(pics by neil crud)
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Fatboy Slim’s album title, ‘You’ve Come A Long Way Baby’ is quite fitting if you direct it at Zebedy. They certainly have come a long way. From the beginnings of Lantern in 2002, when Jonny Harding-Smith (known then, and probably now as Jonny Lantern) slid across the scene on his knees and somehow managed to wind up all and sundry simply by playing guitar better than the rest of them put together.
Lantern’s PR machine (whoever that was) flamed just about everybody on the early day forums, and there’d be spits and spats, songs written in the name of local rivalry – and it was all entertaining. Publicity whoring aside, one fact they couldn’t deny is that Jonny is one motherfucking excellent guitarist.
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OUT TODAY
Having sprinkled the landscape with the sunshine of Gabrielle 25 and later with The Peakz, the inmate of Penmachno that is Dan Amor unleashes his latest album Neigwl on November 23rd at Gwydir, Betws-y-Coed.
Legend has it that at the tender age of 14 Dan was hitch-hiking between Llanrwst and Betws and was picked up by 4Q, who subsequently kidnapped him, taking him to their gig in Portmadog. This allegedly inspired him to (unlike 4Q!) carve a career in music.
Having been brought up by wolves, who protected him from the pterodactyls circling above the village of Penmachno, Dan understandably nods in the direction of the mountains, the lakes, the weather, the fields and the seasons; but far from being a hippy drenched folk album, Neigwl is a sparkling gem floating in bong water.
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Gig was cancelled with little notice.
Chris Ryan from Pocket Venus said, ‘The landlord of the Morgan Lloyd, what a twat! Not very professional to pull the gig with a couple of hours to go for no reason! Everyone was on their way! Well it’s his loss he would of had a packed pub tonight, I for one will be spreading the word to never drink in his ramshackle drinking establishment ever again!.’

(review n pix by paul scouse git)

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The Dudley Arms in Rhyl was once a bikers pub called Load of Mischief. As The Dudley it began hosting regular punk gigs from 2002 and became a haunt for the misfits, the freaks, the goths and the punks who could seek sanctuary away from the chavs and beerboys who frequented most of the town’s other bars.
Brain was tolerant of all the moshing, high decibels, shananigans and horseplay that went on during the gigs, quite simply because people didn’t take the piss. Yes, there were occasions when someone would leave head first through a window or someone would be thrown out for pissing off the stage – but these were rare.
The Dudley hosted some fantastic nights  (see the archive gig reviews), including the Dirty Weekends until its closure in May 2010.
(Remember Brian page)

December 18th at Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead.

Na Events say: After Not So Silent Night 2009 saw the place full to the brim of incredible people and artists, and then 2010′s gig sadly being cancelled due to mother nature and her snow, we thought we’d make sure Not So Silent Night 2011 was the biggest! Best thing is, we’re back to where we started

We all at Na Events cannot describe in words how thankful we are for all the support. The support of which has helped us gain a credible reputation in events and live sound, working with superb bands across Wales and England, and most importantly, meeting you all!

The line up is..:

WE//ARE//ANIMAL – NO ROOM FOR HEROES – MECHANICAL OWL – IRIS 3 – DEMASK – STRAIGHT JACKET LEGENDS - SEAGULL KINEVIL

7 Incredible bands for one incredible price of £4! No boring tickets, we use festival style wristbands! Get yours now! We will have a raffle stall where you can win some great prizes with all funds being donated to BOCSWN.
We have KICK THE GHOST SKATE SHOP with their stall, CERI JONES with her NAIL VARNISH ART, CERI WYN JONES PHOTOGRAPHY and NICK CARTER with Sharpie Tattoos!!
BUY YOUR WRISTBAND TODAY! ITS ALL INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!*

There WILL be a bar serving alcoholic and soft drinks. I.D WILL be required when purchasing alcohol.

Camera, one of Wrexham’s best exports (after the lager, Robbie Savage and Stuntface) go all Elbow on us and wrap up the year in church. Promoter Neal Thompson says, ‘This evening will be a chance to catch the band in the much more intimate and atmospheric surrounds of the Parish church – expect the usual collaborations and surprises St. Giles sessions have become so well known for over the past year.’

Where: St Giles Parish Church, 1 College St. Wrexham

When: Friday, 9th December, 2011. Doors open at 7pm, performance at 7:30pm.

Tickets: £10 admission / £7 concessions

Tickets available in person from: Wrexham Tourist Information, Yale’s Café Bar & The Foundry, Wrexham or on-line at: www.seetickets.com

Info line: 01978 345 220

Ash Cooke, better known as Bangor’s Pulco releases a new EP on November 21st – Ash is former frontman and creative force behind Welsh indie band Derrero (3 Peel sessions, 2 Peel festive 50 spots, tours with Gorky’s, Super Furry Animals etc).
Following hard on the heels of his current album Small Thoughts, Pulco’s ‘Sketchbook Season EP’ is a free to download collection of tunes that were recorded earlier in the year as a session for the eclectic radio show The Garden Of Earthly Delights.

The opening track Whistle Frog kicks in with the listener presuming it’s going to be an annoying looped song, however it turns out to be a light hearted opener. Don’t Stand Down is where Ash shows his Derroro beginnings with a simple but uplifting dreamy tune, as does Party Started. He then rubs it in with the quirky Hair and a line I could never sing ‘I’ve got too much hair.’ – along with Knuckles it makes a decent EP in an indie-folk fashion full of natty fills and effects that screw it slightly off centre. Recommended (click pic)

Holyhead psychedelic-grunge band Holy Coves announced last night that they have split. It came after the second night of an 11 date tour in Burton-on-Trent.
Their facebook page said, ‘Would like to thank everyone who has supported us. It’s been a good ride but it’s over now. Our album will be available for free next month. We will post all the details up as soon as they are finalized. Thanks again people. R.I.P Holy Coves XXXX.’
The started in Spring 2009 when Scott Marsden and Jimmy Eggleston of The Lizzies were joined by Ash Garden and former Wendykurk guitarist Ben Lee. (website)

UPDATE (04.11.2011) – Holy Coves announce… ‘We haven’t split…’
Look forward to the reunion tour..
When I asked if it was simply a publicity stunt, Scott Marsden explains, ‘Not at all. We had been in some meetings with a couple of labels & management to talk about releasing our record. Ended up falling out with half of our management that wanted us to take this ridiculous deal. It was a total piss take and at the end of the day we didn’t think they where right for us so we didn’t take it. Caused a few arguments and we just felt really pissed off with it all.  We just changed our battle plan slightly and realized we are on a different page to some of the people that have been around us. It’s for the best. There was never any issue with band members. All is cool.’