Jack – Cardiff band (c1992) feat; Matthew Scott (gtr), Lee Chick (bass), Anthony Reynolds (voc.keys,gtr) (ex Alien Circus, True Love, Boy, Misery), Steve Bees (drms) (ex Boy, Misery), James Lang (keys). Moved to London 1993 with Anthony forming a new band around him. Eventually split 2002. Anthony has also performed under his own name and Jacques. (website)
Jack Bass - Bass player with Strawberry Dust in the early 70′s .Went on to play with The Alex Harvey band; Bo Diddley; Killing Time; Faded Glory; Boogiemen; The Daggers. A Rhondda Valley legend!
Jacknife Disciples – band from Cardiff (late 80s?), feat; Dean Proctor (voc) (now at Boobytrap recs), Simon Adams (drms), Terry Williams (bass), Psycho Urchin (gtr) and Eddie Bossano (gtr), although there were other guitarists after Eddie left. Rel their ‘Kill the Beatles’ EP in 1990 with an outrageous publicity campaign. Started the large showcase gigs in Cardiff Bay called ‘Take a Leek’ and held Sunday night shows at Chapter to raise funds for London gigs with open mic sessions. They narrowly missed out on the contract that ‘Suede’ got, due to them having Mr Butler on guitar. They with their manager and promoter Jeff DLC started the indie nights at Sams Bar and then at Clwb Ifor. They worked with and brought on many of the Welsh feat on this site. Briefly called Low Gods before they split
Jade Warrior - band feat; Alan Price (drms) (from Abertillery), Glyn Havard (voc,bass) (from Nantyglo) who later played with several note-worthy, if not succesful, bands (The Edge, Kirsty Macoll, etc.)… described as ‘a bit of a knob but a very good musician!’
Jakokoyak – Cardiff band (2002 onwards) feat; Rhys Edwards. Toured Japan (2005) with SFA. Had tracks on Boobytrap comp ‘A Step in The Left Direction’ and on Peski comp ‘Am Cyfan Dy Pethau Prydferth’, rel Flatyre EP (Peski 30.01.06). (website)
James, Richey – real name Richard Edwards, guitarist with Manic Street Preachers, noted for his educated lyrics rather than musical ability. Went missing in Feb 1995. The band were due to fly to USA when he went missing. His car was found at Austel Service Station (near the Severn Bridge), but the case remains open at the National Missing Persons Bureau.
Janiero - alternative electronic gothic rock with punk/pop sensibilities (formed Dec98). Feat. Jonny Janiero (voc/keys/prog), Craig Orchard (gtr), Jay Thomas (gtr), Miss Vicky C (keys/fx), Bobby Taylor (bass), Dave Andrews (drus). Former memebers include Tom K (gtr), Clarky (drms), Deano Poole (drms). Tom K is now a postman. Orig drummer Clarky left when things were low. Deano stood in temporalily for him and first inspired the band ‘less can be more’ and ‘play every song like its ya last’. he was a machine. Have worked with Chris McDonough of Le Mons. Matt Blythe (Buzz magazine) use to manage the band. Have strong links with Nameless and Rocket Goldstar. Rel
Several promos recorded including, into the Emptiness E.P, Conversation With Myself EP (1999), Beauty Is Injected Skin Deep (2000), Music Makes Me Feel Dead E.P (01), and Adam Walton Session in 2002. debut single ‘Listen to us’ very soon… to be recorded soon with Greg Haver. Split Jun03.
January Thirst - Bridgend hardcore band (split Dec02), feat; Matthew Evans (voc), Johnny Phillips (drms), Kerry Roberts (gtr) (all later of Funeral For A Friend). Had a track on Blackfish UKHC comp LP. More info req’d.
Jan Watkins Band – Cardiff based band. Formed summer 2003. Feat; Mark (voc), Ross (gtr), Paul (gtr), Ben
(bass), Al (drms). Searing guitar lines and moody bass are stirred up by locked-down hypnotic percussion with soulful, blues-inflected vocals binding the mixture together. The resulting gumbo is both satisfying and mesmerising (their words!).
(website)
Jape - Aberystwyth funk band (2002). More info req’d.
Jarcrew – (pic) from Ammanford (c2002), feat; Kelson (voc,keys), Rich (gtr), Tom (gtr), Ben (bass,voc), Rod (drms). Toured on the RockSound Magazine “Rockstars Tour”. Rel, Breakdance Euphoria Kids (Complete Control). (website)
Matthew Jay – Abergavenny singer/songwriter, rel LP ‘Draw’ (on Capitol 2001). Died Sep03 after falling from 7th storey window.
Jeff Killed John - Bridgend band (formed 1999), feat; Matthew Tuck (voc), Michael Paget (gtr), Nick Crandle (bass), Michael Thomas (drms). Played gigs with Lost Prophets and The Wildhearts. Also had a TJ’s gig recorded and played on Radio One. Rec single You funded through Pynci (although Crandle left on the eve of recording it and was replaced by Jason James). Changed their name to Bullet For My Valentine and the rest is history.
Jeff The Dentist - Rhondda band formed Jun00, feat; Gareth ‘Westy’ Westwood (voc,gtr) and Mathew ‘Acy’ Acreman (bass) (both ex Pincushion) (website)
Jenkins, Kris – Cardiff session musician, has worked with Super Furry Animals
Jennifer’s Parents – band formed in 2001 by former Fortuna front man Mark Estevens, with, Ian Jenkins (gtr,flute,keys,voc), Wyn Perkins (bass), Rob Henderson (keys) and Ted Griffiths (drms), the latter formerly of Cubare (whoever they were).. Have self rel LP ‘All Along The Lolly’. Info and albums available to purchase at 22 Edward Street, Glynneath, Neath, S.Wales, SA11 5DL, split up late 2003
Jets – Swansea beat’n'soul band of late 60s, feat; Deke Leonard (later of Dream). More info req’d
JimJam – session nights (began 2006), run by Jim Nettleton every Thursday at the Claude Hotel, Albany Rd, Cardiff, mainly for local bands along with a headline band, it also ran at the NosDa, Riverside on Wednesdays but stopped in 2007 (website)
Jism – original name for Supa Myff when they were based at Aberystwyth Uni 1998.
Joanna Gruesome – Noisy indie band from Cardiff (2012) (website)
JoCore – punk gig promoters. More info req’d.
Johnny & The Nuforms – Swansea punk band orig called The Losers (c1978), feat; Andrew Reader (voc,gtr), Roger White (bass), Jeremy Radcliffe (drms). Made debut at Pennard Church Hall supporting Mannequin.Played 3 gigs in summer’78, by then called Nuforms before splitting.
Johnny Prophet – Tenby based band (formed 2002). Feat; Daniel Rowe (drms), Charles Upham (voc,gtr), Sam Harman (gtr), Owen Bridge (bass). Rec 11 track CD (Apr05).
John Stabber – early 70s Cardiff band, feat : Gary Williams (gtr), David Arch (vcls), Vince Trebor (drms) and Russell Young (bass, later of Do You Want This Table, The Table) as the core members of a constantly fluctuating, style changing line-up, who latterly played structureless, avant-garde, electronic freakbeat numbers with bizarre and often horrific lyrics. With the addition of Tony Barnes (gtr) and, occasionally, Chris Wilcox (synth), gradually morphed into Do You Want This Table and subsequently The Table. The band name was taken from the name of Williams’ flick knife!.
Ken Jones – Drummer with The Tonic Invaders and International Sec. of URDA. Ken is well known for his Vintage Gretsch Kit.
Jones, The - formed as Fatty Jones (early1999) feat; Dickie Hammond (gtr), Richie Glover (bass) (ex Abs, Dub War) Andy (drms), Golly (voc). Rec debut single for Mother Stoat recs (2001) followed by LP ‘Gravity Blues’ on Boss Tuneage recs. More info req’d.
Jon The Dentist – veteran trance DJ & producer. Had general releases in USA but debut LP ‘The Vortex’ was only rel Jun03 (on Phoenix Uprising) & at the time only available on vinyl & only from Cardiff’s Catapult Rec Store
Joya – Caerphilly band (2003) met at a party held at the house of Helen Love. Feat; Ed Davies, Julie Powell, Chris Brown, Mike Bailey, drums courtesy of Rich Ashton and Jack Egglestone (also of McClusky), trumpet courtesy of Eurig Morgan. Have gigged Athlete, Grand Drive, Tom Hingley, Slumber Party and Jack. Signed to Red Betty Recs & the ‘You and Me’ debut EP due for rel Sep04. Feat on ‘Welsh Talent’ comp CD compiled and distributed by Music Week magazine (website)
Joy of Sex – Cardiff post-punk band, feat; Thomas (voc,gtr,keys), Smith (drms) and Hicks (bass,drms). Had session aired of Adam Walton’s Show 17.05.09 (website)
JT Mouse – Swansea Uni based musician called John originally from Ton Pentre, has feat vocal talents of Volente Lloyd (of Maniana) on early material
Jugganote – Cardiff / Barry hip-hop metal band (formed Jan07), feat; BeSpoken (voc), Glenn Newbrook (gtr), Martin Peareth (bass), Joe Roberts (perc), Allyn Phelps (drms) (website)
Jugg, Roman – (b.25.7.57) best known as the keyboardist turned guitarist with The Damned, who joined them after meeting the band’s bassist, Paul Gray (who was living in Cardiff) at a Hot Gossip gig. Prev with Victimize with fellow Damned member Bryn Merrick. Also been in Red Alert & The Rejects, Missing Men, Nurse With A Wound. & after leaving the Damned he joined The Phantom Chords in 1995, & played with Canvey Island Allstars, also prod Surfin’ Lungs Jun86 EP “Surf Jet Girl”. Played also with Dirty Water. He married one of Dr & The Medics’ Anadin Girls. Rel solo LP ‘Papa Loco’ (Nov04)
Jump For Joy – post punk band from Pontypridd (1982-83), feat; Paul Nicholls (voc,gtr), Philip ‘Dickie’ Owen (gtr,keys), Julian Cooper (bass,keys), Tim Hutchins (drms). Described as superb and fond of swapping instruments on stage depending upon what number they were playing, Very a melodic indie unit that nevertheless reflected the dour Thatcherite gloom of unemployment-blighted Ponty, having more in common with Joy Division than The Smiths. Younger than the members of the peers Blaue Reiter (their oldest member was a year the junior of Blaue Reiter’s youngest player), the band wrote some excellent songs but never had any material released. Cooper moonlighted with proto-Goth unit Discarnate Entity. Later he and Owen formed the basis of Rachel’s Ravenous Offspring.
Junction 38 –
Juniper – Cardiff band (2004) (website)
Junkhead - Powys based band, feat; Gavin Meddins, Phil Davies (both later of Crash .45) (see also FBH, Wasted, Hot Buttered Soul, Wedding Singers, Nameless, Dream in Colour).
Just Bongo - Swansea band (formed 1983), playing latin and jazz infl pop songs. Orig members Mike Gambon (voc) Mark Thomas (gtr) Kevin Jones (trmpt) Chris Leek (sax) and Ado Rees (perc,voc) were joined early 1984 by ex Andy Pandemonium members Gareth Phillips (bass) and Pete Mason (drms), and Llanelli saxman Chris Ryan. Rec single “Move On Up / Dont Give It Up” (Tip Top Jun85), app on HTV and BBC Wales’ “Juice”. Also feat on Notepad Productions SWales comp LP (1984). Chris Leek and Ado left early 1986 replaced by Lee Evans on keyboards 2nd single, “James Brown/One Man Show” (Tip Top Sep86). Played West Germany (Oct86), the first of 5 tours to that country over next 2 years. Lee left early 1987, temp replaced by ex Andy Pandemonium colleague Paul Nicholas (keys). Appeared on BBC1 national television Saturday AM show “It’s Wicked”. Keyboardist Phil ab Owain joined permanently in Sep87, in time for another German tour. The band won the South Wales heat of a national competition in Cardiff in early 1988, and attracted some national record company interest, as well as interest from a German label. A plan to move the band permanently to Stuttgart in 1988 failed to materialise, played final gig Jun88. A brief re-union tour to Stuttgart took place in Sept90 due to German requests. Best moments feat sounds combining British pop with influences of Jobim’s bossa nova, the rock/latin/afro grooves of Santana and Osibisa, and the Afro-Soul of James Brown. Regular mid 1980s gigs incl the Hafod Inn in Swansea and Sams Bar in Cardiff.
Just Good Friends – Rhondda rock band of 60s, feat; Tich Beck (Gwilym) (later of Kimla Taz), Terry Lewis (keys), Bob Watkins (bass), Lyn Philips (hrmnca,voc) (now of Boogiemen) and Dick Owen (drms).
Jylt – Milford Haven band (2001) feat; Alex Cooper (gtr), Nia George (bass,voc), Sarah Howells (gtr,voc) (now of Halflight) & Tim Ramsey (drms). Nia & Sarah live on the same street & all four attended the same secondary school. Nia & Sarah ‘spotted’ Alex in music class & promptly asked him to join up. It wasn’t long before Alex suggested his long-time jamming partner, Tim, as drummer. The girls formed a band when they were 10. The band prove their competence by winning competitions such as ‘Battle of the Bands – Live’, a compositional award, a Television slot & a national Sky TV competition. This year, they appeared on Student123’s SCUM Production CD. 100,000 of these free CDs were produced & distributed to students across the UK. Have supported Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci & Big Leaves. Sadly Nia George died of leukaemia (Feb04) aged 21, band has come to a halt.
