Robb Weir is never a man to take what he has for granted. Having led the Tygers since their first album through a plethora of line-up changes he recognises that the current Tygers are probably the strongest since they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal).
The original band, who made four albums for MCA records, survived the unexpected departure of Jess Cox to run Neat records and later John Sykes, who was bound for Thin Lizzy and a multi-million seller with Whitesnake. What they didn’t survive was their greatest commercial success with the album ‘The Cage’.
However, Weir, ever the optimist, formed a new version of the band to both play the old material and write songs that would represent this ‘new’ Tygers. The backbone of the band – Craig Ellis on drums, together with Jack Meille on vocals have now been together for considerably longer than the first Tygers, and were joined by Francesco Marras on guitar and Huw Holding on bass for their 2023 album ‘Bloodlines’ an album that is turning up on many ‘Best Album of 2023’ lists.
Now the band are preparing for the release of a live album on Mighty Music in May 2024. The album was recorded in Wales earlier this year and comprises of tracks from their first four albums including their first album ‘Wild Cat’ and the critically lauded ‘Spellbound’ in addition to tracks from the recently released fan favourite ‘Bloodlines’. Recorded entirely by the musicians who comprise the current line-up, it is a tour de force of what made the NWOBHM such a potent force in music. The band will be touring throughout 2024 to promote this live release which like ‘Bloodlines’ has been produced by Tue Madsen.
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
Slander was formed in 1990, following a last-minute request from the Blackpool Gazette newspaper to make up the numbers for a local Rock Battle. After rehearsing through most of the previous night, they hammered out a 30-minute set to an unsuspecting crowd. From the positive audience reaction, it was clear that their brand of Heavy Metal was a winning formula.
After over 30 years of Industry ups and downs, line up changes and adventures, Slander have continued writing and playing their brand of traditional Heavy Metal and were invited to play the prestigious Keep It True Festival in Germany on its 20th anniversary, which was delayed three years by the pandemic to April 2023. More recently, Slander were invited by the new young guns, Tailgunner, to support them on two shows on their UK tour in October 2023
Armed with a solid line up of experienced musicians and under new management, Slander are primed and ready to unleashed their brand of Heavy Metal to audiences across the UK and beyond, with a new album and tour planned for spring/summer 2024.
Catch TYGERS OF PAN TANG and special guests SLANDER here at The Conti on THURSDAY 2ND MAY 2024!
Tickets are £13 (+bf) advance or £15 on the door. Doors at 7.30pm for an 8pm show start.
