With their highly anticipated second album slowly being unveiled and a brand-new single landing today, we caught up with London-based alternative rock trio Teiger to talk about their diverse backgrounds, varied musical influences, East German drum gear, and… fire alarms!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Jon is the only original (ish) Londoner. Phil, we had to relocate against his will from the Midlands. Talie is Norwegian but grew up in France. Everyone’s in London now.
How did you meet?
This all originally came out of the swirling vortex that is the Spice of Life blues jam in Soho, which is still running and organised by Dove Jones. Talie and Jon became friends just before Covid. Hours and hours of voice messages ensued before a musical project was ever put on the table. Talie sent Jon a couple of extremely raw demos, after which Jon offered up his drum skills. Jon then recruited Phil as they played together in another band at the time. So, technically, Jon formed Teiger.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Our first proper show was early 2022, which wasn’t long after we started.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Can you guess? :)
What are your influences?
Phil: Black Sabbath, A Perfect Circle, Tool, Primus, the trip-hop genre, Jack Bruce
Jon: Film soundtracks, especially classical or jazz fusion (60s – 90s), Queen, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, early Tool, Steve Gadd, early Guns N’ Roses
Talie: It’s extremely diverse, but I mostly listen to metal at home.
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Describe your music. What makes you unique?
A lot of bands link up because they share similar tastes in music. Teiger didn’t really do that – we got on well as people, and each brought wildly different ideas to the table. That somehow alchemised into whatever it is that happens when we’re in a room together.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Talie’s responsible for the lyrics. She doesn’t tend to talk specifics, but it’s all honest.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Good question – we must be coming up to 35-40 now? Nobody’s counting. It’s a cathartic experience for us all.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
We set off the fire alarm at Winter’s End once. Can’t really say how, but it was right before Hydra.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Phil: The Schecter SLS Elite 4 was purchased specifically to achieve the bass sounds found on Album 2, run through a Darkglass B7K Ultra V2 direct to desk for live.
Jon: Part of Teiger’s heavy sound (when really heavy) is due to crashing my 22″ Trowa Crash-Ride cymbal. Trowa was an East German (DDR) drum manufacturer that operated during the Communist era. Their drums were widely sold throughout the Eastern Bloc in the 1960s-80s, and they have now become collectible. It is a beast that has to be tamed (taught me a much lighter touch) but the smash power is akin to a gong. Picked it up from a Polish drummer for £60 a few years back. It’s the one integral/tough to replace/special piece of gear regarding my part in Teiger’s “sound”.
Talie: It all started with my beloved Kramer Ferrington, then became an ESP TL-6, now a Charvel which I also love… But stay tuned for some exciting news on the guitar front.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We’re gradually setting the second album free. “Bloodwork”, featuring the magical Jo Quail on cello (out June 26th) is the first single. We’re basically catfishing you with the first album at this point – it’s time for the new material!
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
Play a lot more live shows around the country.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Phil: A Perfect Circle, Teiger, Flint Moore
Talie: It almost came to pass, but we’d still love to tour with Klone! Pure Reason Revolution, Dool, so many others…
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