Tales From The Rock 'N Roll Side Part 1

The track Tonight led to Shy signing to Ebony Records in 1983. The following album was the universally acclaimed debut album "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Tonight is the Shy track featured , which went on to be on Once Bitten Twice Shy.

In 1985 Shy recorded their follow up to Once Bitten Twice Shy. First release after major signing deal with R.C.A.

The album was produced by Tony Platt, and two singles : Reflections and Hold onto Your Love were released.

A video for Hold Onto Your Love was shot. Shy received much praise for this album, which included a reworking of Reflections and

supported and promoted by a U.K. tour which included support slots for Twelth Night, Twisted Sister and U.F.O.

The album was released on L.P. and Cassette in 1985. Re-released on cd with bonus tracks in 2002.

The album Excess All Areas was recorded at Soundpush (Holland) and Red Bus (London),

with Pre Production at Total Access and Criterion (Los Angeles - U.S.A.) in 1987.

Neil Kernon then went on to produce argueably Shy's finest album. The album produced 3 singles and the band toured with Gary Moore,

Meat Loaf and Bon Jovi. Songwriting Duties included contributions from Michael Bolton, John Parker, Don Dokken, Duane Hitchings, Michael Jay and Neil Kernon.

Unfortunately it didn't break into the U.K. top 40 Album Chart, despite very favourable reviews. Although it is officially Shy's only hit album as it did spend a short length of time in the U.K. top 75. Probably the most remembered single was "Break Down The Walls" and the band had a video shot for this track. The band played many dates in Europe and just when things seemed to be picking up for them, they lost their record deal with R.C.A.

However the FM/Revolver record label was keen to release a third single off the album "Just Love Me" which was well received and the band played a couple of well attended gigs at the world famous "Marquee Club" in London.

In 1988 Shy were looking for a new record deal , and the band were determined to carry on. Many bands would have split up after such an excellent record as "Excess All Areas" had not broken commercially though. Yes it was a hit album, but RCA had decided that they couldn't plough any more money into the band. Strange bacause things were looking up for the band , and sales were increasing. However this is the music business, and these things are par for the course.

Shy did a lot of showcase gigs and by Christmas 1988 they secured a deal with M.C.A. The deal wasn't the only one on the table. I believe A & M records were interseted, but Shy felt M.C.A. were more in tune with the direction they wanted to go in, which was a harder rock edge sound, nearer to Motley Crue than Journey. I was at The Marquee when a jubilant Tony Mills announced the signing to M.C.A. and then dragged the M.C.A. record company guy(who got them signed!) onto the stage

Shy went about recording the album, flying out Los Angeles. Where they hooked up with Roy Thomas Baker, producer of The Cars, Ozzy Osbourne, and Queen. Shy had originally wanted Neil Kernon again but this didn't fit in with M.C.A's schedule.

The album was recorded and mixed by Roy Thomas Baker. With him at the helm, Producer of The Cars, Queen and Ozzy Osbourne, things looked promising. The album recording didn't run smootly and the band weren't very happy with the way the album was progressing. They had heard Roy Thomas Baker was a hard task master, but he seemed very casual about the whole album. The band came to the conclusion that they wanted to work with someone else, but M.CA. would have none of this. Too much money had been put in, and the album needed to be finished forthwith. Shy didn't have much choice. The band got on with the album to their credit, and still hoped that Roy Thomas Baker would work wonders in the mix. While production can be a personal thing i.e. different production styles/techniques may be right for different bands there is no excuse for the, in the words of Derek Oliver (Kerrang review 1989) :

" ..Somewhat slapdash production...The only saving grace for both the producer and the band is the quality of the songs...."

The band wanted to redo parts, but Shy's management advised that they shouldn't rock the boat. The band hoped everything would come good in the mix. After all Roy Thomas Baker had a good reputation, and so they carried on, there really wasn't much choice and it was the proffessional thing to do I nthe circumstances. When the album was released it got god review, 4k's in Kerrang, only losing top marks for it's "Slapdash production" in the words of Derek Oliver. Shy promoted the album by touring with Sleez Beez and Enuff Z Nuff in the USA and Hunter/Ronson in the U.K leg of the Misppent Youth Tour.

The band toured in the U.K. as the headline act, including a couple of dates at The Astoria in London. Ironically enough the last time I saw Shy play before they set off on the American leg of the Misspent Youth Tour, was Friday the 13th. In fact this was the last time I saw Tony Mills as the front man for Shy. There was no indication to me that he was going to leave, however if you check out the songwriting credits for this album you won't find his name on the song writing credits.

The band toured the U.S.A with Sleez Beez and Enuff Z Nuff. Things went pretty well, apart from a tour bus with no air conditioning , and at least a couple of band members falling off the stage at various venues. But that's Rock n Roll for you!

Three singles were released off the album : Give It All You've Got - which got to roughly number 80 or so , in October 89, then Money in December 89, which got 90 something and finally the best single bar far Broken Heart, in January 90, which went in somewhere just outside the Top 100. Well worth purchasing if you can find them. Especially the limited editions of Broken Heart and Money.

M.C.A. was aware of the production issues on this album and made a big thing of the fact that the singles had been remixed. A single page advert appeared in Kerrang for Give It All You've Got, with a telephone number to hear a small part of the song. Along with the music , was a voice over explaining that Shy were back with a bang. In the U.K. Hunter/Ronson headlined tour, with Shy as support, was advertised with a half page advert in Kerrang, listing Money and Give It All You've Got. Broken Heart got the full glossy treatment, with an impressive back page advert on the back of Metal Hammer. Unfortunately this song needed airplay. The advertising had impact. I remember seeing posters in Hammersmith High Street. I wish I'd managed to get a poster ...nevermind.

3 Singles were lifted off the album, Give It All You've Got which got some limited airplay and a cracking video on the top of a sky scraper, Money a single which I think was a mistake to release. This song was heavily criticised in Kerrang and other popular press. The song itself had a big drum beat and not much else. At least this was the criticism levelled at the song/band. This song is so much better live.

The other criticism I read (Possibly in Sounds Music Magazine?) was that not only was this song the worst kind of heavy metal (unfair) had nothing to do with the song. Have a look at the inlay cover of the band gambling with cards and smoking cigarettes. The photos are fine but a little too posed (only my opinion)..but the criticism was that none of the cigarettes were lit! Big deal - however as someone who was worked with various bands - I would have got them to light them. This kind of criticism had nothing to do with the band-...oh well .

The third single should have been a hit all the way. Broken Heart was a Bon Jovi 'ish single and should have been released 1st or 2nd. Probably 2nd . Give It All You've got had broken into the top 90 Singles and Broken Heart was so catchy and well produced . Give it All You've Got into the top 80 singles, Money into the top 90, and Broken Heart which was just outside the top 100. A full page advert ran in Kerrang advertising Give It All You've Got with a telephone number you could ring to hear a glimpse of the single.

I first heard Give It AllYou've Got in Our Price in Kinsgton, Surrey, U.K. I thought it sounded like Motley Crue. The MCA record rep was in the store seeing how many he could pass on to the shop.

He had an easy sale as I helped him out by buying two limited edition gatefold editions.

Money was released in a brilliant Silver Dollar edition and if you have a copy you'll know that it can also double up as a mirror if you need one!

Broken Heart came in a 12 " Holgram edition - The Shy logo changing colour, and the artwork is very clever. It portrays white and red roses in barbed wire on a blue background. If you look closer at the white roses you can see faces in them, definate lips and eyes. I can vaguely see faces in the red roses, but only just. Take a look - or am I just imagining this? I don't think so.

The back cover of Metal Hammer had a full page colur advert for Broken Heart, and received a very favourable review in Metal Hammer.

This single was promoted via posters all over London, I remember seeing it in Hammersmith in London.

Shy were then dropped by M.CA., although Tony Mills was offered a solo deal. But that's another story.

In the USA the band had the album release under the name of Shy England. Another band had taken the name Shy as soon as they heard MCA had signed Shy. The album was mainly targeted at the USA market, and the Shy England logo was used on the U.S. cover was as below:

After Shy returned from touring the States, including a not to be repeated experience of travelling in a bus with no air conditioning, Tony Mills left the band. He felt it was time for a change, and went on to form the much harder edged Siam, similar in sound to Queensryche (also produced by Neil Kernon) orientated band. Meanwhile Shy had no vocalist, and as they didn't have any plans to be an instrumental group they started looking for a replacement. Tony Mills would be a hard act to follow, but it had to be done.

After holding many auditions they found their man. However that's another story...Next Stop "Welcome To The Madhouse"

Shy spent 1991 looking for a new vocalist. They saw a lot of vocalists and recruited John Francis , vocalist with the excellent "After Hours" band.

The band briefly renamed themselves "Black Cat" and arranged to play a gig in London. Unfortunately the gig got cancelled, as I found out when I made a 300 mile trip to see them, carrying designs for Black Cat logos/image etc. Nevermind. John Francis was let go for various reasons and the search for yet another vocalist bagan.

In 1992 Shy found the vocalist they needed, namely one John Ward, or Wardi as he's known. Wardi was previously front man with Madame X, one of Axle Rose's previous bands. Wardi was in L.A. when he got the call from the band. Wardi had known the rest of the band from his school days and it wasn't hard for him to leave L.A. for Birmingham based Shy. Once in place the band started recording material for the album which was to be called Welcome To The Madhouse.

Welcome To The Madhouse was to be produced by Neil Kernon, the producer of Shy's 1987 album "Excess All Areas". Once again Neil Kernond proved to the right man for the job. The album itself was packed with commercial rock tunes and had a more rock n roll feeling. In fact it has to be one of Shy's best albums with great melody, hook lines and superb production values.

The material was showcased at The Borderline Club in London under the name of "Crazy Crazy", with Shy hoping for another big record deal. The Major deal didn't materialise, although the album did get a major record release in Japan through Phonogram. In the U.K. the album was released through Granite, a new Birmingham based label. The band recorded the Rolling Stones cover "It's Only Rock n Roll"., and had a very amusing video made to conincide with it's release. The album got solidly good reviews, but the band came in for some negative reviews when they toured. Despite this the gigs were well attended, and Shy were back again playing live, and entertaining the fans with excellent aor. Wardi was in his element live and the band was a tightly knit unit again.

Stand out tracks on the album had to be opener "Parasite", "Crazy Crazy" "Something For The Weekend" amoungst others. Distribution of the album in theU.K. didn't go smoothly. The album was later re-released on Roy Davis's label Pheonix, with bonus tracks and a new cover of 10 Downing street.

Next Stop : Regeneration, Live In Europe and Hammer To Fall (Neat Metal 1999)

Live In Europe as the title suggests is just that. It is the only live album available. It was recorded mostly in Tolouse France on the Excess All Areas Tour. The last third of the album was recorded at Surrey University in 1989 on the Missspent Youth Tour.

I'll review this album in two parts. It is an excellent album capturing an aor band at their peak and getting an excellent response from the fans in Europe.

The first 7 tracks are all off Excess All Areas, and translate live to what sounds like a large crowd enjoying themselves.

You get excellent renditions of Break Down The Walls, Telephone, Talk To Me (could this have been a single?), and Young Heart which is my favourite off this album. The crowd response is excellent and the sound quality is superb. Tony Mills delivering his vocals amazingly clearly.

The second half of the album was recorded at Surrey University. 5 Tracks including Money, Chained by Desire, Make my Day etc. The sound quality is poor. The concert sounds fine, a smaller but enthusiastic crowd. I try to understand but can't as to why these live tracks were included. For starters there are better songs off Misspent Youth. It's just personal taste but what about Give It All You've Got, Broken Heart (my fave) Love On The Line etc. I am pleased with the inclusion of When You Need Someone which I think could have been a single off the Misspent Youth Album.

Secondly the poor sound quality. I can only thing that they were needed to make the album a normal length. I would much rather heard more Excess All Area tracks from the Tolouse concert or another on the Excess Tour. Once again I can only presume that they weren't available. This album could have been Excess All Areas live! Now that would've been a treat.

However all things weighed up this is still an excellent live cd capturing an aor band in it's prime. I'd give the album (out of 10) 8.

I'd give the first half 9.5 and the second 6. or Tolouse 9.5 :Surrey 6. if you want it as a football result!

Welcome to Tales From The Rock n Roll Side - Episode7 - Regeneration - 1999

Regeneration is a collection of previously unreleased material / b sides / demos recorded material, and released on Neat Metal. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of these songs and some, in my opinion should have made been included on previous full album releases.

As previously mentioned this is a compilation of unreleased material, and as such there was very little promotional material to speak of. There was no tour. Next Stop Hammer To Fall

Welcome to Tales From The Rock n Roll Side: Episode 8 - Let The Hammer Fall

In 1999 Shy did a deal with Neat Metal to release an 3 albums of ...well unreleased work. These took the form of demos, B-sides, and songs for one reason or another that didn't make it onto a full studio album. I personally think some of the songs should have graced a Shy album, while others are interesting but probably not good enough for inclusion on a studio release. However this album is worth checking out by any Shy / Melodic aor rock fan.

There isn't much to say about this release to be honest. The promotion was low key, and the album is advertised in the other two albums released by Neat Metal in 1999, Live In Europe and Regeneration.

After Regeneration, Live In Europe and Let The Hammer Fall were released in 1999, the next album was Welcome To the Madhouse.

Well it was a long wait for the comeback album to arrive. I'm glad to say it was worth the wait. More often than not comeback albums are very dissapointing and they beg the question as to why the bands in question bothered. Unfinished Business should have been the follow up to "Excess All Areas", Shy's only hit album (Top 75) and I wondered if it would have broken them into the U.K. top 40 ?Anyway better late than never, and boasting such a conistent level of songs, aor at it's best. Tony Mills sounds as great as ever and Steve Harris has introduced a new line in guitar solos, which explains the long running time for the album. I'm not complaining though, as I think they are excellent and Steve just proves what a great guitar player he is.

Breakaway was released as a 5 track E.P. to promote the forthcoming album Unfinished Business.

This cd included a second track from this new album, and 3 acoustic tracks exclusive to this cd.

An acoustic version of Emergency and Young Heart from Excess All Areas

And from Once Bitten/Brave The Storm - an acoustic version of the superb Reflections.

Stand out tracks include opener Skydiving, Storyline ,Whole Lotta Feelings and the high octane Breakaway.

Above is the centre pages from Unfinished Business. These 2 pages explain how the album came into

being, from signing with Z Records to recording, problems along the way and the final album mix.

Summary of Unfinished Business - The Making of....The following story is told by Steve Harris..

May 2000 : How long will it take to record new album?" - Mark Alger (Z Records )

Mark Alger meets Tony Mills, Steve Harris and Roy Davis. Tony Mills explains that the ablum should take 3 months to do, from December 2000.

Mark Alger sits in the mastering room at Octagon Studios, Gateshead with Tony & Roy.

He is a changed man. We have turned him into a Sceptic....You almost fell sorry for him...

..Tony and myself long talked about doing another album in the right circumstances..We were all

It was the opportunity we had been looking for....Naievely we had believed we could finish the album in the same time

that it had taken to do previous albums when we had enjoyed the luxury of being able to devote all our time to those projects.

..with the album only half-complete Sable Rose, where we were recording had other artists booked to the end of the year.

We were pencilled in October 2001, but again Sable Rose Studios became fully booked,,we seemed to have a different release date every week!

..It gave us the chance to come up with extra parts to fill thses songs out..I probably came up with twice the amopunt of solos..Also it gave us the advantage of deciding which parts we wanted to redo if we did not think they were up to scratch.

.....Mixing and mastering both ran smoothly and Mark finally got his album. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

..The usual studio problems, the mixing desk blowing up..tuning problems..I don't know how many hours we put in the studio but I bet they fall short of three months worth.

..So if we start on a new album this December (2002), you can pencil us in for a summer 2004 release..You never know we might even surprise you and then again.....

The new album Sunset & Vine is due out in Jan/February 2005 as it happens!

The New SHY album is penned in as "Sunset & Vine". The album is scheduled for December release in Japan and Europe, with a February 2005 Release for the U.K.

Early indications are that it will in the vein of Unfinished Business and clocks in a running time of just over 60 minutes long. Steve Harris has gone into done plenty of guitar segments, like Unfinished Business. I'm looking forward to the results.

This album will feature twin guitars, with a welcome to Ian Richardson, guitarist with Siam.

With the departure of Paddy Mckenna, Keyboard duties have been undertaken by Joe Basketts who worked on "Cruiser" Tony Mills first solo album.

Contrary to popular belief the album does feature Keyboards, but will strongly feature the twin guitar approach, colouring the music rather than obvious keyboards. I like many Shy fans love the Keyboards on their albums, but have a strong belief that the band will produce another excellent album. In the U.K. & the rest of Europe we will have to wait until the 7th of Febraury 2005 for "Sunset & Vine" to arrive.

The new album, but a preview has been released through the latest MTM compilation which was released in November - featuring a new SHY track : " The Way Home", from Sunset & Vine.

The music has been done by Steve Harris, and the lyrics by Tony Mills, with the exception of Walk Through Fire - penned by Steve Harris.

The album is pretty much in the veins of Unfinished Business, with a nod towards a heavy Journey. I look forward to it.

I'll be talking to Roy Davis soon about the new album....so watch this space. I'm also hoping that SHY will tour or at least play a few gigs . No details are available yet....only time will tell. Thanks for visiting and do leave your comments in the guestbook (will be on line soon) .

High Time

Open Your Heart

Soul Searchin'

Where Is The Love?

Don't Jump The Gun

You Could Be Dreaming

I will be Home

First Love

Walk Through Fire

Slowly