Relocating from Wolverhampton to London in 1983, Tyla formed the group alongside Christie (aka Robert Stoddard- vocals), Nick Halls (guitar), Karl Watson (bass), and Bam (Drums). Their live debut came in London, April 1983, after Stiv Bators and Brian James invited them to tour with Lords of the New Church.
In 1984 Finnish label Kumibeat Records offered them a record deal. Before recording commenced there were line-up changes, and eventually only Tyla and Karl remained from the original group. "How Do You Fall In Love" was released from the resulting sessions, and shortly after this Bam returned bringing Jo "Dog" Almeida with him. Also around this time, a track called 'Teenage' was recorded, which later appeared on a compilation album, 'Trash On Delivery', from Flicknife Records.
In 1995, a Japanese label offered the band a deal but once again members departed before recording began. The bass tracks were recorded by Dave Tregunna (from Lords of the New Church), but prior to release the label folded. The tracks would emerge later as 'The (Un)Authorised Bootleg'. Finally in 1987, a permanent bass player was found in Steve James.
Constant touring saw them courted by several labels, with the band eventually opting for China Records, who began a string of releases with 'The (Un)Authorised Bootleg' album. This bought the band some time to embark on recordings for their first album proper, 'In The Dynamite Jet Saloon' (released late in 1988). The album sealed their reputation as debauched outsiders, with a sound borrowed (to varying degrees) from Johnny Thunders, Keith Richards and Hanoi Rocks.
A worldwide tour began, widening their fanbase significantly. The limited edition acoustic EP, 'Graveyard of Empty Bottles' was released and further touring commenced. Whilst in the U.S. , 'Satellite Kid' was recorded, which became the lead track for the next album, 'Errol Flynn'. The album was completed in the U.K., and displayed a lyrical fascination with the plight of the American indians ('Trail of Tears'), as well as a continuing obsession with inebriation ('Drunk Like Me', 'The Ballad of Jack'). They also had the opportunity to make their debut performance on 'Top of the Pops' when 'Satellite Kid' hit the top 20 in the UK.
By 1990 the band headed for Hollywood to record the next album, 'Straight', and after returning from Japan in 1991, new recordings were made for an intended E.P. Once again, tension within the band had reached a high point. At a show in Los Angeles, Tyla cut his chest with a broken bottle and was rushed to hospital, requiring 50 stitches to close the wound. The planned E.P. was scrapped, and the band decided to lay low for a while. Steve headed for Hawaii to record with Adam Bomb and toured under the name 'Last Bandits'. Bam became a member of the Wildhearts, Jo got together with Gilby Clarke (Guns n' Roses) for Jo's Juke Joint, and later joined Shooting Gallery with ex-Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy and old friend Dave Tregunna.
A recovered Tyla recorded 'Teenage Lament '74' for an Alice Cooper tribute album, and soon after, a re-formed Dogs were back to fulfil their contractual obligation with China Records, releasing a new album 'More Uncharted Heights of Disgrace'. Singles 'All or Nothing' (the Small Faces classic) and 'Pretty Pretty Once' failed to have any impact, and the band drifted apart once more.
Tyla and the various band members remained busy with projects that met with little success, and in 1996 Bam married Share (an ex-member of Vixen), and the following year a compilation called 'Dogs Hits' emerged. By 1998 Tyla had moved to Sweden, where he embarked on an acoustic tour with Dregen from the Backyard Babies.
In June 1999 the Dogs were back with a new line up. Jo Dog had returned on guitar and Share replaced Steve James on bass. Tyla had relocated again in Spain, but flew to L.A. to record 'Happy Ever After' at Bam and Share's studio, which was finally released in 2000. Jo returned to Tyla's side for a Spanish acoustic tour in summer 2001. The whereabouts of members of Dogs D'Amour after this date remains unknown.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE DOGS D'AMOUR: Hanoi Rocks, Guns n' Roses, The Rolling Stones, The Faces, Backyard Babies, Faster Pussycat, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, Lords of the New Church, Mott the Hoople.