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Many years
ago there came forth a band that was to change the face of British Heavy
Metal. They were hailed across the globe for their unique style of rock
music and were leaders in the NWOBHM movement.
The band were called the Tygers of Pan Tang. The very mention of their
name sends shivers of excitement down the spines of many a hard rocker.
The Tygers are back and they're better than ever. Here we talk to
founding member Robb Weir about the band that is to bring fresh hope and
meaning back to the world of British Heavy Metal.
MM - When were the Tygers resurrected, what/who persuaded you that the
time was right to do so, and do you feel like you've been given a new
lease of life?
Well, it began in June 2000 in Newcastle when I stumbled across a rock
CD shop, the owner of which, Ian Dennis, I immediately got on with. I
ended up making regular visits and eventually one conversation led to
the subject of the Tygers. He was curious to know if I had any material
that had never been released after the demise of the band, so I told him
of the two different projects I had - both full albums, both never
released. On the strength of that conversation Ian contacted Mark Alger
of the independent record label: Z Records and asked him to chat things
over with me. No sooner had I walked through the front door when the
phone rang - it was Mark - and that started the ball rolling.
As for having 'a new lease of life,' definitely - yes. I now have the
luxury of working with a bunch of great musicians who collaborate with
each and everyone's ideas to get the best results and ultimately,
provide the opportunity to push forward the name of the Tygers of Pan
Tang for all the right reasons.
MM - Did you try to persuade any of the original members to join you in
the new Tygers when you were first setting it up or did you decide just
to go it alone with a new set of team players?
Initially yes, I did approach the original members first but,
unfortunately, it was a problem for most of them because of their
varying commitments, and although original drummer Brian Dick was
interested in becoming involved, allocated studio dates conflicted with
his personal commitments. So, at that point I had to consider new
players for the session.
Brian (West/Bass), Dean (Robertson/Guitar) and Craig (Ellis/Drums) were
drafted in.
I particularly remember Brian and Craig responding straight away to the
tracks played to them and making really positive suggestions to change
them here and there a little, making all the difference to the feel. I
remember thinking to myself…," these guys are great I wonder if
they would join the Tygers on a permanent basis!". So I asked them
- and the rest is history!
MM - Talking of team players the band got off to a bit of a bumpy start
with the first lead singer Tony. Although on the album his voice was as
solid as a rock and impressive to say the least, at the Z Rocks festival
2001, he really didn't seem to be in the mood to perform live in front
of anybody.
I agree with you about his work on the Mystical album but unfortunately,
when it came to the shows Tony was, for reasons I'll never understand,
unwilling to put the same effort into the performance as the rest of us.
Rehearsals were difficult as he was hardly there, and although the rest
of us soldiered on, the two shows we did for Z Records suffered because
of it. It played a big part in the decision to consider a new singer.
Richies not only an incredible singer, he's a fantastic frontman with
true showmanship qualities.
MM - The band have a new lead singer now, can you tell us his name, his
musical background and also how you came to hook up with him?
Well, the man in question was given the “Mystical “ album and a list
of other Tyger tracks to learn for an audition. A week later, Richie
Wicks graced our rehearsal rooms and after singing only three songs we
offered him the gig. It was once again my new comrade Ian Dennis who put
Richies name forward as he had seen him fronting a Dio era Black Sabbath
tribute band and was also, more importantly, playing bass and on backing
vocals in NWOBHM giants “Angel Witch”.
MM - As mentioned earlier the debut album of the new Tygers of Pan Tang
is called 'Mystical' and surprised quite a few of the sceptics by just
how impressive an offering it actually is. Were you personally pleased
with the finished result?
It was a pleasure to work with Tony (Liddle) again after our brief stint
together in 1983/84 in a band, and after handing the songs I had written
over to him to contribute melodies and lyrics, the results that came
back were as I'd expected - right on track. A number of the tracks I am
especially fond of the way they turned out, two of which: Mystical and
Firepower, we actually revamped and re-recorded with Richie on vocals.
We included both in our live show are to be 'bonus tracks' on the Tygers
of Pan Tang 2002 release both Mystical and Firepower with Richie on
vocals.
MM - We were lucky enough to catch the band when they played up in
Newcastle in March this year on the 'Cybernation' tour. The whole place
was absolutely buzzing with positive energy and feedback at after the
performance. How did the other gigs on the tour go and what was the fans
response to seeing you back on the road again?
The whole tour was absolutely brilliant. Not every venue saw the same
turnout as the Newcastle gig but those that came didn't hold back in
expressing their thanks and positive comments about the shows. We
carefully worked out the set-list for the tour to offer fans the chance
to hear some of the original classics and so included Lonely At The Top,
Suzie Smiled, Take It, Paris By Night and Hellbound which went down a
storm.
While we worked hard to be as faithful to the original sound as
possible, in contrast we wanted to offer the opportunity to be seen and
heard as a band with something new to offer rather than it just be a
nostalgia-based show; the response to the new material was overwhelming
- we actually ran out of the six track promo CDs at two of the gigs!
MM - The band look more like a happy unit now you have this new lead
singer. Is it fair to say that ego's have no place in the band and it's
the music and the enjoyment of performing it live that takes first
place?
Absolutely. There is an amazing rapport between each band member which
works its way into the writing, recording and 'live' shows. Everything
is democratic and each respects each others opinion and suggestion.
Richie has been the key to enable the Tyger-machine to become a
functional work-horse - the results you have seen 'live' - next you will
hear on the new 2002 album.
MM - The band have just started working on their second album.
Originally it was going to be called 'Cybernation', but rumour has it
this may have changed. What can you tell us about it so far and how are
things progressing?
The album is in its final stages and although there is no definite,
confirmed title for it at this moment in time I can tell you the names
of the tracks to be included. They are: The Spirit Never Dies,
Cybernation, Boomerang, Deja-Vu, God-Speak, Three-in-a-Bed, Running Man,
Bad Bad Kitty, High Speed Highway Superman, and an epic track called:
Master of Illusion (parts I,II & III). Additionally there are the
revamped re-recorded bonus tracks I mentioned before: Firepower and
Mystical. It looks as though we will go with The Spirit Never Dies as a
title.
MM - How would you best describe the songs which will appear on this
second album as compared to those on the debut album? What can your fans
expect from it?
It promises to be the biggest, most musically eclectic and intelligent
Tygers of Pan Tang album in the band’s history. Fans can expect hints
of familiar Tyger vibes in the likes of Bad Bad Kitty and Running Man,
but also a mature development in powerful melodic rock with songs like
The Spirit Never Dies and Deja-Vu and, a heavy, progressive development
in Godspeak and our opus: Master of Illusion.
MM - Do you have an expected time scale/date of when it will be ready
for release and will there be another full UK tour to go with it once
it's completed?
We're aiming for an Autumn release and as we speak management are
arranging a tour schedule with the intention of promoting this new
album.
MM - The debut album was released on Z Records. What about this second
album, who will that be released through?
We've had serious interest from a number of independent labels we
approached with the 'taster' promo CD. The next move is to let them hear
the full album and watch them fight over it!
MM - Have you ever had any regrets at keeping the old 'Tygers of Pan
Tang' name for this new band, or do you feel that the new band is more
how the Tygers would have sounded had they kept going?
When the Mystical album was released it was quite simply poorly
advertised and marketed by Z Records. Eighty five per cent of our public
don't even know it's out!, and so to promoters and other record
companies the name 'Tygers of Pan Tang' had bells ringing with signals
of poor sales meaning poor album! - without even hearing it! Its obvious
though that we're rebuilding bridges with both the quality demo CD and
reports from the recent shows.
Take any band with a name from years back who are still going and you
can hear how they've moved on with their music. Granted the new guys are
formidable musicians with a lot to bring to the music but hey! you're
talking to an original Tyger who co-wrote the whole Mystical album and
has contributed considerably to the new 2002 album - so yes - this is of
course how the Tygers would have sounded - its how they do sound!
MM - For anyone too young to remember the original Tygers of Pan Tang's
material, how would you describe your music and who would it most appeal
to?
It will appeal to new and old alike, there are elements of the old
Tygers in there but we have married that with an up to date clean
crunchy sound that should appeal to all rock fans. I am not a big fan of
pigeon holing music as you are narrowing your audience immediately, all
I will say is if people give this new record a chance there is something
there for everyone.
MM - Do you think this new version of the Tygers will re-emerge as the
NWOBHM, or is that all scene long gone?
I guess we'll re-emerge under whatever banner the music press give us.
We'll always have the history of being a formidable player in the NWOBHM
scene behind us but the press create new names as styles amalgamate.
It'll be very interesting to see just how we are categorised.
MM - Given only one choice, which would you prefer - to hole up in the
studio or to tour till you drop?
I can honestly say that neither outweighs the other. In the studio its
amazing creating something new which you get an incredible amount of
satisfaction from, but then taking it on tour and getting a reaction is
such a buzz. Again, with these guys it’s a pleasure working both in
the studio and on the road with them, so…
MM - How can people find out about what's going on with the band? Will
there be an official Tygers of Pan Tang website hitting our screens in
the not too distant future?
Yeah - its official! The new website: www.tygersofpantang.co.uk
went 'live' on the 1st July 2002. Our drummer Craig did all the
brilliant design and artwork for it then had a colleague of his convert
it to the internet. There's a mass of info on there already including
downloads and a message board. Its gonna be updated regularly,
especially when the 2002 album is ready for release so check it out.
MM - At what age did you decide you wanted to be a musician/performer?
Round about 12 I was getting the bug.
MM - Are you aware of the crowd when you perform? What goes through your
mind when you are onstage doing your thing?
I am definitely aware of the crowd, if the crowd are into the gig and
they are getting off from what we do the buzz that you get back is just
incredible. The only thing that goes through my mind is to make sure I
get it right on the night.
MM - What's the most memorable gig you've been to (other than your own)
and why?
There are so many, if pushed I will have to say the first Donnington .
It was the first time that a rock gig on this stage had been put on and
nobody new what to expect. The atmos on the day was just amazing and
everybody was having a great time. Plus all the bands really got into it
and all played great sets.
MM - Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.
I wear inflatable underwear.
MM - In 3 words, how would your best friend describe you?
Big hearted, garlic munching, curry king from Whitley Bay. Lol!!
MM - Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to all your fans out
there?
Thanks for still being fans, it still amazes me when people come up to
me and admire what I have done. Listen to the new album as it will blow
you all away. This is the best Tygers album ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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