The Fallen – Llanrumney band (formed autumn03) feat; Will Snell (voc), Daniel Thomas (drms), Kayleigh Sheenan (keys). Soon joined by Jason Jacobs (gtr), Brian Hodge (bass) (all born c1987). Rec 1st demo (Nov03), followed by 2nd demo ‘Fate Falls On All’ (Apr04)
Fallen Heroes - A5 punk fanzine started in early 1999 as a newsprint going out every month, but after 6th issue, it went into the big time (#15 Oct02) with 60 -70 pages. Features indepth innterviews with the likes of Good Clean Fun, Stretch Armstrong, Youth Brigade, SNFU, Small Brown Bike, Capdown etc. Editor J has also contributed to other zines across the country, writing coloumns n’ stuff.
Family Affair – BBC Wales series made in 1998.Three rising bands of the “Welsh Pop” era where exposed in a show about bands whose parents had also been in bands. The band feat, in order of orig transmission, were the Stereophonics, Melys, and Ether.
Fantastic Super Foofs – prev name for the Foofs
Fathead – Newport punk band feat; Jonathon F (voc,gtr), Go Go Gadgethead (bass), Deano (drms). Rec session for Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales show (aired 5.5.02). More info req’d.
Fatty Jones – orig name for The Jones.
Fatwax -4 piece Llandrindod Wells ska punk reggae band. Rel EP ‘Non Momo’. (website)
Fawn - 2002 is Newport based Meirion Lewis’ electronic project. Had a track Glisten feat on Sessions in Wales radio.
F.B.H. - Powys based band, feat; Dylan Owen, Gavin Meddins, (both later of Crash .45) (see also Trigger, Wasted, Hot Buttered Soul, Wedding Singers, Junkhead, Dream in Colour).
Febria – band from Usk (c2007), (website)
Feeder – Newport based band feat; Grant Nicholas (voc,gtr), Taka Hirose (bass), Jon Lee (drms) (1968-2002) (ex Kick). Grant & Jon were in Real, Temper Temper & Rain Dancer before forming Feeder in 1995, the name originated from a pet fish Grant once had, reputedly from the way it ate it’s food. 1st rel was a 2 track CD single sold at gigs called ‘Two Colours’ feat, Chicken on a Bone & Pictures of Pain. 1996 play lots of gigs & festivals, & rel 6 track mini-album, ‘Swim’. 1997 they play Reading Festival & rel the LP ‘Polythene’ which got Metal Hammer’s Album of the Year award. High, reached #24 in the UK single charts, more successful than their prev single releases Tangerine, Cement, & Crash. The band came to a tragic end when drummer Jon Lee was found dead in Miami in Jan02 having committed suicide. Regrouped after tragedy and made impressive comeback with Comfort in Sound (2002) – a major commercial success which spawned numerous Top 50 singles (Just the Way I’m Feeling, Come Back Around, Forget About Tomorrow, Find the Colour, etc.) (website)
Fenella Fielding – Newport band of late 80s feat; Gary Bush (gtr) (also of Cowboy Killers), Matthew Gray (drms) (ex I Mobster) & ex-members of Bugs, Soldier Dolls.
Fenks – alt rock band from Aberystwyth, feat; Simon. Rel EP ‘He Loves His Idiot Boy’ (Feb04). (website)
Fenton – Cardiff band, formed early 2001, feat; Bryn Thomas (voc,gtr), Topher Reed (gtr), Andy George (bass), Mark Heenan (drms). Orig called Substance.
Fflach Recs – Cardigan based label initially set up as an outlet for punk band Ail Symudiad by band members & brothers, Richard & Wyn Jones. After the band split the label expanded to take on artists as diverse as punk rock toWelsh choirs. Also run aan indie spin off label Rasp
FF Vinyl – Cardiff based record label run by Martin Bowen. Tel no. is 02920 694450. Roster incl Pete’s Sake, the Martini Henry Rifles, Squeezebox and JT Mouse
Fideo 9 – Welsh language music show on S4C (similar idea to The Tube), 1st aired 12.05.88, produced by Cardiff based Crw Byw.
50 World Leaders -duo from Pontypridd (formed 1988), feat; Andy Wicks (ex Cha Cha 2000) and Ashley Evans (video of Organ Grinder)
Figure of 8 – Cardiff band formed in Jan03, feat. Al 8 (voc), Corro 8 (gtr), Berriman 8 (drms) (ex Lear), Darren 8 (bass), Geth 8 (gtr) (ex Transposer). In Jun04 the band was voted Red Dragon FM’s Best Unsigned Band. So far the following eps have been rel; “Delayed To Waste” (Mar03), “The Toerag Sessions” (Sep03, rec at Toerag Studios, Hackney, London) and “FO8″ (Oct04). (website)
Filika Ledge - Progressive rock band late 60′s early 70′s. Feat; Colin Edwards (gtr); Adrian Watkins (voc), Keith ‘Dixie’ Dickinson (bass).
Fillmore -Port Talbot band, formed Aug96. Feat; Bruce Fellowes (voc,bass), Neil Berni (gtr), Paul Evans (drms) and recent addition Rob Morgan (keys). Played their 1st gig at the Zone nightclub in Swansea. Their live reputation developed quickly and landed them a gig in Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach, supporting Passion Star. Fillmore have gigged extensively across Sth Wales and further afield supp bands on national tours. Rel a couple of demo’s which have earned them regular plays on Adam Walton‘s Radio Wales show, & single Spiderman Stripsearch (on Guava Music May04). (website)
Filthy Habits – Swansea punk band (formed Feb05), feat; Mart (gtr) (ex Fist Fuck, Corrupt Silence), Tim (drms) (ex Fist Fuck), Justyn (voc) (ex Smiling With Semtex, Corrupt Silence) and Kev (bass). (website)
Final Act - 4-pc guitar band (early 80s) feat; mercurial front man Terry “Theo” Theobald (later of Blind Parade, Stony Broke, Dirt), Tommy Grace, Mark Bronze (bass) (later Dream Sequence) and Dave Mason. Characterised by driving basslines and melodic guitar- vocal. Later joined by guitarist-saxophonist, Dave from Breathless. Also thru the ranks were Malcolm (gtr) and Boris (drms). Attracted John Peel interest.
Firebrand – Aberdare rock band (c2006), feat; Dale Hawkins (voc,gtr,keys), Dorian Richard Holmes (bass), Mavis (drms). (myspace)
Fire Chief 5 – Swansea-ish indie band (c2010), feat; Bruce, Neil, David, Steve, Mark, Huw, Kate, Paul B, Simon, Elinor and Paul E. Created by Bruce, primarily a solo project but the album sees a collective of South Wales musicians from bands Fillmore, Owls, Everyone Else But Bert, Hadron Collider, Fernando Rey & Rag Foundation helping with the recording and/or live performances. Debut album ‘Clear Confusion’ (rel 12.04.10) (website)
Fire Down Below - Classic rock & soul band formed in 1973. Feat : Dave Spidge Spiller (voc,gtr), Mark Lewney (gtr) (now Dr Lewney & The Asylum Seekers), Colin Choppo Hopkins (bass), Geoff Brown (drms). Played The Western in Cardiff. More info req’d.
First Among Equals - punk band from Aberystwyth (formed Sep01), feat; Adam Murphy (drms), Alex Kilby (gtr,voc), Leeroy McSensual (bass,voc). Orig drummer was Rab C Biscuit & bassist Gareth ‘Pike’ Dedman who rec demo ‘Cheap Music For Your Neighbours’. Rel ‘Death To Hollywood’ EP (2005), ‘New Tattoo’ EP (2006). (website) (myspace)
Firstborn – Penarth based rock n roll band (Jun65), feat; David Reese (keys,voc), Adrian Angove (gtr,voc) (see his biog), Stuart McCormack (gtr), Ricky Lewis (bass), Paul Stewart (drms). Changed name to Rocking Jays (Oct66) when McCormack retired from music.
Fishtake – pop punk band, feat; Will (drms) (ex Four Letter Word). Have their own label 23:59. (website) More info req’d.
Fistfuck – Swansea punk band (2002). Feat; Rodger (voc) (ex Grayskull), John (gtr) (ex Big Brother), Tim (drms) (now Filthy Habits), Martyn Court (bass) (ex Dysfunctionals, Two Raised Fingers, Corrupt Silence now Filthy Habits). Orig guitarist Aled left Jul02. Demo CD ‘Thats Not My Ring, Its My Wristwatch’ rel Aug02, rec LP ‘Up To Your Elbow In It’ (Mar03). Have played the Punx Picnics in Plymouth & Leic & gigged anywhere in the UK that’ll have ‘em. Orig vocalist Clad (voc) (ex Soul of Bud, Zapdragon) left Aug03. Rec 9 track demo ‘Up To Your Elbow In It’ but never rel as band split in Feb04
Five of Diamonds - band (formed 1960) feat; Colin Mackey (gtr), Ken Gregson (voc,gtr), Mervyn Dodds (bass), Terry Stephens (drms), Owen Wiliams (voc). Ken says, ‘We played the clubs and dance spots all over S. Wales, then took off to Germany as part of The British Musical Invasion, playing the City Tanzdeil in Krefeld to the ‘o Drop Inn at the US Army barracks in Bad Kissengen. We came back to Wales and eventually split up.’ Ken went to the Middle East, and then California where he now sings with Kaleidoscope (an acapella group).
Five Darrens - Newport punk band feat on Frug Recs’ 1994 comp ‘I Was A Teenage Gwent Boy’. More info req’d.
Flailing Wail - Rhondda punk band feat on Poisoned Whiskey Recs Anti-War CD (Mar03). More info req’d.
Flaming Youth – Newport band, formed 1973, feat; Joe Strummer (later of The Clash), who found the band drummerless, so he offered them his drumkit in exchange for letting him sing for them. Changed name to The Vultures
Fleapit – Cardiff based hip-hop outfit. Rel single Fleastyle. More info req’d.
Flemgods - Newport punk band (formed 1988), feat; Dan Romer, Simon Wallet, Tim Hobbis who met at Newport Art College, Jim Kent (drms) played early gigs at TJ’s and Chapter in Cardiff but was replaced by Dave Cox (ex Belgians – not to be confused with namesake from N.Wales). Demo rec 1990 and band signed to Bristol’sPlanet Records 1991. Rel EP ‘Bison Carcass Earstrike’ (1992) and LP rec 1993 ‘A Nauseous Aural Experiment’. Got distribution through Timebomb in Japan and the EP did ok there. John Peel played it for a few months and had a bit of airtime on various South Wales radio shows. Planetfolded soon after and the album master tape was then given to Alternative Tentacles, being handed to Jello Biafra himself. Tracks from album were given to various European comps in France, Germany, Holland etc. Tim says, ‘A few were released but forget where and when except My Ears My Ears 1994 from France where Flyscreen (from Newport, signed to Geffen) also had a track.’ They supported the likes of The Lemonheads, Lunachicks, Sebadoh, The Jesus Lizard, Shudder to Think, 60ft Dolls, Flyscreen, Dub War/Skindred, Cowboy Killers, Shampoo etc with Dean Poole filling in on drums when Dave was away for various reasons. Tim continues’ ‘The album was never officially released but I’m in the process of getting artwork together just to throw some copies out there.’ Also feat on Frug Recs’ 1994 comp ‘I Was A Teenage Gwent Boy’.
Flinchy - Cardiff band (2002), may have been called Moose. More info req’d.
Flipside - Cardiff punk band feat on Poisoned Whiskey Recs Anti-War CD (Mar03). More info req’d
Flood – Formerly known as The MOB, Penarth based soft rock band (1960s) feat; John Ingroville (voc), Paul Stewart (drms), Ian Stuart (bass) and Ronnie Cousins (gtrr). After the band folded, Ingroville and Stewart would go on to be founder members of cult band Mad Dog, later to be joined by Stuart.
Flood - 5-piece melodic indie band from Llanelli feat; Nick Skinner (vocs), Duncan Davies (gtr), Kev Lewis (bass), Sean Connell (gtr) and Bill Jenkins (drms). Released an album “Cats & Trumpets” on own label in 2000. More info req’d.
Fly 4 Zero – covers band from Llanfair Caereinion who became a proper band called Serotonin
Flying Brix - Cardiff band feat; Joe. Rel Black Colours (1982) a ltd edition 9 track 7″ E.P that was played by John Peel (BBC Radio One), and now highly regarded as a classic of its ilk and sought after by DIY connoissers worldwide (currently valued at $50+ on the intnl market). Renditions of Joe’s later original songs rec by The Flying Brix new line-up at Rockfield Studios, rec’d critical acclaim from like of Melody Maker. More info req’d.
Steve Flynn – Swansea singer/songwriter. Demo CD, rec Spring04, has reportedly attracted interest from a London music publisher. Performs gigs as a duo with bassist Owen under various names (The Distractions, No Distraction, etc.)
Flyscreen - Newport rock band. Feat Tony Corten (drms), Greg Coomer (gtr) (later Veltone), Marc Davies (gtr), Paul Karter (voc,bass). Rel a couple of singles including She Smokes She Drives & Writes Poetry & I Wanna Be In A New York Punk Band, followed by the LP ‘Girls Can’t Make Machine Gun Noises’
Foel Studios – rec studio 15 miles outside Welshpool, started as an 8 track in 1974, becoming a 16 track in ’76, then a 24 track in’83. The Buzz recorded their ‘Asylum’ LP there in 1981 – info on this band req’d
Foofs – Bridgend band (2002), feat; Kristian Williams (voc,gtr), Darren Hall (bass), Navin Verghese (drms) (all born 1979). supported Coldplay. Rel self financed single “Gliptus” & Timmy Zuckerman (on Fuzzbox Sep03) & rec a session for Adam Walton on Radio Wales. Orig called Fantastic Super Foofs, split & formed Captain Black (2004) (website)
Fook - Powys based band (2001). More info req’d.
Foreign Legion – Merthyr Tydfil punk band, feat; Marcus Howells (voc), Stan (drms), Andy (bass), Frank (gtr), Rel tapes ‘Final Solution’ (Mar83), ‘Distress Signals’ (Apr84), ‘Back in Business’ (Mar85), ‘On Parade’ (Mar86). Rel an eponymous EP in 1986 on Rentarocket recs where Marcus & Marshon (drms) were joined by Helen (bass) & Lynne (gtr). Rel EP Surf City on Schlawiner Recs on green vinyl. 1989 saw Marcus joined by Peter Giles (gtr), Mark Williams (bass) & a drum machine. An ultra-rare LP ‘Welcome To Fort Zindernauf’ was rel & a split LP with Major Accident.Rel CD ‘Death Valley’ Have also feat; Eggy (bass), Thomas (gtr). Frank left (Dec07) (website)
Forgotten Sleep – Name (2006-07) used by Thyrd Eye. Prev called Bitchpups
Four Letter Word - Cardiff punk band (formed summer 91); orig line up feat; Welly (voc) (editor of Artcore), Kip-Xool (drms) (ex Heretics, Cowboy Killers, later In The Shit, Da Capo), Chris (bass), Jake (gtr), Jon (gtr). Jake quit and moved to London in 92, Chris left in ’94 replaced by Dog. Rel split EP with Spite in 1996 and toured the UK. Dog and Kip quit after the tour, replaced by Will (drms) (later Fishtake), Hairy (bass). Rel 2 albums out on BYO Recs of California ‘A Nasty Piece of Work’ (1997), and ‘Zero Visibilty’ (1999) left BYO after a legal wrangle with their name & an American boy band. Toured the States to promote the LPs, but lost Dog allowing Tim o’Donovan to step in. More line up problems, losing both Will and Tim led to cancelling a European tour at the end of ’99. Wedge (drms) (ex Classified Protest, Rectify) and Tom (bass) (ex Aspirin Kid) filled the vacancies. Continual touring led Jon to leave in 2000, and Bristol based Neil (gtr) (ex Shutdown). Rel ‘A Cold Day in Hell’ (Suspect Device Recs ’01). Neil quit in the summer and fellow Bristol native Matt (gtr) (ex Spartans) joined. In 2002 more line-up problems when Wedge and Tom quit leading to a ‘year off’. By Jul03 they were rehearsing again with Jon Swain (drms) who quit after 2 gigs, as did Matt. Chris Murphy (drms), Dave Beer (gtr) and Dave Millinship were added to the line up and they rel ‘Crimewave’ (Newest Industry 01.05.04). 3rd LP ‘Like Moths To a Flame’ (Newest Industry Jan05). Welly split the band at the end of 2005 to run his Damaged Goods record shop, but by 2007 he had teamed up with Wedge and orig guitarist Jon and added Gob (bass), Nick (gtr). Rel EP ‘Staring Down The BArrel’ and toured the States again. (website)
4Trac – Music programme on S4C produced by Boomerang, new series on Sunday’s from April 7th 2002.
Fractal Smarties – West Wales band, feat; Chris Andrews, Claire Walker, Luke Morris and John Atterbury. They met whilst enjoying the West Wales club scene, they put all their tastes together and formed a band, they have now been writing music together for 18 months.The latest demo they have rel on the much respected Pynci label shows that dance music is still alive and kicking, the single is called ‘Fractal’, and came in 7″ and a 12″ versions. Their influences on this seem to be Underworld and the Bristol sounds of Portishead.
Fracture – fanzine edited by Cardiff’s Dave Hopkin (ex Mad Monks editor & runs Assembly Line distro & Newest Industry recs) & Yorkshire based Russell Remains. Began in 1997 & stopped after 25 issues in 2004 after they got fed up with bands & companies expecting good reviews & going off in a huff when they didn’t. (website)
Frames - another name for Picture Frame Seduction.
Frames – 70′s Cardiff band who had a spotty faced singer called Gary Stockford, Chris Brazier (drms) (ex Zipper, Nylonz), Phil Celia (gtr). Chris remembers; ‘We won a battle of the bands in the rank in the late 70′s and I had my Ludwig snare stolen (sour grapes).’ Phil went on to a little fame and fortune with a boy duo who had a single called “Cry” .
Freaky Fortnight – Cwmamam grunge-blues-punk band (c2005) feat; Bronwen Davies (voc,bass), Richard Clark (drms), Lee Harvey (gtr). (website)
Freeloader – metal band (formed 1997), feat; Martin Care (voc), Mark Wiltshire (gtr), David Malpas (bass), Tim Bird (drms). A stream of members eventually settled with Mike Chandler (bass) and Richard Morris (gtr) as members and they (with Martin, Tim and Mark) rec the LP ‘Time Has Come.’ (myspace)
Frequency – Newport band (formed 1997). Feat; Paul (voc), Tim (gtr), Ben (bass), Stu (keys), Ruben (drms). (website)
Freur - Cardiff band, formed 1981 by college students Karl Hyde, Rick Smith (both ex Screen Gemz) and Alfie Thomas, with drummer Bryn Burrows (ex- Fabulous Poodles) joining later; (his party trick of banging his head on his cymbals once led to him being carried offstage totally unconscious) and video guru John Warwicker. Signed to CBS Recs in 1983 and enjoyed a minor chart success with the LP (re-rel 1999) & single ‘Doot Doot’. Its popularity was made all the more unlikely by the fact that their record company had issued the original demo version rather than the recording the band had made with Conny Plank and Holger Czukay in Cologne. The record was also a big hit throughout Europe and topped the Italian charts. Rel further 3 sngls in 1983 – Matters Of The Heart, Runaway, Riders Of The Night. Followed by The Devil And Darkness (1984), Look In The Back For Answers (1985) & The Piano Song (’86). A second album (‘Get Us Out Of There’) was withheld from release by CBS, after which Smith and Hyde left to form Underworld with Baz Allen,the rest, as they say… is history
Frictionless Man – Swansea duo (c2006), feat; Stuart Ross (voc,gtr), Monica Konggaard (bass). Had session aired on Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales Show 28.05.06
From Mars – Newport band (c2005), feat; Dean (drms), Jonny (voc,gtr), Bob (bass). Rel LP ’23′ (48v Recs). More info req’d
From This Moment On – Abergavenny straight-edge hardcore band managed by Johnny Philips of Sick Future promo. Rel split EP with Funeral For A Friend
Ceri Frost – Indie (kind of) artist from Cardiff (c2007 onwards), had track Dead All Along feat on Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales Show (27.09.09) and video animated by Giles Timms (website)
Frug! – fanzine from Newport (up to 1995), ran for at least 11 issues, edited by Andy Barding. Noted for its good presentation. Also a label that rel the comp LP ‘I Was A Teenage Gwent Boy’ feat Cowboy Killers, 60′ Dolls amongst others. More info req’d.
Full Circle – Cardiff based improvisation quartet (formed Apr03), feat; Dave Stapleton (keys), Deri Roberts (wind), Matthew Lovett (gtr), Elliott Bennett (drms). Rel CD ‘Explorations’ (Red Eye Music 06.09.04)
Full Fat Mix Tape – compilation CD (rel Apr09) of Cardiff bands, given away free for promo (website)
FUOD - (short for fucked up on drugs) 9-piece Aberystwyth funk band who’ve been gigging in the area since 1996. (website)
Full Steam Ltd – Cardiff based music media group set up in 2003. Laura Bryon worked on their plugging dept.
Funeral For A Friend – 5-pc (began as a 6-pc) punk band from Bridgend, formed Dec01, feat; Matthew Davis (voc) (ex Carmen Pariah), Matthew Evans (voc) (ex January Thirst), Johnny Phillips (drms) (ex January Thirst), Darren Smith (gtr) (ex-Tripcage) who replaced Kerry Roberts. Rel single (Jul02) Between Order & Model on Mighty Atom, then signed to Infectious Recs (Mar03) & rel ’4 Ways to Scream Your Name’ EP. (website).
Funeral in Berlin - Monmouth (?) punk band (late 70s), feat; Shane Corbett (ex Probing Holes)
Funhouse – Cardiff band (c2009), feat; Mike (drms) (ex Khagool, Maisie’s Barn). More info req’d
Fur Lined – 1993-1996 London based frilly shirt wearing fop rockers featuring Jon Tregenna (gtr) (ex Cwestion Da, Tan Tro Nesa) and Ian Mansel-Thomas (bass) from Llanelli together with Dale Olivier (South Africa, voc) and Laurence Ash (Gloucester, drms). Caused a stir with their first demo, ‘Do How I Feel’ (1993) which led to a dozen A&R men turning up at their first gig. It was downhill from there. Managed from the same office as Suede and Adorable they had some success with their first single – the 7 minute dub and guitar squall, ’Love Is Dead’ in 1994. Prod by ex-Vibrator Pat Collier it got several unexpected Radio One plays. The 2nd single - the 2 minute nu-punk thrash, ’Kitchen Party’ whose ‘B’ side ‘Flakey’ was a fave of the late great John Peel. Gigged regularly across London building up a good following of ex-pat Taffs, skinheads, nancy boys, and Liam Gallagher (who came to a number of gigs) with their Queen-esque stage performances. However, despite several promising NME reviews they split up shortly after shorning their foppish locks and trying to become just another tee-shirt wearing Brit-pop band. Mansel-Thomas now in London old age garage rockers, Fraff
Futile Gestures – Caerphilly punk band (c1976) – may have supported the Sex Pistols in the town 14.12.76. (flyer) More info req’d
Future Head - project started by Neil Pollock (2002), that is now a 3-pc outfit. Had track Hard To Be Easy feat on Sessions in Wales radio. More info req’d.
Future of The Left – band from Cardiff (formed 2006), feat; Andy Falkous (voc,gtr) (ex Mclusky), Kelson Mattias (bass) (ex Jarcrew), Jack Egglestone (drms) (ex Mclusky). Line up changed in 2010 when Kelson left, they became a 4-pc with JImmy Watkins (gtr) and Julia Ruzicka (bass) (ex Million Dead). Rel debut album ‘Curses’ (24.9.07), single ‘The Hope That House Built’ (Mar09 4AD Recs), followed by the LP ‘Travels With Myself and Another (4AD 22.6.09). Toured USA and Australia 09/10. Rel 3rd LP ‘The Plot Against Common Sense’ (Extra Mile 11.6.12) (website)
Fuzzbox Records - Cardiff based label who have released the likes of Mclusky, Curveside. More info req’d
