The Tygers of Pan Tang formed in Whitley Bay, England in 1979. This group is best known for being one of the original New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts. But what’s that name all about……it actually from a book called “Tygers of Pan Tang” by Michael Moorcock, and was inspired by the stories from that book. In the book, the Tygers were warriors believing in chaos, and worshipped chaos.
The original band members were Jess Cox (vocals), Robb Weir (guitar), Richard Laws (bass) and Brian Dick (drums). The band became popular quickly. They were signed to Neat records, a recording company that signed many of the proponents of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal music. Before long, the famous MCA records heard the Tygers of Pan Tang and signed the group to their label. While NWOBHM music was not geared to be popular with the general music listening public, the Tygers first album, “Wildcats” reached #18 on the British charts in its first week after release.
John Sykes, guitarist of Whitesnake fame, joined the group as a second guitar player. Jon Deverill replaced Jess Cox as guitarist when Cox quit. Shortly thereafter, the Tygers of Pan Tang released their second album called “Spellbound”. This recording was released in 1981. Deverill’s vocal excellence and the group’s continuing experience brought on a better sound and more fans.
The next two albums were “Crazy Night” and “The Cage”. “The Cage” was released in 1982, and is probably the Tygers of Pan Tang’s best musical effort. Unfortunately, the Tygers had differences with MCA records over promotional and artistic differences, and ended up losing their contract. The Tygers of Pan Tang split up shortly thereafter. However, the group decided to get back together in 1985. The original band members that came back to the band were Jon Deverill and Brian Dick, joined by new members Steve Lamb (guitar), Neil Sheppard (guitar) and Cliv Irwin (bass). The albums released by this incarnation of the Tygers of Pan Tang were “The Wreck-Age” (1985) and “Burning in the Shades” (1987). “Burning in the Shades” was considered a flop, and the group split once again.
The Tygers of Pan Tang had two other incarnations. Their final get together was in 2001. Only one original band member still belonged to the band, namely, Robb Weir. The group’s latest resurrection recently released an album entitled “Animal Instinct”, and was released in May of 2008. Present band members of the Tygers of Pan Tang are Jacopo Meille (vocals), Robb Weir (guitar), Dean Robertson (guitar) Brian West (bass), and Craig Ellis (drums).
And the Tygers are still together and touring over 30 years on from the heady days of NWOBHM.
Here’s a video of them way back in 1981 with Jon Sykes on guitar. Enjoy…..