So what was it like to go see the Dogs D'Amour back in 87 ? It was the best. Here was a Rock 'n' Roll band with energy, songs that were each one a one hit wonder, the looks of Steve Priest mated with Sioux warriors who'd just ""scalped"" the pretty assistant in the boutique on the Kings Road and a singer/songwriter that had so much stage prescence that they all could have played crap and still got away with it. ( which these days i hear that they did - often ) But to be there - that was something special..........."New York is so far away--ay". And every gig, well that was escapism. I could not tell you who was supporting them each time cos for a £2.50 venue. The Greyhound had some Rock ' n' Roll stars on their books and the atmosphere built like an asthma attack until Tyla took the stage and said " How do "...................
.........this one's called "Last Bandit" and the Hofner would sing. I can't remember how the setlist went but the songs were off the (later to become) Unauthorised Bootleg album with a few covers thrown in, The OnlyOnes great "Another Girl Another Planet", the Stones "Dead Flowers" and Bolan's "Get it On" were a few that stick in the mind. Tyla has become renown for his antics on stage but back then he was well in control, completely extrovert, but never missing a chord or line. When not playing the microphone would be coiling round his neck, he'd be strutting around the available (tiny) space or he'd be hanging onto Steve while he caught his breath...........when playing he'd be throwing his body and Gretsch around, sometimes on his back or striking numerous goddamn rockstar poses but still strumming and creating a spectacle for the audience to accompany the great music rocking out.................
	........"New York is so far away-ay" (Gold) is always gonna be one of those songs that stick in your mind and "Baby Glass", "Last Bandit", "Tales of Destruction", "Firework Girl", "Heroine", "Chains" (which until I got The Unauthorised Bootleg Album I always thought was called James, nah I know it doesn't make sense), Swingining the Bottle etc etc but the highlight each gig for me was when this crazy drummer started an accentuated roll on his snare which got louder and louder, making your chest vibrate, then with chicken bones flying everywhere everyone else would break into "Kiss this Joint", A truly great song live. Tyla was always a great one to keep the audience entertained Jo Dog was a master on guitar, Steve James kept pace with the ever exhuberant Bam on drums and the Dogs kicked. By the end of the set Tyla would have stripped off, drunk about a pint of something ( Wild Turkey I'd guess ) and those there would go home happy, eagerly waiting thenext installment................