Tygers Of Pan Tang
Encyclopedia
Tygers of Pan Tang are a heavy metal
band, formed in 1978 and originating from Whitley Bay
, England
. They are a notable band of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
movement. The band is named after the pets of the Wizards of Pan Tang - an elite group of chaos-worshipping warriors from Michael Moorcock
's Elric of Melniboné
stories.
before MCA
gave them a major record deal. After several singles, they released their first album, Wild Cat
, in 1980. The album reached No. 18 in the UK Album Chart in the first week of its release.
Subsequently John Sykes
(formerly of Streetfighter, later in Badlands, Thin Lizzy
, Whitesnake
, and Blue Murder) was added as second guitarist. Jess Cox had a falling out with the others and quit, to be replaced by Persian Risk
vocalist Jon Deverill. This lineup released Spellbound
in 1981.
Sykes quit after the release of the third album, Crazy Nights
, to audition for Ozzy Osbourne
's band. He was replaced by ex-Penetration
guitarist Fred Purser who had to learn the set in two days before touring.
Tygers of Pan Tang's fourth album, The Cage
, was released in 1982. The band then had a disagreement with MCA, who were not prepared to promote them unless they agreed to play more cover recordings (following the band's hit with "Love Potion No. 9
"). They subsequently tried to break free from their contract, but MCA's demands exceeded the willingness of any other record company to pay to free the band, and the band broke up in frustration.
John Sykes later achieved success with Thin Lizzy
and then Whitesnake
, and as a guitarist in Japan.
The reformed Tygers of Pan Tang released The Wreck-Age
in summer 1985 through Music for Nations
, and Burning in the Shade
in 1987, through Zebra Records
. Burning in the Shade received poor reviews and they disbanded again.
Various compilations and live albums were produced by the band's two first labels, Neat Records and MCA.
festival, Jess Cox joined on stage with Blitzkrieg
, playing three old Tygers songs. The audience's response was very positive, and a year later, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tygers of Pan Tang and the 10th Wacken Open Air, the band was invited to play on the main stage. Brian Dick and Rocky were unable to join the band, but the Tygers (now Jess Cox and Robb Weir, backed up by Blitzkrieg guitarist Glenn S Howes, bassist Gavin Gray, and drummer Chris Percy) did perform. Recordings of their performance resulted in the Live at Wacken album.
In 2001, Robb Weir reformed the band as the only original member. The other musicians were Tony Lidell (vocals), Dean Robertson (lead guitar), Brian West (bass), and Craig Ellis (drums). They released Mystical through Z-Records. They toured in several festivals, but eventually were dropped by Z-Records in 2002, due to poor record sales.
The band went on to produce the split album The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM
with Girlschool
and Oliver/Dawson Saxon
on Communique Records, and in 2004 released Noises in the Cathouse with new singer Richie Wicks.
Later that year, Richie Wicks left and was replaced by Italian vocalist Jacopo Meille. Wicks later joined Shadowkeep
, appearing on their 2008 album The Hourglass Effect, before leaving in 2009. As of 2010, he was the vocalist in Heavenly Hell, a Dio
-era Black Sabbath
tribute band.
Jon Devrill went on to work as an actor under the name of John Deville, and as of October 2007 was performing in 'The Sound Of Music' at the London Palladium with Television star Connie Fisher
.
In October 2007, the band issued a limited edition five track EP
titled Back and Beyond, which featured reworkings of three Tygers songs from the early 1980s, along with two new tracks taken from their forthcoming album. Animal Instinct was released on 19 May 2008, the first with vocalist Jacopo Meille.
On July 15, 2011 it was announced that Tygers Of Pan Tang have signed an agreement with Rocksector Records for the worldwide release of their next studio album, with a current working title of "Ambush", provisionally planned for February/March 2012.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, formed in 1978 and originating from Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay is a town in North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the North Sea coast and has a fine stretch of golden sandy beach forming a bay stretching from St. Mary's Island in the north to Cullercoats in the south...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They are a notable band of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
movement. The band is named after the pets of the Wizards of Pan Tang - an elite group of chaos-worshipping warriors from Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
's Elric of Melniboné
Elric of Melniboné
Elric of Melniboné is a fictional character created by Michael Moorcock, and the antihero of a series of sword and sorcery stories centering in an alternate Earth. The proper name and title of the character is Elric VIII, 428th Emperor of Melniboné...
stories.
Early days, 1978-1983
The band was originally formed by Jess Cox (vocals), Robb Weir (guitar), Richard "Rocky" Laws (bass), and Brian Dick (drums). They played in working men's clubs and were first signed by local independent label Neat RecordsNeat Records
Neat Records was a record label based near Newcastle, England. The label was established in 1979 by David Wood, who was the owner of Impulse Studios in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England. The establishment of Neat coincided with the arrival at Impulse of Songwriter/Producer Steve Thompson who guided...
before MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
gave them a major record deal. After several singles, they released their first album, Wild Cat
Wild Cat (Tygers of Pan Tang album)
Wild Cat is the debut album by the British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released in 1980. The album was re-issued in 1989 in a double-LP package with Spellbound and on CD in 1997 with bonus tracks.-Track listing:...
, in 1980. The album reached No. 18 in the UK Album Chart in the first week of its release.
Subsequently John Sykes
John Sykes
John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
(formerly of Streetfighter, later in Badlands, Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
, Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
, and Blue Murder) was added as second guitarist. Jess Cox had a falling out with the others and quit, to be replaced by Persian Risk
Persian Risk
Persian Risk were a heavy metal band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era formed in 1979 and hailing from Cardiff, Wales. The brainchild of ex-Stoned Soul Party guitarist Phil Campbell, he recruited vocalist Jon Deverill, second guitarist Dave Bell, bass player Nick Hughes, and drummer Razz...
vocalist Jon Deverill. This lineup released Spellbound
Spellbound (Tygers of Pan Tang album)
Spellbound is the second album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, produced in 1981 on MCA. Spellbound is the first of two full length Tygers of Pan Tang albums to feature John Sykes, who later joined Thin Lizzy....
in 1981.
Sykes quit after the release of the third album, Crazy Nights
Crazy Nights (Tygers of Pan Tang album)
Crazy Nights is an album by Tygers of Pan Tang.-Track listing:# "Do It Good" - 4:23# "Love Don't Stay" - 4:15# "Never Satisfied" - 3:46# "Running Out of Time" - 4:35# "Crazy Nights" - 4.34# "Down and Out" - 3:52# "Lonely Man" - 4:17...
, to audition for Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
's band. He was replaced by ex-Penetration
Penetration (band)
Penetration is a punk rock band from County Durham, England formed in 1976. They re-formed in 2001 with several new members.Their debut single, "Don’t Dictate", is now acknowledged as a classic punk rock single and their debut album, Moving Targets , is still widely admired-Biography:The lead...
guitarist Fred Purser who had to learn the set in two days before touring.
Tygers of Pan Tang's fourth album, The Cage
The Cage (album)
The Cage is a 1982 album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released on MCA. It is considered the finest album of the band, selling over 200,000 copies and giving birth to two top 50 songs in the UK, namely the covers of Leiber & Stoller's "Love Potion No 9" and the lesser known RPM...
, was released in 1982. The band then had a disagreement with MCA, who were not prepared to promote them unless they agreed to play more cover recordings (following the band's hit with "Love Potion No. 9
Love Potion No. 9 (song)
"Love Potion No. 9" is a song written in 1959 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed by The Clovers.-Story:The song describes a man seeking help finding love, so he talks to a Gypsy, who determines through palm reading that he needs "love potion number 9"...
"). They subsequently tried to break free from their contract, but MCA's demands exceeded the willingness of any other record company to pay to free the band, and the band broke up in frustration.
John Sykes later achieved success with Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
and then Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
, and as a guitarist in Japan.
Reformation, 1985-1987
In 1985, Jon Deverill and Brian Dick reformed the band with Steve Lamb (formerly of Sergeant) on guitar, Neil Sheppard on guitar, and ex-Warrior, ex-Satan member Clin Irwin on bass. Dave Donaldson later replaced Clin Irwin. Meanwhile, Robb Weir and Jess Cox formed the spin-off band Tyger-Tyger.The reformed Tygers of Pan Tang released The Wreck-Age
The Wreck-Age
The Wreck-Age is the fifth studio album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, produced in 1985 on MCA.-Track listing:# "Waiting"# "Protection"# "Innocent Eyes"# "Desert Of No Love"# "The Wreck-Age"# "Women In Cages"# "Victim"...
in summer 1985 through Music for Nations
Music For Nations
Music For Nations was a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. They were a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records who in turn is owned by BMG....
, and Burning in the Shade
Burning in the Shade
Burning in the Shade is the sixth studio album by the British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released in 1987.-Track listing:All songs by Deverill, Lamb and Thompson, except where indicated# "The First " - 3:32...
in 1987, through Zebra Records
Zebra Records
Zebra Records is a San Francisco-based record label....
. Burning in the Shade received poor reviews and they disbanded again.
Various compilations and live albums were produced by the band's two first labels, Neat Records and MCA.
Latter days, 1999-present
During the 1998 Wacken Open AirWacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
festival, Jess Cox joined on stage with Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg (band)
Blitzkrieg are a heavy metal band from Leicester formed in 1980, consisting of Brian Ross , Ken Johnson , Guy Laverick , Paul Brewis and Phil Brewis ....
, playing three old Tygers songs. The audience's response was very positive, and a year later, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tygers of Pan Tang and the 10th Wacken Open Air, the band was invited to play on the main stage. Brian Dick and Rocky were unable to join the band, but the Tygers (now Jess Cox and Robb Weir, backed up by Blitzkrieg guitarist Glenn S Howes, bassist Gavin Gray, and drummer Chris Percy) did perform. Recordings of their performance resulted in the Live at Wacken album.
In 2001, Robb Weir reformed the band as the only original member. The other musicians were Tony Lidell (vocals), Dean Robertson (lead guitar), Brian West (bass), and Craig Ellis (drums). They released Mystical through Z-Records. They toured in several festivals, but eventually were dropped by Z-Records in 2002, due to poor record sales.
The band went on to produce the split album The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM
The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM
The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM is a split studio album released in 2003 by British indie label Communiqué Records. The album contains five songs each from veteran bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Oliver/Dawson Saxon , Girlschool and Tygers of Pan Tang...
with Girlschool
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
and Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver/Dawson Saxon is an English heavy metal band formed in 1995 by former members of Saxon, guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson.-Oliver/Dawson Saxon :...
on Communique Records, and in 2004 released Noises in the Cathouse with new singer Richie Wicks.
Later that year, Richie Wicks left and was replaced by Italian vocalist Jacopo Meille. Wicks later joined Shadowkeep
Shadowkeep
Shadowkeep is a British heavy metal band, formed in Guildford, England, in 1999 by guitarists Chris Allen and Nikki Robson .-Early recordings, concerts and festival appearances:...
, appearing on their 2008 album The Hourglass Effect, before leaving in 2009. As of 2010, he was the vocalist in Heavenly Hell, a Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
-era Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
tribute band.
Jon Devrill went on to work as an actor under the name of John Deville, and as of October 2007 was performing in 'The Sound Of Music' at the London Palladium with Television star Connie Fisher
Connie Fisher
Connie Fisher is a Welsh actress and singer, who won the BBC One talent contest, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?...
.
In October 2007, the band issued a limited edition five track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled Back and Beyond, which featured reworkings of three Tygers songs from the early 1980s, along with two new tracks taken from their forthcoming album. Animal Instinct was released on 19 May 2008, the first with vocalist Jacopo Meille.
On July 15, 2011 it was announced that Tygers Of Pan Tang have signed an agreement with Rocksector Records for the worldwide release of their next studio album, with a current working title of "Ambush", provisionally planned for February/March 2012.
Members
| Original (1978–1980) |
|
|---|---|
| (1980–1981) |
John Sykes John James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career.... – guitar |
| (1981–1982) |
|
| (1982–1983) |
|
| (1984) |
|
| (1984–1985) |
Tygers of Pan Tang disbanded |
| (1985–1987) |
|
| (1987–1999) |
Tygers of Pan Tang disbanded |
| (1999) |
|
| (2000–2004) |
Dean Robertson Dean Robertson is a Scottish professional golfer.Robertson was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. He attended Midland College in Texas, United States on a golf scholarship... – guitar Brian West Brian West may refer to:*Brian West , American soccer player*Brian West , Canadian musician*Brian West , British cinematographer-See also:*Bryan West , England rugby player... – bass Craig Ellis Craig Ellis is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Football career:... – drums |
| (2004) |
Shadowkeep Shadowkeep is a British heavy metal band, formed in Guildford, England, in 1999 by guitarists Chris Allen and Nikki Robson .-Early recordings, concerts and festival appearances:... – vocals |
| Current (2004–present) |
|
Current members
- Jacopo Meille - Vocals (2004–present)
- Robb Weir - Guitar (1978–1983, 1999, 2000–present)
- Dean "Deano" Robertson - Guitar (2000–present)
- Brian West - Bass (2000–present)
- Craig Ellis - Drums (2000–present)
Vocals
- Richie WicksShadowkeepShadowkeep is a British heavy metal band, formed in Guildford, England, in 1999 by guitarists Chris Allen and Nikki Robson .-Early recordings, concerts and festival appearances:...
(2004) - Tony Liddell (2000–2004)
- John Deverill (1981–1983, 1984, 1985–1987)
- Jess Cox (1978–1981, 1999)
Guitar
- Glenn S Howes (1999)
- Steve Lamb (1984, 1985–1987)
- Neil Shepherd (1984, 1985–1987)
- Fred Purser (1982–1983)
- John SykesJohn SykesJohn James Sykes , is an English rock guitarist, who has played with Streetfighter, Tygers of Pan Tang, John Sloman's Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder, in addition to having a notable solo career....
(1980–1982)
Bass
- Gavin Gray (1999)
- Dave DonaldsonDave DonaldsonDave Donaldson is a retired English professional football right back.Donaldson began his career with Arsenal F.C. but never broke into the first team. In June 1973, he transferred to Millwall F.C. for ₤5,000. He where he went on to play 216 league games over six and a half seasons for Millwall...
(1985–1987) - Clin Irwin (1983–1985)
- Richard "Rocky" Laws (1978–1983)
Albums
- Wild CatWild Cat (Tygers of Pan Tang album)Wild Cat is the debut album by the British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released in 1980. The album was re-issued in 1989 in a double-LP package with Spellbound and on CD in 1997 with bonus tracks.-Track listing:...
- 1980 - #18 UK - Live at Nottingham Rock CityLive at Nottingham Rock CityLive at Nottingham Rock City is a Tygers of Pan Tang live album.-Track listing:# "Take It"# "Rock and Roll Man"# "Blackjack"# "Tyger Bay"# "Insanity"# "Euthenasia"# "Mirror"# "Wild Catz"# "Money"# "Don't Stop By"# "Gangland"...
- Live, 1981 - SpellboundSpellbound (Tygers of Pan Tang album)Spellbound is the second album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, produced in 1981 on MCA. Spellbound is the first of two full length Tygers of Pan Tang albums to feature John Sykes, who later joined Thin Lizzy....
- 1981 - #33 UK - Crazy NightsCrazy Nights (Tygers of Pan Tang album)Crazy Nights is an album by Tygers of Pan Tang.-Track listing:# "Do It Good" - 4:23# "Love Don't Stay" - 4:15# "Never Satisfied" - 3:46# "Running Out of Time" - 4:35# "Crazy Nights" - 4.34# "Down and Out" - 3:52# "Lonely Man" - 4:17...
- 1981 - #51 UK - The CageThe Cage (album)The Cage is a 1982 album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released on MCA. It is considered the finest album of the band, selling over 200,000 copies and giving birth to two top 50 songs in the UK, namely the covers of Leiber & Stoller's "Love Potion No 9" and the lesser known RPM...
- 1982 - #13 UK - The Wreck-AgeThe Wreck-AgeThe Wreck-Age is the fifth studio album by British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, produced in 1985 on MCA.-Track listing:# "Waiting"# "Protection"# "Innocent Eyes"# "Desert Of No Love"# "The Wreck-Age"# "Women In Cages"# "Victim"...
- 1985 - First Kill (Re-release of early demo recordings) - 1986
- Burning in the ShadeBurning in the ShadeBurning in the Shade is the sixth studio album by the British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, released in 1987.-Track listing:All songs by Deverill, Lamb and Thompson, except where indicated# "The First " - 3:32...
- 1987 - On The Prowl: The Best Of (compilation) - 1999
- Mystical - 2001
- Live at Wacken - Live, 2001
- Live in the Roar - Live, 2003
- Noises From the Cathouse - 2004
- Detonated (compilation) - 2005
- Leg of the Boot: Live in Holland - Live, 2005
- Big Game Hunting (The Rarities) - 2005
- Animal Instinct - 2008
EPs
- Back And Beyond (limited edition of 3,000) - 2007
- The Wildcat Sessions - 2010
- The Spellbound Sessions (limited edition of 1,000) - 2011
Singles
- "Don't Touch Me There" / "Burning Up" / "Bad Times" - 1979
- "Rock 'N' Roll Man" / "All Right on the Night" / "Wild Cats" - 1980
- "Suzie Smiled" / "Tush" - 1980
- "Euthanasia" / "Straight as a Die" - 1980
- "Don't Stop By" / "Slave to Freedom" (live) / "Raised on Rock" (live) - 1981
- "Hellbound" / "Don't Give a Damn" / "Don't Take Nothing" / "Bad Times" - 1981 - #48 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
- "The Story So Far" / "Silver and Gold" / "All or NothingAll or Nothing (Small Faces song)"All or Nothing" is a hit song written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane of British mod group Small Faces in 1966.The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart two weeks after being released and due to a change in the TOTP chart that week, shared spot with The Beatles song "Yellow...
" - 1981 - "Love Don't Stay" / "Paradise Drive" - 1981
- "Do It Good" / "Slip Away" - 1982
- "Making Tracks" / "What You Sayin'" - 1982
- "Paris By Air" / Love's a Lie" - 1982 - #63 UK
- "Rendezvous" / "Life of Crime" - 1982 - #49 UK
- "Love Potion No. 9Love Potion No. 9 (song)"Love Potion No. 9" is a song written in 1959 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed by The Clovers.-Story:The song describes a man seeking help finding love, so he talks to a Gypsy, who determines through palm reading that he needs "love potion number 9"...
" / The Stormlands" - 1982 - #45 UK - "Lonely at the Top" / "You Always See What You Want" - 1983