Formed by ex-DUCKS DELUXE frontman Sean Tyla in 1975, Tyla Gang debuted with the classic 'Styrofoam' single for Stiff and 'Suicide Jockey' for Skydog before signing to U.S. label Beserkely for the albums Yachtless and Moonproof. Failing to find major success, they split in '79 with Tyla heading off for a solo career, while guitarist Bruce Irvine joined much-loved but shortlived acid-punks LIGHTNING RAIDERS.
Following a long period away from the music business, working on a pig farm and as a cricket coach, Tyla reformed the Ducks in 2007, followed by the Gang in 2010.
Across three CDs, Pool Hall Punks: Complete Recordings 1976-1978 compiles albums and singles, along with B-sides, live tracks, three John Peel sessions, tracks from the Old Grey Whistle Test and recordings under different guises. Scheduled for release on 26 August, it's available to pre-order here.
The Tyla Gang play a special lunchtime show celebrating Sean Tyla's 70th birthday at The Boom Boom Club at Sutton United F.C., Surrey on Sunday 16 October. The band precede this with a short tour of Sweden at....
28/9 Rockbåten, Helsingborg
29/9 Engelen, Stockholm
30/9 Lorient, Linköping
1/10 East West, Örebro
2/10 Folk å Rock, Malmö
Tyla's superb 2010 memoir Jumpin' In The Fire: A Life In Rock'n'Roll is now available on special offer from Soundcheck Books.
For more Sean Tyla and pub rock action, check out the new edition of Vive Le Rock!
Sean Tyla on Facebook