Rob Wylde, best known as singer in Midnite City and Tigertailz expands on his singing career and what the future holds with regard to new music and live gigs.
Who were your influences in the early days and have you always wanted to be a singer in a band?
My main influences when I first started out were Jon Bon Jovi and Bret Michaels. They were the two guys I tried to emulate in the early days before I started to find my own style. Paul Stanley in his prime was king and I'd also list the likes of Ted Poley, Robin Zander, Jani Lane and Mike Tramp as major influences as well. I took what all those singers did, mixed it up, and did my own version of it. All those guys were also incredible frontmen and performers which is equally important, especially in this genre of music.
You have appeared on a number of albums over the years. Do you have a favourite and why?
There's been so many it's hard to keep track but I think my favourite is probably Midnite City's second album 'There Goes The Neighbourhood' which came out in 2018. In many ways that was the album I always wanted to make, and as far as writing and recording the perfect Hair Metal album, that one came pretty close!
It was voted 5th best album of the year in Classic Rock Magazine and also ended up in the top 100 albums of the past 35 year history of Burrn! magazine in Japan so I'm pretty proud of that one.
You play guitar and drums. What made you switch from drums to vocals and do you have any thoughts of playing in a side project in one of those slots in a band?
I started out on guitar and began taking lessons when I was 9. From there I moved onto the drums, but deep down I always wanted to be a singer, I was just really shy when I was younger. I always sang backing vocals and was the songwriter in all the bands I played in so it was a natural progression to move forward when I gained the confidence to do so. I still play a lot of guitars on the Midnite City albums and play a lot of solo acoustic shows too so the guitar never really leaves my side. I've also played guitar and bass for other artists in the past like Steevi Jaimz and ISSA so if the right offer came along I would certainly be interested.
Apart from Midnite City and Tigertailz, have you ever auditioned for the vocal spot in any other notable bands?
I was asked to sing for the Swedish band Cruzh right before I formed Midnite City, alongside a hand full of others. Apart from Tigertailz though, I've always formed the bands I've been in and written all the songs so it's not easy for me to just join someone else's band and sing someone else's songs. I guess I'm a bit of a control freak and I will happily admit that.
You seem to keep yourself busy. Any plans to release a solo album?
I've always wanted to do a solo album but right now Midnite City is my number one priority and takes us so much of my time that there isn't much time to do anything else. There will be a Rob Wylde solo album at some point though when I have the time. It's on my to-do list!
Is there any unreleased material from your days in Teenage Casket Company that could see the light of day?
Not that I'm aware of. But we are going to be playing a one-off reunion show in Nottingham in October of next year. It will just be a one-night thing but it will be fun and we may record a new song and put out a single to coincide with it. Watch this space.
Some vocalists are on strict dietary regimes or gargle with special liquids. How have you kept your voice in tip top shape all these years?
I have several warm exercises I do before every single show or recording session. They usually take about 45 minutes and I refuse to go on stage until I've done them. All the Midnite City songs are in the stratosphere and at the top of my range so it's vitally important to warm up my voice so I can hit those notes and be comfortable.
I also drink my body weight in water to stay hydrated at all times and use Vocalzone tea and capsules which is a company I am endorsed with. Then after the show it's usually straight back to the hotel if I'm on tour. Sadly, no partying for me!
Do you still get the same buzz out of singing live as you did in the past?
The world has changed so much since I started playing in bands all those years ago and keeping on top of all the social media stuff you have to do to keep relevant is exhausting but the one thing that never changes is the buzz of singing live on stage. That's the one constant, and the older I get, the more I enjoy it. There's nothing I love doing more.
Are there any musicians that you have not worked with, but would like to in the future?
I would like to write for a lot more artists. I'd like to write some songs for Chez Kane who is a friend of mine. I'm also back in touch with Steevi Jaimz and I think we could make a great album together.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline at the moment that you can share?
Midnite City has just signed a new record deal and we are working on our fourth album right now which will be out next summer to coincide with a UK tour in June. It's without doubt our best work to date and we can't wait for everyone to hear it. I'm also heading out on tour opening for John Corabi acoustically over the next few weeks and will also be on tour with Ted Poley next March all over the UK.
Interview by Stuart Dryden
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