Notes by Dick Goesinya
To the casual observer, the English pop group is a cluttered room, filled with the loud, the neon, and the self-consciously "mod." Yet, if one moves away from the glare of Wardour Street and travels toward the more muted, rain-slicked corners of the West Country, one finds Tyrone Schulace and his Pals—a group of musical artisans who seem to have bypassed the discotheque in favour of the hardware shop and the village hall.
In their latest collection, "Greatest Hats," Schulace and the Pals emerge not merely as singers, but as curators of the mundane. They possess that rare, quintessential English ability to find the profound within the trivial. When they sing of "Shoe Shop," they aren't providing a jingle for the local cobbler; they are documenting the quiet desperation of a man who realises his soul is as worn as his soles. It is a song that sits comfortably alongside the observational mastery we have come to expect from the likes of Drew Peacock, yet it carries a distinct, jagged edge that is uniquely "Schulace and Pals."
The "Pals"—that cryptic brotherhood consisting of Spynn, Rusty O’Shea, and the enigmatic Sticks Dreckly—provide a musical architecture that is as sturdy as it is surreal.
Rusty O’Shea, acting as the group’s Musical Director, has crafted a sound that mirrors the frantic energy of a "Gala Night" gone slightly awry. His guitar work doesn't so much play the melody as it interrogates it, searching for the truth behind the chord.
He anchors the proceedings with a rhythmic grit that suggests he has spent more time in the boxing ring than the recording studio—a physicality that serves as a necessary counterweight to the album's more whimsical flights, such as the mechanized paranoia of "Giant Robots."
There is a recurring theme of identity and disguise throughout the record. From the textured nostalgia of "Corduroy Kingston" to the starched rigidity of "The Shirt Song," Schulace and Pals seem to be asking who we are beneath the garments we wear to keep the world at bay.
It is fitting, then, that the album concludes with "Home and Dry (Safe and Sound)," a track that offers a momentary respite from the social whirlwind, a quiet closing of the front door with Spynn’s excellent harmonies and guitar work. With Greatest Hats, Tyrone Schulace and his Pals have not just made a record; they have held up a mirror to the high street. It is an album for the people who go to work, who buy hats, and who occasionally wonder if it’s all going to be a great day.
Tyrone Schulace and his Pals delivered two hours of inspired oddity at The Assembly Rooms in Wick, proving why this Camborne collective remains a beloved underground staple. Their performance was more than just a concert; it was an exercise in curated absurdity, brilliantly executed by three distinct, yet harmonious, personalities.
Tyrone Schulace, Esq., the ringleader and primary voice, commanded the stage with a captivating, almost unsettling stillness. His deadpan delivery is key to the act's success. Whether singing the consumerist commentary of "Shoe Shop" or the delightfully descriptive "Corduroy Kingston," Tyrone maintained a detached sincerity.
This approach made the audience question if they were in on the joke, or if the joke was, in fact, them. Tyrone is the anchor, the calm centre around which the creative storm whirls. His clear baritone lent gravitas to even the most ridiculous pronouncements.
Flanking him were the equally essential Rusty O’Shea and Spynn (Mike Pynn), whose musical and theatrical contributions elevated the show from a monologue to a dynamic spectacle. Rusty O’Shea brought a compelling mix of musical grit and genuine eccentricity.
During the group’s aptly titled track "Rusty," his moment in the spotlight was an exercise in persona, not a vocal showcase. Rusty is the rebellious spirit, providing the crunchy, rhythmic backbone on guitar that grounds the songs in a recognisable rock structure. His stage presence—all deliberate movements and knowing glances—suggested he was the one most likely to derail the set, a constant, electric tension that kept the audience hooked.
Meanwhile, Spynn (Mike Pynn) acted as the group's secret weapon—the sonic architect and wildcard. Often seen switching instruments or layering in complex, surprising harmonies and textures, Spynn ensured the music stayed inventive. His contributions to tracks like "À La Mode" would have been crucial, providing the unexpected synth flourish or the jagged guitar line that lifted the tune.
This inventive musicianship took the music out of the realm of simple pop and into their signature, alternative territory. His energy was less confrontational than Rusty's, instead focusing on creating the lush, strange soundscapes that define the "Pals" experience.
The Assembly Rooms proved the perfect backdrop for their unique blend of satire and melody. The chemistry between Tyrone's dry wit, Rusty's rugged energy, and Spynn's inventive musicianship was undeniable, culminating in a powerful, slightly confusing, and highly memorable night.
Bend like the willow, go with the flow
Leave stuff behind, let stuff go
Pass the hat, throw the shoe
Toss the pot, take a pew
Arse about, bum around
Homeward bound, safe and sound
On Soundcloud
Lead vocals, Bass
a.k.a. Mike Pynn
Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Bass, Percussion
a.k.a. Norman Lonney
Guitars, Keys, knob twiddling
a.k.a. Andy Travers
Percussion
Corduroy Kingston, he's full of surprises
Even his ears are of different sizes
One is very small and of no use at all
The other one's huge and wins prizes
Oh Corduroy
Bitter, unsuccessful loser
wallowing in an unending sea of inert drooping loneliness
looking for a twenty three year old needy leach-like hanger-on
Local man, medium build, seeks alibi for Thursday night
anything considered
Bad tempered, foul mouthed, barnacled, sea-faring man
seeks attractive twenty one year old blonde lady with big chest
Corduroy Kingston lonely hearts
Placing his ads in Exchange & Mart
Serving up charisma only it's tinned
His nose hair's always blowing in the wind
Oh Corduroy
Hmmm Corduroy
Corduroy Kingston, he's unique
He places his ads nearly every week
The ladies answer - but all should beware
He dried those dishes with his underwear
Oh Corduroy Corduroy Kingston
Oh Corduroy Corduroy Kingston
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