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Tygers of Pan Tang

Biography

Pre-signing, before 1978

The band were largely the same as they were in the 'Early days' section. The only real difference was the inclusion of drummer Neil Thompson, founding member, as opposed to Brian Dick. Thompson left before the band were signed, becoming a weapons instructor with the army and later on moving to the island of Guernsey to settle down. He died in 1995.

Early days, 1978-1983

The band was originally formed by Jess Cox (vocals), Robb Weir (guitar), Richard "Rocky" Laws (bass), and Brian Dick (drums). Rapidly building a local following, they were first signed up by local independent label Neat Records before MCA gave them a major record deal. After several singles, they released their first album Wild Cat in 1980. The album reached the #18 in Britain on the first week of its release.

Subsequently John Sykes (formerly in Streetfighter, later in Badlands, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder) was added as second guitarist. Jess Cox then had a falling out with the others and quit, to be replaced by Persian Risk vocalist Jon Deverill. This lineup released Spellbound in 1981. With Deverill's arguably superior vocals and that much more experience, the album increased their following.

However, Sykes quit after the third album Crazy Nights to audition for Ozzy Osbourne. He was rapidly replaced by ex-Penetration guitarist Fred Purser who had to learn the set in two days flat before touring.

Tygers Of Pan Tang's fourth album The Cage (1982) was their most accomplished effort and things looked promising. Unfortunately, the band then had a major disagreement with MCA, who were not prepared to promote them unless they agreed to play more cover recordings (following the band's hit with "Love Potion No. 9"). They subsequently tried to break free from their contract, but MCA's demands exceeded the willingness of any other record company to pay to free the band and the band broke up in frustration.

John Sykes however achieved major success with Thin Lizzy and then Whitesnake, and as a guitar virtuoso in Japan.

Reformation, 1985-1987

In 1985, Jon Deverill and Brian Dick reformed the band with Steve Lamb ex-Sergeant (guitar), Neil Sheppard (guitar), and ex-Warrior and Satan member Clin Irwin (bass). Dave Donaldson (bass) later replaced Clin Irwin. Meanwhile, Robb Weir and Jess Cox formed spin-off band Tyger-Tyger.

The reformed Tygers of Pan Tang released The Wreck-Age in summer 1985 through Music for Nations, and Burning in the Shades in 1987, through Zebra Records. Unfortunately their last album received bad reviews and they disbanded again.
Various compilations and live albums were produced by the band's two first labels, Neat Records and MCA.

Latter days, 1999-present

However, this was not the end of the band. During the 1998 Wacken Open Air festival, Jess Cox joined on stage with the band Blitzkrieg, playing three old Tygers songs. The audience's response was very positive, and a year later, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Tygers of Pan Tang and the 10th Wacken Open Air, the band was invited again to play on the main stage. Brian Dick and Rocky were unable to join the band, but the Tygers (now Jess Cox and Robb Weir, backed up by Blitzkrieg guitarist Glen Howes, bassist Gavin Gray and drummer Chris Percy) performed nevertheless a memorable show. Recording tapes of their performance gave rise to the Live at Wacken album.

In 2001, Robb Weir decided to reform the band, despite being the only original member. The other musicians were Tony Lidell (vocals), Dean Robertson (lead guitar), Brian West (bass) and Craig Ellis (drums). They released Mystical through Z-Records. They toured in several festivals, but eventually got fired by Z-Records in 2002, the reason given being an unexpected lack of sales.

The band went on to produce a split album with Girlschool and Oliver/Dawson Saxon on Communique Records, and in 2004 a brand new album, Noises in the Cathouse, with new singer Richie Wicks.

Later the same year, Richie Wicks left and was replaced by Italian vocalist Jacopo Meille. Jon Devrill went on to work as an actor under the name of John Deville, and as of October 2007 was performing in 'The Sound Of Music' at the London Palladium with Television star Connie Fisher.

In October 2007 the band issued a limited edition five track EP entitled Back And Beyond, which featured reworkings of three Tygers songs from the early 1980s, along with two new tracks taken from their forthcoming album. Animal Instinct was released on 19 May 2008; being the first with vocalist Jacopo Meille and it was mixed by Thunder's Ben Matthews.