Box of Toys were formed around the breakup of A Select Committee (active from 1981–83), a powerpop band consisting of members Brian Jones, Tim Lees, Steve Downey, Phil Martin and Andy Redhead.
[1][2] Two members from that band, Redhead and Martin, then teamed up with Roy Campbell and Brian Atherton to form Box of Toys.
Before releasing any material, the quartet recorded a session with John Peel in April 1983.
The band then released two singles, "I'm Thinking of You Now" (b/w "Old Man Rome") in August 1983, and "Precious Is the Pearl" (b/w "It Goes Without Saying" and "When Daylight Is Over") in 1984.
Andy Redhead formed the band 3D, with Johnny 'Riff' Reynolds and Brian Rawlins.