Tiger (band)

Tiger
Origin	Princes Risborough/London, England
Genres	Alternative rock Punk Kraut Rock
Years active	1996–1999
Labels	Fierce Panda Island Trade 2
Associated acts	Fleas
Members
Dan Laidler Julie Sims Tina Whitlow Dido Hallett Gavin Skinner
Past members
Craig 'Ed' Grimshaw Louis Jones Seamus Feeney

Tiger were an indie band from Princes Risborough and London who were formed in 1996.^[1]

Tiger quickly got British press attention after their debut single "Shining in the Wood" was played on BBC Radio 1. The musical climate of the time was dominated by Britpop and retro bands influenced by Oasis. Tiger, who were characterised by fuzzy guitars and multiple keyboards, were quickly held up as part of a new alternative.

The band had two keyboardists using Moog synthesizers and used droning song structures similar to Stereolab and Neu!, but with a stronger pop element. The band were often criticised for their (lack of) fashion sense: they wore outdated clothes and at least two members of the band had mullet haircuts, which, although they have become fashionable since, were totally out of place at the time.

The band recorded and released their 1996 debut album We are Puppets less than a year after they first formed. It was often described as patchy and samey, but one which nonetheless had some strong pop songs.^{[citation needed]} The album's singles, "Race", "My Puppet Pal", and "On The Rose" were minor successes although only "Race" reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.^[2]

NME invited them to perform on their annual Brat Bus Tour in 1997 and their performances were generally held to be a success.

In late 1998 they supported Pulp, but any impetus had been lost by this point and they were dropped from their record label shortly after. Their Stephen Street-produced second album Rosaria eventually appeared on the Tugboat label in 1999, but shortly afterwards they split up.

Line-up

• Dan Laidler: vocals, guitar
• Julie Sims: guitar, vocals
• Tina Whitlow: keyboards, guitar
• Dido Hallett: keyboards
• Craig 'Ed' Grimshaw (drummer from Warm Jets) on debut single "Shining In The Wood"
• Louis Jones (singer & guitarist from Warm Jets) on debut single "Shining In The Wood"
• Seamus Feeney: drums
• Gavin Skinner: drums (on the 2nd album)

Discography

Albums

Info	Track listing
We Are Puppets Year: Nov, 1996 Format: CD Label: Trade 2 UK Chart Position: #108[3] Review: Allmusic link Produced by Daren Eskriett and Tiger. Except 1, produced by Pete Briquette.	"My Puppet Pal" - 3:08 "Shamed All Over" - 3:31 "Race" - 3:25 "Bollinger Farm" - 3:41 "Storm Injector" - 3:19 "Depot" - 3:11 "On The Rose" - 3:33 "Sorry Monkeys" - 3:13 "Cateader Reddle" - 3:51 "She's OK" - 2:10 "Ray Travey" - 2:25 "Keep In Touch" - 6:29
Shining In The Wood (US Only) Year: Apr, 1997 Format: CD Label: Bar None Records Review: Allmusic link Produced by Daren Eskriett and Tiger. Except 3, produced by Louis Jones and Tiger.	"Shining In The Wood" - 3:45 "Where's The Love?" - 3:49 "Honey Friends" - 3:19 "Time Tunnel Cellar" - 2:09 "Bicycle" - 2:42 "I'm In Love With RAF Nurse" - 1:55
Rosaria Year: May, 1999 Format: CD Label: Tugboat Produced by Stephen Street. Except 6 & 9, produced by Donald Ross Skinner.	"Friends" - 3:39 "I Was a Rolling Stone" - 4:07 "Speak to Me" - 3:55 "Girl from the Petrol Station" - 5:22 "Candy and Andy" - 3:24 "Birmingham" - 4:34 "Root Cage" - 3:26 "Soho Soul" - 5:04 "Bee Song" - 3:14 "Our Simple Life" - 3:33 "River" - 4:27 "Rox Baroque" - 4:34

Singles

Info	Track listing
Shining In The Wood Year: Jun, 1996 Format: 7" / CD Label: Fierce Panda UK Chart Position: #135[3]	"Shining In the Wood" - 3:45 "Where's the Love?" - 3:39 "Bicycle" - 2:42
Race Year: Aug, 1996 Format: 7" / CD / Cassette Label: Trade 2 UK Chart Position: #37[1]	"Race" - 3:27 "Honey Friends" - 3:19 "Time Tunnel Cellar" - 2:10 "I'm In Love With RAF Nurse" - 1:56
My Puppet Pal Year: Nov, 1996 Format: 7" / CD / Cassette Label: Trade 2 UK Chart Position: #62[1]	"My Puppet Pal" - 3:08 "Icicle" - 3:53 "Flea's Song" / Bonus Track - 5:57 (with Fleas)
On The Rose Year: Feb, 1997 Format: 7" / 2xCD Label: Trade 2 UK Chart Position: #57[1]	CD one "On The Rose (New Recording)" - 2:49 "On Spanish Farmland" - 3:36 "Babe" - 2:56 CD two "Live" "On the Rose (New Recording)" - 2:51 "Ray Travez (Soho live)" - 2:20 "Depot (Mark Radcliffe Show)" - 2:20 "I'm In Love With RAF Nurse (Mark Radcliffe show)" - 1:52
Best in Bucks (ltd single with and as 'Fleas') Year: 1997 Format: 7" Label: Trade 2	"Best in Bucks" "Sports Day" "Nasty Landscapes"
Friends Year: Aug, 1998 Format: 7" / 2xCD Label: Trade 2 UK Chart Position: #72[1]	CD one "Friends" - 3:39 "Wensleydale" - 3:12 "Bottle Of Juice" - 2:23 CD two "Friends" - 3:39 "White Saab, Dark Night" - 3:12 (with Fleas) "Rogue Robyn" - 3:10
Girl From the Petrol Station (Unreleased) Year: 1998 Format: Promo CD Label: Trade 2	"Girl From The Petrol Station" (edit) - 3:49 "Paul Young" - 3:36 "Sea Shandy" - 2:35 "God It's Good" - 3:36 "Rolling Rose" - 2:47

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
2. ^ Roberts, Robert (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 559. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
3. ^ ^{a b} www.chartwatch.co.uk

External links

• Cult Bands Fan Site
• Complete discography