Singer, songwriter, musician and pub rock pioneer Michael Tyler – born August 3, 1946 in Barlow, England – was better-known by his stage name Sean Tyla. Influenced by ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll, Tyla was part of the pub rock scene in the UK during the early and mid-‘70s, co-founding the band Ducks Deluxe, before moving on to fronting his own band Tyla Gang. He began his career in the 1960s as a member of Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band before joining the band Third World (NOT the reggae band) and recording with them. He became a roadie for the band Help Yourself in 1971, eventually co-writing and occasionally recording with them. In early 1972, he co-founded the band Ducks Deluxe with future Rumour/Nick Lowe member Martin Belmont. The band also featured Brinsley Schwarz and future Motors members Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster. The band released two official albums during their short lifespan: Ducks Deluxe (1974) and Taxi to the Terminal Zone (1975). The Ducks broke up in 1975 and Sean Tyla formed his next band Tyla Gang. The band continued playing honest and raw rock ‘n’ roll even when punk rock was at its commercial peak. Tyla Gang signed with U.S.-based label Beserkeley Records but when the UK arm of the label went bankrupt in 1979, Tyla Gang broke up. Tyla recorded three solo albums between 1980 and 1983. He had his first solo hit “Breakfast in Marin” – from the album Just Popped Out - in 1980, but the single was eventually withdrawn due to copyright issues with the title. During this period, Tyla was a guest musician on Joan Jett’s first two albums Bad Reputation (AKA Joan Jett/1980) and I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (1981). Tyla joined forces with Man’s Deke Leonard in the band The Force and released their self-titled album in 1982 before disbanding that same year due to Tyla’s sudden case of stage fright. Tyla returned in 2007 with a new Tyla Gang lineup and helped reform Ducks Deluxe (with Belmont). Both acts toured and released new music. Tyla then joined forces with former Fatso/Rockpile member Billy Bremner and, as Trouble Boys, they released the album Bad Trouble in 2012. Tyla left the band in 2015. Sean Tyla died on May 17, 2020 of chronic liver disease.
