Tyla Gang
Sean Tyla | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Michael Kenneth Tyler 3 August 1947 |
| Died | 17 May 2020 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Known for | Guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist; member of Ducks Deluxe, Tyla Gang |
Sean Tyla (born John Michael Kenneth Tyler, 3 August 1947 – 17 May 2020) was a prominent English rock musician known for his skills as a guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist, and songwriter. Often referred to as the "Godfather of Boogie," he gained recognition primarily through his involvement with Ducks Deluxe and Tyla Gang. Additionally, he collaborated with artists such as Help Yourself, Joan Jett, and Deke Leonard, while also establishing a solo career.
Early career
Tyla’s early professional experiences included touring with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band. In 1970, he released his debut single "Miracles" with Third World—a band unrelated to the later reggae group—under the CBS label. Around this period, he also recorded an album with Maynard Ferguson that ultimately remained unreleased.
Help Yourself
In 1971, Tyla became involved with Help Yourself initially as a road crew member. The band’s psychedelic instrumental piece "All Electric Fur Trapper" drew inspiration from a fantasy story Tyla was developing; excerpts of this narrative were included in the liner notes of their Strange Affair album. He appeared on their performance for the Sounds of the Seventies program and co-authored the track "American Mother" featured on the Beware the Shadow album. Furthermore, Tyla contributed to their fifth studio project recorded in 1973, which remained unreleased until its completion and eventual release as 5 in 2004.
Ducks Deluxe
In February 1972, Sean Tyla established Ducks Deluxe alongside Ken Whaley (bass), Martin Belmont (guitar), and Michael Cousins (percussion), all connected to Help Yourself. After Cousins’ departure, Tim Roper took over on drums, and Nick Garvey was added to the lineup. Ducks Deluxe became key figures in the UK Pub rock movement, celebrated for their dynamic live shows. Their discography includes three albums; they made a single appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test and recorded two sessions for John Peel’s radio show. The group disbanded in 1975.
Tyla Gang
Following Ducks Deluxe’s breakup, Sean Tyla founded Tyla Gang in late 1975, recruiting his brother Gary, drummer Phil Nedin, and bassist Peter O'Sullivan from the Welsh band Jack Straw. In 1976, Richard Treece from Help Yourself joined the ensemble. Subsequent lineup changes saw guitarist Tweke Lewis, formerly of Man, come aboard. Working with producer Tony Platt, they recorded six tracks including "Suicide Jockey" and "Cannons of the Boogie Night," two of which were issued as a double B-side single via Stiff Records. Tyla also took on production duties for Plummet Airlines’ eighth single released by Stiff.
By April 1977, "Cannons of the Boogie Night" and "Suicide Jockey" were released through Skydog Records. Later that year, a second iteration of Tyla Gang formed featuring Bruce Irvine on guitar, Brian "Kid" Turrington on bass, and Mike Desmarais on drums. Despite initially lacking a record deal, the band attracted positive critical attention and performed two Peel Sessions during 1977. They eventually signed with Beserkley Records based in California and released their first album, Yachtless, in 1978. Music critic Robert Christgau observed the band's shift toward polished power chord arrangements but expressed reservations about some of their lyrics.
During sessions for their follow-up album Moonproof, Turrington departed and was replaced by Whaley to complete the recording; this lineup also recorded a Peel Session in August 1978. Richard Treece rejoined as well; however, Beserkley UK’s bankruptcy in 1979 resulted in the band's breakup.
In 2010, Tyla Gang reunited with its original members for a tour across Sweden. John McCoy substituted for Brian Turrington in 2013. Since this reunion, they have issued two albums: Rewired (2010), comprising previously unreleased studio and live material, and Stereo Tactics (2013), a studio release. Their live album Live In Stockholm was released through Angel Air Records in 2015. To coincide with Sean Tyla’s 70th Birthday Tour in 2016, they planned to release a comprehensive three-CD anthology titled Pool Hall Punks via Cherry Red Records.
Solo career
Encouraged by Roger Daltrey, who provided him with access to The Who's Ramport Studio, Tyla embarked on a solo journey. He recorded sessions in California with Mike Nesmith and secured a contract for five albums with Polydor, ultimately releasing three. His first solo effort, Just Popped Out, included contributions from former collaborators such as Nick Garvey and Pete Thomas. The album featured the US charting single "Breakfast in Marin," which also reached the top ten in Germany in 1980 before being pulled due to a plagiarism dispute concerning its title.
Tyla also made guest appearances on Joan Jett's 1980 release, later reissued as Bad Reputation (1981), and on her album I Love Rock 'n' Roll (1981). His sophomore album, Redneck in Babylon (1981), showcased a more streamlined band lineup but did not receive the same level of praise. In 1983, he followed up with his third solo album, Rhythm of the Swing.
The Force
In 1981, while continuing his solo projects and collaborations with Joan Jett, Tyla co-established The Force alongside Man guitarist Deke Leonard, bassist Micky Groome, and drummer Paul Simmons. Following an extensive touring period, they released their self-titled album The Force along with the single "Close to a Headline" specifically for the German market.
During a 1982 performance in Camden, Tyla was afflicted by intense stage fright, prompting him to stop performing live. Subsequently, The Force transformed into Deke Leonard's Iceberg. By 1985, Tyla withdrew from the music scene entirely and shifted his focus toward a career in web design.
Return
Tyla made his comeback in 2007, assembling a fresh Tyla Gang lineup that included Vaughan Lonsdale, Mick Yarre, Dave Rickaby, and Ken Ward. This group released the album Back in the Saddle (2008) through Tyla's own Hawkhead Records.
After moving southward, he created another iteration of Tyla Gang featuring Howard Gillespie, Gary Gahan, and Dave Ironside from the Bournemouth band Relentless. This ensemble played only a handful of shows before Tyla rejoined Ducks Deluxe for their 35th anniversary celebration in October 2007 alongside Martin Belmont, Micky Groome, and Billy Rankin. This reunion sparked tours throughout France and Spain in 2008 and Sweden in 2009, with Kevin Foster and Jim Russell joining the lineup. Ducks Deluxe issued the mini CD Box of Shorts (2009) and followed it with Side Tracks And Smokers (2010), an album comprising previously unreleased tracks alongside new material. A live recording titled Riviera Shuffle, captured in Monte Carlo during 2009, was made available exclusively via eBay. Another live album, Rockin' At The Moon, recorded at London's Half Moon venue in 2012, was released by Mystic Records in 2013.
In 2013, Tyla toured simultaneously with both Tyla Gang and Ducks Deluxe; however, Ducks Deluxe disbanded permanently at Christmas that year. He then co-founded Trouble Boys based in Stockholm alongside Billy Bremner and Swedish musicians; they released the album Bad Trouble in 2012 and toured extensively until Tyla left the group in 2015.
Death
Tyla passed away on 17 May 2020 due to chronic liver disease, as reported by British music journalist Will Birch.
Book
Sean Tyla’s autobiography titled Jumpin' in the Fire (ISBN 9780956642004) was published by Soundcheck Books on 20 October 2010. The cover art was created by Stiff Records designer Tobbe Stuhre and featured a foreword written by Will Birch. The concluding volume was issued in 2016.
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
- Moonproof (1978) Beserkley
- Stereo Tactics (2013) Ball & Chain Records
- Solo releases by Sean Tyla
- Just Popped Out (1980) Polydor
- Redneck in Babylon (1981) RCA
- Rhythm of the Swing (1983) RCA
- Back in the Saddle (2007) Hawkhead
- Collaborations with Joan Jett
- Bad Reputation (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
- With Trouble Boys
- Bad Trouble (2012) Ball and Chain Records
- Various artist compilations
- Christmas at the Patti (1973) UA
- A Bunch of Stiff Records (1976) Stiff
- Hits Greatest Stiffs (1977) Stiff
- Spitballs (1978) Beserkley
- Beserk Times – Live over Germany (1978) Beserkley
- Beserkley's Back (1978) Beserkley
- Hope & Anchor Front Row Festival (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)