Sean Tyla
Encyclopedia
Sean Tyla is an English
rock
guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, sometimes known as the “Godfather of Boogie”. Best known for his work with Ducks Deluxe
and Tyla Gang, he has also played with Help Yourself
, Joan Jett
, and Deke Leonard
, and appeared solo.
, but made his first record "Miracles" with a band called Third World (not the reggae band Third World
formed in 1973) which was released on CBS
in 1970, He also recorded an unreleased album with Maynard Ferguson
.
, who based their psychedelic instrumental number "All Electric Fur Trapper" on a fantasy tale Tyla was writing, part of which appeared in the sleeve of their Strange Affair album. He played on Help Yourself’s Sounds of the Seventies
broadcast and co-wrote "American Mother" on their Beware the Shadow Album. He also recorded part of their fifth album, recorded in 1973, but the album was shelved until it was finally completed and released as 5 in 2004.
and percussionist Michael Cousins. Cousins was replaced by drummer Tim Roper
and Nick Garvey also joined. Ducks Deluxe were one of the founding acts of the Pub rock
circuit, with more up-tempo, energetic performances than many other pub rock acts. They recorded three albums, one The Old Grey Whistle Test and two Peel Sessions. Ducks Deluxe split in 1975.
.
Their first single "Styrofoam" / "Texas Chainsaw Massacre Boogie" (1976) was the fourth record released on Stiff Records
, although the single was a one off deal with Stiff, not a long term contract. Tyla also produced Stiff's eighth single Plummet Airlines
’ "Silver Shirt" / "This Is The World". Although unsigned, the Gang attracted critical attention and played two Peel Sessions in 1977 (30 May and 4 October). They eventually signed a contract with the Californinan based Beserkley label in 1977 and released their first album, Yachtless in 1978, which received very good reviews, but no chart success. Part way through recording their next album Moonproof, Turrington left and Whaley joined to finish the album, and this line-up record a Peel Session on 9 August 1978. Richard Treece, another former member of Help Yourself also joined, before Beserkley's UK operation went bankrupt in 1979, and Tyla disbanded the Gang shortly after.
In 2010 the Tyla Gang rejoined in their original line-up, touring Sweden during the fall.
who allowed him use of The Who
’s Rampart Studio. He recorded in California with Mike Nesmith and signed a five album deal with Polydor, although he only released three albums. The first album, Just Popped Out, was recorded with assistance from many musicians, including several former bandmates such as Nick Garvey, Micky Groome
, Malcolm Morley
, Tim Roper and Pete Thomas
. Just Popped Out included Tyla's first US hit single, "Breakfast In Marin", which also became a top ten single in Germany in 1980, but the single had to be withdrawn after Tyla was sued “for supposedly plagiarising the title from a play.”
Tyla guested on Joan Jett
's eponymous 1980 album, re-released as Bad Reputation
in 1981, and I Love Rock 'n' Roll in 1981.
The Gang's second album, Redneck In Babylon (1981), was critically less acclaimed than the first, and used a smaller band comprising Tyla, Paul Simmons, Gerald Moffett, Micky Groome, John Earle, Carlene Carter
and Rebop Kwaku Baah
whilst his third album Rhythm Of The Swing was released in 1983.
guitarist Deke Leonard
formed The Force, together with Micky Groome (bass) and Paul Simmons (drums). After extensive touring, they recorded an eponymous album, The Force, recorded and released in Germany, and the single “Close To A Headline”.
In 1982 Tyla suffered severe stage fright
at Dingwalls
in Camden
“in the middle of the set Sean shuffled up to me and whispered in my ear, 'I'm just going off' .... When we got backstage Sean was a real mess, said he couldn't face it any more." Tyla stopped performing live and The Force mutated into another Deke Leonard’s Iceberg.
Tyla retired from the music business in 1985, and became a web-designer. According to his autobiography, he also became a cricket coach.
Tyla also played with Ducks Deluxe, when they reformed in October 2007, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their original formation. Tyla rejoining Martin Belmont, Micky Groome and Billy Rankin
. The success of this anniversary gig led to further concerts in France and Spain in 2008 and a tour of Sweden in 2009, by when the line up was Tyla and Belmont with bassist Kevin Foster (of Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys) and drummer Jim Russell (of Stretch
and The Inmates
) They released a mini CD of new tracks Box Of Shorts in 2009 and a full album, Side Tracks And Smokers in 2010, comprising a mixture of unreleased early recordings and current material.
As of October 2010, Tyla was still touring with both Tyla Gang and Ducks Deluxe.
.
With Little Bob Story
With Tyla Gang
Sean Tyla
With Joan Jett
With Help Yourself
With Deke Leonard
With Martin Belmont
Various artist compilations
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, sometimes known as the “Godfather of Boogie”. Best known for his work with Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe
Ducks Deluxe were an English pub rock band of the 1970s, who have recently reformed. Usually called "The Ducks" by their fans, they were known for up-tempo, energetic performances, and the successful careers of their members, after they disbanded.-History:...
and Tyla Gang, he has also played with Help Yourself
Help Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
, Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, and Deke Leonard
Deke Leonard
Roger "Deke" Leonard is a rock musician, "serving a life sentence in the music business." Best known as a member of the progressive rock band Man, which he joined and left several times, and for fronting his own rock and roll band Iceberg, which he formed and disbanded several times, he is also...
, and appeared solo.
Early career
He initially toured with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam BandGeno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band were an English based soul band, active from 1965 to 1968.-Career:The Ram Jam Band were formed around 1964 and evolved out of a group called Les Blues who were formed to rival an English group with a Black American singer called Milton And The Continentals...
, but made his first record "Miracles" with a band called Third World (not the reggae band Third World
Third World (band)
Third World is a Jamaican reggae band formed in 1973. Their sound is influenced by soul, funk and disco.-History:Third World started when keyboard player Michael "Ibo" Cooper and guitarist Stephen "Cat" Coore, who had originally played in The Alley Cats then Inner Circle, subsequently left to form...
formed in 1973) which was released on CBS
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1970, He also recorded an unreleased album with Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
.
Help Yourself
In 1971 Tyla became a roadie with Help YourselfHelp Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
, who based their psychedelic instrumental number "All Electric Fur Trapper" on a fantasy tale Tyla was writing, part of which appeared in the sleeve of their Strange Affair album. He played on Help Yourself’s Sounds of the Seventies
Sounds of the Seventies
Sounds of the Seventies was a BBC radio programme broadcast on weekdays, 22:00-00:00, on Radio One during the early 1970s. Among the DJs were Alan Black, Pete Drummond, Anne Nightingale, John Peel , and Bob Harris...
broadcast and co-wrote "American Mother" on their Beware the Shadow Album. He also recorded part of their fifth album, recorded in 1973, but the album was shelved until it was finally completed and released as 5 in 2004.
Ducks Deluxe
In February 1972 Tyla formed Ducks Deluxe, initially with Help Yourself’s bassist Ken Whaley, guitarist Martin BelmontMartin Belmont
Martin Belmont is a rock 'n' roll and country-blues guitarist.After working as a roadie for Brinsley Schwarz, in 1972 he formed Ducks Deluxe, issuing two albums on RCA...
and percussionist Michael Cousins. Cousins was replaced by drummer Tim Roper
Tim Roper
Tim Roper was the former drummer of the English pub rock band Ducks Deluxe , as well as in "Reds, Whites and Blues" with Adrian "Ade" Shaw....
and Nick Garvey also joined. Ducks Deluxe were one of the founding acts of the Pub rock
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
circuit, with more up-tempo, energetic performances than many other pub rock acts. They recorded three albums, one The Old Grey Whistle Test and two Peel Sessions. Ducks Deluxe split in 1975.
Tyla Gang
Following the breakup of Ducks Deluxe, Sean Tyla formed "Tyla Gang" initially with guitarist Bruce Irvine, bassist Brian "Kid" Turrington and drummer Mike Desmarais, Turrington and Desmarais having played together in The WinkiesThe Winkies
The Winkies were an English pub rock group. During their career, the group primarily consisted of Philip Rambow, Michael Desmarais, Guy Humphreys, and Brian Turrington.-Biography:...
.
Their first single "Styrofoam" / "Texas Chainsaw Massacre Boogie" (1976) was the fourth record released on Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
, although the single was a one off deal with Stiff, not a long term contract. Tyla also produced Stiff's eighth single Plummet Airlines
Plummet Airlines
Plummet Airlines, was a British pub rock band of the mid 1970s, which was originally formed in Nottingham. Band members later joined The Pogues and Darts.-History:...
’ "Silver Shirt" / "This Is The World". Although unsigned, the Gang attracted critical attention and played two Peel Sessions in 1977 (30 May and 4 October). They eventually signed a contract with the Californinan based Beserkley label in 1977 and released their first album, Yachtless in 1978, which received very good reviews, but no chart success. Part way through recording their next album Moonproof, Turrington left and Whaley joined to finish the album, and this line-up record a Peel Session on 9 August 1978. Richard Treece, another former member of Help Yourself also joined, before Beserkley's UK operation went bankrupt in 1979, and Tyla disbanded the Gang shortly after.
In 2010 the Tyla Gang rejoined in their original line-up, touring Sweden during the fall.
Solo career
Tyla embarked on a solo career, encouraged by Roger DaltreyRoger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
who allowed him use of The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
’s Rampart Studio. He recorded in California with Mike Nesmith and signed a five album deal with Polydor, although he only released three albums. The first album, Just Popped Out, was recorded with assistance from many musicians, including several former bandmates such as Nick Garvey, Micky Groome
Micky Groome
Micky Groome is an English bassist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer.- Early life and career :...
, Malcolm Morley
Malcolm Morley
Malcolm Morley is an English artist now living in the United States. He is best known as a photorealist.-Early life:Morley was born in north London. He had a troubled childhood, and did not discover art until serving a three-year stint in Wormwood Scrubs prison...
, Tim Roper and Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is best known as the longtime drummer for Elvis Costello. Tom Waits has referred to him as "one of the best rock drummers alive".-Career:...
. Just Popped Out included Tyla's first US hit single, "Breakfast In Marin", which also became a top ten single in Germany in 1980, but the single had to be withdrawn after Tyla was sued “for supposedly plagiarising the title from a play.”
Tyla guested on Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
's eponymous 1980 album, re-released as Bad Reputation
Bad Reputation (Joan Jett album)
Bad Reputation is the debut solo album by Joan Jett, originally self-released in 1980 as Joan Jett after her previous band The Runaways disbanded, then re-issued on Boardwalk Records in 1981 as Bad Reputation.-Background:...
in 1981, and I Love Rock 'n' Roll in 1981.
The Gang's second album, Redneck In Babylon (1981), was critically less acclaimed than the first, and used a smaller band comprising Tyla, Paul Simmons, Gerald Moffett, Micky Groome, John Earle, Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
and Rebop Kwaku Baah
Rebop Kwaku Baah
Anthony "Reebop" Kwaku Baah was a Ghanaian percussionist perhaps best known for working with the 1970s rock groups Traffic and Can.-Biography:...
whilst his third album Rhythm Of The Swing was released in 1983.
The Force
In 1981, in addition to recording his solo albums, and guesting with Joan Jett, Tyla and ManMan (band)
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group ‘’The Bystanders’’, Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances, and having had...
guitarist Deke Leonard
Deke Leonard
Roger "Deke" Leonard is a rock musician, "serving a life sentence in the music business." Best known as a member of the progressive rock band Man, which he joined and left several times, and for fronting his own rock and roll band Iceberg, which he formed and disbanded several times, he is also...
formed The Force, together with Micky Groome (bass) and Paul Simmons (drums). After extensive touring, they recorded an eponymous album, The Force, recorded and released in Germany, and the single “Close To A Headline”.
In 1982 Tyla suffered severe stage fright
Stage fright
Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially . In the context of public speaking, this fear is termed glossophobia, one of the most common...
at Dingwalls
Dingwalls
Dingwalls is a venue adjacent to Camden Lock in London, England. It houses bars, cafes, clubs . The building itself is one of many industrial Victorian buildings that were put to new use in the 20th century. The original owner of the building, T.E...
in Camden
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
“in the middle of the set Sean shuffled up to me and whispered in my ear, 'I'm just going off' .... When we got backstage Sean was a real mess, said he couldn't face it any more." Tyla stopped performing live and The Force mutated into another Deke Leonard’s Iceberg.
Tyla retired from the music business in 1985, and became a web-designer. According to his autobiography, he also became a cricket coach.
Return
In 2007 Tyla resumed public performances with a new Gang comprising Vaughan Lonsdale and Mick Yare (guitars), Dave Rickaby (bass) and Ken Ward (drums). They recorded a CD Back in the Saddle which was released in 2008 on Tyla's own label; Hawkhead Records.Tyla also played with Ducks Deluxe, when they reformed in October 2007, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their original formation. Tyla rejoining Martin Belmont, Micky Groome and Billy Rankin
Billy Rankin (drummer)
William Hector 'Billy' Rankin III was an English drummer and rock musician active in the 1960s and 1970sHe joined Kippington Lodge in 1968 and remained with them when they evolved into Brinsley Schwarz in 1969...
. The success of this anniversary gig led to further concerts in France and Spain in 2008 and a tour of Sweden in 2009, by when the line up was Tyla and Belmont with bassist Kevin Foster (of Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys) and drummer Jim Russell (of Stretch
Stretch (band)
Stretch were a 1970s British rock band that grew from the collaboration between Elmer Gantry and Kirby . Gantry was previously the frontman of Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera...
and The Inmates
The Inmates
The Inmates are a British garage rock/pub rock band, formed after the split up of The Flying Tigers in 1977. In the early 1980s, they had a medium sized international hit with a cover of The Standells' "Dirty Water", and a UK Top 40 hit with "The Walk"...
) They released a mini CD of new tracks Box Of Shorts in 2009 and a full album, Side Tracks And Smokers in 2010, comprising a mixture of unreleased early recordings and current material.
As of October 2010, Tyla was still touring with both Tyla Gang and Ducks Deluxe.
Book
Sean Tyla's autobiography Jumpin' In The Fire (ISBN 9780956642004) was published by Soundcheck Books on 20 October 2010. It features jacket artwork by the famous Stiff Records designer Tobbe Stuhre, and a foreword by Will BirchWill Birch
Will Birch is an English music journalist, songwriter, record producer and drummer.-Career:Birch played drums in various bands in the Southend area before helping to form The Kursaal Flyers in 1973...
.
Album discography
With Ducks Deluxe- Ducks Deluxe (1974) RCA
- All Too Much (1975)
- Jumpin' (EP) (1975) Skydog
- Taxi to the Terminal Zone (1975) RCA
- Don't Mind Rockin' Tonite (1978) RCA
- Last Night of a Pub Rock Band (1981)
- John Peel Sessions (2007) Hux
- Box of Shorts (2009) Hawkhead
- Side Tracks & Smokers (2010) Hawkhead
With Little Bob Story
- Off the Rails (1977)
- Living In The Fast Lane (1977) Crypto
- Vacant Heart (1983) RCA
With Tyla Gang
- Yachtless (1977) Beserkley Allmusic [ link]
- Moonproof (1978) Beserkley Allmusic [ link]
Sean Tyla
- Just Popped Out (1980) PolydorAllmusic [ link]
- Redneck in Babylon (1981) RCA Allmusic [ link]
- Rhythm of the Swing (1983) RCA Allmusic [ link]
- Back in the Saddle (2007) Hawkhead
With Joan Jett
- Bad ReputationBad Reputation (Joan Jett album)Bad Reputation is the debut solo album by Joan Jett, originally self-released in 1980 as Joan Jett after her previous band The Runaways disbanded, then re-issued on Boardwalk Records in 1981 as Bad Reputation.-Background:...
(1981) - I Love Rock 'n' Roll (1981)
With Help Yourself
- Strange Affair (1971)
- 5 (2004)
With Deke Leonard
- The Force (1981) DGG/Polydor
- Freedom and Chains (2005) Angel Air
With Martin Belmont
- Guest List (2009) Gold Top
Various artist compilations
- Christmas at the PattiChristmas at the PattiChristmas at the Patti is a live album, recorded at Man's Christmas party, held at the Patti Pavilion, Swansea, on 19 December 1972. 'The album features Man and Help Yourself with guests Deke Leonard, Dave Edmunds and B J Cole, together with appearances by Ducks Deluxe, The Jets, The Flying Aces...
(1973) UA - A Bunch of Stiff RecordsA Bunch of Stiff RecordsA Bunch of Stiff Records, also known as A Bunch of Stiffs, is a various artists album to promote some of the first acts to be signed by Stiff Records....
(1976) Stiff - Hits Greatest StiffsHits Greatest StiffsHits Greatest Stiffs is a various artists compilation album, drawn from ten of the first eleven Stiff Records singles, BUY 1 – BUY 11.The tracks follow the numerical order of the singles, but feature mostly the b sides, although several singles were originally issued as double a-sides...
(1977) Stiff - Spitballs (1978) Beserkley
- Beserk Times – Live over Germany (1978) Beserkley
- Beserkley’s Back (1978) Beserkley
- Hope & Anchor Front Row FestivalHope & Anchor Front Row FestivalHope & Anchor Front Row Festival is a hit double-LP of live recordings taken from various bands – mainly Power pop, Pub rock, Punk, and New wave groups - that played the Front Row Festival at Hope and Anchor, Islington between Tuesday 22 November and Thursday 15 December 1977...
(1978) Warner - Stiff Records Box Set (1992) Demon
- Naughty Rhythms: The Best of Pub Rock (1996) EMI
- Beserkley's Best (1998) Blackheart
- Glitterbest: 20 Pre Punk 'n' Glam Terrace Stompers (2004)
- The Big Stiff Box Set (2007)