Sleaze Rockers THE DOGS D'AMOUR formed during 1983 in Birmingham with a line-up of Robert Stoddard on vocals, bassist Carl, guitarists Nick Halls and Ned Christie and drummer Bam Bam. Before long Stoddard had been superseded by Tyla (born Timothy John Taylor in Portsmouth). During 1986 Stoddard, relocating to Los Angeles, would later figure in the genesis of L.A. GUNS.

Membership changes quickly saw Bam Bam out in favour of Paul Hornsby and the two guitarists dropped for Dave Kusworth. The band swiftly recorded the single 'How Do You Fall In Love' and the album 'The State We're In' were for Finnish label Kumibeat. After the album emerged a period of instability ensued whilst the band struggled on without a new deal. Skinsman Bam Bam returned to the fold in 1984 ousting Hornsby whilst Carl was superseded by ex-DOLL BY DOLL bassist Mark Duncan.

The line-up reshuffles continued the following year as by August 1985 Duncan was out and in came Mark Drax, whilst Kusworth left to form JACOBITES and was replaced by former HEARTS AGAZ man Jo Dog. Although Drax did not last long in the ranks and his place was taken by Steve James in early 1987. Still floundering without a record deal Tyla briefly teamed up with Kusworth in the JACOBITES but soon returned to THE DOGS D'AMOUR who finally secured a deal with China Records in 1988.

A string of singles and albums starting with 1988's 'The (Un)Authorised Bootleg' (all graced with Tyla's inimitable cartoon artwork) followed, backed by increasingly lengthy tours. The band's hard work on the live circuit, including 1989 British dates supporting HUNTER/RONSON, paid off as successive releases achieved greater success, translating into hit singles and albums. The 1989 album 'Erroll Flynn' was issued in America as 'King Of Thieves'.

Oddly, the band disbanded after an onstage incident in which Tyla slashed his chest open with a broken bottle necessitating 30 stitches and the group splintered to a variety of other projects.

In mid 1991 James toured the British club scene with his side project LAST BANDITS, a group that comprised of American guitarist Adam Brenner, formerly of TKO and ADAM BOMB, bassist Ted Scherman and drummer Stuart Wilcox. Jo Dog joined James on some of the later LAST BANDITS dates before relocating to Los Angeles where he would form BLACKOUT with ex-KILL FOR THRILLS members including GUNS N' ROSES man GILBY CLARKE. Jo later teamed up with ex-HANOI ROCKS guitarist Andy McCoy in his band SHOOTING GALLERY for an American tour as support to KISS.

Following delays on the projected American release of 'Straight' Bam Bam had quit THE DOGS D'AMOUR to jam with VIXEN bassist Share Pederson in an impromptu act dubbed STINKY FINGERS before joining THE WILDHEARTS in late 1991. As for Tyla, the frontman absorbed himself in writing a book of poetry although soon decided to put THE DOGS D'AMOUR back together in 1992, although Jo Dog was replaced by ex-CRYBABYS man Darrell Bath.

The reformation was short-lived however. With audiences and record sales falling the band split again in late 1994. The final breakdown was preceded by the release of Tyla's debut solo effort (although it still features all of THE DOGS D'AMOUR) 'The Life And Times Of A Ballad Monger'.

Post DOGS, guitarist Darrell Bath rejoined THE CRYBABYS following a studio project with ex MOTT THE HOOPLE vocalist IAN HUNTER. Bath also forged a union with ex QUIREBOYS vocalist Spike simply dubbed SPIKE & DARREL. Bassist Steve James and drummer Bam Bam formed MARY JANE with ex members of Manchester's BEDLAM SHAKE, vocalist Lee Evans, guitarist Corby and bassist Ian Ritchie. For MARY JANE James switched from bass to guitar.

1994 found Joe Dog in an act titled BADGE with BROKEN HOMES man Mike Doman prior to reuniting with Bam to create BORRACHO with ex JUNKYARD vocalist Dave Roach, PROMISE guitarist Ted Hutt and bassist Timber. Demos were recorded produced by Ric Browde.

This project floundered on Joe Dog moved on in 1996 to SONIC BOOM with ROCKATZ and HAVALINAS bassist Smutty Smith and FREEWHEELERS man Dave Sobel.

The industrious Bam was also involved with SUBCOOL. Bam and Jo also appear on the movie soundtrack CD 'While I'm Dead... Feed The Dog', once more produced by Ric Browde. These recordings are of special note as they include original THE DOGS D'AMOUR vocalist Robert Stoddard. Tyla also puts in an appearance.

1997 found Tyla in collusion with bassist Danny McCormack, previously with THE WILDHEARTS, in an a proposed band titled LITTLE GODS. A projected tour was cancelled when Tyla broke his arm. McCormack got back to business with his new band THE YO YOS.

During 1998 the first THE DOGS D'AMOUR tribute album appeared with 'Bullet Proof Poems: The (Un)Authorised Dog D'Amour Tribute Album' being issued by Italian label Desert Inn Records. The album included contributions from TRASH BRATS, SOFA KINGS, BASH NASTY, LAST CHANCE SALOON, THE BLACK HALOS, THE SKIDMARK HEROES and AMERICAN HEARTBREAK amongst others.

Bam also figured as the drummer in BUBBLE featuring ex-VIXEN bassist Share Pederson and former FASTER PUSSYCAT guitarists Brent Muscat and Erik Stacy. BUBBLE released the 'How 'Bout This?' album in 2000.

Jo Dog joined the reformed JUNKYARD for their 2000 Japanese tour. DOGS D'AMOUR themselves, now including Pedersen on bass, would re-emerge in 2001 with a new album 'Happy Ever After'. The band contributed a rendition of 'Puss 'n' Boots' to the 2004 NEW YORK DOLLS tribute album 'A Tribute to the New York Dolls: Jetboys of Babylon' issued through Fastlane Records. THE DOGS D'AMOUR's Winter 2004 UK 'Heart-Shaped' tour would see the band augmented by keyboard player Mark Stanway, a veteran of MAGNUM, M3 and GRAND SLAM.

Back on the road in October 2005, the band launched into the '''XIII Shades of Black Sleeping Dogs' tour, titled after TYLA's acoustic solo album, 'XIII Shades Of Black'.