motown song, “Love Gets Loud,” is about unabashedly feeling love and embracing it. Rock ’n’ roll truly thrives off a solid groove and a band that feels every part of their performance, evidenced entirely by the contented faces of the band members. No one was merely performing. Everyone in the band was feeling and experiencing everything along with the audience.

With sights set on providing people with a good time, Toddsplanet is dedicated to keeping rock ‘n’ roll a soulful experience. Bringing a fresh energy to the Hollywood scene, the band merits attention for successfully collaborating within such a large group. The true marksmanship of any band is its ability to keep a crowd engaged and excited; Toddsplanet excelled at keeping the crowds focused on being present with their music circulating the house.