This page is about the work that I have done with Tyla -
the ex 'Dogs D'Amour' frontman.
Back in '96 I was coming to the end of a sound engineering course at The School Of Sound Recording - Spirit Studios in Manchester and had lots of free time in the 24 track studio. I was a huge fan of bands like the Dogs D'Amour, Quireboys, Wildhearts etc. When I first started engineering, I had an ambition to record both Tyla and Spike.
I wrote to Tyla, and to Spike (but only recently discovered that Tyla didn't pass the letter on to Spike) not really expecting a reply, but after a couple of weeks I received a letter from Tyla saying 'great, where and when?' About 2 weeks later, he invited me to see him play a gig up in Ashton Under Lyne. We spent most of the night chatting and drinking. Within a month Tyla and his guitar tech - Eddie were sitting next to me in Spirit Studios - Manchester.
Still a bit nervous, we all went to the pub around the corner for a quick pint to loosen up a bit.
We only had about 8 hours in the studio, but managed to record and mix 8 songs, - all acoustic -
What if, Ballad Of A broken Heart, Lament Of Night, Error Of My Ways, Break The Spell, Woman Of My Dreams, The Only One I Ever Wanted and What Do I Do Wrong.
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The electric versions of 5 the songs made it onto the 'Libertine' album. After this session, Tyla said that he wanted to do more when we both had some spare time. We kept in touch and I was invited to various gigs around the country. In the mean time, myself and two colleagues started our own recording services called 'Merlin Music', recording many bands. I told Tyla about our business, and he has since designed our logo - (see below). In November last year Tyla, along with Eddie, Simon his manager, and Erika his girlfriend, came up to our studio in North Wales where myself and Wes (fellow Merlin Music partner) started a none stop (apart from the Chinese Take Away) 17 hour session. Originally, it was meant to be a demo session, but he was pleased with the end result and eventually released it as 'Nocturnal Nomad Demos '97'. |
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After a 4 out 5 review in Kerrang, Tyla received numerous calls from record companies interested in releasing the album commercially. Tyla phoned to tell me - but I wanted to mix it again as the original was a rush from start to finish. Within a week the new master was on his doorstep - the artwork was completed (although I haven't seen it yet). I have recently found out that it is due to be released by 'Cargo Records' on the 11th January 1999. I last met up with Tyla recently (26th Sept) in Sheffield at Spike's gig where he did a guest spot (for nearly 2 and a half hours) where he talked me into being his guitar tech (string changer / tuner etc) for the night as Eddie was away. A great night was had by all epescially when Spike got up for a few numbers (not managing to complete any songs due to forgetting the lyrics in a slightly drunken stuper). Below, I have put on a few photos. Some are from the Sheffield gig as mentioned above, some are from past gigs etc.. |
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We hope to work together again when he comes back to tour Britain next year. Until then.......
Nocturnal Nomad has been released on Cargo / King Outlaw records with new artwork etc.
I have just finished mastering Tyla's next album, 'Iliad Of A Wolverhampton Wander', also for release on Cargo / King Outlaw records.
The Dynamite Jet Saloon - The best Dogs / Tyla site on the web
Martin Mathis' Great Dogs / Tyla page
Vagabond Hearts Fanzine - Great Fanzine - Check it out
