The names themselves give you a whiff that something remarkable this way comes… when you add in a storied history and cacophony of exhilaration, excess, poetry and stage magic that was conjured from equal parts eyeliner and erudition, the fascination is still as magnetic as it was when the band formed in London in 1983. Twenty-five years later and the band has had various line-ups, with the longest serving band member being vocalist Tyla, an enigma still to this day. Called by some critics a dirtier, nastier Hanoi Rocks, Dogs D’Amour found success in the late 80’s and early 90’s with #16 chart topping release “A Graveyard of Bottles” and their single "Satellite Kid" which reached #26. Despite the line ups, the changes on stage, the pivotal force has always remained lead singer and guitarist Tyla.
I had the opportunity to “chat up” Tyla as he was on a train to London and we discussed all things art, artifice and angst.
So, Johnny Depp claims his Captain Jack Sparrow character is based on Keith Richards but clearly you had a great head start on the whole rogue pirate look… have you talked to Johnny about this? Also, can you tell us about your thoughts on the balance of look and feel in a band?
Johnny Depp eh... well I must admit I did kind of also base myself on Sir Keef back in the day until I gained my own identity… I believe Mr. Richards based himself on Roy Rogers at one point but now has increased his standards to an omnipresent force, and why not?
Tyla, the Dogs D'Amour are partly famed for cover artwork done by your good self. Tell me, was this something you had to fight for, or were the labels happy for you to be doing it?
Ahh the smell of the pallet knife, the linseed oil and the models drawers... three bob an hour love, sorted.
Yes I had to wrestle with the mighty industry on more than one occasion with regards to the image which would portray our pure souls to Joseph de la Public. That’s why 'In the dynamite jet saloon' unveils our handsome portraits… and hence forth were mentioned in many a drama in and out of court, all the rest were devoured by my eager brush and canvas..unfortunately while under the influence of some medieval combinations of the grain and weed I’ve done away with the lot of them in a furious battle with a bunch of demons who thought it mighty fine if they lived in my noggin' day in night out. Cheeky vermin/vermouth.
Tell us about the new cd sponsorship program you are doing- this is a ingenious idea, was this your idea and how did this come about?
Sponsorship, I hear you call from the furthest point between here and there, Actually my good friend and turf accountant Hammish Millar of the Highland Millar Clan, known better for inventing the uphill slope which when reversed made ideal arrangements for returning from the pub unhinged, fish and chips wrapped safely under the vicars cap came up with the idea, and a splendid idea it woz and all, and many thank you letters go out to the said parties who have made it all possible, with the extra added fact that the next album… as yet untitled will exude great magnitude and a right load of great tunes, the likes that 'ave never been 'eard around these parts for 'sum time lad!
Tyla and the Dogs D'Amour...? Band split ups always cause a family feud with names--are there any original members in the band?
Oh the folly and woes of the youth... wide eyed and beautiful they all seem, ne'r a care in the world, simple though, twas my band, my doins, my music which they breathed fresh warm blood into and souls came and went over two scrawny decades… so no family bounce ups on this occasion, they all went and I stayed, quills from dawn till dusk.
As we look across the pond here in the US, it seems that the UK and England are more supportive of 80's inspired rock bands, and the scene is still very healthy, even seeing resurgence... what makes the difference? Better tea?
Is that 1880s inspired folk? My goodness is there such a beast out there that dares to be inspired by the hedonism of self choice, gawd blimey Guv'. Having not resided in the United Kingdom since God knows when apart from the odd flit on the horses and exchanging phone numbers with the ones that have no Christian names I find it hard to pass judgment on this little ditty!
In your Blog on MySpace, you talk about the monetary equation in the music industry now- are the cd and record shops taking a nose dive in the UK like they are in the US? In your opinion is the internet helping or hurting artists in the long run? Also, Do you see Dog's D'Amour having a back catalogue and current download frenzy or do you see MP3/Amazon/ITunes “ trifecta” as an abomination of your artistry as a musician and a print artist?
Aaaah... this may very well be the eternal questions from which we eventually lay ones head. It’s a double edged sword. While it opens doors in one direction it nails them shut in another. If you as an entity want to sit at home either selling or buying, receiving or stealing that’s your choice, but it’s simple really, you have the choice of paying or getting it for free, what would one choose... mmm… I wonder. We all 'steal' in one way or another... artistes steal (it’s called inspired in some circles) from artists... now public steals from bands... well they will just have to go out there and gig, perform... earn it like the rest, If someone wants to download my music for free, let them, I’m glad they find it interesting and important enough to face prosecution over such a minor offence. Power to the people..though it’s very similar to burglary in my eyes, but I guess it has to happen to you before you realize... Might as well stay on the subject, as I own all the rights to both Dogs and Tyla material I see only a steady flow of Tyla songs though the internet, most ardent fans have the vinyl so the buck stops there, I be cutting off my nose to spite my face if I went up against Amazon and iTunes… They help me, even if sometimes undercutting the artiste themselves...
As every good creative spirit needs their respective tools, what are your favorite paintbrushes, guitars and amps?
Guitars... long before I could grasp the fundamental rules… or not rules of the guitar I admired them… their shape and beauty… and later their feel and tone… and moods... Orville Gibson… 1800's again… wonderful, imagine being able to dream up such wonderful wooden souls... and God bless Les Paul for inventing the electric guitar… With a little help from a railway sleeper, a gramophone and an old needle or two. My favourites which are never far from my side… Gibson J200 acoustic, the only guitar I have from new… back in 1990… she's 18 this year. Then my hit maker... I write all my good tunes (Satellite Kid… Victims...) on this little lady… 1962 Chet Atkins Gretsch… followed by my 1970 Gretsch White Falcon. Amp wise I’ll try any model, though I’ve stuck with a 1989 Fender twin, and I like Pod Line 6 for demo's and recording… and of course a Marshall 100w stack is obligatory on occasions. Paintbrushes... I’ve used thousands... yet have had two... which were quite expensive… that have always been at hand… no name on them though… it’s long worn off.
Tell us about your artwork over the years. What or whom inspires you?
I’m inspired by life… of course all the greats and not so greats inspired me… Right up to Banksy and graffiti… An artist who's done a magnificent job of driving the authorities nuts, good on him!
I like to think that whoever it is, if they have taken the time to paint it, I’ll look at it, I try and read as many books as possible too… I need to live to a few thousand to absorb just a small percentage… mind you Bertrand Russell once wrote… ''If the history of the universe was ever documented it’s doubtful if the human race would ever be mentioned'' Sherry anyone?
What is your theory on bad art? Does it exist? Or does merely creating something have artistic value?
Bad art, it’s like a bad song… sells plenty… but its soul less… it’s gold may fill a hole in a poor minds pocket, freedom of choice, if you just look about you in the street you'll see who possesses style and who baaaaaa baaa's like sheep.
What is turning you on now musically besides the pictures I emailed you?
1111111... all I ever see is 111... (No I have not gone mad… it’s one of my new offerings, hear it on MySpace page Tyla and the Dogs d’Amour) What’s turning me on… musically eh?... Last year I was listening to two Amy's. (Amy Winehouse and Amy McDonald… Macy Grey back a few years now, but I never tire of Motown and old Stax… and of course the blues... and old Rock n roll. Johnny Cash... and sometimes it’s just nice to hear the sound of the country… and silence.
Dog's D' Amour is known for many things, music, stage presence, “Bukowski-esque” lyrics, etc. but I'm sure myself and plenty of nosy Americans are dying to know the " VH1 behind the music" story behind the infamous LA breakup? How did you survive the spontaneous combustion?
Le Chien D'amour actually never “broke up”… people drifted in and out… that particular night at Florentine Gardens sometime in 1991... I had once again overdone it on the main course… leaving dessert out of the question… 100 stitches later and endless stories to explain the stars… all I can say is don’t mix your pcp, heroin, speed, grass, alcohol and all your girlfriends in one glass… you'll spill something dangerous.
For moi, it was but another night out. I’ve personally had more fun in a supermarket… when it’s shut… but that’s another story... innit?
Oscar Wilde once said, “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train"... as you look over your life landscape, what is your most sensational and most memorable diary entry?
Well I never! Oscar's on a train too… what a coincidence??... so it leads us back... and being as we are travelling this one little event springs to mind...
“Once upon a time in a faraway place lived the King of the thieves… he possessed many treasures but was always evaded by love. Then one day back in his lair he did discover and he did curse, another with light fingers had robbed him of his purse, so back into the city and long into the night he hunted the soul who would be so brave as is with his cash he did alight... then he remembered that fair maiden who had brushed past him in that most unusual way... she had magic fingers… as into her pockets all did fell.
So… if I am the King… then you must be… the Queen of the thieves... soon both grew hungry and so into the tavern divine to drink of the local ale and sing badly out of time… the spell of love cast over them.
Then one year and one day precisely at the witching hour a child came unto them but an arm shriveled as a dead flower. Well the King did weep and the Queen did weep as they searched the world for a cure swearing never to steal again if this one thing they could be sure. Finally word came of a medicine man way up in the hills, of a cure they could be sure, if only they kept their word. So around the smoldering cauldron they sat as he chanted and he poured onto the child’s stricken arm a potion from a magic lantern, sure enough the arm did heal and all the birds did sings and the child’s cured hand opened to reveal... the midwife's wedding ring. Prince of thieves...” chin chin... London town… foggy... in June... wonderful... Cab!
Thanks Tyla for letting us catch a sneak into your compartment… For more on Tyla and his art both musical and visual go to www.tylaandthedogsdamour.com and the MySpace pages (Tyla and the Dogs d'amour, Gabriel O'Keefe, Tyla and Spike and King Outlaw USA)
