PLUGGED IN Magazine Issue 4 by Darren Warner

THE MUSIC MAGAZINE FOR WALES

Midasuno Highbrow Punk from Merthyr

PLUGGED IN wins Welsh Award

Featured Bands

The Automatic, Ghostlines Viva Machine, Death Of An Icon FutureTown, BenSem

Live Reviews

The Blackout, Feeder, Duffy PLUGGED IN/New Breed Mini-Fest

Pontypridd’s

BIG WEEKEND Programme Inside

Issue 4

£2

Contents editorial@pluggedinmagazine.co.uk www.pluggedinmagazine.co.uk

WELCOME to Issue 4 of the Award Winning Music Magazine for Wales! Not only is this issue full to the brim with exclusive interviews and live reviews of your favourite bands, but we’re giving away a fantastic FREE 16-track CD so you can hear some of the amazing music that’s playing a major role in the Welsh music scene. Five of the bands on the CD are featured in this issue, the other 11 have either been in PLUGGED IN or we have plans to put them in it! And to make sure you don’t ever miss an issue of your favourite music magazine you can now subscribe to PLUGGED IN (see page 5) and get it delivered direct to your door — PLUS we’ll give you a t-shirt worth £10...what more can you ask! Remember you, too, can join the revolution that is PLUGGED IN by writing reviews and photographing live gigs for us — email for writers’ and photographers’ guidelines. Together we can help push Wales to the forefront of the global music scene.

Gail & Darren

MANAGING EDITOR Gail Griffiths CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Darren Warner CONTRIBUTORS Adam Perkins, Gary Bolsom, Ian Cook, Kayleigh Edwards, Lisa Derrick, Maria Murphy, Mia Wingfield, Nadine B, Richard Samuel, Stephen Lewis, Stephanie McNicholas & Dazzler

4 Music News

a round-up of what’s happening

5 FREE CD!

exclusive 16-track compilation

5 Subscriptions

get a cool T-shirt with the mag!

6 The Automatic

showcasing their new album

8 Midasuno

meet the Merthyr maestros

10 Viva Machine

awaiting their debut album

12 Death Of An Icon an awesome foursome

13 BenSem

talking new music

14 Ghostlines

chilling out between tracks

16 Romesh

on life at Long Wave

18 Live Reviews

18 pages of live music

20 Pull-Out Poster

exclusive live photograph

36 CDs Reviewed

great music recommended

38 Last 10 Questions with FutureTown

Advertising Rates by placing an advertisement in PLUGGED IN you will be reaching a captive audience of 2,000 readers over a period of three months Sponsorship of One Issue, including 4-page Centre Pullout Full Outside Back Page Full Inside Page Half Inside Page Quarter Inside Page Insertion of Flyers

£2,000 £300 £250 £135 £75 £50 per 1,000

for further details, contact us at: advertising@pluggedinmagazine.co.uk

PLUGGED IN magazine is the creation of Haul Fryn Publishing & Mentoring Services (info@haul-fryn.co.uk). All rights reserved. All contributions to PLUGGED IN magazine must be original. Haul Fryn Publishing reserves the right to modify any material submitted for publication in PLUGGED IN magazine. Reproduction of any of the content of PLUGGED IN magazine, without prior permission, is strictly forbidden. A list of PLUGGED IN magazine competition winners is available on request.

PLUGGED IN on Collision Course

Not only are we giving you excellent recorded music for FREE on the cover of our magazine, but PLUGGED IN is now also putting its name behind live music events. Collision Course @ 10 Feet Tall in Cardiff’s Church Street is a new monthly club night that will be bringing you an eclectic mix of the best live Welsh music on the scene. Starting in August with Dreamer & I Call Shotgun, the Collision Course club night will take place on the first Thursday of every month — so put these dates in your diary: 7th August, 4th September, 2nd October, 6th November, 4th December.

1st birthday bash

You are all invited to PLUGGED IN’s first birthday bash on 9th October, which launches Start Something @ The Solus Bar in Cardiff University, a new quarterly live music night that coincides with the publication of each issue of your fave music magazine — check out our myspace for more details. At Start Something, we promise to bring you big-name bands at small prices and already have a line-up of fantastic artists and a guest DJ lined up for our first birthday party. So come along and join in the fun with PLUGGED IN.

make it

we won! PLUGGED IN’s co-creators and publishers Gail Griffiths and Darren Warner received the prestigious Red Dragon fm Welsh Award for Community Music last month at a gala charity event. Presented by legendary drummer Stuart Cable and Sonig Youth Music’s Tanya Walker-Brown, the award was in recognition of all the unpaid work the couple have put in to producing the magazine, while also tutoring young people in the skills required to write and take photos for the interviews and reviews pages featured in every issue of PLUGGED IN. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!

Two sets of young musicians had the opportunity to have videos made of their songs, thanks to the Make iT media project. DeadEnd (featured in Issue 2 of PLUGGED IN) chose their track Stronger Than All to be videoed, while new talent Kadesha Drija, who will be showing off her singer/songwriting skills at the BIG weekend (see below), had her song Some Day filmed. PLUGGED IN’s very own Darren Warner worked with students on the photoshoot for the media project showcase event.

Ponty’s BIG weekend

As you’ll see from our exclusive four-page pull-out programme in the centre of this issue, X-Factor superstar Rhydian Roberts is performing in Pontypridd’s Ynysangharad Park on Sunday 20th July as part of Ponty’s BIG weekend. What you should also take note of is that further down the day’s billing is Go:Audio whose single Made Up Stories was reviewed in Issue 3 of PLUGGED IN. We said the song was “something special” and told you to “Go:Get Go:Audio now”. And if that wasn’t enough this issue’s pull-out poster stars The Blackout will also be playing the Muni on Saturday 19th July as part of the weekend’s events. So we reckon you should go get your tickets now before they all go! Tickets for The Blackout cost just £9, while tickets for the event in the Park headlined by Rhydian and featuring Go:Audio, Sandi Thom and a host of other acts are free. Yes, free live music — now that can’t be a bad thing! Turn to the pull-out programme to find out how to get your hands on those tickets. 04

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YOUR FREE CD

Well, PLUGGED IN has done it again — with the help of our good friends from DEADSTAR we’ve compiled this amazing 16-track compilation CD just for you! That’s 16 tracks of brilliant Welsh talent that you need to take notice of. Listen, enjoy, visit their myspace, go see them live and buy their CDs. Right now, music in Wales has never been so good. More CDs are coming with future issues of PLUGGED IN — so don’t ever miss your copy of the magazine, subscribe now to guarantee you get it (see right). BENSEM — SUNSHINE Exclusive new track from their forthcoming album Western Lights (see page 13 to read more about the album)

We are offering regular readers of PLUGGED IN the chance to get their hands on every issue of the music magazine for Wales before it hits the streets! Take out a subscription to your fave music mag for JUST £15 and you will receive the next FOUR issues, delivered direct to your door — PLUS a fabulous PLUGGED IN t-shirt that would cost you £10 at all our events.

GHOSTLINES — STREETS The amalgamation of three hard-hitting groups reveal a softer side with this beautifully crafted song (see page 14 for our chat with the guys)

MIDASUNO — 1997 Our Issue 4 cover stars serve up some venom-fuelled punk taken from their amazing debut CD (see page 8 for our exclusive interview)

MEA — CAROUSEL Vanesa weaves her infectious vocals into this tightly formed masterpiece of indie rock (see Issue 3 for our exclusive interview)

DEATH OF AN ICON — HO MONKEY Panel & Ill System dissolve and like a phoenix DOAI is born to serve up perfect melodic hard rock (see page 12 for our feature with the boys)

The round-neck t-shirt comes in S, M, L & XL, suitable for both sexes, or girls can also opt for a slim-fitting vest in M or L. Your hard-earned cash will be a valued contribution towards the cost of producing further magazines for your reading pleasure, as ALL money from magazine sales goes straight back into publishing the next issue of PLUGGED IN. Simply fill in the coupon below using BLOCK CAPITALS and send with your cheque for £15, made payable to PLUGGED IN magazine, to: Haul Fryn Publishing, Haul Fryn, Courthouse Street, Pontypridd CF37 1JW.

A470 — ANOTHER LIFE Hard-hitting nu-metal played with aggressive panache (read our live review of their Fight Night gig on page 30)

FUTURETOWN — IF WORD GETS AROUND Beautiful pop/rock sounds from a band that deserves a place on that road to stardom (see page 38 for 10 Questions With... the band)

CUBA CUBA — VISUALIZER Unique sound from the youngsters on the block. A* for originality (see page 23 for our live review)

TANYA WALKER — ANOTHER TRUE STORY Lush melodic sounds from the talented singer/songwriter who’s carving her name on music’s tree (see Issue 1 for a live review)

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ARGONAUT — AUTOPSIE Former LastCall singer fronts this new band with his vigorous husky blusey vocals over heavy riffs

GO-X — DANCE AGAIN Put everything in a liquidiser and turn it on — funky punky sing-along screams and rock (see page 30 for our live review)

ALKALAY — MICHAEL BARRYMORE VS THE GREAT WHITE SHARK Song with the longest title from the Merthyr/Rhondda rockers — melody and mayhem with a bite, well, like a shark

SPIRIDION — STATE OF DECAY Heavy rock with a capital H — punching a hole through a wall with your bare fists isn’t as hard as this rock

THE BEAR — SHADOW OF MONDAY The cool funky sounds from Swansea that majestically provides a late-night groove on a hot summer’s eve

DEAD FASHION — LAST CHANCE TO DANCE Indie punksters serve up a fast-paced stroke of genius (read our live review on page 30)

HAND OF THE DAEDRA — HAWK OF WAR Nihilistic screamo rock from the boys from the Rhondda, left til last as their music leaves a hefty wake (see Issue 3 for an exclusive interview) NOTE: Some tracks on this CD contain swearing. Copyright of each track belongs to the artist.

For those of you who didn’t get their hands on a copy of issue 1, 2 or 3 of PLUGGED IN, it’s still available to buy from our back issues department. Simply send a cheque or postal order, made payable to PLUGGED IN magazine, to: Haul Fryn Publishing, Haul Fryn, Courthouse Street, Pontypridd CF37 1JW. The price for issues 1 & 2 is £2 per magazine (including postage), issue 3 costs £2.50 (including postage).

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

By Richard Samuel & the PLUGGED IN team

n the quiet and peaceful town of Brecon back in May, The Automatic’s tour bus rolled in for another typical show of mayhem and chaos. To do the show the band had to take time out of their precious football practice for the following Sunday’s celebrity five-a-side tournament — which included Pete Doherty’s Babyshambles mob in the same group. This is the band that got drunk for their GMTV appearance and injured a cameraman in the process. The band which decided to get into some cheap and nasty boxers at a Brighton show and go skinny dipping, and not forgetting a London show where backing dancers for an encore were dressed up in Halloween costumes in the middle of the summer! Well this year Rob (bass/vocals), Iwan (drums) and Frost (guitar/vocals) are back! Alex Pennie has gone, Paul Mullen is in, and when the PLUGGED IN team caught up with them in

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the now not so quiet and peaceful town for this interview the revamped Automatic were on the verge of releasing their anticipated second album. In late 2007 Pennie left the band, it was about a month before Paul’s old band Yourecodenameis:Milo split up after years together. Both bands had collaborated on Milo’s Your Print Is Dead Vol 1 back in 2006, so was this where they’d first linked up together? “Yeah the link up did come about from that,” Paul told us. “The studio contacted me and a phone call by a mutual friend was made and now I’m here. I bring in my song writing, singing and another guitar player to the band for a lot more heavier sound I guess.” He’s not a direct replacement for Pennie who was a keyboardist and a screamer rather than a singer. “The ideas he’s brought have been more of the pop ones, like on the new

song Magazines,” said Rob. The band now share the synth duties left by Pennie. “It’s something different and great fun.” Having been the front man for Milo, how does Paul cope coming into a band where the spotlight is going to be shared with Rob? “Push him off stage!” he said laughing. “I’ve never thought about who’s going to be the front man. It’s about the songs, not the people. Even live there isn’t one real main voice because you hear all three of us.” The guys say they aren’t defined by other bands. “Our influences are more than any one band, and maybe it’s a subconscious thing. There’re too many to name or we’ll be here all day,” said Rob. So If they had to pick a person to fill their slot to create the ultimate band, who would it be? Iwan chose John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Frost went for Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead, Rob picked Les

Claypool from Primus and Paul chose Bjork. The Automatic signed to B-Unique records in 2006, home to the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Babyshambles, The Ordinary Boys, The Twang and the legendary Primal Scream. “We had a gig and we said if you want to see us, come on down. Loads of record labels said they were going to come down and only B did, so we signed for them,” Frost told us. “They’re great to work with and even if there’s no money you know you’re going to have a great relationship with them and that’s what we have.” The new album, This Is A F.I.X., is to be released in July with the lead single being Steve McQueen. The producer was Butch Walker, who has written and produced for artists such as Fall Out Boy, Simple Plan, All American Rejects and The Academy Is… “We would love to make another record with these guys again, or maybe with David Stiek who’s

from TV On The Radio — or even Bowie!” The band recorded the new album in LA rather than the UK, why was this? “First of all the studios in LA are cheaper to use than in the UK and the record label asked us to record out there,” said Iwan. “It was a chance to get away for a while. We’re really pleased with and proud of all the songs on the record. The material has been going down really well! There hasn’t been a flat response at shows like we were expecting,” added Rob. How have the band kept things fresh at each show on their mammoth UK tour? “The songs still feel fresh as we haven’t played them in six months. They definitely feel a lot harder and are more rock based — even old ones because we’ve re-worked them.” The guys seem to have had a good Welsh connection with their support bands, with Viva Machine, Attack! Attack! and Friends Electric

supporting them on the tours. However due to a change in date of their second tour, Friends Electric are not confirmed. “Towards the end of the tour for the album it will most probably be acts associated with our label.” Do the guys still feel they help push the unsigned Welsh bands and the Welsh music scene itself? “Well with all the bands mentioned playing a part on our tours, I think we’re doing our bit to help bring them to a wider audience,” replied Frost. After a relaxed interview The Automatic went on to play another typically energetic show that night, met with a great audience reception. Having seen them play on numerous occasions, PLUGGED IN felt that they seemed to be a tighter unit and more mature on stage. So let the good times roll once again! www.myspace.com/theautomatic

PLUGGED IN

FACE TO FACE

By Adam Perkins

ell, 2008 marks an impressive 10th year for Midasuno. If you want to find exemplary proof that being in a band is all about hard work and determination, alongside the strength and love you have of writing music which makes you tick, then the Merthyr four-piece are the light at the end of that tunnel. You could be forgiven for thinking they are a bit nuts. On stage, Scott Andrews (guitar/ vocals), Gavin Jessop (bass), Matt Riste (drums/vocals), and Chris Morgan (guitar/ samples/FX/keyboards/synths/vocals) play at a high tempo, and take themselves and their music to another level. You see exactly why it’s worth it. “We have never ever considered ourselves as being a crazy live band, even though we have the reputation we’ve got. Everything we do, we just do. It’s just the way we react,” says Matt. Midasuno’s first release was the Art of Fear single in 2002, followed up with the When Bulls Play God EP in 2003, and helped prove their quality having been voted best unsigned band in Wales the previous year. They graced the stages of big Welsh festivals, such as Compass Point, and have become so obsessed with their love for writing and playing the music which makes them ‘Midasuno’ that their goal is simple: “We don’t actually care about making money. We just want as many people as possible to hear it.” “It makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck to hear people singing things back when they’ve gone out of their way to get into the songs. And if every night that happened for us, that would be the biggest compliment. I couldn’t get bored of that, and it would be a justification of what we’ve done. That would re-affirm that you’ve done everything you’ve set out to do. It would be a dream.” The big bubbling pot was cooking up a treat with the release of the outrageously outstanding Til Death Do We Party EP on SugarShack Records in July. And it all came to surface the following August with the greatly anticipated first full-length release, Songs In The Key Of F**k. An album packed with catchy rhythms, insanely intense and thumping hooks, dangerously complex pacing, and topped off with fabulously integrated stadium rock-like choruses. It’s fast, ballsy and downright insane. But that’s the way Midasuno have always been. It was well received by critics, and sold well considering they are on a small label. “Saying nobody bought it would be selling ourselves short. We did alright. Personally, I think it’s a banging album,” says Matt. With no egos, down-to-earth and humble at times, they could be forgiven for believing all the hype. But they just want the masses to

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hear their music. Understandably they are just one small step from scaling the walls that will get them to where they want to be. The boys acknowledge that with a constantly changing music scene, the bands at the forefront of the South Wales appraisal stick together, and front it well. However they think there are too many bands in the area not getting recognised for being as good as they are. A big compliment from a band that have been at it and seen it move. “When a band from South Wales breaks they’re usually gonna be huge. And I think that’s a big testament to this area,” says Gavin. And in the epic fight that is the music industry, Midasuno are starting to win the battle, yet are showing the scars of a long and hard road. Gavin’s down to his last bass and a second-hand amp. Scott’s now using Chris’s guitars after breaking his own and Matt’s drum kit is held together with gaffer tape. “We wouldn’t want it any other way. If it wasn’t a struggle there would be no point being in a band because no one is ever going to give us anything,” says Chris. “We are almost gluttons for punishment now. It’s almost sadomasochistic in a certain respect,” adds Scott. PLUGGED IN can reveal that the band is

writing a new album, with which they are more than happy to put themselves to the test of not repeating things they have done on the first. “It’s almost like you’ve got to go back and relearn your instrument because it’s mental,” explains Matt. “We are writing this album for ourselves. We wrote songs for the last album that were really good, so we gave them the squeaky clean polished production that will make the masses want to listen to it. But the masses didn’t get hold of it so this album we’re doing for ourselves and for ourselves only,” Chris adds. And with that it’s time for a change for Midasuno. They are going to write something that is Midasuno through and through. So don’t expect the expected. “We could easily turn around and write something current. But I honestly couldn’t live with myself if we did,” Scott explains. They are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest things ever to come out of the South Wales music scene. And are on the edge of something big. “We’re kinda sitting down on the edge having a fag now. Because we are that close,” Scott gestures at me. www.myspace.com/midasuno

FACE TO FACE

By Richard Samuel & Amelia Wingfield

ot off their tour with The Automatic, Viva Machine headed home to Swansea. PLUGGED IN met up with the guys there — Chris (lead vocals/keys), Tom (bass), Dai (drums) and Gareth (guitar) — to talk about music and budding stardom. “There’s Darwin’s Theory Of Evolution: some say God made us, some say there was even a nuclear explosion,” says Chris in answer to our question about how the band got together. Dai finally gives in and tells us the true story. “Me and Tom used to go to school together, Chris and Gar went to school together and were best mates and, to cut a long story short, Gareth used to be in a band with my sister and that’s how we met.” If you’ve heard this band you’ll know their music is very different to anything coming out of Wales right now. If you haven’t then we strongly recommend this band to everyone in the entire world. “We’re hard to get into at first, cos we’re different from a lot of bands out there,” Dai reckons, to which Chris replies, “I don’t think we’re really that different. I think people are scared to listen to different music.” “We’re not a Battles, which is totally experimental!” states Dai. The music comes from a range of influences: Dai likes all the heavier stuff out there, including Fall Out Boy, Chris is into dance music, Gareth is into indie/Britpop bands such as Blur and Tom jokingly states, “I hate music.” All however are influenced by Weezer. “To write songs we just take something that’s happened in our lives and add a fictional twist with colour,” Chris says. Viva Machine’s noise is an intergalactic sound that is very danceable, yet you could still pick up your air guitar to it. Although the boys do admit to indulging in some guilty pleasures such as ABBA, Tatu and Kylie. The four guys all come from Gowerton, a small place just outside Swansea. When back home they hang out in the city’s Monkey Bar and their local pub the Gowerton Con Club, which Dai tells us, “Is a nice quiet local.” They also frequent Llangennith beach in Gower in the summer. “We have a bowl of chips and just chill,” Chris says. “Swansea’s summers definitely make up for those wet winters!” “The Swansea scene used to be the worst in Wales, but touring the UK you release there are far worse scenes. There’s always people playing music in Swansea,” says Tom answering a question on the Welsh music scene. “There’s always something happening here!” It’s amazing to think this band have only been together for two years, as they’re just so professional and have clocked up loads of gigs on the circuit — even playing festivals that include last year’s Full Ponty, Rock Ness

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and The Great Escape (the UK’s equivalent to SXSW), sharing the stage with the likes of The Enemy, We Are Scientists, Robots In Disguise, Late Of The Pier and Make Model. The band has also toured with Shinny Toy Guns and with The Automatic numerous times. “The Automatic are all cool guys and this tour has been the best so far!” they all agree. The tour has even culminated in Tom agreeing to play bass for the guys live at the shows on their brand new track, This Is A F.I.X. and will be going to Reading and Leeds festivals as well as just having played Glastonbury with them. “This is the first time we’ve toured with Paul and he’s such a great guy. I loved his band Yourcodenameis:Milo. We used to watch them in the Cardiff Barfly when I was around 18, but I didn’t ever imagine we’d be touring with him a few years later!” says Chris. “Yeah it was really weird just sitting next to him on their tour bus and playing Pro Evo on the Xbox360 with him,” added Tom. While touring with American emo electrorockers Shiny Toy Guns, I went to one of the shows (back in July 2007, when Friends Electric were supporting) and Jeremy STG said, “Give it up for Dai from Viva Machine everybody.” Dai recalled this moment by putting on a Californian accent and saying, “Hey where’s Dai? Give it up for the best drummer in Wales!” Chris then recalled his experience on the tour with them, adopting a slightly camp American accent to sing the chorus of Deathstar Trucker, the way Jeremy was singing it. “We got on that tour through our agent companies,” Chris and Dai explain. “We’d played a one-off show with them on another tour and we just nagged!” says Tom before Chris adds, “That’s a good tip to other bands, don’t be ashamed to nag. You can’t be too nice or you’ll be pushovers!” Tom finally adds, “In the music industry you need to keep pushing yourselves.” Something that PLUGGED IN is told time and time again when interviewing and meeting bands. “American bands and British bands aren’t that different to tour with, but the crews are very different,” says Chris. “British bands are more like, ‘Here’s our stuff you play around it’. On the Shiny’s tour the crew would try and move the drum kit if they needed to! It was more of a show than a gig.” Another achievement for the boys to be proud of was playing a few shows in Moscow, which just happened to be before the big England v Russia game. “The shows were amazing, but it was scary. People were rude and ignorant,” says Dai. “They don’t have bouncers over there they have armed army officers!” Chris says laughing slightly at the experience. “One guy had his hands wrapped

around Gar’s throat!” added Dai sounding horrified by the experience. “The vodka was amazing though!” they all agree. The future for Viva holds the release of their highly anticipated debut album. The boys have kept their cards very close to their chest on this, but they did reveal that the album’s completed and they were talking to some labels about its release. Whoever takes the gamble to sign these guys will be repaid in gold as PLUGGED IN is sure that Viva Machine are one of the best unsigned acts around who are destined for success. www.myspace.com/vivamachine

face to face

uickly proving themselves as one of the hottest bands on the local circuit are Death Of An Icon. With a wealth of talent coming together following the demise of three of South Wales’ top bands, DOAI are all systems go. This is ballsy, in your face rock. And if you don’t like it, you’re missing out. More than anything else DOAI is, for Danny (vocals), Bobby (guitar), Mark (drums) and Owen (bass), a way of expressing themselves and a way of dealing with the uncompromising and infected rock and metal music scenes. “We’re not interested in the industry. We’re just interested in our music,” says Bobby. But since coming together in April 2007, DOAI are quickly winning over fans. Something they put down to being part of a ‘community’ in South Wales, where everyone goes out of their way to help each other. “Every band is nice to each other and looks after each other. I’ve never been in this position before,” adds Danny. The awesome foursome are satisfied with their progress so far, with their first album

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By Adam Perkins To Arms Citizens around the corner, they can hold their heads high. The feeling in the camp is that if they are able to bring together their different influences and experiences, then they can create something that stands out on its own. “If we can go in there and create a whole different vibe, and people follow what we do and latch on to it, then that’s cool. Then our job is pretty much done and we’ll have paved the way for younger bands to make some decent music.” You have to make your mind up on what they sound like. But I would tell you that they are part of a new breed of bands that are crying out to be seen. It’s like watching two heavyweight boxers slugging it out — yet, you’re the one who comes out gasping for breath. They are a new entity. “We don’t understand what we actually sound like. We get so involved in just creating something together, and to create something new would be fantastic.” And alongside that they are privileged to be a part of a music scene which they feel is

going back underground: a music scene which is about the coming together of the music and the people as one. “I like the fact that it’s going to go underground again. I think that’s important. It’s not all about show and how much money you’ve got behind you and what you look like. It’s purely about the music.” Naturally, they would like to push on to another level, but DOAI have their feet on the ground in a place, a ‘music scene’, they can call home. “I don’t think we’re aiming for that I think we’re just enjoying playing music together.” And in this contentment they acknowledge that something is ready to blow. “There’s a community here, there’s a scene growing around this place. Wales has come up with a couple of explosions in music recently. Personally, I feel that there’s another one coming. And it’s coming from this direction.” Death Of An Icon are a unit. Together they stand, united they fall. But they won’t be falling any time soon. www.myspace.com/deathofaniconband

face to face

escribing themselves as indie/rock/ pop, Sem (vocals), Pete (guitar), Adrian (bass) and Kev (drums) are BenSem — an interesting name with an interesting story behind it. “I’m going to get all deep and meaningful on you now,” says Sem. “I’ve been through some hard times and found as myself I couldn’t deal with them, so I guess I created an alter ego — someone who could deal with the things I couldn’t. This part of me was called Ben. My last name is Semmens, so I just put the two together. To me it means finding strength when you don’t have much left, and that’s what BenSem is all about — being different and just going for it.” If you go to the band’s myspace site and like what you hear you’ll be interested to know there’s a new album in the offing. “It’s called Western Lights and it will be available this autumn, we haven’t been able to pinpoint a date as the album is still in New York being mastered — but when we know, don’t worry, the whole world will know. Howie Weinberg is mastering it and he’s worked on the Nirvana Nevermind album among other huge names, so our album will be worth the wait.” The album has all the songs that are on the myspace as the boys felt they needed to give them the justice they deserved. “Adam from Twin Peaks is a genius and really caught the magic. The other tracks have a similar feel but all hold something different, making the

album quite diverse I think.” Listening to the lyrics they’re deep and sometimes dark but the melodies aren’t. So is there a reason for these contrasting formulas? “I think they are just as they are. I never think about them, they just come and it just so happens that the lyrics are dark but the melodies are the opposite in some cases. I just think it’s my style of writing. No thought, just a creative flow. It might have something to do with the constant battle of feelings that I have in my head and they just end up on paper.” An interesting thought, but listening to music while growing up must have had some influence on these guys. “I think as a band we all listen to different kinds of music. Ads loves the Manics, Kev loves his groove, Pete — well, we won’t go there — and me, I always loved bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I think they influenced me because I wanted to write something that touched people something that was new and fresh, like the bands I used to listen to. The band all bring in the elements with my songwriting and it allows us to be unique. I don’t think there are many unique bands in the big leagues these days and I think this generation will soon realise they’re being spoon-fed their music. One day they will wake up realise this and then they will find BenSem. It’s just about the music, people forget that.” Myspace is an amazing way to get unsigned bands heard, but looking at BenSem’s friends

By Gary Bolsom

list it’s the size of an already established band at a staggering 28,000+. “I think the best thing we have is our fans and myspace has been great for us to branch out and meet new people. Every day is different on our myspace and seriously blows you away. We all try and get back to everyone and sometimes we find ourselves on the myspace for hours at a time. The myspace has gone crazy. The crazy thing is, it’s the fans who are making us. They all tell there friends and send the old demo to all their friends and we have one hell of a myspace because of them.” And one lucky myspace fan actually won the band! “Basically it was an idea we came up with to get the fans involved in what we were doing. People had to get their friends to join our myspace and get the music out there. The fan who introduced us to the most friends won us playing in their house. A few hundred new fans later we had a winner — Ro from Newport University, except she didn’t have a house she had a dorm room. Have you ever tried fitting a band in a dorm room? Didn’t work, so we ended up having an awesome intimate gig in Newport University and we all had a great night.” Playing Guilfest this year with the likes of Blondie, Kula Shaker and Cerys Matthews must mean BenSem are set for stardom. “I think it’s safe to say we’re heading to where we want to be and just enjoying every minute of it.” www.myspace.com/bensem

Photograph by Ian Cook

FACE TO FACE

By Kayleigh Edwards

errari? Nah, too flashy. Ford? Nah, not quite flashy enough. Mercedes Benz? Hmm…could very well be, but it doesn’t seem to fit either. It’s about 6.30pm on a cloudy but warm Wednesday night. We’ve been threatened by a few droplets of rain but the weather’s managed to stay on our side and the clouds have passed and left us in peace. Darren and I have been wandering around the Newcastle Hill area of Bridgend, anticipating the arrival of the interviewees for the night, rising acoustic ambient artistes Ghostlines, and I had also been anticipating what super car they could be pulling up in. We’d searched for almost an hour for the perfect background to photograph them, and even when we found a great spot it still didn’t seem to fit exactly, but we just couldn’t put our fingers on what it was that seemed to lack the wow factor that was needed. The spot settled for was too much of a cliché to argue with, under some tall, shadowy trees — almost ‘ghosty’ if you catch my drift. It was nearing 7pm by now, their arrival was imminent, and yet still the thought of a more fulfilling and suitable background was lingering in our minds. We decided to go for one last wander around the area to search for this missing piece in the puzzle, and lo and behold there it was staring us in the face. At the top of some steps where you looked out over the the busy town centre of Bridgend. Settling on a bench, we’d barely touched down on it when the sound of footsteps and chatter coming from behind us had us jumping back up again. Glancing around, I was greeted with the sight of four young men striding towards us, with three lovely ladies hot on their tail — all seven of them painted with smiles and laughter, and heading straight for us. Yeah, you’ve guessed it, here they were, the men of the hour, Ghostlines had arrived. Their arrival made me realise too, they didn’t need to show off in flashy cars, or arrive in style just to prove they could. A simple trek, together as friends, sharing jokes showed how down to earth these guys are, and as the evening went on it confirmed for me that this is a group of guys simply sending their music out into the world, just to share the enthusiasm they had creating it, and not for the money, the girls or the fame, but for themselves. Ghostlines came about just after The Future broke up. Basically some of the guys in the band wanted to do something a bit more chilled out and laid back and needed a keyboard player, so it made sense to ask Funeral For A Friend’s drummer Ryan to do it as all four had been in the original line-up of Hondo Maclean. “We knew the writing chemistry between us was already there and it wasn’t like starting from scratch as I’d played keys on the Hondo Maclean album on one track too so it was pretty natural,” explained Ryan.

Creating another band has always been something Ryan was interested in but never really had the time to do. “The hardest part about starting a band is finding the right people, so it made it a lot easier knowing Ben, Gav and Rich so well because there was none of the ‘getting to know each other’ period and working out how each other works. It’s been pretty plain sailing since we decided to do this band and it’s really easy working together which cuts the workload in half really.” So is being in a mellower outfit something he felt he needed to have as a balance to Funeral? “I think FFAF definitely has its mellower side so I never really felt like I needed another outlet. And I wasn’t looking for another band but everything with Ghostlines made sense and made me want to do it. As I said before, if I had to start a brand new band with people I’d never worked with before it would have been a lot harder to get something together.” Being inspired to write music in each band comes pretty much from life in general. “Lots of things influence the way you write. It could be something you see, something you hear, maybe a place you travel to or even the weather. The weather is definitely a big inspiration for bands I think. It’s no coincidence that grunge came out of a city with weather like Seattle!” An important aspect of Ghostlines is being able to record songs as they are written and put them for free download on myspace. “It just gives us the freedom to write and record when we want to. It allows us to be continually creative. We just didn’t see the sense of writing a song you love then having to wait a year or two to release it to fit in with your album schedule. It’s not really a new concept. The Beatles pretty much released songs when they liked, and it seemed to work out pretty well for them.” So can we still expect a Ghostlines album? “Well that’s the beauty of doing it this way. It’s up to the fans what the ‘Ghostlines’ album actually is. Once you’ve downloaded enough songs from us, just choose your favourites and burn them onto CD and there’s your Ghostlines album. Usually when you buy an album there’s a couple of tracks you don’t really like and maybe skip when listening to. There’ll never be that with our album because you, the listener, have compiled it so there’s only going to be the songs you really love on there.” There’s that silly cliché that when a member of a band starts a new outfit then the original band is destined to end soon. Are we soon to hear the horrific news of Funeral splitting up? “Ha! No, not yet. I don’t think FAFF would have set up our own label if we were planning on calling it quits anytime soon. People were thinking the same thing when Matt released his solo record, but we’re still here.” www.myspace.com/ghostlines

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Just say the names Romesh Dodangoda or Long Wave and anyone who has anything to do with the Welsh music scene will know who and what you’re talking about. PLUGGED IN went to the recording studios in Cardiff to meet the man himself. www.long-wave.co.uk What exactly does your job entail? The main job of a record producer is to have the vision for how everything needs to sound and to make sure that it’s then captured onto tape. There are a lot of elements of the job which range from making sure the song arrangements are right to getting the record out on time and on budget. Most people confuse a producer with an engineer who you get when you hire a studio, but they’re two different things. The engineer is the person who handles the technical side of the session and works out how to get the sound that the producer wants. I both produce and engineer records. What made you decide to be a producer and how did you get into the business? I’ve been into music from a young age. I used to play in bands and loved going into the studio. When I was about 14-15, I took the interest further and learned the science behind sound recording. I’d spend all my money buying whatever gear I could until I had enough to set up a studio. When I was about 16, I set up the first Long Wave Recording Studio which was at the side of my parents’ house. I did a lot of local bands there and after a while it became a really popular choice. I got to work with bands who were getting big in Wales such as Dopamine, The Blackout and Kids In Glass Houses. When I needed a bigger studio I moved Long Wave to where it is today. It’s been a hell of a lot of hard work, but it’s been worth it and I don’t think there’s another job I would swap it for...except maybe playing guitar for Oasis! Can you describe your average day? Every day and every band is different. You can never approach a band in the same way you did the last one. When I first get working with a band, I’ll usually try and figure out how everyone likes to work and then adapt the session accordingly. Then it’s a case of getting the drums down, then bass, guitars and so on. I think when you’re doing this kind of job, if you just stick to the same routine it’ll get boring and I don’t think you’ll get the results either. What’s it like having The Manic Street Preachers, Funeral For A Friend, Bullet For My Valentine, Kids In Glass Houses and The Blackout recording at Long Wave? It’s really great to have such a range of talented bands coming in to the studio and I’m really chuffed that big bands such as the Manics and Funeral are using Long Wave. I had the pleasure of having Glassjaw come and use the studio back in May which was insane. You worked on the new Kids In Glass Houses album. What was it like to work with them? The guys in Kids are my five best friends, so being in the studio with them recording the Smart Casual album was just amazing. The fact that we’re so close made the album an easy and enjoyable record to make. I’ve been involved with them since day one so it was really important for me to put everything into this album and I’m so happy with how it’s turned out. It was great to be able to spend time trying various instruments out and working with different ideas for songs until they were right. We did some preproduction sessions and demoed all of the songs before we started. We spent about two months on the record. It was tracked and mixed by myself at Long Wave and

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then I went to New York to master the album with Ted Jensen which was brilliant. How do you decide who you work with or is it dictated by other factors? I always decide because it’s not easy to do a record with a band who plays music that you don’t like at all. There has to be something that makes you want to work with a band so that I can add my input and ideas as a producer. I tend to get demos and emails every day from bands and I usually do say yes, unless I really don’t think the band are going to benefit from using me. You seem to have a trademark edginess to your work that attracts bands like FFAF. How do you think you achieve this? I don’t know really! I guess it’s just the way I want things to sound and how I like to hear things. I like a lot of energy in records and I’m into big sounds. There’re so many albums these days that are just so manipulated and processed, and when you do that all the energy just gets taken away. There’s no real formula to achieve it. The minute I hear a song, I can hear in my head how I want it to sound so it’s a case of getting that down to tape really. If you could work with any artist you like who would it be and why? Oasis! I grew up listening to that band and they are pretty much the reason I got into music. I probably drove my parents insane listening to them all the time. I would love to work with them. The closest I’ve got is recording an Oasis b-side cover with Kids. That will have to do! Other than Kids, what’s been the most interesting album you’ve had to produce? Well I’m currently doing the new Funeral album which is really exciting. It’s great to work with such a talented band. I’ve been a big fan of their music and to be asked to produce their album is just such an honour. It’s been a fun time in the studio and I can’t wait to finish it all so I can sit back and enjoy listening to it. Have you always loved music and what were your biggest musical influences growing up? Yes, I’ve always loved music. It was when I heard Oasis for the first time though that I realised I wanted to play guitar. They got me listening to bands like The Jam, The Beatles, Stone Roses, and that’s pretty much when I decided I wanted to do something with music as a career. The Beatles had a big impact on me, mainly because I love the simplicity of their song writing. The simple ideas are usually the better ones. If you could chose a favourite track that you’ve worked on, where you believe it’s as perfect as it could be, which track would that be? That’s such a hard question! One of my favourite tracks is Saturday by Kids. I think it’s just such a dynamic track with layers and layers of guitars and vocals. I remember the first time I heard that song ages ago, I recorded it for free because I was just so excited by it! I love everyone’s parts on it, especially Aled’s vocals, there’s a really nice vibe going on with the way he sings it. I actually used the vocals from the demo on the final album version because there was just something special about it. I just love how it builds up into such a big, yet simple chorus.

INSIGHT

By Maria Murphy

20 pages of live music & CD reviews Once again PLUGGED IN is upholding its tradition of bringing you reviews of the most interesting gigs throughout Wales with some stunning photography to drool over, whether your taste is the brilliant Blackout or the delightful Duffy. Yes we try to see as many gigs in Wales that is humanly possible to fit within the covers of this magazine. And remember, if we cover your band then you can have free copies of all the photographs we take after they’ve been published — yes we said for free! We at PLUGGED IN are investing our time and skills in promoting the Welsh music industry and if free photos help your band take another necessary step to stardom, then we will be pleased to help. Also, don’t forget to let us hear your CDs — in this issue we review the exciting new tracks by Funeral For A Friend as well as numerous demos and eps by other bands Waleswide, even Worldwide. Join the PLUGGED IN revolution — we can’t talk about you if you don’t talk to us. editorial@pluggedinmagazine.co.uk

live performance

The Blackout Sin City, Swansea

y apologies to Kid Keep Dancing (www. myspace.com/kidkeepdancing) for missing their set, I made the gig in time for the second band on — Neath’s Friends Electric (www. myspace.com/friendselectricmusic) who again magically wowed the audience — one punter outside told us she was absolutely blown away. This being my fourth time seeing the band in a year, I’m still enthralled by them. Next up were power post-punk rock quartet Attack! Attack! (www.myspace.com/attackattackband) briefly covering No Limit by 2unlimited halfway through a delicious set of raw powerful pop rock melodies. Their stand out song was Light Out, a big energetic number which everyone nodded their heads to. So then headliners The Blackout (www.myspace.com/theblackout), the most under-rated band in the UK, came on to a massive round of applause with the screams from the girls for ‘sexy’ Sean. They kicked off the show with Prepare For A Wound then Murder In Make Believe. Instantly you could sense something special happening as Gav and Sean were bouncing in and out of the crowd all night with hands clambering to get a

touch of these Welsh boys. They then went into some of the earlier material from their minialbum Hard Slamin’ before launching into the metal riffs and hardcore rock of She Is Macho. Announcing that we would next be treated to the bone-breaking, muscle-tearing and headpounding Fashion Conscious Suicide we were also told this is now to be very rarely played — the song of the night without a shadow of a doubt! Then the sexy I Know What You Are But What Am I? which saw Sean very aptly thrusting his package into the crowd when singing, “I wanna taste those lips, Why don’t you shake those hips?” Next they launched straight into This City Burns Alive which very nearly burnt the venue down with all the heat being generated from the crowd who, packed together like sardines, were still throwing their heads and failing arms about. Things were then slowed down a little by Life In Death And Space just for everyone to catch their breath — apart from Gav and Sean, whose vocals were put to the full test and sounded perfect in this slow number. First single The Beijing Cocktail was then sung with mass approval

showed by the crowd singing back every word. The boys by now in a sweat leapt into Spread Legs Not Lies. The band appear to be a very close unit as everyone was larking around between songs, which led to the funniest moment of the night where Sean joked, “This song’s video had a dirty pirate in it who didn’t want to be here tonight.” A reference to close friend Ian Watkins, who does look quite like Captain Jack Sparrow if you catch the video on YouTube. Gav and Sean, dripping wet by now, were still giving every last bit of energy, with Sean singing in the crowd while getting his bum groped a few times. They then went on to play I’ve Got Better Things To Do Tonight Than Die before everyone, except for Gareth (drums), jumped back and forth into the crowd during the curtain closer I’m A Riot You’re A F***ing Riot! This band has to be seen live to see why they are so highly thought of on the Welsh music scene. To end this review I’ve taken a line from I’ve Got Better… which is, “Demolition’s our religion, So light the fuse!” Watch out Europe six lads are coming to destroy your ears. RICHARD SAMUEL

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Pull-Out-And-Keep Poster

live performance

o n u s a d mi

ou just gotta love Midasuno (www.myspace. com/midasuno). Strength, determination, great musicianship and awesome songs — which is exactly the reason they’re headlining the second night of this great weekend of live rock music under the banner of PLUGGED IN/New Breed. Electro/noise intro aside lead singer Scott Andrews and his merry band of Merthyr men kick straight into Shock/Horror which literally explodes out of the PA with enough visceral power to scare your gran to death, barely pausing for breath it’s followed by Tear which keeps that intensity up. These guys always put everything into their performance and tonight they’re simply on fire as they rip into their next tight-ass display of kinetic energy Machine/Rhythm Thief complete with its volumes of bad language (naughty!) and definitely a favourite of mine. Then the “Loose Lips, Sink Ships...” chorus hook signals the arrival of The Law Of Tooth & Fang to the fray with the added coolness of some guest vocals from Vanessa of Mea which keeps the excitement of this set flowing. Samuel L followed by Sister Temptation, lead off track from their excellent last record Songs In The Key Of F***, a definite fan favourite with its razor sharp dischordancy that flawlessly drops into a huge chorus...nice! The set and evening culminated with bodies flailing into one another when a pit ensued as set closer Start A Riot blasts forth. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Midasuno play a set where the venue hasn’t ignited as they hit the stage and the crowd are left in awe as they leave it...and tonight is no different. Mission accomplished! DAZZLER

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New Breed Mini-Fest Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd

DAY 1 — SATURDAY The event kicked off with a three-piece called Nothing New (myspace.com/nothingnewuk), with their Green Day influenced punk rock accentuated by front man Mike performing with a Billie Joe posture and playing style. Their set was frantic and lively — a great way to start off the weekend. Sound The Attack (myspace. com/soundtheattack) whose thunderous female powered vocals, courtesy of Jo-Jo, stepped the night up by putting on an excellent performance. A very powerful metal-rock set that left me wanting more. Next up was indie quartet The Donde Stars (myspace.com/ dondestars) who performed with strong hints of Arcade Fire in their sound, especially in You Keep The Kids that was loved by the crowd. The biggest draw of the night so far came from Mea (myspace. com/meaofficial) who were fantastic. Vanessa (vocals) packs a punch with her powerful voice especially on Pebel The Rebel, with the boys’ great musicianship giving the set extra bite. In a diverse day Ceri Collins (myspace.com/cericollins) took to the stage in the same venue he played a year ago in The Full Ponty’s Fringe Festival. Armed with his acoustic guitar he played a mixture of original tracks and covers in a very short set. His music is sweet and soulful melodies with the stand out track for me being Here Tonight. He even gave a quick little cover of Prophets hit Rooftops just because he was using the same chords. The night’s headliners were Along Came Man (myspace.com/alongcameman) who were the loudest and hardest playing band of the entire evening, storming through their set with Silhouette, Michael Jordan and Kill Robot Kill. The band were deserved headliners showing why they had top billing over all the brilliant acts on before them. Then to round the night off we were treated to a special midnight set from the hip-hop crew Carnivores Of War (myspace.com/carnivoresofwar). Their intense and down-to-earth style was a delight to watch, being very different from anything I’ve seen in the Valleys. They had very big American beats and scratching, yet kept it close to the British grime scene with the lyrics and rapping. The word of the day to sum it up is definitely diverse! DAY 2 — SUNDAY After an excellent first day, there was already a smell of anticipation about the place as first band on were Cuba Cuba (myspace.com/ cubacuba). Eight months ago PLUGGED IN witnessed their debut and tonight they had come on leaps and bounds since then, looking and sounding more like a professional outfit. An already big audience watched their short set, which included Rollerskates, Bonus and a harder sounding Foals, with all eyes firmly on front man Morgan. Next up were rockers I Call Shotgun (myspace.com/icallshotgun44) with their heavier sounding set, which was unfortunately cut short by the bass strings snapping from the furious playing, though this didn’t dampen their performance. They gave a highly energetic, microphone swinging and in-your-face performance. Go-X (myspace.com/gox) changed the tone of the performances so far with thir funky rock which reminded me of a slightly heavier Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the early days. Next up were Death Of An Icon (myspace.com/deathofanicon) who sound better every time you hear them. Their grunge sound had a Pearl Jam feel about it. If you love music, then you should definitely check this lot out. Next up were Miss Conduct (myspace.com/misconduct) whose poprock sound suits new singer Emma-Jayne, performing a set that mixed new material, including Chapter One, with old favourites like Six Feet Under and Sinner Vs Sinned. Local favourites SaidMike (myspace.com/saidmike) came on stage, drawing in a huge crowd to listen to their electro hard-hitting rock. These guys look like they have fun on stage, tearing through firm favourites Stop The Clocks and Mind Over Muscle — even throwing in a Michael Jackson cover Beat It which sounded more like the recent Fall Out Boy cover than the original. The pumped up crowd were now ready for headliners, the awesome Midasuno (see right). RICHARD SAMUEL

Duffy

live performance

Cardiff University

aving first heard Duffy (www.myspace. com/duffy) at last December’s Winter Wonderland gig at Cardiff Uni I had liked her short acoustic set, but she seemed out of place coming on after three crowd-rousing bands — Kids In Glass Houses, We Are Scientists and The Enemy — and before headliners Super Furry Animals. There had been rumblings among the cool gig-goers around me as to who this girlie was bringing down the adrenalin rush with her soft voice and slow numbers, so I was intrigued to discover a little later that in fact she was a Welsh-language singer/songwriter who was about to release her first album in English. Was she a friend of Gruff Rhys and the boys of SFA who had given her a platform to showcase some new songs? Hmm, this may explain the billing, an early Christmas pressie for a mate! Some months later I found myself singing along to the number one chart hit Mercy, which was being played on every radio station you tuned in to — and, lo and behold, it was by that girl from North Wales, that Duffy girl who was at that gig and had caused the sweaty crowd to have a bit of a break from all that dancing they’d been doing. Well if no one there had heard of her before, they had definitely heard of her now — she had gone straight to number one with her first single and was causing a media storm here in Wales. She even appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show and Later With Jools Holland — and her voice wasn’t so soft now, it was loud and it was proud. You go girl! Come Easter I found Duffy’s album Rockferry hiding among my chocolate eggs, so I put it in the car to play while ferrying the kids around — and there it has stayed as I was absolutely hooked on it from the very first airing! I love every track, I know all the words and I play it constantly — even my two girls bob their heads and sing along at the tops of their little voices cos no longer are they allowed to listen to Barbie Girl and Enjie Benjie in Mammy’s car... we play Duffy’s songs, and we play them loud. So where did these songs come from? Where did Duffy come from? Well, Aimee Anne Duffy started singing around the age of six, joining bands from the age of 15 and dropping her first name a few years later to be known simply as Duffy. The turning point in her career came after meeting Suede’s ex-guitarist Bernard Butler, who helped Duffy create a new retro sound that suited her big voice — the sound we hear on the Rockferry album which he also co-wrote with her. And not only that but he plays the guitar, piano and percussion on the album and is a member of the band that she’s currently touring with. If you get a chance to see her live, then I recommend

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you go. I did, and funnily enough, it was back to Cardiff Uni to watch her perform — but this time she was the headliner and everyone there knew exactly who she was! The place was jam-packed, it was hot and she was late coming on, but the wait was worth it when Duffy walked on stage and belted out song after song straight from the album. Like me, everyone there knew all the words and sang along as she powered through the numbers we all played at full volume back home — this was just like listening to the album, only the songs were in a different order. She seemed awed at the size of the crowd, said she was humbled by the fact we had all come to see just her (there was no support), and looked tearful at times, but as she got into her stride the confidence oozed out and Duffy strutted her stuff for her Welsh fans. Warwick Avenue, Hanging On Too Long, Delayed Devotion, the crescendo was building and of course we were all waiting for the number one hit — so when she sang Mercy the crowd cheered and bounced up and down in time to the tune (you have to remember we Duffy fans are not so young as we once were!). The set consisted of the 10 songs off the album and just three others, so was a little on the short side, and I felt it was a shame she didn’t sing us some of her Welsh-language songs to introduce this devoted audience to her other material — I’m sure we would have liked it. But apart from that slight niggle it was a great gig and ended on a great number. Coming on for the obligatory encore she sang Distant Dreamer to end the night and this is one song that shows off Duffy’s amazing vocal range and control — she is, after all, only 23. If you’ve got the album you’ll know what I mean, if you haven’t go and buy it! GG

LIVE PERFORMANCE

The Guns TJ’S, Newport

he Guns (www.myspace.com/gunsmusic) were making their welcome return to Newport’s TJ’s after their tour around Germany and boy did Alex have some stories to tell. “We’d hardly got inside the country when we were arrested...” But prior to their performance the night had been an ecletic mix of styles from the other bands including Kick Box Riot (www.myspace.com/kickboxriot) who were unusally placed way down the order of acts. Still they cranked up a pace and pushed their energy out into the crowd with their dancable indie pop. Another step on the ladder to greatness for them. Next came some screamo rock from the Boys With X-Ray Eyes (www.myspace.com/boyswithxrayeyes) with their strong melodies and interplay between the two lead vocalists. The music was a bit predictable but the guys in the mosh pit didn’t care as they went wild while the guitarists almost impaled each other on their instruments as they sparred for space on the stage. Jump The Underground (www.myspace. com/jumptheunderground) whose Jam influenced indie rock proved that the audience was capable of dancing not just moshing to the music tonight. Tight and solid they added an air of relief from the heaviness that had proceeded them. But this was The Guns night and they were going to leave bodies behind as they decided to give everyone a lesson in rock ’n’ roll performance. Lesson 1. Play it like you mean it. Every powerful note seemed to explode from the speakers as they crashed through song after song, demanding that you listen to them. Lesson 2. Play like you love it. Alex (vocals) carvorts around the stage, baring his sweat laden chest following in the tradition of many of the most famous of showmen. And lesson 3. Play well. The one thing The Guns do to perfection. This was good old rock ’n’ roll with plenty of meat on the bones, probably the best band of its type here in Wales. The Germans may have felt that The Guns play their sort of music but the Welsh aren’t gonna give them up that easily. As if someone had pulled their trigger The Guns high velocity music shot through the adoring crowd and hit you right between the eyes. Oh no, there is never a dull moment when The Guns play. DW

The Last Republic

live performance

Pontadawe Arts Centre

ontadawe Arts Centre has a beautiful auditorium with a balcony and floorspace that looks straight onto a theatrical stage. And tonight the drama was to be performed in true melodramatic style by indie power popsters The Last Republic (www.myspace.com/thelastrepublicmusic). Support came from a tight performance by The Commited (www. myspace.com/thecommittedmusic) and the rock feast that is the brilliant Lethargy (www.myspace.com/lethargymusic), so TLR had to prove their worth by a performance of sheer greatness. And they did just that, taking to the stage they bounced their songs, including Lets Make Bombs and Perfect Strangers, around the walls of the old theatre. This drama was full of passion and energy and you half expected John (vocals) to start waving a flag and demand that the PAC became his republic. Well in a way it was, this being his dominion standing against a tyrannical world, and when they played the Zane Lowe friendly track CCTV it seemed to take the crowd to a point of estatic revenge, Johnny could have led them anywhere. I had turned down the opportunity of watching New Model Army (who I love) playing in nearby Swansea to watch these guys perform — in no way was I disappointed. So watch these pages as next issue I hope to have more of TLR on them. DW

Eric Bibb

Parc & Dare, Treorchy

he legendary bluesman and godson of the iconic actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, drifted on to the stage as if out for a causual stroll and to polite applause. It doesn’t take more that a few notes to realise this guy can sure play the guitar and with his sweet mellow voice that is unique compared to the husky blues vocals you’d expect, you realise he is totally orginal in his style. Eric Bibb (www. ericbibb.com) performs with a permanent smile on his face while the polite audience listen in reverance, only clapping along when invited to do so as if not to affect the artist’s work. Blues music seems to have found an ally in the people of the Rhondda, a closeness with troubles shared. Before he starts a work song called Diamond Mines he says, “I know when it comes to diggin’ holes, you guys are way out ahead in that field.” During the song the crowd get more rawdy with whoops and cheers accompanying the clapping which leads Eric to say that “playing work songs, hey, I can see that DNA kickin’ in out there.” When he plays the spirtual number Needed Time he encourages the audience to join in and harmonise with him. Some sing along, some shutting their eyes and feeling the passion, at the end of which Eric says, “Wow. We get a lot of audiences singing, but not like that. Beautiful.” The joy of singing in Wales is something that drew him here and the positive encouragement of music in young people is something he is passionate about — and which we at PLUGGED IN share with him. And as if to prove a point he invites his daughter to the stage to join him in singing some beautiful soulful numbers. You are made to believe in a natural way you’re witnessing something special, a real family moment. But that is the way Eric appears to feel as he sings. For him every song performed is a special moment. DW

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live performance

Wonderbrass Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

It’s a packed night tonight in the Welsh Club and that’s just on stage. The 32 members of the ska/reggae collective that make up Wonderbrass are here to give backing to the legendary King Django, a major force on the American ska scene not only as a singer but also a producer, songwriter, arranger and instrumentalist. You may have thought that timings would be out, the odd bum note would filter through what this tribe play, but no way. Fantastically executed songs including classic ska tracks like A Letter To You Rudy and Ghosttown pump out from the saxaphones, flutes and cornets while the King plays his ukelele and trombone during his set. “I’ve had horn sections but never had a horn section quite like this before,” he said. He was right, Wonderbrass are completely unique and exceptional. DW

Oxjam

Con Club, Aberdare

I like charity gigs as they give me an excuse to get drunk and feel moderately good in doing it! This Oxjam event was organised by Lisa Derrick who worked hard to get a good mix of bands. First up Mimesis (www.myspace.com/ mimesisuk) gave us some traditional rock which I feel is missing from the local scene at the moment, but these guys are one of the new bands ready to remold the Valley’s music scene. A four-piece outfit from Tredegar with a 70s rock influence, they got the early crowd settled in nicely with a range of songs including Turn To Dust, an original filled with soothing rock melodies and well placed drum fills, and a cover of The Clash’s I Fought The Law. Next, singer/songwriter Chris Summerill (www.myspace.com/chrissummerill) played a host of classy originals along with a cover of Bare Necessities — which I defy anyone not to sing along to. A musician through and through, his uplifting vocals and catchy choruses were infectious. PLUGGED IN favourites Jam With RoBina (www.myspace.com/jamwithrobina), who at the moment can’t put a foot wrong on the local live scene and look destined to take things to the next level, entertained us with song after song containing fervid lyrics together with complementing sounds that pull at the inner soul, best heard in Visions which reminded me of Ravi Shanker (but sung in English). Swansea-based The New Cult Heroes (www.myspace.com/ thenewcultheroes) are another band bringing indie/rock to the forefront and Anthony Jones’ vocals truly suited the style. The New Cult Heroes have the image of Jet and the swagger

of Liam Gallagher which is visually enticing to see. Track Bring On The Summertime has a fantastic and yet so basic chorus that it had me singing along as soon as it came back in for the second time and took a while to get out of my head afterwards. To end, Molotov Pop (www. myspace.com/molotovpop) hit the stage with their American-styled rock and at times had to hit the floor in an energetic performance filled with heavy distortion and angst-riddled lyrics displayed in Epiphany Sunrise. Needless to say I had a great day! GARY BOLSOM

Ffred Jones

Globetrotters Bar, Pontypridd

A quiet intimate experience with the talented Ffred Jones (myspace.com/ffredjones) on a Friday night was perfect for unwinding after a hard week’s work. His powerful yet softly sung vocals opened my eyes to another of Wales’s hidden treasures. He seemed to want to share his music and played us songs that he’d finished just the day before the gig. The enjoyment of him playing and introducing the songs, even changing the set list to accommodate his moods, left it fresh, unpredictable and enjoyable. His set included Yellow Belly, To Catch A Thief which is a great folk telling song, and the mesmerising Silhouettes & Snowflakes which took some great guitar play to capture a moment where you think it really is snowing. Very enjoyable performance from one of the people who is currently capturing our imaginations. RICHARD SAMUEL

Cancer Bats Barfly, Cardiff

I’m part of a small crowd making my way to the anticipated Kerrang’s Most Wanted gig at the Barfly tonight. Inside, not much can be said for Hexes (www.myspace.com/hexes) who vaguely get the crowd interested with their slightly rock slightly punk run of the mill mix. Johnny Truant (www.myspace. com/johnnytruant) on the other hand do get the audience’s attention and make us feel involved with their set. What could have been their most ferocious song of the night though was cut short by their drummer too sick even hold him self up anymore. One thing you first notice about Cancer Bats (www.myspace. com/cancerbats) is that live they sound nothing like their myspace. They’re more brutal than they should be and Liam Cormier (vocals) is fearless, pushing his way through the crowd creating what turns out to be an undoubtedly all-out performance. Their music is impulsive, the Barfly goes from nothing to bodies being thrown around and fans plunging at the mic to scream along. NADINE B

Lukemia Charity Gig Cwmaman Institute

Another charity gig, this time set up by Jamie McArdle for the Leukemia Lymphoma Development Fund. On first were The Scarlets (www.myspace.com/thescarletsgroup) whose singer Rosie made everyone sit up and take notice, belting out catchy pop songs sung with a delicate soulful voice. A particular track called Time On Our Hands stood out as an uplifting ballad that was worthy of waving the lighter to. Next Gino Triggiani engaged the crowd with his unique fold style that can only be compared to the great Rodriquez (who? you ask — look him up, the man’s a legend!). Songs like Little Problem Solver captivated the likes of me with his meaningful lyrics. Next Dischordance (www. myspace.com/dischordancesucks) brought us a unique sound that isn’t often heard. Dorian and James make music entirely from synthetic loops played through computers and other gadgets with a few guitars thrown in. They reminded me of The Chemical Brothers but with humourous tongue-in-cheek songs about overweight women and dead cats. Richard Jones and Kadesha Drija are two solo acts but for this gig teamed up to give a stunning acoustic performance. We heard a cover of Damien Rice’s Delicate but Kadesha’s vocals are far from that! Strong, powerful and full of emotion, she put Damien Rice to shame — and to think that she’s only 15! A name to watch in the future. Clay Statues (www.myspace.com/ claystatues) gave us a lesson on how to turn up the volume by using only a heavy, distorted bass guitar, a thumping set of drums and the power of vocals to perform the aggressive frantic rock songs of 10 men. Harvey got up next to sing a happily jangly song about my favourite subject (alcoholic beverages) before going on to perform a a host of songs covering different genres, including something that sounded a lot like skiffle at one moment! But the highlight of his set for me was when he played a cover of They’re Red Hot by the classic blues musician Robert Johnson. BenSem (www.myspace.com/ bensem) were one of the main bands I wanted to see at this gig as I’d heard so much about them. As soon as they took to the stage you could see they’re an established professionallooking band with a strong set of songs in their arsenal, including Science Project. Bensem take the commercial pop/rock genre and smother it with passion, meaning and feeling. Next up Michelle Ellen delighted us with her finger picking styled acoustic songs and one stunningly crafted demonstration of this was in the form of a song called Crazy. I wasn’t entirely sure about Cakehole Presley (www. myspace.com/cakeholepresley) before they took to the stage just because of their name but they totally surprised me from the off

and in future I will be shutting my cakehole before I judge a band by its name. Gotta No Your Name was their opening track and being a big fan of Bob Dylan I was delighted to hear his influence through it. As well as having a retro sound, closing track Every Day Of Your Life showed that Cakehole Presley could also take the modern approach. Host of the evening Jamie McArcdle then hit the stage to gave the audience a set of cover songs, and opening up with Folsom Prison Blues automatically put him in my good books. Paula Nutini’s New Shoes and King Of The Swingers from Jungle Book got the whole audience into the spirit. FutureTown (www.myspace.com/futuretown) opened with a song that contained one hell of a guitar riff — one you could imagine The Edge (U2) playing at sold-out arenas. Being a band containing three guitars and a bass they were loud and all credit to Glynn Bateman (drums) for being heard over all that strumming, especially on last track Shine On. Dai Isaac and Dai Corfield teamed up to perform a medley of covers that included Eminem’s Stan and Marley’s Jamming among others and went down well with the audience singing along. Bomb Culture (www.myspace.com/bombcultureuk) brought a truly unique sound to the night mixing heavy drum and bass with electronica and a heavy distorted guitar. They’re a difficult band to sum up — they really do need to be seen to be believed. The song Open Up has a set of lyrics that goes ‘Burn Hollywood, Burn’ and it just won’t leave your head! Witches & Wolves seems like it’s going at a million BPM and all complemented with Human League type vocals emphasising my previous point. Aled Clifford played a bluesy vibe making good use of the shuffle technique and slide, as well as playing They’re Red Hot by Robert Johnson — and I’d find it difficult to choose who did the better version. We also heard an instrumental track which I’m partial to now and again and this showed how talented and versatile Aled is on the guitar. Headliners Sal (www.myspace. com/saltheband) wrapped things up in style, making an entrance worthy of stadium rockers. Having been together for a number of years, they’ve developed a distinguished sound and a togetherness that a lot of bands lack. Using a simple formula with big choruses running at a thousand miles an hour and well controlled vocals, Sal are a must-see band. As well as the usual pop/rock tracks we got treated to their version of Devil May Care (the theme tune to the James Bond audio book of the same name) during an energetic set. I was totally drained after a long day and spending too many beer tokens — my feet hurt, my ears were ringing but it had been worth it. And all credit to Jamie McArdle for putting on a quality gig for a good cause, but also helping to put the Cynon Valley back on the music map. GARY BOLSOM

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The Muni, Pontypridd

pril’s fight night rolled into town for another show of mayhem, destruction and carnage that is metal and rock. First band on Dead Fashion (myspace.com/deadfashionmusic) pumped up the young audience — highly energetic and a perfect warm up act for the rest of the night. Then Valley boys A470 (myspace.com/a470) took to the stage with their raw brand of metal that’s very similar to Bullet For My Valentine. The boys even looked very similar to Matt Tuck’s boys in the way they played. With the crowd going mental, the pits in full swing and everyone in the room nodding either in approval or just for the fun of it, I wondered if they were BFMV wannabes or rising metal stars and decided it was definitely the second of these. Next up were The Promise Theory (www.myspace. com/thepromisetheorywales) whose front woman Victoria had a voice reminiscent of Amy Lee from Evanescence. Even though she bounced all over the stage, commanding it and looking very comfortable, the crowd didn’t seem to be interested in their powerful rock — maybe they would have worked better before A47O whose metal delighted the crowd. This shouldn’t take away from Victoria’s voice, which filled the venue’s acoustics and listeners ears wonderfully. Working Class Heroes (www. myspace.com/workingclassheroes) are Fight Night favourites and as soon as their rock music hit the room everyone threw their hands in the air, danced, sang along and watched as their local heroes wowed them. Then Londoners We’re Not Superheroes Anymore (myspace.

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com/werenotsuperheroesanymore) took to the stage to headline. Though relative unknowns to PLUGGED IN and the most of the audience before this gig, they are no longer as their heavy rock mixed with blues instantly made me and everyone else there take notice. The slow playing of the instruments with powerful vocals before switching into the harder and heavier sound was musical pleasure to listen to. In my last review I said after Friends Electric headlined, “Headliners, the ball is in your corner!” Well after this super performance this band certainly lived up to being a Fight Night headline act. RICHARD SAMUEL

he reputation of a Fight Night is something to behold. Excellent established bands supported by ones that are up and coming — however, May’s night was a slightly different affair. Most of the bands playing had an established following but were quite happy to play support to the night’s headliners, Midasuno (www.myspace.com/midasuno). Caerphilly screamo rockers Red October (www.myspace.com/theredoctober) kicked off with a powerful wall of noise. This return to a Fight Night sees them better than ever with the practise of numerous gigs under their belt, their franetic music frantically pulsed around the Muni. Excellent songs with an excellent delivery. Next up were Go-X (www. myspace.com/gox), these upstarts seem to be playing every gig that’s thrown at them. Funky beats with a punk ethic delivered sometimes sweet, and sometimes darkly sour. A promising

act to keep an eye on. Hand Of The Daedra (www.myspace.com/handofthedaedra), back with two new members, make you wonder if there will be enough room on stage for this energetic six-piece metal band. Breakneck guitar playing, with fast-paced action, it’s always a visual delight to watch their pyschotic performance. And then Mea (www.myspace. com/meaofficial) — it’s a crime that this band haven’t been signed by a major label. Always on top form, never a dull performance, tonight’s Fight Night is no exception with their barking riffs and Vanessa’s howling voice ripping through the theatre. All I can say to the record companies is...WAKE UP! Of course Midasuno, with 10 years in the business have had plenty of acolades. The bad boys of Welsh punk, who project nothing but passion for their art, do tend to destroy things from time to time — tonight two guitars got wiped out during a performance packed with more energy than a nuclear warhead. Midasuno are undeniabaly the most ferocious group to have ever played a Fight Night. But in a surreal moment when a couple started kissing passionately in front of me while war was being declared on stage, I was reminded of David Bowie’s song Heroes. Tonight Midasuno were unpredictable and menacingly brilliant. True heroes. DW UPCOMING FIGHT NIGHTS Friday 11th July Saturday 2nd August Friday 12th September (www.myspace.com/deadstarevents)

Sound The Attack/ Dead Against The Rest/ The Dirty Youth Pop Factory, Porth

ick Start Promotions had taken over the Pop Factory with a host of bands for us public to relish and devour. For starters we got The Dirty Youth (www.myspace.com/thedirtyyouth) who were a hard hitting vigorous indie pop band. Danni Monroe (vocals) had a strong and powerful voice like a siren over a World War III battlefield. At one point during their song Fight she holds a note for a good 20 seconds or more, never fluctuating or losing tune. Excellent. The main course was served up hard and heavy. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d always wondered what had happened to Paul Marshall and his band The Alternative Ending who we had hoped to feature in PLUGGED IN at some point. Well they had parted company and now he was back with his AC/DC influenced heavy rock band Dead Against The Rest (www.myspace.com/ deadagainsttherest). He is a total front man, a real show off and gives the audience something to watch, posing around the stage like a mad John Ottaway. The band performed an array of well arranged numbers like Big Love with peaks and troughs and catchy lyrics. Outside the Pop Factory a storm was brewing and the catalyst was Dead Against The Rest. It was unfortunate that the PA packed up before our delicate dessert Sound The Attack (www.myspace. com/soundtheattack) made it to the stage (I blame Paul). But they decided to carry on regardless and play through the wedges which was a godsend for us audience as they powered their way through an electric set of original and well structured songs. Young Jo Jo (vocals) sang with a brilliant vocal style perfect for rock music on songs like Bully Empire and Animals and could have held the stage on her own except all the members of the band joined in on the act. Jumping, flying, careering around the stage it was an amazing feat that no blood was spilled. They created a relentless power that finally ignited the storm outside â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as the thunder cracked and the lightening forked across the sky, Sound The Attack completed their set to much applause. DW

The Point, Cardiff

This venue had been threatened with court action due to a noise complaint from neighbours, but was granted a stay of execution back in May — possibly helped by an online petition signed by over 5,000 people, including bands who have played there and us here at PLUGGED IN magazine. The building, a gothic-style stone church built in 1900, has been a live music venue since 2003 hosting gigs by The Stereophonics, The Manic Street Preachers, Funeral For A Friend, Super Furry Animals and Cerys Matthews, among others. Having to soundproof the building means The Point will be shut during the month of August 2008 while the work is carried out. Because PLUGGED IN believes The Point is such an incredible venue, we’ve devoted the next four pages to some brilliant and diverse performers who have played there recently.

Lightspeed Champion

his was the night the violin came to town and proved that the instrument could be taken seriously within the pop/rock genre. Example No.1 being Jamie And The Lionhearts (www.myspace.com/jamieandthelionhearts), a jaunty pop five-piece from Cardiff who were reminiscent of The Waterboys, who built their songs like ebbs and flows of the tide. Strong and tight their use of the violin seared through the guitars adding an additional melodic touch and got the audience appreciation straight away. Example No.2 was Australian group Operator Please (www.myspace.com/operatorplease), whose pop-rockabilly music cross added a pacey edge to the evening. Resin was flying from the violin strings as the lead singer Amandah crashed through the set with her Rickenbacker guitar. Playing their version of Devo’s Whip It was a stroke of genius that pulled the audience into every single note. Example No.3 and Lightspeed Champion (www.myspace.com/lightspeedchampion) took a different approach, slowly building his set up layer by layer, playing songs from the album Falling Off The Lavender Bridge. Described as Surf/Folk the interplay between the guitar and violin comes across with an almost rock ’n’ roll type beat. Devonte Hynes comes over as an uncomfortable front man saying to hecklers from the crowd, “You guys are freaking me out” and often mentioning the towels placed around the stage — “I’m sorry to have to go on about it but it’s rare you have something nice to smell on stage.” Multi-tasking he swaps around with other members of his band to play all the instruments during the show, drums included, and dedicates his last epic song to The Point during which he stops mid-song and says “I’m going to take a little break” picking up a towel to wipe his face, “I just love these towels” and breaks back perfectly to bring the song to its crescendo. I saw Lightspeed Champion in London and found them interesting, this time they were brilliant. DW

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Feeder

ne night in May saw the return of Feeder (www.myspace.com/feederweb), who have been swaying away from the scene for some time now, and with the release of a new album Silent Cry, it’s that time for touring again. Many of the kids tonight are overwhelmed to see them play such an intimate venue, well intimate to a certain degree and again with the mix of crowd I can’t really call them kids, all ages and all genres show up tonight to watch the Newport heroes return. The lucky support was Bridgend’s Butterflies With Beards (www.myspace.com/bwbonline) who managed to fight off other Welsh bands to win a competition to support Feeder. The band and their sound seem somewhat charming and take you back in time, indie yet mellow with some melodic solos thrown in, but I felt their show was let down somewhat by their nervous stage presence. The venue’s now packed to the rim after a slightly long wait for the headliners, but some fans don’t even dare risk giving up their place for that quick ciggie before they come on. Opening with Feeling A Moment they grip the fans from the start, all happy, singing along, not one soul disappointed they’re here. Playing as a five-piece live really shows you what Feeder’s all about, the keyboards and extra guitar effects add that depth and variety to the show they just don’t have with only three band members. For the next hour and a half they plough through new and old songs with the crowd lapping everything up and chanting along. A loving happy birthday is sung spontaneously from the crowd after Grant (vocals/guitar) mentions it’s drummer Mark’s birthday. Smiles all round as they carry on and between songs we are served chatty comments from Grant, keeping it down to earth as if everyone in the room were friends. Ending with Just A Day which sends the crowd frantic, they leave us on a high still wanting more. NADINE B

Rachel Taylor-Beales

kind of hush prevails over The Point tonight, as if they’re trying not to annoy the neighbours. Everybody was sitting on chairs around candle-lit tables, politely applauding the performances they were watching. Simon M Read (www.myspace/simonmread) was on as support as I entered through the creaking door, eyes glaring my way at my intrusion into this gentle place. His performance was a softly passionate affair, strumming his acoustic guitar under a single spotlight. Perched atop his high chair and playing tracks from his CD Bowland you’d have thought his preformance would have been lost in this old church. But no, he enveloped the auditorium in his music of sweet sorrowful beauty. A fitting support to Rachel Taylor-Beales who also entered the stage a a solitary figure. Starting her performance of hauntingly beautiful slow-paced tunes she blissfully stroked your body into silent submission to her talent. Poetically soulful her songs build up to a fever pitch until they end, gently letting you come down to rest like a leaf softly touching the earth. Joined by two other musicians they create textured patterns between the cello, piano, guitar, flute and Rachel’s whispering hushed vocal style, hightened during the song Liberty in which she directs the audience in a subtle humming choir finale. Rachels Red Tree CD is available via her website (www.racheltaylor-beales.com) and I promise will be one of the best purchases you’ll make this year. DW

LIVE PERFORMANCE

The Point, Cardiff This gig was the last stop for the Cowbridge boys on their small venue tour showcasing the new material. As I made my way to The Point there were many questions floating around in my head: What are they going to sound like post-Pennie? What about the sinful synth noises? Is the new material going to be any good? Will Paul fit in perfectly? I shouldn’t have worried, these questions and more were all to be answered tonight. First up were Attack! Attack! (www. myspace.com/attackattackband) who I saw perform the previous week. The acoustics of the church were kinder to them so they gave a much better performance with the standout song for me being Lights Out — one day these guys will be headlining this venue. Then Swansea electro rockers Viva Machine (www.myspace.com/vivamachine) took to the stage in their most impressive performance I’ve seen — and it’s been a few times! They stomped through a great set starting with Robot Bodyrox, Deathstar Trucker, YOHO, Oxygen and ending on A Futuristic Dracula which caught me off-guard as the closer. These guys are destined for great things. The anticipation for headliners The Automatic (www.myspace.com/theautomatic) was by now running high and my nerves were starting to kick in. Would my love affair for this band end here tonight? And then they came on, bursting straight into new number Light Entertainment. Next up was Recover, my favourite song off the first album, which to my surprise had been re-worked, sounding grittier and harder than before. The Pennie

screams of old have gone, which left me a bit heartbroken because it was no longer the same song I fell in love with — however, the new sound made the song stand out even more. The boys then played Steve McQueen, a song about everyone’s favourite Christmastime film star (he was in The Great Escape), which is very poppy sounding with a great singalong chorus — maybe a future single? The rest of the set consisted mostly, of course, of songs off the new album which were all hard guitar numbers, including Magazines. Then came a guest appearance by Tom from Viva Machine playing bass on This Is A F.I.X., followed by This Ship and Make The Mistakes. After hearing the new tracks I do believe that this second album is going to be even better than the first on the strength of these songs. The old songs came across much harder and with less screaming vocals on the smash hit Monster, which a smiling Rob said was a song for hardcore fans. By My Side sounded better than on the first album and set closer Raoul has been similarly changed to Recover — which I really liked! So if you’re wondering about who plays keys now, well they all share the duties — except Iwan (drums) — and they are all pretty good at it too. Paul has added an extra dimension to The Automatic, who are now a band where you watch each member not just one individual as of old. Paul’s guitar playing and vocals are just what this band needed to take them further. The Automatic just pulled up a gear, revving their engines and raring to go — ready to defy all the critics that have slated them in the past. RICHARD SAMUEL

PLUGGED IN

CDs, EPs Downloads & Demos Athletes Of The Sky 3-track demo www.myspace.com/athletesofthesky Three great screamo songs that mix up The Deftones, Killswitch Engage and Machine Head into a unique brand of experimental metal. Definitely worth checking out if you like nothing better than something to mosh to! RS

InnerPartySystem Don’t Stop (single) Island Fallout Records This industrial rock group poke fun at the modern-day celebrity culture, with lines like “This is entertainment/ Begging for more!” This single has left me licking my lips at the prospect of their coming album. If you like bands such as Pendulum, then this lot is definitely for you. RS

Truckers Of Husk Physical Education (EP) www.myspace.com/truckersofhusk Instrumental rock that is perfectly accompanied by the artwork given inside the sleeve containing a five-track ep which takes you through a short story. Standout track This Odd Modern is just perfect to have as a backing track to a high adrenalin-fuelled action film. RS

Cate Le Bon Edrych Yn Llygaid A470 Ceffyl Benthyg (album) (demo) Faded s Peski Records a 70 H k e Blac com/a4 space. and after som Quirky, perky and melodic, y m . w e b n ww r o u o m Edrych Yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg me y g fro why na s in travellin way it’s Infadels — 0 7 (Looking A Gifthorse In The A4 ny sist that as r? Oh well, a is pretty Free Things For Poor People (single) c a m r a e Mouth) is a beautiful first official t h o anoth atters, whic e Wall Of Sound place t release from the Welsh singer. with th g tm a in h t s t ic fi s in f u An upbeat tune, with a good hook of a n o e m d p e p th Could I understand the lyrics? Well ha d kin zied an metal” that’s that it is chorus that nags at your brain as it attempts n e r f I don’t speak Welsh so not a chance to be g said l t in t o v a o a to land you. Commercial indie kind of c M h / eld “it’s ugh – but it didn’t matter, as I was e Hetfi nd the w. Tho h o t n sound with Embrace vocal stylings and h t it h a rig charmed by the haunting vocals and uff w cals uct ising st ium style vo r t some early 90s synth influences thrown m s o e r D p kooky sounds. If you like your music riv two later T f track in for good measure...pretty unoffensive ening o t h s e ig Heafy g L n mainstream then avoid, but if you’re e eel cha ide Th originality all in all! Some cool remixes on there too great f gs to mind R up for something a little quirky ore m it in b r out b though. Yeah! Dazzler a h t c h a t a h it t w W give Cate Le Bon a try. LD tallica. ld be ones to era Me u o uys c azzler these g for! D Dananananaykroyd Funeral For A Friend Sissy Hits (mini-album) Waterfront Danceclub/ Holy Roar The Lowlights Beneath The Burning Tree (CD) This new exciting British band really do I Want To Take Your Trousers Off/ Join Us Records cover all the bases when it comes to One Of The Lads/Club X (demo) this mini-album release. Jam packed www.myspace.com/thelowlightsmusic Less of a single release, more of a full of interesting musical twists and Sent to us with hand scribbled notes taster for what’s to come on the turns that touch on so many genres attached, this demo let us into the world release of their new album in October, (punk, hardcore, indie, alt/rock). From of The Lowlights — and it’s nothing short Funeral have hardened up again and the jagged staccato rhythms of album of excellent. Straight as-you-see-it-style produced music that is more akin opener and bizarrely titled The Greater rock ’n’ roll with lyrics that would mean to their first album than their last. Than Symbol & The Hash and the clever, something to every teenage Valley boy. This Ripping guitar playing and thumping sprightly guitar melodies of One After review proves that PLUGGED IN will listen One, to the thrashing guitar and vocals drum beats lead you through their to everything we get sent, even without the that drop into the mellow outro of 1993, own personal take on the rock music fancy packaging. These guys didn’t need the Sissy Hits is an exciting listen. One to scene — except you’ll always get great the expensive artwork to prove that they have check out for sure! Dazzler melodies, great vocals, excellent the talent to play. DW Texas Radio Band Gavin (album) Peski Records Texas Radio Band make their long-awaited return to the music scene with the recent release of this album. TRB have been described as indie mixed with electronica and make for a really interesting listen. At times while playing the album, I zoned out as the dreaminess of some of the samples make it a chilled out and psychedelic listen best demonstrated midway through the album on Swynol and Bea. GB 38 PLUGGED IN 36 PLUGGED IN

Haddonfield Bar Brawls & Downfalls (EP) Thousand Yard Stereo A stand-up-and-get-noticed five-track CD by the punk rock/indie boys. Brilliant songs, brilliant execution especially on opener Panic that has already caught the eye of the media. Another great band that PLUGGED IN will be keeping an eye on. DW

songs. Funeral aren’t one of Wales’s finest bands for no reason, these two songs prove they have guts and convictions in what they do and the way they believe they should go. And making these songs the first release on their own record label shows the strength in those convictions. I can’t wait to see Funeral play live again. I’m spoilt, I’ve seen them quite a number of times from acoustic sets to full-on sound systems and I’m sure WFDC & BTBT will become mainstays in that arena. Just brilliant and my favourite release in this issue. DW

send your CDs for review tO: The Editor PLUGGED IN magazine Haul Fryn Publishing HAUL FRYN Courthouse Street Pontypridd CF37 1JW Bryn Christopher The Quest (single) Polydor Mixing up elements of jazz and hip-hop and with vocals that lie somewhere between Amy Winehouse and Jamie Cullum, this song makes you feel good about yourself. Put this on your playlist called soundtrack for the summer ’08. RS The Slowdance Rapture & Truth (EP) www.myspace.com/theslowdanceuk Diamonds, the opener on this hardcore punk rock/screamo band’s six-track ep, is an in-your-face aggressive song from the start, setting the pace up until penultimate track Palpitations, which is played with the same ferocity but with a more melodic approach to the vocals. Closing track Monument can be described as just that, starting off at a normal pace but through progression reaches great heights. GB Echobeat Cobra Kai (single) www.myspace.com/echobeat Hard piece of indie-influenced rock with a strong vocal style and great guitar riffs. You can imagine them ripping through their music in a dark sweaty basement venue with a crowd going wild. Thumping, catchy Cobra Kai is a song with a venomous bite. DW First Among Equals Eddie The Gent (album) www.firstamongequals.co.uk Three-piece punk rockers FAE recently released this 12-track album, taking influences from the early punk but adding their own twist in the form of constantly slinky bass lines, rampant drums, rapid guitar solos and rebellious angst-driven lyrics making this an album for all punk fans and then some. Standout tracks are Revolution Radio and Time To Vacate which complement an album filled with anthems. GB Elliot Minor Time After Time (single) Warner Bros/Repossession Records Perfect pop/rock with an edge from the natives of York, this track is approachable and delightful like a calm warm sea — but watch out, there are rocks beneath the surface. Everything is thrown in to get your attention. Great song, catchy tune, one you just can’t get out of your head. DW

Attack In Black Marriage (CD) Dine Alone Records/Hassle Strong contender for my favourite CD this issue, AIB’s Marriage is a host of indie pop with a varying style base thrown into the mixture that adds a sense of freshness to everything. Songs like Northern Towns and If All I Thought Were True are delectable pieces of music genuis that carry you along on a soundwave of excitement. Just great! DW AOV Architects Of Victory (EP) www.myspace.com/ architectsofvictory The Swansea quartet mix tracks of heartfelt acoustic rock with harder, faster, darker explosive sounds dominated by intense riffs in this EP – featuring strong vocals throughout not unlike those of Brandon Boyd. AOV are certainly a band to look out for if you count Incubus, Metallica or Pantera amongst your ipod essentials. LD Fortune Favours two-track demo www.myspace.com/fortunefavoursmusic An explosive two-track demo opening with single The Sound Of Your Heartbeat, played with boisterous guitar riffs and rampant drums all complemented by Pistol Pete’s vocals making this lot a band to be reckoned with. I’m also sure they have a lot more in their arsenal like second track Underneath These Lights which goes off on a completely different angle to the opener making them a tough band to define and shows off their diversity. I await their next explosive demo. GB

AMERICAN FLAG WAVING SECTION Jonas Brothers SOS (single) Hollywood Records Funky guitar riffs open this great pop song, with a hum-along catchy chorus. This heart-warming group’s recent self-titled album will be on your little sister’s or mum’s stereo/ipod while driving you to the beach this summer. Definitely one to check out. RS Rose Hill Drive Moon Is The New Earth (CD) Megaforce Records Wow! Move out of the way...well everybody. Rose Hill Drive are coming through with their raw power filled rock that will fill a stadium on its own. In the vein of The Black Crowes with a bit of hippy-ness thrown in for good measure, they are gonna carve their name up there with the best if they can maintain this standard. Love Altar Junkie, love The 8th Wonder... shall I keep going? Well you should get going and buy this now! DW The Coral Sea Volcano And Heart (CD) www.myspace.com/ thecoralseamusic Beautifully crafted atmospheric folk rock from Santa Barbara, California, in the vein of Mercury Rev. Layer upon layer of textured sounds that are surfaced by strong considered lyrics, this could easily be a musical version of a perfect sunset. DW

Screaming Eagle Wake Up The Dawn (CD) www.myspace.com/screamingeagleuk With a band name and CD title like this you can kind of guess what you’re in for. And you’ll be right. But what you may forget is that heavy rock is popular here in Wales and ar The Be eekend (EP) there is always e h T W co.uk ing For D this room for another ic. Someth .thebearmus on our free C ay. band, especially ay to s www about f Mond r adow O and what I’m when they are wn you h o S d o g t in t n s n e r t n y e s u d eat r as good as these Just li ur bo ’ll und nd you night with sw runs over yo r do issue a t boys. In The Dark is ea ly o t B h f ct eze so at The e it’s a a storming opener Imagin en a cool bre ps. That’s wh ouldn’t expe e h w m t u u la , dp c t yo se b back while track 2, A Kick ou goo and licks tha lift you up an y sung y g in giv In The Face does just oves tifull they . Beau band, lly. Gro nly musica ansea-based land paradise r intrudes o that. Yes Screaming e r w is v S e e n at n he B a on a Eagle may sound like from a usic th need T gently m u n f o o w y o m d n a cliché, but you’ll be you e for ecko delicat ach other. I r door. DW over a e wrong. They are miles ur s o t y men g at comple above that. Go listen knockin for yourself. DW

Last 10 Questions With...

PLUGGED IN: Let’s start with the FutureTown story — how did you all meet? FT: Well, me [Mark] and Topher played together in instrumental band Suckafish. I left, met up with manager Alan Golding and recorded a demo featuring four tracks. This was used to recruit the other members to form a band around me (www.myspace.com/futuretown). PLUGGED IN: Where did the name come from? FT: The name FutureTown came about through a ‘coincidental’ joint effort. Over the course of rehearsals I found that Topher’s style of playing conjured up images of a place where everyone wanted to go — a future town. PLUGGED IN: How would you describe your sound in five words? Just five, no cheating! FT: Summer, hot chicks, loads of beer and parties, with the occasional serious hangover — OK, we cheated a bit! PLUGGED IN: How many tracks have you put together since the birth of FutureTown? Do you have any favourites and are there any memorable stories behind them? FT: The band can do a one-hour set of its strongest material. Little Finger is about a

PLUGGED IN

friend who can’t be named due to potential legal entanglements! Shine On is about friends who have gone down the slippery slop of drug addiction and don’t listen to any advice. If Word Gets Out [which is featured on this issue’s free CD] is about those times you’ve done something bad, loads of people in your circle know about it, but you’re hoping the people closest to you will never find out! PLUGGED IN: How can we get our hands on the music featured on your myspace? FT: You can get a copy of the new EP by emailing your postal address to alan@tantrwm.co.uk PLUGGED IN: How do you feel the South Wales music scene compares to the rest of the UK? FT: It’s definitely on the up and up — from the Manics, Catatonia, Phonics and Furries to the Prophets, Funeral and Kids In Glasshouses who have all given inspiration to us and many others. There seems to be an ever growing number of promoters who are interested in putting on live music and the number of smaller venues seems to be growing, which gives new bands the chance to get noticed. PLUGGED IN: If you had to choose just one

album or track you feel has been particularly influential or inspirational, what would it be? FT: Oooph, this is a hard one and too difficult to answer. But what I can say [Mark] is that the person who has inspired me the most is my father. I grew up with instruments around me and he has encouraged me to pursue a dream that he never followed. PLUGGED IN: Six band members — five guys and one girl. How does that work out for you? FT: Sadly, Cath has recently left the band to follow her acting aspirations — so now it’s just the five of us guys. PLUGGED IN: When you aren’t gigging or rehearsing where do you spend most of your time and what do you get up to? FT: Down Topher’s laboratory cooking up new tracks and drinking rubbish lager! PLUGGED IN: Finally…what should we look out for in the world of FutureTown in 2008? FT: We’ll be sending copies of the EP to the industry and playing shows in and outside of Cardiff. And hopefully, posting the EP to the people who ask us for one from reading this! BY LISA DERRICK