North Wales: N

Nar – 7 piece hard rock band from Pen Llyn, (formed c1995). Rel LP (rec at Sylem) “Narmagedon” (Crai 2004 –view) featuring some fantastic artwork. Prev LP rel “Dewch I’r Ddawnsio.” A gig at Hendre Hall (Feb05) was cut short due to “over enthusiastic” fans throwing furniture on the open fire and filling the place with smoke!

Natural Born Swillers – Rock covers band from Wrexham area (c2000), feat; Fred Hughes (voc) (ex Airplane, Dizzy Mama, No Vacancy, Vinegar Stroke, Un4given), Pete (bass), Cockney Dave (gtr), Dave Kettlewell (drms). Fred was replaced By Ronnie. After many passed through the ranks they changed name to The Swillers (2005)

Natural Remedy – Holyhead indie blues band (2001), feat; Mel (voc,gtr), Rachey (bass), Jay (drms), Siobhan (harmnca,voc). Used to have Cottee (gtr). Songs described as instantly recognisable blues but with that up-to-date feel. (website)

Naughty But Nice – Wrexham all girl dance trio (c1985), may have released a single?

9Bach – band from Snowdonia (c2009), feat; husband and wife Martin Hoyland (ex Pusherman) and Lisa Jen, Ali Byworth (drms) (ex Fresh Claim), Dan Swain (bass), Esyllt Glyn Jones. Debut single Pontypridd followed by Yr Eneth Ga’dd ei Gwrthod (Gwymon 19.05.09). Rel 3 LPs to date, ‘9 Bach’ (2009), ‘Tincian’ (2014) and ‘Anian’ (2016) (website)

Navnløs – (c2022) metal band from St Asaph, feat; Carl Hobson (gtr,voc), Nath Field (bass,voc), Rob Williams (drms) (bandcamp)

Nazgul – death metal band from Wrexham (c1990), feat; James Flames (gtr) (later Stuntface). Played Memorial Hall. More info req’d.

Phil Neale – soundman who ran Selectarig  PA & roadie for 4Q during their ‘F*ck off C*nt Face’ tour 1988. As the band rarely had the money to pay him they would unwittingly give him equipment they had stolen off other bands instead. Phil is the father of Julian Neale (Carpet, Wobbly Hearts, Morffe)

NEB – Shotton / Cilcain / Mold dark heavy rock Welsh language band (formed Apr04), feat; Ben Griffiths (voc), James Peglar (bass), Pete Ellwood (gtr), Jimmy Law (gtr) and Sam Clough (drms). Played Maes B Eisteddfod. Also feat Steffan Jones at some point (website)

Necrobastards – (c1988), Rhyl / Pensarn based industrial death metal band mixed with Spinal Tap feat; Ollie & Groz of Funky Fringe zine. Ollie later joined North East band Suicidal Flowers and then co-founded Northern Star Recs.


Neil Crud On TudnoFM
– alternative 90min radio show hosted by Neil Crud every Monday night 10pm since 21.03.16, broadcasting from TudnoFM in Llandudno on FM (10 mile radius) and live online. Originally a 2hr show. By Jan20 over 165 shows had been broadcast with 130 different live or pre-rec sessions from acts like Gintis, James Phillips, 20 Racine, Cry, John Lawrence, Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies, Heldinky, Arron Cooper and too many to list here so see full list with links to listen again – TudnoFM closed down due to Covid19 and Neil began broadcasting on Louder Than War Radio (Dec21).

Neil Crud’s Punk & Beyond – alternative radio show hosted by Neil Crud on Louder Than War. Began broadcasting a weekly Monday night 2 hour show in Dec21, continuing a similiar format to his TudnoFm show, but with pre-rec sessions due to lack of studio space. In Nov23 the show changed to a one hour format. (show archive here)

Neil Preston Band – Rhyl based band of 1980s, feat; Neil Preston, John Hughes (both ex Frightened By Strangers), Ray & Tim Stone. Tony Babbington of Vengeance was feat on a rec session. More info req’d.

Nemonix – Wrexham rock band (formed 2001), feat; Dave Morait (drms) (ex Gallops, now Orient Machine, We Are Animal), Phil Watson (voc,gtr), Kip Cannon (bass). Split in 2006, reformed 2012 to record an album. (facebook)

Neogene – Oswestry based band (2001) feat; Al (mandolin), Guy (bass), Helen (voc), Kip (gtr,keys,voc), Dale Davies (drms). Formerly called The Virge having reformed in May.

Nervous Fish – Ruthin band played the Town Hall Jan 02. More info req’d.

Neu (Unrhyw Declyn Arall) – (Or – Any Other Instrument) (1989 – present). Project feat; Huw Gwyn, Dyfrig Ellis, Gareth Parry, Dyfed Edwards, Dewi Gwyn (formerly of Anhrefn), Aled Gwyn. Rel a single & 2 LPs.

New Columbia – indie band from Prestatyn (formed Oct16), feat; Nathan Graham (voc,gtr), Adam Bass (gtr), Robbie Lorey (bass), Liam Bateman (drms). Rel EP ‘Give Me’ (24.03.17) (fb)

New Dodos – avant-garde aesthetic within a psychedelic sound field band from Bangor (2003) feat; The Raven (gtr,voc), Gabrielle Gane (keys) (ex Serpents, Babel), Alan Holmes (gtr,violin) (also of Ectogram, ex Lungs, Third Spain, Fflaps), Steilos Giannoulakis (dij,gtr), The Major (also Logic of Impossibility, ex Hatework) (bass,sax), Steve Groom (ex Dammerung) (drms). They centre around veteran guitarist The Raven, who played a key role in the early 60s London blues scene. The group’s music is vaguely rooted in the blues, but with an. Using violin, digeridoo and liberal servings of abstract noise, they are not a group for the roots blues purists. The Raven has released 2 CDs, “Death Blues” and “Post Modern Blues” (also released as “2 Greens Make A Blues”) and a new album with The New Dodos is currently underway


New Moon
– folk-pop duo from Rhyl (c2019) feat; twins, Cassie and Cara Parry. Played live in session on Neil Crud’s TudnoFM Show (30.09.19) (listen)

NEW Music – North East Wales Music. Promo organisation set up by Brynhyfryd School 6th formers in Ruthin, Jan 02, to promote local music. 1st show at Ruthin Town Hall was attended by over 200 who saw Fistycuffs, Nervous Fish, Wayriders.

New Welsh Music – website dedicated to just that, feat; bands, demo reviews, MP3 reviews, venues, links & more. Ceased c2007

New World Dream – Cabaret act from Denbigh (1990-92) feat Marlon Jones (voc) Chris Tate (keys) & Jonathon Jones (gtr). Rec a vers of Jesus Jones’ Right Here Right Now at RRS

Y Newyddion – formed in 1980 in Aberystwyth as a splinter group from the well known Welsh language band Hergest. The band comprised Geraint (voc,gtr) (ex Hergest ), Sion Wyn Jones (gtr), Derek Brown (gtr) (ex Hergest), Dominic Griffiths (bass) (also of Chwarter I Un, 12:45), Rhys Powys (drms) (also of Chwarter I Un). A single ‘Caerdydd’, was rel on Sain recs (1981). The band split in 1982 when Dom and Rhys moved away from Aber.

Next of Kin – band (from Rhyl?), formed 2010, feat; Gav (voc,gtr), , Aaron (bass), Paul (gtr), Nug (drms). Orig line up feat Nile (bass), Bridgey (gtr) and Mike on drums (website)

Nexxus Empire – electronic rock band from Bangor (formed 2014), feat; Sarah Wynn (voc) (later Celavi), Dan Alexander (gtr) (later Lullaby For A Unicorn), Leon Craggs (bass), Justin Williams (keys) (Skinflick). Rel EP ‘Game Over’ (Jun15). Gwion Griffiths (drms) (Spam Javelin, Braxton Hicks, Celavi) started jamming with them, playing a gig in Liverpool (Dec15) on bass after Leon had quit. Justin then quit soon after. Band ended acrimoniously in late 2017

Nidd & Friends – (1998-)  Name used by house band (previously at Friday night jam session at Flint Borough club now…) Cornist Hall, Flint. Band nucleus feat; Nige Lovitt (gtr, ex-Hieronymus Bosch), Si Thomas (drums) (ex Goodfellas, Foghorn Leghorn), and John Horsfelding (keys). Ex-house band members incl Stephen Shaw (ex-Premonition, Seedy/DC), Dave Evans (original AC/DC vocalist) band) Stephen Weed (keys) Nev Thomas (bass) and Gareth Bagshaw (drms) (ex-Waterburn), PJ Williams (gtr) (ex-Hand Relief, We Are 0151), Dave Evans (keys). Credit goes to Lovitt for tirelessly arranging Charity gigs over the years. Band feat on BBC TV’s North West Tonight show in Nov04, performing at Angelshare Studios with Jason Messham (ex-U2 tribute bands voc) and 2 guest guitarists..

Nid Madagascar – band feat; David Wrench, formed 1989 and rel 12″ single on OFN recs. The first Welsh language acid house track. Sold out in a week and appeared on Welsh TV and Radio 1.

Nightmares By The Sea – Menai Bridge band (formed 2009), feat; Emyr Payne (voc, gtr) and Simon (drms) (both ex Makabre), Gwyn (bass) (website)

Nightmares In Wax – Oswestry / Wrexham soft rock band (c1990). Feat; Lita. More info req’d

Nine & A Half – Bethesda based outfit (pre-1992). More info req’d.

Nine Eventime – Rhyl based indie band (pre-1991), feat; Brian Moylan & Jim. Played the Bee approx ‘89-90. More info req’d.

NineHourDrive – Rhyl punk band (c2006), feat; Adam Edwards (gtr), Jonny Whyler (bass), Andy Farrell (drms) (all now of Leucine), Big Jay Adams (voc,gtr). Split late 06

Nineteen Eighty Four – 5-piece band from Colwyn Bay (formed Jul01 as Snowblind), feat; Owen ‘Ogz’ Ireland (keys), Jimmy Manley (gtr,voc), Mark Wegner (gtr,voc) (all ex Orpheus), Bill Hughes (bass,voc),usbury-Jones (drms). (All born between 1982-85). Reverted back to Snowblind (Oct04) (website)


1987- –
(pronounced 1987 til present), acoustic project by Neal Smith of St Asaph. Had several releases inc LP ‘Letters To The Past’ (01.10.17) up to ‘Around The Mind EP’ (17.06.22). Had session aired on Neil Crud’s TudnoFM Show 26.06.17. (bandcamp)

91/2 – Bangor/Bethesda band of late 70s / early 80s, feat; Ley Perryman (drms), Les Morrison (bass), Alan Williams (gtr), Chris Walker (voc). Played debut gig at Bangor Uni in 1980 a recording of which still exists.

Nitelyne – Colwyn Bay based heavy rock band complete with spandex pants & headbands (1986-89), main line up was Stuart Loughland (voc,keys) Francis Flynn (gtr) Gaz Jones (bass) and John Rogowski (drms). Later addition was Bono (gtr). Orig voc was Snoz (Tony Hughes) from Sgt Fury and first line up were Mike Pritchard (gtr) and Mike Whincup (bass) from Monza. Had track Winners or Losers feat on The Metal Collection Volume III comp LP on Ebony Recs (1987). Francis Flynn sadly died on Xmas morning 2015. (video)

yNiwlY Niwl – Snowdonia super-surf group (c2009), feat; Alun Tan Lan (gtr), Peter Richardson (drms), Sion Glyn (bass) and Gruff ab Arwel (gtr,keys). Rel debut album ‘Y Niwl’ (on Aderyn Papur 29.11.10), have appeared live in session at least twice for Marc Riley on 6music, and toured the world with Gruff Rhys and also as his backing band. Their song Undegpedwar is the theme tune to BBC’s Football Focus TV programme. Went on PledgeMusic to raise funds to record a new album in Oct13 but failed to reach their specified target. Went on hiatus 2014-15, but emerged with new album ‘Pump’ (Feb18). (video) (website)

Nixon – Wrexham 3-pc band (formed early02) by Grant and Darren, with Simon (drms). After a few gigs Joe (gtr) was added but left for Uni.

Nixon & Jarvis – Bangor solo project of Maeyc Hewitt, drummer with Ectogram (ex Reinheitsgebot, Lungs). Over the past 15 years, he has amassed a collection of songs and videos that almost no-one has heard or seen and has played a handful of gigs, incl; a legendary epic performance of his song “Cocksucker” at the Ochre 7 festival in Gloucester.

No Answer – Rhyl based punk band of 1985 feat; Dean Obscene (later of Damm Yankee, Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials) (gtr), Skin (voc) (real name Christopher Clack) & Gnat Bite (Natalie Williams – now lives in Bristol) (keys). Played a much publicised Scanner Appeal charity gig at the Downtown in Rhyl but little else happened to match the hype. Wrote the song Beirut in Rhyl, later used by Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials

No Commercial Potential (NCP) – Oswestry outfit of early 80s created by R I Gillham (mandalo bass) & feat; Rhys Thomas (mandolin), Cheap Plectrum (mandolin), Steve Atomic Adams (drms), Sion ‘Incendiary Device’ Thomas (cello), Howard ‘The Hippy’ Aitcheson (gtr). Had played up to Dec80 5 gigs at Four Crosses, Welshpool & 2 in Llanfair, but had rel 13 tapes, incl; ‘NCP Overdub Crazy’. (discography)

Noise Annoys – series of gigs in 2016 organised by Jamie Burne (of Sleep Beggar), usually at The North, Rhyl and Rascals, Bangor feat; punk bands. Tinman filmed and produced a film ‘Noise Annoys – A Punk Rock Documentary’ that was premiered at TAPE, Old Colwyn in 2017. The film has live footage and interviews with Los Muchachos, Spam Javelin, Sleep Beggar, Depraved State, Death Of Youth (watch)

Noise Annoys – record shop in Abergele (opened in 2022) by Iwan Parry (who ran Pinhead Records of Rhyl) (facebook)

Noise, What Noise? – Rhyl / Flint based pop band (c1991), feat; Wayne, Mark. Played The Bistro. Changed name to Quiet Men. More info req’d.

Noise Yard – Pre Jude the Obscure Abergele outfit, name a pun on Sound Garden. Played many gigs (c1992). Simon Thomason (voc), James Goldingay (gtr) (ex Stale Elvis, Slouch), Steven Edge (bass), Mike Bennett (gtr), Michael Cole (drms). Simon now lives in Spain

Noisy Muthas – hastily put together band from Bangor feat; Trifle, Joe Shooman and Barry Jones, who formed to support Vinegar at Bangor Uni. They were like the name describes, noisy muthas.

No More Names – new name (2002) for Drunk Monkey changed as the band decided that they didn’t want people to like them because of their name, then changed it to To Be Announced until they realised 7 other bands had the same name. Feat; Steve (voc/bass), Chris (gtr), Lil Dave (drms).

No Name Janes – Wrexham punk band (formed early 2011 – split 14.04.14) – feat; Carl (voc,gtr) (Hellacious! and The V-Plates), Lew (drms),  Jay (bass), Steve Skip Dwight (gtr), Formed in early 2011. Have gigged constantly since, picking up support slots with The Have Nots, Random Hand, The Mahones and Sonic Boom Six. Rel The Pornstar Endorsed EP (with an intro by non other than pornstar No Name Jane), and debut LP ‘Hometown’ (13.10.13) and split soon after (as most bands do). Jay and Skip also play in 4Jerry (website)

Non-Trendies – band (c1980) who had 2 tracks; Symphony For The Musically Disabled & The Body on the ‘Systems of Attraction’ comp tape. More info req’d.

Normal Shed Uses – on/off experimental electronic project (formed 2015) by Alan Holmes (ex Fflaps, Ectogram etc) and Scott Saunders (ex Third Spain). Rel albums ‘Tonal Acts’ (2015), ‘Astoclant’ and ‘On Cat Salt’ ?both (2016), ‘Coastaln’t’ (2017) all on Alan’s Turquoise Coal label.

The Normandie – Venue in Bangor before it became The Barrels nightclub, then Joop, was buzzing with a diversity of bands. The back room was hirable for £40 & over the course of two years countless bands have played there. As well as many local bands plenty from Scotland & England came to play (like Stoke’s Doley Sofas), as well as some from Germany. During 1991-93 some good, some bad, & some downright shit nights were had there, incl Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials who had the gig advertised on Radio One’s Steve Wright in The Afternoon show & still only one person turned up, a girl who was tripping on acid. The venue is still sorely missed.

No Room For Heroes – Wrexham alt-rock band (c2009), feat; Dom (voc,gtr), Dan (voc,gtr), Carl Bowes (bass) (who replaced Tom), Kieran (drms). Prolific gigging has taken them to L’pool, Manchester, York, Cardiff and Scotland. as well as airplay on Radios 1,6 and Wales. Rel ‘Into The Fight’ EP at the end of 2009 and toured Jan10 to promote it. (website)

north
The North – 
pub on Wellington Rd in Rhyl (The North Wales Inn), which has been used as a regular live venue since 2012 by Steve Rastin (Blood & Lipstick promotions) when he shifted operations from Vegas Bar. Oct14 invested in a new PA – this really is a big deal for Rhyl..! The venue also hosted punk gigs in 1981 (see also Bar Blu).

Northern Star – psychedelic record label, set up in 2006 by North Wales exiles ‘Hot’ Scott Causer and Ollie. Rel 5 compilation LPs ‘Psychedelica’. By Nov08 Scott was running the label single handed from his Leyton Buzzard base. Moved operations to London (2014) and releasing many bands incl; Youngteam, Electric Mainline, Soundwire. Announced in Jan18 that it was folding.

Nortora – Prestatyn band (prev called Cry), feat; Dylan Lloyd (voc,gtr), Sam Green (bass), Darren Dorling (drms). Rel 3rd single Silverscreen (10.12.20 – review) (bandcamp)

Not England – ‘proper’ punk band (as in filthy sounding) from Holyhead? (c2007). Feat; Sid (voc), Dyl (gtr), Blink (bass), Heroin Bob (drms) Rel 8-track CD (2008). More info req’d

NWPR (North Wales Punk Rock) – collective based around the Colwyn Bay punk scene (c2009) and the bands and following of Global Parasite, Stuntface, Anti Virus

NWWA (North Walians With Attitude) – Rap group feat; Wat-E (MWJ) (Black Listed), Ice Scoob (currently in hiding in Canada), and MC Trigger, unreleased album concept “Straight Outta Conwy”. Despite not getting much beyond naming of m.c.’s band was offered a gig in the U.S. by some bloke they met in the Cottage Loaf, Llandudno. Completely influenced by Ragga Twins Peel Session, played to death whilst mashing it up for days at 1991 Reading Festival. Big up yourself.

No Star – (97-?) Feat; Jay (bass/voc) Big Si (gtr) Si #2 (drms). Colwyn Bay’s answer to Sonic Youth, they sounded bad, looked bad, played bad & for this they were really cool. Orig/cover songs played. Changed name to Sister Ray before settling on Horror James & with a female bass player. More info req’d.

Not An Exit – Wrexham band (2003). More info req’d.

The Not Onlys – Holyhead punk band (c2011), feat; Jake Chaos (voc,gtr) (ex Xms3), Caleb Oatey (gtr), Lee Creep Williams (bass,voc) (ex Sick Dastardlys), Citizen Caine (drms). Rel EP ‘Our Souls’. Lee likes walking his two beautiful dogs. Calebs pretty effing partial to a nice cuppa, Jake likes watersports and Caine … Well … Caine enjoys Eastenders. (fb)

Notora – Prestatyn band (c2020), feat; Dylan Lloyd (voc,gtr), Sam Green (bass), Darren Dorling (drms). Prev called Cry. Rel single Stay (17.04.20)

Not The Face – rock band in embryonic stages (Jul02) from Prestatyn, feat; Ben Johnston (voc,gtr), Owen Taylor (bass,voc), Paul (Jonesy) Jones (gtr) of Dwygyfylchi. (website)

Nova – Conwy (High school) band (c2010), played debut gig at Conwy Civic Hall playing set of covers. More info req’d

No Vacancy – Deeside (?) rock band (c1989), feat; Fred Hughes (voc) Bob Mathews (gtr), Mick Jones (gtr) (all ex Airplane), Mike (bass) (ex Baby Blues Band), Ian Gough (drms). Fred later joined Vinegar Strokes, Dizzy Mama.

No Vakancy – Holyhead punk band (c2005), feat; Alex (gtr), Adam (bass), Kris (drms) (later Unknown). Split early 06.

NRG – Colwyn Bay based heavy rock band feat; Neil Crud (voc) (ex 4Q, Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials, Sons of Selina, Braxton Hicks, Spam Javelin), Nic Allen (gtr – ex-Anakonda), JJ (Justin Jones) (bass), Paul Puke (drms) (ex 4Q). Huw Roberts (ex-Anakonda) played drums at the 1st rehearsal but never returned. Played mainly covers & only 3 gigs with this line up (2 supporting 4Q) debut at Trax, Bangor 12.11.87, then Albion, Bangor 20.11.87, final gig at Bee, Rhyl 28.01.88. Neil Crud left & the band became FOAD.

Nulland Void – Rhyl punk band (c2011). Changed name to NAV. More info req’d

Numb – Prestatyn indie band (c1992) feat, Andy Hinks (gtr) & Chris Morell (drms), (both ex Sometimes) & Gaz (bass), played on the Smash Apathy tour & Flesh 92. Also at Long Tall Sallys in Rhyl. Rel 6 track demo ‘Factory Tunes’ (pic) (rec by Sefton Zak Hermon at Studio Sound).

Numb Nuts – Llandudno punk band (1991), feat; Pete Hughes (Alien Matter)

Nutonic – (c2001) band from Llandulas, relocated to London. Rel single (21.05.01) Everyday (prod by Andy Scarth of Skunk Anansie) on Eastcentralfour Recs. Been on Steve Lamacq’s Unsigned Session & have a fan club in Bath of several inquisitive teenage girls. Rel ‘Control Freaks EP’ (Dec02). Changed name to Blind Diviner (Feb07)

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