Tigertailz — For A Few Dollarz More! -The Archives Vol 1

A big part of the appeal/ enjoyment of the glam/ hair metal form comes from its more campy and cheesier tendencies. One band who has these elements in spades is Tigertailz- who are not from the epicentre of genre LA, but Cardiff Wales. For A Few Dollarz More! The Archives Vol 1 is a three-CD boxset focusing on bands’ output from between the years 1984 and 1991, featuring two albums, six EPs, and demo tracks.

The set appears on HNE Recordings- the metal and rock reissue-focused sub-label of the mighty Cherry Records. The three discs each come in their own mini full-colour card sleeve- with the first two taking in the first two album's original artwork. There’s also a bright and bold coloured twenty-three-page inlay booklet- taking in a write-up about the band/ material, loads of pictures, and full credits for all of the releases featured. The whole thing comes presented in a flipside card box.

Tigertailz, initially named Stagefright, were formed in Cardiff in the year 1984. The first line-up brought together lead guitarist Jay Pepper, bassist Pepsi Tate, drummer Ian Welch, second guitarist Phil Harling, and vocalist Jim Dovey.  The band amassed first a local, then nationwide following which led them to sign to Music For Nations- where they released two albums 1987’s Young & Crazy, and the UK charting 1990 Berzerk. The band initially existed between the years 1984 and 1996- though they regrouped in 2005, releasing new work and touring.

So first up on CD one, we have the band's 1987 debut album Young & Crazy. It features eleven tracks in all- with a slightly meatier and heavier take on the glam rock/ metal form. With lots of attitude, some great hooks, and fired-up riff craft. We go from the stomping-paced and wailing guitar-touched “Hollywood Killer”. Onto chugging lead riff meets singalong chorus of “Livin’ Without You”. Through to the gunning rocking groove of “City Kids”, onto throbbing beat ‘n’ meaty riffing of the title track. All in all, Young & Crazy is a great punchy debut album- balancing well written-urgent riff craft and memorable chorus- with great glam metal swagger. 

The first disc is topped off with three tracks from the band's 1984 demo. And while you can certainly make out brief glimmers of their later glam metal sound- what we have here is a fairly synth drum-heavy blend of rock, light metal and new wave.  It’s truly fascinating to hear these tracks, as I’ve been a fan of the band since the late 80’s- and never imagined this was how they started, and surprisingly for a demo the songs are fairly well composed & played.

 

Disc two takes in 1990’s Bezerk- this is a ten-track affair- it saw the band adding more of a pop edge to proceeds- as well as, pushing their more OTT/ camp elements to the max. It’s truly the panicle of the band's output- with its huge choruses, strutting and wailing guitar work, and perfectly realized track listing. We move from “Love Bomb Baby” with its mix of sassy riffing and truly massive/ cheesy sing-along chorus. Onto the stomping ‘n’ strutting “Noise Level Critical” with its almost rapping-singing lead vocals, and another truly huge chorus. Onto “Heaven” the album's wonderful overblown-yet- memorable ballad-  with its cascading keys, layered/ soulful backing vocals, swelling strings, and classic guitar breakdown. Though to the highly addictive pop glam metal songcraft of “Twist And Shake”. I don’t think many glam/ hair metal albums still sound as fresh, sassy, and fun as Bezerk- and I’ve returned to it again and again since it was released thirty-five years ago( I feel old!)…and it still sounds great.

The third CD in the set collects together six of the band's EPs from between 1986 and 1991- taking in a total of sixteen tracks. The sound moves from strutting 80’s glam rock, to more 90’s pop-focused glam metal, onto pop rock. With one or two live tracks, non-album tracks, and a few surprising/distinctive covers like Metallica’s  "Creeping Death", and Megadeth’s "Peace Sells( But Whose Buying)"- though the band's sound did briefly shift into more mid-paced Thrash fare in the mid 90’s.

It most certainly is great to get all of the early Tigertailz work in one place- taking in two good-to-great albums, and more than a few neat/ surprising moments on the demo/ Ep’s. Here’s looking forward to Vol 2!, as since the material on this box set the band has released another seven studio albums, two Eps, and one live album.