Q. What got you into playing the drums? I originally bought an electric bass guitar, but that left me no money for an amplifier so I got my money back, after working the summer hols at North Shields I noticed a Premier Olympic in the local paper, so that's how it started off. I played in a band at 6th form college and then met Rocky at Newcastle Poly on Friday nights when he had his own little DJ spot (Motorhead/Motorhead/then some Motorhead).

Q. What were your main musical influences? No single influence in those days, obvious ones such as John Bonham, also unlikely ones such as Tony Thompson (Chic), Prairie Prince (The Tubes) and Steve Smith (Journey) amongst hundreds. My fave now would be Dave Weckl [US jazz/session drummer].

Q. What memories do you have of Whitley Bay? Brilliant, dedication, loyalty, and a bloody good time. You only lived for the next rehearsal or the next gig. Before Tynemouth [the band used to rehearse in the old church on Front Street] we rehearsed in a church hall in Backworth. I seem to remember a brick coming through the window and the door being barricaded. At that time the chanter was Mark Butcher, a far superior singer to Jess. Whitley Bay was great - a lot of our spare time was spent together, Mayfair [rock club in Newcastle - no longer exists] etc. I used to frequent the Monkseaton Arms and go down the Rex to watch bands. We used to play Mingles every Wednesday, the Rex hotel, 1 or 2 pubs e.g. The Golden Eagle in Blyth, a few workingmens' clubs (why??), and many others I no longer remember.

Q. What do you remember of Jess Cox's place in Cambridge Avenue, Whitley Bay (where John Sykes lived during his time in the band)? Any funny stories stayed with you? Cambridge Ave wasn't a very nice place; Jess and Jon Dev lived there as did my brother. I used to go and hang there a bit but no recollection of any funny stories; I remember they lived on fried egg sandwiches. Jon moved to a ground floor flat further down towards the library, I used to regularly drink till dawn there after Mingles.

Q. How would you describe John Sykes as a person at that time? Did you socialise much? We used to go out on a Monday, our pay day, to the rock disco at what was originally the Oxford in Newcastle, I forget its name at that time. John was ok, a dedicated musician but not the brightest of blokes.

Q. How would you describe each of the Tygers line-up in one word each? Me - loyal; Rocky - snob; Robb - tash - why?; Jon D - welsh; John S - talented

Q. When was the last time you listened to Spellbound? It's probably over twenty years since I listened to Spellbound. I did receive a gratis Japanese CD but my ex-wife demolished it along with everything else! I have bought a vinyl copy on ebay, slight problem - no deck. I have downloaded Hellbound and Blackjack: I would probably have a heart attack playing at those speeds now. Those 2 tracks I love.

Q. What are your thoughts on the album now? I have given the album very little thought but there is a pic of my girlfriend on the inside cover I was pleased to see.

Q. What was the story behind the cover art for Spellbound? What is it supposed to mean - there's a tiger, fair enough, but…(what's your interpretation)?! No idea

Q. What was your favourite track off the album to play live? Fave track to play would be Hellbound. I can't remember but I have little doubt.

Q. What can you remember about recording the album? - Any amusing stories? Can't remember much about recording the album. I do remember John Sykes having a life-size cardboard cut-out of Gary Moore next to him and having access to his Marshalls and guitars.

Q. How did the band write songs? Who was responsible for the tracks that made it onto Spellbound? I think all the songs came from riffs, but everybody pitched in.

Q. What was the feeling about the album in the band at the time? What hopes did you have for it? Our hopes were for it to be a much bigger success than Wild Cat but we didn't have the commitment of MCA to work us hard touring-wise. I think we all started enjoying the booze, drugs, and sex side of it all a little too much around this time.

Q. How did you feel about the Tygers management? Tom [Noble] and Grahame [Thompson] were mates as much as managers, without them Tygers would never have gone as far as it did.

Q. I heard that while playing you used to keep time from Robb's guitar coming through your monitor. Is that correct? Keep time off Robb? I think not. I can't remember - traditionally it's the other way round.

Q. The band were said to be ill when you recorded the gig at Nottingham Rock City in 1981. What was the story behind that? I can only remember Jon D having laryngitis and I had a couple of bad cuts on my hand. I have heard the album and think it's got something, warts and all.

Q. The Tygers' summer tour of Holland in 1981 is alleged to have been a little wild: what are your memories of it? Tygers' tour of Holland: I remember in Amsterdam pissing off the hotel balcony on to the street below, nipped the end under orders from Rocky, let it flow when prompted hitting a cyclist beneath.

Q. How did you feel when John Sykes quit the band? What made him leave, in your opinion? Fair play to the bloke - he didn't have the loyalty we had. He left to audition for Ozzy, went on to bigger and better things with Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder. Well done that man. He had a much more disciplined attitude to his instrument, and practised 500x the hours I did.

Q. Have you heard any of the music John Sykes went on to make? What did you think about it? Only heard the first single, Please Don't Leave Me. Nearly went to see him in Bristol not that long ago, fronting Thin Lizzy.

Q. What happened after The Cage album? Did you play on the demos for the follow-up? I played on some demos and was then sacked, cheers Fred and Jon. Time's a great healer but I have never forgotten, hopefully what goes around comes around.

Q. What about the Wreck-Age and Burning in the Shade albums? Just me and Jon. We were the only 2 who did not move on. Still some good times though, and Stevie Lamb is to this day the best guitar player I've had the joy to play with, along with his friend Mr Carlsberg Special Brew.

Q. Were you invited to take part in the 1999 Tygers reunion at Wacken? Why weren't you there? I was invited to take part in recording an album. I was not prepared to do it without minimal expenses which weren't forthcoming. I presume Wacken was around this time. Good luck to them.

Q. You used to work as a session drummer. How much involvement do you have with the music industry now? And how is life treating you these days? I was professional up until I moved to Somerset permanently 3 years ago from Kent. Cabaret, hotels, cruises, made a lot more dosh than Tygers. My ex is currently enjoying the fruits. I got sick of being away all the time - my last job was 3 weeks in Israel. I'm on the north-eastern edge of Exmoor National Park, have a small cottage with stables and land (dogs, donkeys, horses, goats, land rover etc.) and work for William Hill bookmakers. My cockney partner is a copper. I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Q. Do you ever visit Whitley Bay / Newcastle, just for old times' sake, or is that all in the past? I very rarely visit Newcastle; been to Whitley Bay once in the past 5 years to visit my brother and show my partner around, where I was brought up etc.

Q. Are you still in touch with any of the other lads from the Tygers? Not in touch with anyone but would be happy to meet up one day.

Q. Any regrets about the Tygers, or were you just living for the moment? I regret nothing, maybe more work and less play would have been a good idea.

Q. How would you like the Tygers to be remembered? I'd like the band to be remembered as a rich man's The Darkness, following a newspaper article describing The Darkness as a poor man's Tygers of Pan Tang.

Fave Tygers song: Life of Crime [B-side to Rendezvous] (American accents and English police sirens - what a load of old shit, love it!!)

Fave band: The Arcade Fire [Canadian multi-instrumentalist indie rock band]

Thanks to Brian for making the time to answer the questions!