South Wales: G

Gagged – regular newsletter (up to #13 by Jul06) produced by Cardiff Anarchist Network and Gwent Anarchists

Gallowbirds – Pontypridd band (2001-03), feat;  regularly gigged at Pontypridd District club, feat; Muzz Canning (voc,gtr), Vic Doyle (bass), Dai Kernohan (keys), Phil Collins (drms). Some members were in Ashes of Harry Monk and the band formed after the funeral of AOHM’s bass player Mike (Toshack) John who “did an Elvis” in a Cardiff Restaurant. Vic Doyle rescued Toshacks bass stack from Toshack’s abandoned car and “stole the gig”. (website)

Games For May – band feat; Al (ex Nameless) (website)

Garbage Day Massacre – 4 piece punk metallers from Barry howling and harpering about horror movies! Planning their debut release early 2024 courtesy of Trash Records. (fb)

Garej – Welsh language music show on S4C

Garej Dolwen – indie-rock band from Crymych, feat; Einir Dafydd (voc,gtr), Osian Jones (drms), Dafydd Jones (gtr) and Guto Vaughan (bass). Rel 3 EPs for the Rasp label, ‘Haf yn Tidrath’ (2004), ‘Rhywle Tu Draw Y Byd’ (2005) and ‘Colli’r Amser’ (2006).

GAS Promotions – promoters based in Carmarthen in the mid-late 70s. GAS was Gardner, Adams & Spencer. Held a  ‘New Wave Xmas Spectacular’ at St Peters Civic Hall, Carmarthen for Thursday 15th December 1977 featuring The Mirrors, Beaver plus The Inmates. 8pm till 1.00am. It’s also thought Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsets also made a guest appearance.

Gay Dogs – punk band from Newport (c1976) feat; Gary Lloyd and Alan Jones (later in Mirrors). More info req’d

Gene Loves Jezebel – Porthcawl based punk-goth band (formed 1981), orig called Slavaryan. feat; identical twins Michael Aston (voc) & Jay (John) Aston (gtr), Dick Hawkins (drms) (later of Skeletal Family), Steve Marshall (bass). Moved to London ’82 having prev signed to Situation 2 after supp The Higsons (feat; Charlie Higson of Fast Show fame) on their debut gig at ICA 30.12.81. Debut 7″ Shaving My Neck was a big indie hit & they also used Steve Goulding (sax) & John Murphy (drms) (ex SPK & Associates). In 1983 on tour they used Albio De Luca (gtr) (later of Furyo) & Julienne Regan (bass) (later with All About Eve). Bruises 7″ in ’83 hit #7 in Indie Charts & they rec sessions for Radio One’s John Peel & Kid Jensen shows & headlined a UK tour. 1st LP ‘Promise’. 1985 follow up ‘Immigrants’ was prod by John Leckie, by now Peter Rizzo (bass), Marcus Gilvear (drms) (ex Glaxon 5) were full time members along with IC Hudson (gtr) who became a 5th member. In autumn 1985, James Stevenson (ex Chelsea, Gen X, later of Alarm 2000) replaced IC Hudson. Commercial breakthrough came with low Top 75 hits with Heartache & Sweetest Thing, & the LP ‘Discover’ almost made Top 30 as well as a successful tour of USA. Michael Aston emigrated to USA in late 80s, but Jay kept the band going & recorded well into the 90s.

Gee, Micky – Cardiff session musician, has worked with Tom Jones, Man, Shakin’ Stevens & Dave Edmunds.

Gentle Giant – Neath prog rock band of late 60s. More info req’d

Germ Corporation – studio and web based entity ran by Lloyd Gibbs (ex There Goes Macho Man). The music is promoted via the website and is updated with a monthly issue which features 3 or 4 new tracks and can be listened to on your media player. Mike Kennedy (ex Tax Exiles, Statues of Us) mixes the tunes and some examples of his work can be listened to on the website. The Germ Corporation was formed in 2005 and the website will be used to promote any other bands that want to showcase their mp3s (myspace)

Get Frank – band (2002) feat; Scott (drms) (now Echo Red)

Ghost Carriage Phantoms – Merthyr Tydfil project (c2013) by Michael James Hall and Mark Estall. Rel LP ‘The Boy Lives’ (12.11.12) (website)

GHR2 – Aberystwyth band (2002). More info req’d.

Gilespi – Aberystwyth Welsh-language band (formed 2002), 8 piece, feat; Melissa Henry (voc), Catrin Dafydd (piano), Bethan Jenkins (viola), Catrin Howells (cello), Mari Sion (flute), Sionedwyn Bowen (sax), Rhydwen Mitchell (drms), Dave Stacey (bass). Rec session for Radio Cymru Jun04 (listen), and rel debut LP ‘Methu Chwarae Gitar’ (Dockrad Apr05) (website)

Gindrinker – Cardiff band (c2006), feat; DC Gates (voc), Graf (gtr). Released 7″ single ‘YHWH’ (01.03.08 on Businessman Recs). Played Mind Festival (23.11.13). Played their first gig in 2 years at Le Pub, Newport 07.08.21, but nothing heard of them since. (bandcamp)

The Gingerbread Men – band from Neath (c1991)

Girl13 – Cardiff indie band (c2005). Drummer quit by text on eve of gig in Bar Blu, Rhyl, band did gig without him.

Gist – Cardiff project (1981-84) by Stuart Moxham (Young Marble Giants), helped by his brother Phil, Lewis Mottram (bass), Dean Roderix (drms) & other friends & colleagues, as did members of the Swell Maps & Essential Logic. Signed to Rough Trade in 1981 & rel 7″ This is Love followed by Love at First Sight. An LP in ’83 ‘Embrace The Herd’ was accompanied by a 7″ Fool For A Valentine. Described delicated new wave pop songs & strange instrumentals. After the band split Stuart & his wife, Cindy, had a baby & lived on a houseboat off the coast of England. Stuart worked as an animator on several productions, most notably Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Shortly after finishing the film, he had a motorcycle accident & found himself holed up for awhile. He passed the time by borrowing an eight-track deck & recording some of the songs he’d written over the years. The only recorded appearance he released during this period was on a 7″ by British reggae toaster Jah Scouse. (Phil & Andrew Moxham appeared on this 7″ as well.). See also Weekend, Table Table

GK – a lone punk balladeer Grahame Menage, occasionally supported the likes of the Vaseline Tigers, and other acts around the Cardiff scene. GK says, ‘ Sometimes my act included an ace guitarist named Steve (surname forgotten), and I opened the Cardiff “Battle of the Bands” in 1979. At the time I worked at the Welsh National Opera.’ Now a scenic artist living in the States.

Glam Organs – Swansea based psychedelic-indie band (c2008), feat; Jo Richards (keys), Glen Evans (bass), Mike Akari (gtr), Neil McDonald (voc), Dick Strawbridge (gtr). Have also incl; Rat (ht), John (drms), Adam (bass)

Glover, Roger – bass player/ songwriter/ producer with Deep Purple. He was born on a farm near Brecon.

Gnasher – Cardiff/Pontypridd band (1976-77), feat; Mike Kennedy (bass). More info req’d

Goatboy – band (formed 1999), feat; Nik Jenkins (voc,gtr) (ex Mecha-Godzilla), Dek Masha Slice (prog,scratch) (ex Headcase Ladz), Neil Rowling (bass), Rod Thomas (drms) (ex Bonechild, One Chord Wonders). Neil joined Sept01 after bassist Andrew Baldwin.left. Rel LP Mar02 ‘Superlube’ & toured with Liberty 37. (who Rod also toured with as a temp drummer), signed to Mighty Atom recs. Had John Peel session 13.06.02. (website)

God Is In The TV – Cardiff based webzine (2004) edited by Bill Cummins (website)

Go Kain – early incarnation of Day of The Locust.

The Godseys – Swansea band (c1992), feat; Pete. Rel a demo called ‘Paint’ and had a track on the ‘Wonderful Smile’ comp album.

Godsticks – Cardiff band (formed 2006), feat; Darran Charles (voc,gtr,keys), Steve Roberts (drms, keys) and Dan Nelson (bass). (website)

Goldie Lookin’ Chain – Newport based hiphop band aka GLC, feat; DJ Shopmobility, Eggsie. Rel 13 track LP (2002). Had a track Silver Shadow feat on Sessions in Wales radio. (website).

Goodcleanfun Recs – ska label run by Tom & Matt of Cheapskates & Shootin’ Goon. Since 1999 (website) More info req’d.

Good Habit (1970-1974), “Tolkien”esque rambling improvisational Penarth folk-rock band who dressed in Monk’s habits and released one unsuccessful single on Decca. Several members incl bassist Dave “Fingers” Land went on to join Racing Cars for worldwide chart success with They Shoot Horses Don’t They? Also incl; John Roberts (sax) (ex Stone Idol)

Gorilla Fight Mansion – Llanelli based hip-hop outfit (c2015) feat; Dale Ming, Just Jawsh and Cloud (I’m guessing these are not their real names!) (soundcloud)

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci Caravan bound psychedelics from Carmarthen, masters of truly pioneering bilingual music. Euros Childs, John Lawrence, Richard James, Megan Childs, Euros Rowlands. “Psychedelic”, “lo-fi”, “quirky pop”, “eclectic” – all words that have been used to describe Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. For the most part, however, all you need to know is that they are “fun”. Their songs bounce around in an adolescent way, but underneath that is a solid base of song-writing – both in melody & verse. All the members play many & varied instruments, unlike many traditional rock groups, although Euros is the main singer & most of the songs are written by him or John. The band formed at school in 1990 & became well-known in the underground Welsh scene (bedroom mixers of the world unite). They later signed to the Ankst label in 1994 & have released two albums & many singles/EPs since then. Recorded 9 sessions for the John Peel show (incl live) between 29/1/94 & 5/4/00. John Lawrence left the band 1999 to form the Infinity Chimps & join Gabrielle 25, replaced by Rhodri Puw, formerly of Ffa Coffi Pawb. They signed to Mercury recs, were dropped then signed to Mantra & left Apr02. Announced 22.05.06 that they’re to split

Go X – fledgling rock band from Crickhowell (c2007), feat; Joshua Lindner (voc), Avalon Rivers (gtr), Nicky Hearts (bass), Boo Disson (drms). Rel debut single Dance Again on Bwlch Hit Recs (30.7.08) (website)

GPI – Port Talbot band (1977-81), feat; Pete Watkins (gtr,voc), Mike Morales (drms) and Paul Needs (bass,voc). Gigged under this name until changing it to The Reactions in 1981. (see also 39 Steps, Steps)

Gracie – Newport band. More info req’d.

Graffiti – covers band feat; Alun Gerard (voc,gtr), Huw Weston (keys), Peter Quinlan (bass), Justin Freeman (drms).

Grand Collapse – Cardiff band hardcore punk band (formed early 2011 as Asylum) (relocated to Bristol), feat; Calvin Sewell (voc) (ex Obscene), Jon Powell (gtr) (ex Smut, Bring To Ruin, Threat Manifesto), Glenn Tew (drms) (ex Four Letter Word). Played debut gig at Gower pub, Cardiff. Rel debut EP ‘Grand Collapse’ (on Pumpkin 2013). LPs ‘Far From The Callous Crowd’ (Pumpkin 2014), ‘Along The Dew’ (TNS Recs 2017), ‘Empty Plinths’ (TNS 2021). Calvin sadly died 21.03.22 from heart complications, his dad was Stig (of Icons Of Filth).

Graveyard Johnnys – psychobilly band, feat;  Liam Collins (voc,gtr), Tom Lord (drms), Joe Grogan (bass). (website)

Grayskull – Swansea band who played 80s style metal, feat; Rodger (voc) (now of Fistfuck)

Great Pilgrimage – DJs providing the sounds at “Saturday Sanctuary” every Saturday night on the middle floor at Emerge club in Clwb Ifor Bach (website)

Greedy Fly – 80s band? More info req’d

Green Inspiration Band – heavy psychedelic rock band from Swansea (formed 1992), feat; Andy Hunt (gtr,voc) (ex Electric Druids, Attitude Problem), Sam Miller (ex Electric Druids), Steve Griffiths (ex Right Honourables, Ashaman), Tim Atkinson (ex Attitude Problem, Ashaman). Rel LPs ‘Forward Into Beyond’ and ‘Live Pandemonium’ and played the Megadog bashes and supported Magic Mushroom Band. (website)

Groucho Neu Marx – Welsh language music zine (c1989) from Pontardawe. More info req’d.

GTFM 106.9 – community radio station in Cardiff feat; The Music Lounge show 8:30 – 11pm Mon – Fri. Local show case bands are 8:30 – 9 on Mon, Tues & Wed. (website)

Guinea Worm Newport band of mid 90s, feat; Neal ‘Grifter’ Griffiths (gtr) (ex Armstrong), George (drms), Keith (bass), (all later in Chang). More info req’d.

The Guns – Newport band (c2009), feat; Kob (drms) (ex Carsondown). More info req’d

Gurnosica – Bargoed band (1980s), feat; Gerwyn Williams (see also Discarnate Entity, Rico Oxide)

Gwefrau, Y Cardiff dance band (1989-90) feat; Gwenllian Pierce Lewis (voc), Huw (bass), Rebecca (voc), Pippa (gtr), Sion (gtr), Owen (drms).

Gwenno – solo artist from Cardiff, full name Gwenno Mererid Saunders (b. 23.05.81). Rel two solo EP’s, Môr Hud (2002) and Vodya (2004) before joining The Pipettes for 5 years until 2010. Toured as a synth player with Elton John and Pnau in 2012. Rel ‘Ymbelydredd’ (maxi-EP on Peski Jun12), followed by LP ‘Y Dydd Olaf’ (Peski Oct14). She also co-produces and co-hosts a Welsh Radio Show on Cardiff Radio titled “A Step Away From The Darkness”

Gwent Anarchists – anarchist movement, associated with Cardiff Anarchist Network and produce Gagged newsletter. Very active, see Russian G8 protests blog 2006

Tich Gwilym – A legend amongst guitar players and musicians everywhere (real name Tich Beck). Played with Sian James, Meic Stevens, The Superclarks, Geraint Jarman, Kimla Taz, Racing Cars and many many others. Sadly Tich died June 2005.

Peredur ap Gwynedd – guitarist / guitar tutor / TV commentator, born in Pontypool (1970). Best known as guitarist with Pendulum. Has also played with Faithless. Keen cyclist who commentates on the Tour de France on S4C with his brother Rheinallt.

Rheinallt ap Gwynedd – guitarist from Pontypool. Best known for his guitar playing in Liverpool band Apollo 440. Brother of Peredur

4 Comments

  1. alan
    December 30, 2012 @ 1:50 am

    i used to follow good habit around,great band,so question i saw free at padget rooms penarth cost me a £1 to get in must have been 1970,great night,bumped into a guy says he saw them in barry memorial hall???cant remember this unless i didnt but sounds that week,i think kossofs back street crawler played can you comfirm????

    Reply

    • Andy
      February 15, 2013 @ 10:05 am

      Hi Alan, came across this completely by chance. Just to say that I am playing with Pete Hughes, former guitarist with Good Habit. The band is called Blues Central. Check out Gigall for gig dates. Cheers Andy

      Reply

  2. alan jones
    February 17, 2013 @ 9:11 pm

    have you a web page and were are your next few gigs,do you know if free only played the one gig in penarth,this guy is says he saw them them in the memo?
    what happened to tom good habit he got me on the guest list when they supported edgar broughton in the uni park place,cardiff must have been early 70s
    cheers
    alan

    Reply

  3. Good Habit: Friday 7th February 1975, The Penthouse, Scarborough – Gigs’n’Stuff
    June 28, 2022 @ 12:08 pm

    […] or another since 1970, they would disband later this year and morph into Racing Cars. There is  a website dedicated to Welsh bands which suggests that they were only around 1970-74 but we’ll have to take that with a pinch of […]

    Reply

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