Review by Manny Manson for MPM
Welcome to The Queens Hall, Nuneaton, rock fans, to the sonic kingdom of TYKETTO, a band that has etched its name into the annals of melodic hard rock with a permanent marker. The band, born in the pulsating heart of New York City in 1987, TYKETTO were a force to be reckoned with, traversing the wild waters of the music industry with strength and an unswerving duty to their sound.
At the helm of TYKETTO’s ship stands Danny Vaughn, a vocalist whose soulful delivery and emotional lyricism have become the band’s signature. Vaughn’s voice is a shining example that guides listeners through the band’s emotive soundscapes.
TYKETTO first hoisted their sail into the winds of success with their debut album, “Don’t Come Easy,” released in 1991. This opus not only solidified their standing in the melodic rock scene but also spawned the timeless classic “Forever Young,” a ballad that continues to resonate with audiences across generations, a fan favourite that is now a staple on every set list.
The journey continued with subsequent albums such as “Strength in Numbers” (1994), “Shine” (1995), “Dig in Deep” (2012), and “Reach” (2016) each offering a sonic odyssey that lay bare TYKETTO’s progression while staying true to their melodic roots.
New guitarist, Harry Scott Elliot, who replaces Chris Green, weaves intricate tapestries of sound, his playing style seemingly being made for this 80’s band, provides the melodic backbone that underpins TYKETTO’s anthems. Behind the drum kit, you’ll find Johnny Dee, The formidable powerhouse with the Queen of metal, Doro Pesch. His rhythmic prowess propels TYKETTO’s sound forward. Keyboardist Ged Rylands and bassist Chris Childs round out the line-up, adding layers of depth to the band’s musical wall of sound.
Venturing into the musical lineage of TYKETTO, you’ll discover that the members have left their indomitable mark in various other projects. Danny Vaughn, the charismatic frontman, has lent his vocal talents to bands like Waysted and Vaughn, demonstrating his versatility, Waysted tracks like ‘Heaven Tonight’, and ‘Hero’s Die Young’ feature in the setlist’s to date, and leaving an enduring mark on the hard rock landscape.
But first we have a Scarborough based band called ‘This house we built’ debut in the Queen’s Hall, Nuneaton. This was certainly one of the hottest spots in town tonight, as the outside temperatures start to plummet on my arrival. I was lucky enough to snag a ticket for the sold-out TYKETTO Winter Tour 2023. But before the legends hit the stage, we were treated to a blast from classic rock with the aforementioned ‘This house we built’ as the opening act. Now, I’ve not seen the band before, but let me tell you, they brought the ‘80s Rock vibe back in full force.
‘This house we built’ are a powerhouse of talent. Fronted by Scott Wardell on Vocals and guitar, Andy Jackson on guitar and backing vocals, white shades wearing bass player Wayne Dowkes White and Oz Ward on the drums. They kick off the proceedings with ‘Fairweather Friend,’ a track from their eponymous, self-titled debut album.
The sound is pure ‘80s rock glory, with catchy hooks that have the crowd nodding their heads in no time. ‘Nobody’s Fool’ follows, another gem from their debut album, and the energy in the room is climbing. You can feel the crowd’s appreciation as they soak in the on-stage rock n roll antics provided by frontman Wardell.
‘We Are We Are’ came next, with its compulsory sing-along moment. This anthem again from their debut album has everyone belting out the lyrics when and were requested a future classic for the band, creating that unity between the band and the fans. ‘Walk The Line’ keeps the momentum going, the crowd’s enjoyment building with each riff.
Then came a touching moment – a song dedicated to singer, Scott Wardells grandmother, titled ‘Fly Me Up To The Moon.’ The words came to him in a dream, and the emotion in his voice resonates with those who’ve lost someone dear. The crowd appreciation was palpable, you could feel the respect in the room as it gets the biggest cheer of the set.
‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ and ‘My Old Friend’ kept the bangers coming, each song showcasing the band’s sound combined with Scott’s vocals, and his stage antics making the whole show one of fun, even so the breaking of a string, and having to retune the new guitar mid song, didn’t seem to phase him. The set reached its pinnacle with a cover of John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice,’ a single the band have covered with Danny from TYKETTO as guest vocalist. The crowd joined in with the singing as the temperature inside the venue continued to rise, by doing so the transition to TYKETTO was seamless, albeit for the crew to swap guitars around and line the drinks up ready.
Now, TYKETTO, with Harry Scott Eliot, Ged Rylands, Chris Childs, Johnny Dee, and Danny Vaughn, take to the stage and kick things off with ‘Strength in Numbers,’ the title track from their 1994 album. The band cruise into this one slicker than an eel down a drainpipe, and when Danny Vaughn burst onto the stage, beaming and full of energy, the crowd erupts, yes the silver fox has that rare thing ‘Charisma’.
‘Wings’ takes us back to TYKETTO’s golden years, circa 1991. The song has that classic ‘80s hair metal style, with soaring vocals and infectious melodies that has everyone singing along. Harry’s easily at home playing this as she scoops his hair from his face. ‘The Fastest Man Alive’ followes, a thundering anthem that has Danny moving about the stage, at times foot on the monitor, singing into the crowd. It was a sight to behold, and the fans were simply loving it.
As the band continue, now fully locked in and tight, they deliver a greatest hits live album experience. ‘Meet Me At Night’ and ‘Reach’ from 2016 showcase the band’s tightness and Danny hinted at the possibility of new material. The eager fans were all ears, eager to hear what TYKETTO had in store.
‘Rescue Me’ and the another of the many fan favourites ‘Circle The Wagons’ keet the energy high, with ‘Seasons’ maintaining the hard-hitting pace and a singing crowd. ‘Inherit the Wind’ has the fans bouncing along, capturing the moment on their phones. Harry’s guitar sounds sweet at the back of the venue, as does Chris Childs 5-string bass and the swirling keys of Ryland. I capture a fun face from Johnny Dee on the drums before I had to move away from the front to give the fans closer access to Danny.
‘Love to Love’ has the love in the room soaring, creating a warm atmosphere even though the temperature outside plummets below zero. ‘Lay Your Body Down,’ ‘Standing Alone,’ and ‘Nothing but Love’ kept the night rocking along, with each song showcasing Danny’s vocals, he can still hit those high notes effortlessly when needed, although most of the time the crowd were singing along and hitting them with him, sometimes not quite as on point as he is.
Now, Danny Vaughn’s journey had a stopover with a band called “Waysted,” and it was time for a nostalgic trip. ‘Heroes Die Young’ brought a bit of history into the set, and you could feel the connection between Danny and the fans who remembered those golden days. Needless tosay the crowd sing along and it goes down a storm
The set reaches its climax with ‘The Run,’ a banger that has the crowd in a frenzy. The song, with its infectious energy and killer guitar riffs, leaves everyone craving for more. It was from the album ‘Reach,’ and it was a fitting end to a night filled with musical fireworks.
But no TYKETTO night would be complete without the anthemic ‘Forever Young.’ The song, with its timeless appeal and heart-warming lyrics, that has everyone singing along, creating a sense of unity in the crowd and a huge smile on the faces of the band. The cheers and applause were deafening when the song and the night finished, the love and appreciation in the air long after the band had exited the stage.
So as the final chords of ‘Forever Young’ resonate, the Queen’s Hall is filled with warmth and camaraderie. It’s been a trip down memory lane for many, a showcase of stunning musical prowess, and a great night of love and friendship. Stepping out into the freezing night, the only thing on my mind was that Dean Martin song ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’, indeed, it’s bloody cold outside. But the memories of that ‘80s hair metal era will keep me warm while I wait for my car to defrost, thank heavens for heated seats.
