Dogs D'Amour
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| The Dogs D'Amour | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Years active | 1983–1993, 2000, 2002-present |
| Genres | Rock, Glam punk, Blues |
| Members | Tyla Yella |
The Dogs D'Amour were a British rock band formed in 1983. Originally featuring lead vocalist Ned Christie (legal name Robert Stoddard), guitarists Tyla (legal name "Tim Taylor" whose previous bands included Kitsch and Weird Girlfriend), guitarist Nick Halls, bassist Karl Watson, and drummer Bam.
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[edit] Biography
The band started in late 1982 as the Bordello Boys and enlisted Robert Stoddard (aka Ned Christie) as lead singer in early 1983. Stoddard was responsible for the band's name and cowrote many of the bands early songs with Tyla. The Dogs D'Amour played around 50 shows and recorded many songs throughout 1983. Two separate recording sessions were recorded during this era of the band. On the strength on the 2nd session, the Dogs D'Amour were contracted to Kumibeat Records out of Finland. But shortly before the band were scheduled to record their debut album, Ned quit the band in late 1983 over musical differences with guitarist Tyla. Another reason for the split was that Ned had recently started up another band with Bam called On The Wire and had his own prior recording commitments scheduled with On The Wire around the same time that the Dogs D'Amour were to record the debut album. Tyla took over on lead vocals for the departed Ned Christie and recorded the band's debut album The State We're In in early 1984. Ned and Bam (who had left the Dogs D'Amour around the same time as Ned) continued with On The Wire in 1984 and enlisted Swiss bass player Mark Drax. The "classic" Dogs D'Amour lineup then became Tyla (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Jo "Dog" Almeida (Lead guitar), Bam (drums), and Steve James (bass, harmonica, saxophone, backing vocals).
The band released their full length debut album, The State We're In, in 1984 with the lineup of Tyla on guitar and lead vocals, guitarist Dave Kusworth (from Jacobites), bassist Karl Watson, and drummer Paul Hornby. The Dogs D'Amour last proper studio album was released asHappy Ever After in 2000. Their music can be described as a mixture of The Rolling Stones and Faces style roots rock and Hanoi Rocks style glam punk. Although often lumped into the 1980s "glam metal" category that was popular on both sides of the Atlantic in the band's heyday, they transcended that with their gifted songwriting/arrangements and expert musicianship. The Dogs' sound was firmly rooted in American Blues, and Jo Almeida's unique and distinctive slide guitar was reminiscent of blues masters like Lightning Hopkins, Charlie Patton, and some say Robert Johnson. Tyla was also a huge fan of Charles Bukowski, and many of his lyrics, delivered with an impelling throaty rasp, were tinged with humorous irony and pathos, reflecting Bukowski's prosaic style. The Dogs began to show a strong country & western side on 1989's Errol Flynn (released as King Of The Thieves in the U.S.), a few years before alt-country became in vogue.
Tyla is also an accomplished artist, and his distinctive artwork graced the covers of all the Dogs D'Amour albums and singles. Tyla's artistic style has evolved with every release, transitioning from pure comic strip caricatures to elegant semi-abstract depictions in pastel and watercolor.
The Dogs D'Amour have been inactive as a performing band since their appearance at Monsters of Rock 2002. Tyla now lives in Barcelona and still produces albums regularly, both as a solo artist and under the Dogs D'Amour moniker, using drum machines and playing all the guitars himself. He is currently on tour in America featuring an all acoustic show. Check out his myspace page for details.
Robert Stoddard also played in L.A. Guns as a guitarist when Paul Black was their singer.
Tyla toured the U.K in 2006 under the name of 'The Dogs D'Amour' with members of The Yo-Yos as his backing band.
[edit] Members
[edit] Current
- Tyla - vocals, Bass, Guitar
- Yella - backing vocals
- Simon Hanson - drums
- Tom Spencer- Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Rich Jones - Guitar, Backing Vocals
[edit] Former
- Ned Christie - lead vocals
- Nick Halls - guitar
- Karl Watson - bass
- Bam Bam - drums
- Dave Kusworth - guitar, backing vocals
- Paul Hornby - drums
- Jo Dog - guitar
- Mark Drax - bass
- Mark Duncan - bass
- Dave Tregunna - bass (recordings 1985 - 1986 only)
- Steve James- bass, backing vocals
- Darrell Bath - guitar, backing vocals
- Share Pedersen - bass, keyboards
- Grant Nicholas - drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- The State We're In (1984)
- In The Dynamite Jet Saloon (1988)
- A Graveyard of Empty Bottles (1989) UK #16
- Errol Flynn (titled King of the Thieves in the US) (1989) UK #22
- Straight??!! (1990) UK #32
- More Unchartered Heights Of Disgrace (1993) UK #30
- Happy Ever After (2000)
- Seconds (2000) (Part of the "Dogs Dinner" fan club pre-release package of Happy Ever After)
- The State We're In (the original mix) (2003)
- When Bastards Go To Hell (2004)
- Let Sleeping Dogs... (2005)
[edit] Compilations
- (Un)authorized Bootleg Album (1988)
- Dogs Hits & Bootleg Album (1991)
- Skeletons: The Best Of... (1997)
- Heart Shaped Skulls (best of '88-'93) (2004)
[edit] EP
- "The Dogs D'Amour", a six track EP released in Japan (1988)
- "Blame It On Us" 7" EP (1992)
- Recorded in 1983. "Teenage" also appeared on the "Trash On Delivery" LP compilation. (Flicknife Records, 1983)
[edit] Singles
- How Do You Fall In Love Again? - (1984)
- The Kid From Kensington - (1988) UK #88
- I Don't Want You To Go - (1988) UK #78
- How Comes It Never Rains - (1989) UK #44
- Satellite Kid - (1989) UK #26
- Trail Of Tears - {1989) UK #47
- Victims Of Success - (1990) UK #36
- Empty World - (1990) UK #61
- Back On The Juice - (1990) UK #97
- All Or Nothing (Small Faces cover) - (1993) UK #53
- Pretty, Pretty Once - (1993)
