North Wales: W
Wallinger, Karl – Prestatyn born main man of World Party (b.1959), prev of The Waterboys. He began investigating recorded sound on the rudimentary level of tinkering with a tape-recorder & practice amp, & cutting his perfoming teeth as keyboardist with Pax. Formed Quasimodo (1977) with members who went on to form The Alarm. Moved to London the same year, playing in various punk bands such as The Invisible Body & working for the publishers ATV/Northern Songs before joining funk band Out. In 1983, he met Mike Scott & Anthony Thistlewhite, & the 3 became the nucleus of The Waterboys. By 1986 he had gone it alone & rel World Party’s debut LP, by 1993 the project, which is basically a one man band, produced the album ‘Bang!’ & was only kept off the No.1 spot in the UK by R.E.M. Also penned the No.1 hit She’s The One, covered by Robbie Williams, & more importantly gave Steve Sync piano lessons in the early 80s!
Walloping Donkeys - Mold band 1999 onwards, feat; Andy Williams (drms) (ex Baby Milk Plant), Paul Adams (bass), Mike Foulkes (gtr) – perform covers in a Ramones style. Spend most christmasses supporting ‘Hot Sausage’ at Mold Savoy, other gigs inc an invitation to play Molds Bryn Coch school.
Wall Street - Colwyn Bay band feat; Richie Pond (drms,voc), Frank Flynn (gtr) and Chris White (bass) as 3 piece before Steve Jones (ex Harvest Moon, Heroes on A Beach, Picture House) joined and changed their name to Burn. Richie left & Chris Harris joined and then name changed to Uncle Fester.
Walton, Adam – BBC Radio Wales DJ & ex Daily Post columnist (b.May71). Member of now defunct Mold based based bands Metroland, Immediate also L’pool based Daisychain. Got the job with Radio Wales by telling them they were shit. Presented the show Revolution, after a few changes now presents Musical Mystery Tour on Sunday nights 10-1am, promoting new music by bands based in Wales. Also DJs on Friday nights at Telfords Warehouse, Chester (session list)
Walton’s Records – BBC Radio Wales pop quiz series (broadcast May/Jun05), hosted by Adam Walton, with team capts Andrea (ex Darling Buds), Hue Williams (ex Pooh Sticks). Recorded in various pubs across Wales!
Wandering Quatrains – Chester (?) band of late 80s, feat; Andie Rathbone (drms) (later Mansun), Neil Senior (voc) (ex Precautions, Lilac Trumpets – see L’pool section). More info req’d
Wank Williams – Dave Macher’s short lived musical project (1987), tracks incl; Dekin/Belchin/Fartin & Old Shit.
Wanted – Rock band from Bangor, feat; Colin (gtr), Billy Coxon (drms) Dave (Bandwidth) Jones (voc), Max Hodges (gtr) (Dirty Work, see Gerry Beasley & Ocean Music Scene), and Anton Hobbs (bass). Anton, Dave and Colin went on to form Loose Fish. Anton now lives near Aylesbury, and is writing new material with Max for a concept album project under the working title “The Mordecai Project”
Want on Thought – Mold based band (early 90s?), described by Adam Walton (who may have something to do with them) as hardcore straight-edgers.
Warm Data – Bangor electronica label (formed Oct08)
Waterburn – (2001-2003) Flint based covers/orig band formed 2001 at Flint High, feat; Josh Smith (gtr) (ex-Timmy), Jamie (bass), Paul (gtr), and Anna (drms) (ex Feedbak, Timmy). Ex-members inc Gareth Bagshaw (sometimes Breakout, Nidd & Friends).
Waterleaf – Nantglyn band (c1995), feat; Dusty (voc,gtr), Dazey (gtr), Llion (bass), Will (drms) rel 4track demo ‘Lot of Dead Folk’. More info req’d
Watson-Jones, Mark - bass player from Penmaenmawr (b.1971 in Hyde) with Blacklisted, GFFS, NWWA, Thin Din, Hecate Enthroned, Unfits, God’s Holy Trousers, became tour manager for Skinflick before joining them as bassist (Mar05) and reviewer for link2wales. Also has side project Finite Death.
Ron Watt – (1963 – Apr09) vocalist in late 70s Llandudno band Last Rights. Sadly died after a long illness. Former band mate Sully remembers, ‘We did many gigs around North Wales including a memorable one at Colwyn Bay pier supporting the infamous Ginger Baker. Ronnie was outstanding as a front man and would have given Johnny Rotten a run for his money any day. He later went on to perfecting covers by the likes of Pink Floyd,it was really moving at his funeral service when they played 3 tracks by Floyd including Comfortably Numb. Ronnie will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. God bless you mate.’
Wâw Ffactor - Side project for R-bennig label boss Johnny-R, that allows him to cover everything from experimental techno to folk. Lead vocals are handled by Rachel Carpenter. Rels all appear on R-bennig; “Libido” – (Un toffo ar ôl mics) + Interview (flexi disc, R-Ben Cnec Fflecs 001), “Ysgafnach na Dwr” (E.P.7″, R-Ben027), “Libido” (cass, R-Ben 028LP), “Deheuwynt E.P.” (CD, R-Ben 029CD), “Swynedig” (Spellbound) (CD single, R-Ben 034CD)
Wayriders – Ruthin band, formed May99, feat; Andy (voc,gtr), Leila (voc,trmbn), Ben (gtr), Paul (bass), Sean (drms), Ella (trmpt), Ellie (trmpt), Hugh (sax). App on The Next Big Thing on BBC 1 (Mar02). Sounds Like Summer Radio One (Jun02). In 2004 they posed as The Poppyfields on behalf of The Alarm as stunt-doubles, lip-synching the hit single 45rpm (website).
(We Are) 0151 – Covers band 2005- feat; Mogga (bass) (ex Dizzy Mama, Think Lizzy), Barry ?? (gtr), PJ Williams (gtr) (ex Perfect 10, Hand Relief, Bastard Squad) and a host of revolving drummers.
We Buy Bombs- Colwyn Bay electro-punk band (formed 2008), feat; Rhys Whiskers (voc,keys,gtr) and Rich (drms,gtr). Made live debut Jul09 (website)
Weiran Bigog – Bethesda based outfit (pre-1992), early incarnation of Maffia Mr Huws. More info req’d.
Welsh Bands Weekly – bilingual publication (began 1997) based in London before moving up to the homeland of Trefor in Gwynedd, edited by Debbie Prowse who has a team of dedicated and talented writers working 100% voluntarily for the magazine, their ages ranging from 16 to 38. Main content is of up & coming alternative Welsh bands with a lot of humour thrown in, ran at least til 9th issue (website)
Welsh Unsigned - website set up Oct02 to cater for, yes, you’ve guessed it… (website)
Wendykurk - “avant-garde metal” band from Holyhead, feat; Nomi (gtr,voc) (later Dog Bones), Matt Watkins (gtr) (later Mongolian Dethkit, Deth Kats, Suma Suma), Ben Henchman (bass) (ex Entity), Nos (drms). Dave Wrench produced EP “Freckles” on Ankst then LP Soft Meat (2004). 1 Radio session in Wales rec, Ankst rel the LP Soft Meat. Ben & Nos left in Jul04 signalling the end of the band (website)
Westheads - Colwyn Bay based band, early 90s feat; Naldo Algeiri (gtr) (see Pocket Venus, Slide, Radionic), Steve Campbell (see Spoilt Victoria, Mr Grimsdale, Total Mind Fuck), Nathan Page (see Fatty Hatners, Radionic), James Cassidy (see Radionic, Jam Pilots) & Chris (drms).
Wet Te Bags – short-lived (if at all) school punk band from Rhyl (2002), feat; Toby Rastin (son of Steve Rastin), Daniel Birchall (bass) (nephew of Neil Crud), Jon Royles, Chris Dromey & Rickey Rees. See Hagakure (website)
Whales – crazed project (c2009) by David McCann (voc,bass,drms) (ex Micrographia) (website)
Wharton, Darren – former Thin Lizzy member (joined in 1980), formed Dare in 1988. Lives in Rowen.
Whatever – former name of Colwyn Bay indie/rock band Panacea.
Whipcord Recs - Short-lived indie record label run by Adam Walton [BBC Radio Wales]. Rel single by Widnes-based art punksters ‘Out’ [W-CRACK001 7" vinyl only ‘Open Up’ c/w ‘21st Century Man’ 1999] – and Big Leaves’ debut English language releases – WCRACK002 7″ vinyl only – ‘Sly Alibi’ c/w ‘Double Trouble’ Jun99 & WCRACK003 7″ and CD – ‘Racing Birds’ c/w ‘Getaway Day’ [plus ‘Meillionen’ on CD] Nov99. The latter rel was single of the week on Mark and Lard’s Radio 1 show and spent over a month on the indie single charts. The label lost a couple of thousand pounds, and is now ‘sleeping’ until Adam wins the lottery.
Whip Me & Go Moo Moo – fanzine from Corwen (1987) edited by Mark Williams (band member of The Rejected, Emily), a follow up from Shine fanzine adapting more of a student rag mag style. (See also Lemonade).
Whiskey Trick – Bangor rock-blues band (c2008), feat; Markus (voc), Andy (gtr), Chris (gtr), Steve (bass), Peter (drms)
White, Chris – rock bassist from Colwyn Bay & music journalist for the North Wales Pioneer. Prolific in the number of bands he’s played with, Hungry Touch, Stone Cold, White Tygerz, Think Lizzy & Burn. Now hires and sells PAs
WhitePriest – Wrexham indie band (formed mid05), feat; Gaz (voc,gtr), Mike (gtr), Leon (bass), Andy (drms).
Whiteside – band from Colwyn Bay (c2006), feat; Gary Manzini (voc,gtr), Justin Van Marle (gtr), David Marle-Jones (bass), Alun Evans (drms). Rel 4-track demo ‘Truth.’
White Skellingtons - Denbigh gang in the early 70’s aka The Skellies which was based in Accar-y-Forwyn in the town & were Andy Lloyd, Chris Wynne, Mark Wynne, Gary Wynne, Russell Furness, Ali Jones, Stewart Jones (ex Co HQ, Stewy Jones & Brian Locking etc), Stu Wynne (ex 5th Column, now of Mid Life Crisis), Paul Roberts & Melfyn Griffiths.
White Tygrz - formed in the late 80’s after a phone call to lead guitarist Glynn Porrino by bassist Mogga indicating that old pal Steve Jones was interested reforming Harvest Moon. Though this did not come to pass, it saw Mogga/Porrino/Jones having their first group hug since the demise of Harvest Moon many years prior. Formed by mutual consent, White Tygrz was an original act with a small selection of classic covers. To the line-up was inc Pete Roberts (drms) (ex Picture House), later replaced by drummers Roy Ward (ex-City Boy), and Madigan (who knows?). Mogga was replaced on bass by Chris White who remained until the end. Roy Ward now performs drms / gtr / bass / keys / voc in various Welsh bands, and has his own studio in Glyn Caerig. Madigan was last seen singing out of tune at Mad Dog Rehearsal Rooms, RAF Sealand. (See also Burn, Profiad)
Whitewash - Colwyn Bay band (formed Oct02), feat; Daz Roddick (voc,gtr) (ex Dive, later Alien Matter, Ship Ahoy, Anti Virus, Deadlight Spiral), Dave Malam (gtr) (ex Dive), Nink (bass) (ex ISOR), Jase Dicken (drms) (ex Dive, later Lantern). Played MASE Nov02.
Wildfire – band (formed 2004), feat; Sian Lloyd-Jones (voc,gtr), Aimee Stead, Wil Vickery, Jon Ord, Liz Bainbridge. Played a gig at Bar Blu, Rhyl
Wilding, Martin – Abergele based guitarist & studio engineer revered in North Wales for his excellence in both depts. Born 1969, he performed prolifically as one half of pop duo Boogie Run with partner, Elvis. When Elv moved to Germany, Wilding concentrated more on studio engineering despite being a gifted guitarist & helped mix Mansun, James, Reef but to name a few. Joined Sons of Selina in 1994 & performed on their live BBC session & mixed a few tracks on their 2nd LP Fire in the Hole. Also ubiquitous with other bands such as TKRK & Dub Federation with his guitar skills. By 2002 had become more involved with The Alarm on an engineering and production level.
Wilding, Neville – from Prestatyn, guitarist with The Fall up until 2003. Trained hairdresser with manic sense of humour, used to cut hair at the town’s Aqua Clinic. Played with London band Hangar Straight (c1996)
Wild Man Ring – Robin Hemuss & Martin Wilding drunken project (early 90s), tracks rec; Tea Song (pisstake of Black Box Ride on Time) & a cover of Everybody Dance Now.
Wild Mornings – 5 piece indie band from Old Colwyn, rel 4 track EP (Jul00), Musical Rhymes for Breakfast Times. Andy Dywer (voc), Daniel Rawlinson, Danny Armstrong & Gary Jones (better known as Gumption Liquid, guitarist with 4Q (1989-90) & with Frank’s Dad (91-98)). Later joined on drms by Mattie Williams, better known as ex-4Q man Matt Vinyl. Songs on the EP Moody Jane, Rock’n'roll Shoes, Friday Nights, The Feeling, likened to Oasis. Praised for their live performances over the recorded work. Signed to the Smokin Shark collective.(website with MP3s)
Wild Orchid - Early to mid 90’s Colwyn Bay rock band. Jamie Price (gtr,voc), Dave ‘Dudge’ Barclay (bass), Dave Wilson (gtr), Pete Ryan (drms) (later Pocket Venus). Played local area, they won battle of the bands around 1994. 2nd demo ‘That’s The Way’ (rel Sep93). Split up Jamie & Dudge moved to London to start Nutonic
Wild Weasle – Denbigh based pub-rock band split in 1999. Feat; Colin Broster (voc). Reached almost superstar status in their hometown, headlined at Pigstock 98.
Wili Nili – distribution arm of R-Bennig Recs, Anglesey
WUPT - band from Anchorage , Alaska (c2007) feat; James Davies (voc) from Shotton. (website)
wUw – breakbeat dub project by Phil Jones of Bangor (c2009) (website)