Robb Weir Interview: English guitarist for Heavy Metal group Tygers Of Pan Tang. Interview August 3, 2013
Tygers Of Pan Tang Interview
1. What’s new in the world of Tygers of Pan Tang?
Hi, and thanks for the questions. To be honest there’s always so much going on I lose track! Just in the last few days we have added more European dates. New song ideas are flying about between band members, Rocktron have confirmed me as a full endorse with their stomp box products. Tour bus is being booked for our travels. There is something new every day!
2. Where did the influences come from for the album Ambush?
The influences have always been there! My early influences would include, Hendrix, Deep Purple, Status Quo and Grand Funk Railroad. Most of the time I come up with the guitar riffs send them to Craig and Jack, first to see if they like them, then if they do, they work on them to develop them more, adding lyric’s and melodies. I tend to write in a certain style, a Tyger style!
3. All through the years with guitars and amplifiers was there much experimenting in the studios for certain guitar tones?
I am very lucky in that respect. Craig and Jack both say no matter what amp I play through I can get that Robb Weir sound! Almost 40 years of playing through various amps I have an ear for my sound. I have recently become an endorsee for Laney amplification, and I use the new Iron Heart 120 watt all valve heads and 4×12 cabs. They are fantastic; I’m not just saying that, they really are very good. To-days amps are very different from those of 20 to 30 years ago. I’ve tried a lot over the years and am happy with what I use now. Oddly enough back in 1977 one of my first amps I bought was a Laney 100 watt all valve ‘Klip’ head. If you can find one these days for sale they are a small fortune!
4. Are you keeping busy this summer with tour dates?
I was having a conversation with both Simon our and Craig our drummer in February this year just saying we only had two festivals to play and the very next day we were offered a whole load of shows! It’s true what they say; ‘You just never know what’s round the corner in life.’ Belgium in a few weeks for another festival and then a European tour in October and 4 English shows at the front. We are playing Hard Rock Hell festival again this year on November 29th and then off to Italy, in early December to finish off the year. Shows are already being agreed for next year as I write this.
5. Would you say touring now is more relaxed and easier to do?
Oh my goodness absolutely! Back in the day, as they say, there was a lot of male testosterone flying around everybody was the ‘Big’ man with big egos. Looking back on it, it was a bit of a nightmare! Things like, ‘I must have my own dressing room.’ ‘I want my own mirror to do my hair!’ Now things are so laid back its fantastic. From the moment we all get together in the tour bus the laughter starts. Sometimes I have to use Craig’s asthma inhaler so as I can catch my breath from laughing so much! These days we are very well behaved and a nice comfortable bed after the show is very welcome! ‘(Maybe a few Jack Daniels to help us sleep as well!)
6. What equipment are you currently endorsing, etc.
Ok, my backline is the new Laney Ironheart 120 watt valve heads and matching cabs. On the floor I use Rocktron stomp boxes and a Rocktron ‘Banshee,’ talkbox. I also have effects by JOYO a Chinese guitar effect pedal firm, and I have an old wah wah pedal. I use an AKG wireless guitar system. We also have a string endorsement with HELL GUITARS from Japan, really great strings. My guitars are made for me by two firms. TC ELLIS Guitars, who also make Motorhead’s guitars. I have two Les Paul’s and an Explorer made by them. The other company who very kindly make my guitars are WARMAN Guitars. They make fantastic high end instruments. I have a very nice Telecaster, with a flame maple neck and two very loud, Warman Destroyer humbuckers on board, and they are making me a Les Paul which I have had a hand in designing. I will be playing that live by the end of the year! I can’t wait.
7. Without Social Media could bands today manage to survive?
Well there are two trains of thought here. First is that the internet has completely killed record sales. This coupled with illegal down loads; the music industry is in a bit of a crisis. The artist is suffering all the time, where before touring was used to promote any new product in the shops. Now bands tour to make a living and sell their products at the shows instead of the shops. In fact how many record shops are left these days? The second train of thought is the net is here to stay so you have to embrace it and use it to your advantage. Using all the social media networks, to promote your every move and all your products. The net is a great way to tell the world instantly what you are doing as a band, instant promotions, and video footage.
8. What were your earliest influences in life?
I take it by this you mean musical ones? If that’s the case 50’s rock and roll was big in my house. I also liked the Stones, Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Slade and Status Quo. Oh and a bit of disco!
9. What would be some of your main influences today?
Thankfully history keeps repeating and fantastic rock music keeps re-inventing its self. So today we have a whole host of new stars bidding for the hard rock, heavy metal crown! There are some very good new bands out there but where do they get their influences from? The old bands! I honestly don’t really have any modern influences; I’m a bit old fashioned!
10. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Wow! Where do I start? I have always liked Disco! Like, Earth, Wind and Fire, Wild Cherry, etc. Larry Carlton and Robben Ford. I also like a bit of that Deep South blues from Louisiana! And a bit of Rammstein! As well as the classic’s like Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, Ted Nugent, Rush etc…..Oh and put me down for a bit of Jazz!
11. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, so no matter how hung over I am I always set my alarm for breakfast time. Then it’s in the shower and onto the tour bus for the journey to the next city and venue. Sound check at the venue, any interviews and then to the hotel for a wash and brush up! About 19.00 we all meet in the hotel bar for a quick beer, discuss the song list for that nights show and then onto the tour bus to go to the venue. More meet and greet, (that’s always very important to us) and then show time. After the show, drinks and signing session, photo’s, more drinks and then back to the hotel for a rest! This is a typical day, however what also goes on is another 22 hours of laughter and general silliness!
12. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
The world will be ruled by different warlords all into different types of music. Once a year a massive worldwide concert will be held to see which music is the most popular? Whichever music wins, that warlord has the final say in how the planet is run! And Heavy Metal is always No 1! ‘Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll.’
Extra questions with Robb Weir from Tygers Of Pan Tang
Life without music would be………A Deafening Silence!
Favourite movie …………………..Alien (1979)
Favourite sport ……………………. Female volley Ball
Favourite food ……………….……Fillet Steak with Garlic Butter
Favourite drink ……………………Dry White Wine
Favourite saying …………………. ‘Why can’t we step outside the box?’ (In other words, dare to be different!)
Favourite car ………………………Datsun 240Z
Favourite book ……………….……Stinger By Robert R McCammon
Favourite band …………………….AC/DC with Bon Scott
Star Wars or Star Trek ………………Star Wars
PC or Mac………………………..…PC