FR!DAY ! AM !N RÖCK

Don’t Come Easy is the Debut album by Tyketto, released in 1990

Back in ’87, Danny Vaughn had just wrapped up his stint with Waysted and he decided to start something new in the Big Apple.

He hooked up with this killer guitarist Brooke St. James, grabbed Jimi Kennedy to handle the bass, and brought in Michael Clayton to pound the drums. And just like that, Tyketto was born! These guys were part of that whole New York rock scene, you know, when the city was just pumping out great bands left and right. Classic American hard rock – the real deal.

I mean, picture it – 1987 in NYC, the rock scene was absolutely on fire, and here comes this new band ready to make their mark. Pretty cool origin story, right?

In the heyday of the hair bands, Tyketto found themselves in a rather unfortunate situation. the band stepped onto the scene with passion and resilience. Their timing might have seemed unlucky secured a record deal just as the genre was on the verge of a rapid decline in 1990, a time when the hair metal scene was still blissfully unaware of its impending downfall.

 – catching the tail end of an era – but for true fans, Tyketto represented something more than just musical trends. These musicians crafted their sound with genuine dedication. They weren’t just another band riding the wave, they’re a bridge between the exuberant 1980s and the more introspective sounds that would follow.

Tyketto

Tyketto’s core members include lead singer Danny Vaughn, guitarist Brooke St. James, bassist Jimi Kennedy, and drummer Michael Clayton. The band’s moniker was inspired by a graffiti tag spotted in their Brooklyn, New York, stomping grounds.

Danny Vaughn, the group’s most renowned member, had previously been part of Paul Chapman’s former UFO guitarist band DOA. However, that project didn’t quite take off, as Paul went on to join Waysted, collaborate with Pete Way, a former bassist and bandmate from UFO’s. 

Danny also joined Waysted for a spell, from around 1985 to 1987, before departing to form his own band, Tyketto. It wasn’t until 1989 that Danny finally landed a major-label deal.

Don’t Come Easy is a great hard rock

So let me tell you about “Don’t Come Easy”

It’s such a cool slice of late ’80s rock history! You know how some albums just perfectly capture their time? This one’s exactly that. Think of it as the perfect mix between polished rock you’d hear on the radio and that raw energy you’d get at a live show.

Their hit “Forever Young” just explodes right out of the gate, it’s got pure ’80s energy killer guitar riff. These guys weren’t trying to be the tough guys of the street – they were all about filling those big arenas with huge sounds.

The cool thing is, they managed to score not one, but two MTV hits right when music videos were everything. “Forever Young” and “Wings” both got the video treatment.

if you want to see what rock looked like right before grunge took over, these videos are like perfect time capsules. “Wings” especially shows off what made these guys special – they could take these deep emotions and turn them into these massive rock anthems that sound amazing whether you’re in a stadium or just cruising in your car.

The whole album sits in this really sweet spot – it’s not too slick and commercial, but it’s not just another throwaway hair metal record either. It’s got real heart to it. You can tell these guys really meant every note they played. And you know what’s cool? The album’s actually gotten more love as time’s gone on. Rock fans who like their music genuine and heartfelt, without too much studio polish, really connect with this one.

Hard Rock Sound of 1980s

It might not have been as huge as some other albums from that time, but it’s got this honest, real quality that’s aged really well. It rocks hard when it needs to, but there’s always substance behind the style. How’s that for a clearer picture?

Danny’s vocals are a standout. His deep, soft, and powerful tone is ideally suited for this style of music. Danny’s vocal performance is undoubtedly the highlight of the album

All of the instrumentalists are undoubtedly skilled. “Lay Your Body Down” have an excellent guitar work. The guitarist showcasing his experience and flair, even if he doesn’t necessarily stand out in the hair metal genre that emphasizes fun and energy over technical prowess.

You know how in those days every rock band just had to have their softer side? Well, Tyketto totally nailed it with “Seasons” and “Walk on Fire.” These weren’t your typical “okay guys, time to write our power ballad” kind of tracks. Nah, these were the real deal – the kind of songs that hit you right in the feels.

And man, did radio stations eat them up! The band really got what makes a great rock ballad tick. They need emotional moments that’d have everyone pulling out their lighters (or these days, phone flashlights, right?). This wasn’t just checking boxes – they put their hearts into these tunes, and you could totally hear it.

Good Music, Wrong Timing

Don’t Come Easy demonstrated Tyketto’s musical versatility. They could strip back the layers of distortion and still create something compelling. They weren’t just following a trend, but contributing to the rich tradition of rock ballads that could make a stadium full of leather-clad fans go silent and reflective.

For the uninitiated, “Don’t Come Easy” might slip by as just another rock record. But for true believers of the hair metal gospel, this album is a revelation – a meticulously crafted love letter to an era of rock that burned bright and fast. Tyketto didn’t just play music; they captured a moment, a feeling, a spirit that transcended the typical pop metal formula.

Timing, that cruel mistress of musical destiny, dealt Tyketto a brutal hand. Don’t Come Easy released at the precise moment when grunge was rising

“Don’t Come Easy” became a beautiful casualty of musical revolution. It’s a record that pulses with the kind of melodic energy and raw emotion that defines the very best of pop metal – crisp, powerful, unabashedly passionate. Each track stands as a testament to what could have been, a glimpse of a band that was tragically ahead of its moment yet perfectly of its time.

like a shooting star – blazing brilliantly for just a moment, but leaving an indelible mark on those who witnessed its flight. These weren’t just songs; they were anthems of an era, crafted with such precision and heart that they deserved far more than the brief moment of recognition they received.

Don’t Come Easy

Facts:

The album had a budget of $200,000.

“Lay Your Body Down” actually started with a totally different name. Danny named it “Bourbon Street” after this strip club they used to hang out at in Jersey. But John Kalodner from Geffen Records steps in and says they’ve gotta change it.

His reasoning? Apparently, he couldn’t stand the idea of using the name because Bourbon Street was this famous spot down in New Orleans – a city he absolutely couldn’t stand!

Danny was pretty numb by the whole thing, they named it after a club in Jersey, not the street in Louisiana – but he just went with it anyway and changed the name.

Sometimes you just gotta roll with the record exec’s quirks, right?

At the end of the song “Seasons”, Danny initially added a James Brown-style ad-lib, but John was not happy with it, saying that it sounded like a black woman singing and wouldn’t fit in a white rock band.

Official Website: https://www.tyketto.com