Tymon sometimes works solo and sometimes with his band, the Quikening. The Quikening is a collective of several musicians: over the last year Liam Gennokey, Sasha, Simon Page and most recently Jasper Williams have played drums; Colin Gibson and now Muz on bass guitar; Joe Brooke on keyboard; Simon Shaw played lead guitar at several gigs; Sarah Anderson has often joined Tymon with her violin and Alex T has contributed imaginative percussion at the most recent gigs. Tymon plays Tetraharp, Spanish guitar, piano, oud, viola and violin.
Tymon has spent 2009 writing and recording both solo and with other musicians, exploring and innovating new musical possibilities. More details coming soon.
The band, the Quikening, was Tymon's first musical project after the unexpected death of long standing friend and collaborator, Joe Strummer, with whom he was working in The Mescaleros, co-writing some of the band's most enduring songs including 'Mondo Bongo' (which was used in the film 'Mr and Mrs Smith' 2006) and 'Johnny Appleseed' (which was the theme tune of the HBO series 'John fron Cincannatti' in August 2007).
Tymon plays loads of instruments including a harp of his own invention which has yet to be named (due to copyright considerations) but which some are calling 'the pyramid' or 'new age' harp. He's talented and highly original on the piano and violin and his guitar playing owes much to years spent in Andalusia.
The Past...
Tymon started singing and playing his own material when he was 16.
His obvious talent was immediately spotted and he was and he was signed to Pye records. His first single, The bitter thoughts of little Jane, was released in 1967.
In 1968 Tymon started to record an album for the Apple Label, but disagreed with the commercial route the label had started to pursue and left without signing the contract. He embarked on a nationwide tour supporting the Moody Blues at this time.
Tymon devoted several years to honing his songwriting skills and learning to play a surprising number of instruments, from the viola to Chinese shawms. He is probably the first musician to sing and play the violin at the same time.!
At the centre of the 70s squatting scene in W11 that also produced the Slits (with whom he shared a house) and the Clash amoung other bands, Tymon left the chaotic music scene behind for a while and went to India. There he embarked on a spriritual search that lasted several years. Turning up in New York in 1980; he found his friends, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones had become massive punk stars. He contributed 'Lose this skin' to their Sandanista album and also played on albums by musicians as diverse as Ian Hunter and The Poison Girls.
In 1983 Tymon and Joe made an album recorded by Glyn Johns (Rolling Stones etc.) Hollowed Out has yet to be released.
Tymon released two further albums in the 1980s, Battle of Wills and Relentless.
Tymon worked both solo and with other musicians in Europe and America. Over the following years, he continued evolving the global music sensibility which characterizes his music.
In 2000 he joined Joe Strummer's new band the Mescaleros and toured widely with them, co-writing several songs with Joe which were recorded on 'Global a-Go Go'. Following Joes untimely and tragic death in 2002 Tymon left the band which later broke up.
For more info on Tymon please go to the excellent fan site at www.tymondogg.net
"The Quikening" are.... "Awe-inspiring sincere and captivating; an amalgamation of acoustic, rock, folk, roots and Latin flavours".
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
It's essentially a music review aggregation service, providing a constantly updated chart of critical reaction to releases, with various ways for users to personalise the chart.
We're hoping the site will be another useful way for music lovers to find new music. So if you like it, please use it and also pass on the link.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Mez do the walker thingh!!!! Come in town boys Ehi Tymon I wait for you,we met in London Sheffield Liverpool and Granada I WAIT in my town come on!!!!
THE SPAGHETTI ORCHESTRA (17 elements) WILL PLAY "WALKER", Joe Strummer Soundtrack 1987,in the main square of their town.Final with Clash and Morricone’s theme
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
When I was younger, listening to "Sandinista!", there was a mysterious track I really enjoyed : "Lose This Skin" -fabulous song ! I was asking to myself : Who is Tymon Dogg ? A girl ? A boy ? Well, now I know better (sometimes a Mescalero too), and it's a pleasure to ear this amazing voice here.
