Michael Algar

Michael Algar
Michael Algar in 2017
Background information
Also known as	Olga
Born	(1962-09-21) 21 September 1962 (age 54) South Shields, England
Genres	Punk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Secret Records Limited, Captain Oi!
Associated acts	The Toy Dolls, The Dickies

Michael "Olga" Algar (born 21 September 1962 in Marsden, South Shields, England) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter who fronts the band The Toy Dolls. Mainly a lead/rhythm guitarist, Olga is also a songwriter and record producer. Algar lived in the City of Sunderland during most of his life before moving to Tokyo, Japan, in 2000. He then moved to central London in 2002 where he has lived since.

Michael Algar, 'Olga', began playing music "around the age of 11 after seeing Mud, Sweet, Slade and Suzi Quatro on Top of the Pops, a UK pop TV show". He had started songwriting/composing by the age of 17. He played in various local bands including Straw Dogs and The Showbiz Kids before forming The Toy Dolls in October 1979. Over their 35-year existence The Toy Dolls have toured the world extensively and released numerous albums and singles. Olga has written all the band's albums which include such titles as Absurd-Ditties, Fat Bob's Feet, Idle Gossip and Anniversary Anthems. Following the debut album Dig That Groove Baby, the band had a top 10 single in the UK in 1984, "Nellie the Elephant", reaching number 4 in the UK charts. This was followed by the album A Far Out Disc reaching number 71 in the UK Album charts.

Olga has produced most of The Toy Dolls albums and also recordings for other artists too, including the double A side single "Take A Walk/Round, Round, Round" by Gem Archer of Beady Eye and Oasis and the albums Toy Doll and Tori Ningen by Japanese punk band Lolita No.18. In 2010 he was executive engineer on the album Crash & Burn by North East UK punk band Crashed Out.