South Wales: K

Kald – drum’n’bass experimental outfit from Carmarthen, signed to Rasp. Rel LP ‘The Hedges Are Smiling & Weirdness Abounds’ (2002), then 2 EPs in 2002 – ‘Drumnbassmyarse’ and ‘Poptastic EP’. The ‘Elysium EP’ (2003) and  ‘Don’t Let The Clowns Eat Me EP’ (2004), came before a 2nd LP ‘Nice Planet, We’ll Take It’ (Jul04). Rec’d radio airplay in Wales & attracted a lot of favourable reviews in the Welsh & UK press (single of the month in Record Collector). Rec session for Adam Walton (10.11.02), and Adam challenged them to record a song a week for his show in 2004, which kind of fizzled out after about 6 weeks (as these things inevitably do). (website)

Kaptain Black – band (c2005), feat; ex members of The Foofs, More info req’d (website)

KardomahNeath/Swansea area 5-piece “alternative rock band”, feat. Dafydd Anthony (gtr,voc), Aron Harris (drms), David Llewellyn (keys/synth/samples), John Owen (voc,gtr), plus new bassist Joey Daniels (joined Jul04). EP Hear What I Say rel. Jul04 (website)

Karma Violet – Rhondda punk band feat on Poisoned Whiskey Recs Anti-War CD (Mar03). More info req’d

KarnatakaNeo-prog. band formed in Swansea area c1997. Line-up (2003) Rachel Jones (lv/p), Ian Jones (b/ag/v/p), Jonathan Edwards (k/v), Paul Davies (g), Anne-Marie Helder (v/f/p), (also TigerDragon) and Gavin John Griffiths (d/p). 3 LPs – Karnataka (1998), The Storm (2000) and Delicate Flame of Desire (2003), all rel. by Immrama recs, and one DVD Live in Concert (2002), prod by Classic Rock Productions. Toured extensively in 2003, promoting the 3rd LP, which was rel to critical acclaim and garnered BBC Radio 2 airplay. Latest rel is Live in the USA DVD (2003) and “stunning new double live album” Strange Behaviour (Mar04). Contact address: PO Box 103, Swansea, SA1 4ZG. (website)

Kellys Records – Cardiff based independent record store founded in 1969, specialise in selling preowned rare and collectable vinyl.  They also sell CDs, DVDs, Videos, 78 Vinyl and even a laserdisc every now and then… Open 9-5 from Monday to Saturday, which I’m sure any self respecting vinyl crate digger would love to pay a visit too. (website)

Keltech – Cardiff based hip hop producer (real name Lloyd Morgan). Had single Evacuate Soul aired on MTV, rel LP ‘The Name’ (on SBA). (website)

Kenavo – Aberystwyth Welsh language band, feat; Cynan Llwyd (voc), Rhys Llwyd (voc), Andras Iago (gtr), Gruff Glyn (gtr), Elidir (bass), Dylan (keys), Myfyr (perc), Rhydwen (drms), Gethin (perc), Rhys Sbeics (perc), Gwiz (voc). (website)

Kennedy Soundtrack – Pontypool rock/rap 5-pc, formed at Cross Keys College 1999, feat; Elliot Blake, Rob Giles, Dave Challenger (now Our Empire), Troy Marshall. Debut 7″ Wrong Day. Signed by Instant Karma Aug01. Rec LP in USA. Rel single 24-7 Jul02. Orig rapper Nic Howard left Mar03 (website)

Kennedy Sunday – Cardiff band (c2006), feat; James Elliott (aka Rev.J) (voc,gtr), Dave The Chemist (gtr), Buzz HD (bass), Jackson Black (drms). Rel ‘Hold EP’ (25.9.06). Were XFM’s Manchester’s Unsigned Band of 2006 (website)

Keys, The – Aberystwyth band (2002), feat; Matthew Evans (voc,gtr) (ex Murry The Hump), Gwion Rowlands (gtr) (ex Murry The Hump), Sion Glyn (bass) (ex Topper), replaced by James Bell, Tomos Lewis (drms), Carwyn Ellis (keys). Rel ‘Gurl Next Door/Listen the Leaves are Falling‘, on the Cardiff singles club Boobytrap rec BBC Radio 1 and 2 airplay as well as single of the week on Virgin Radio. Signed to Too Pure (03).  Took a hiatus and re-emerged on the scene in 2010 signed to See Monkey Do Monkey Recs and rel LP ‘Fire Inside’ (7.6.10) (website)

Khagool – (pic) Cardiff based psychedelic rock band (formed early04) feat; Ropey (voc,gtr) (later Maisie’s Barn), Alun (gtr,mandolin), Stu (bass, gtr,voc), Tim (keys) (now Slamfish), Aaron (perc) (now Elin & The Tribalites), Mike (drms) (ex Maisie’s Barn, now Funhouse). Have played The legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, Bristol’s Bierkellar and other renowned national venues. Apr05 embarked on Japanese tour. Rel demo ‘Alpha Beta’, rec session for Adam Walton show (30.10.05). Split early 2006 despite having a deal with Southern Down Recs. Speaking in May09, Alun says, ‘Myself, Aaron and Stu are busy jamming and recording some tunes at the moment, which are very promising, and have a very shambolic 60s psych vibe, so been very excited about that. Been experimenting with vintage gear for it, which has been lots of fun and a learning experience. I’ve also been recording a variety of other bands/singers, a bit of a “social documentary” thing, recording all the things that would never otherwise be recorded, which again has been a great learning experience. And Stu is on the production set of Dr Who, so he never really left the space rock thing.(website)

Kick – Newport band, feat; Graham Roberts (gtr,voc) (ex Diesel Pig, later Raw Like Sushi), Dave Evans (bass) (ex Diesel Pig), Lee Dean (keys), Jon Lee (drms) (later of Feeder), although there had been experimentation with drum machines and other musicians particularly Kevin Protheroe (keys) and female singers Tanya Thomas (ex New Image) and Dawn Price. Gigged extensively with lots of major rec co interest but changing lineup particularly drummers hampered progress and eventually band split without major deal. Mike Williams, and Rick Martinez, (brother of Paul – ex. Robert Plant band), were other prominent drummers involved. Kick recently reformed for one off Jon Lee tribute gig at TJs, Newport in Sep02 with other Jon Lee bands

Kick Up – Newport based punk/rock band formed 1993; feat; Bryn Jones (voc,gtr) (ex Death Patrol, The Abs), Gary Mudd (gtr) (ex Liberator, Détente), Jon Simpson (bass) (ex Liberator, The Abs, now Bert & Ernie’s Windowbox), Darren Seivwright (drms) (ex-Liberator, Détente). Good musicianship & quality tunes meant little, as band split due to outside commitments after one gig in Newport in 1994

Killing For Company – rock band formed by Stuart Cable (drms) (ex Nailbombs, Stereophonics), Greg, Steve, Andy and Richie. Ceased when Cable died in May10 (website)

Kilnaboy – Cardiff punk band (formed Feb04), feat, Daf (voc,mandolin), Jay (gtr,voc), Bri (bass), Will (keys), Bri (whistle), Chris (drms). Rel EP ‘Runnin Amok’ (Feb04), CD ‘Half Beards Box’ (Aug04),‘Defy The Stars’ (website)

Kimber, Rachel Mari – Cardiff singer-songwriter (c1996 onwards). Rel LP thru RMK Music. Managed by Stereophonics manager John Brand

Kimla Taz – Cardiff based 4-pc psychedelic band, 1967-76. feat; Dave Watkins (drms), Lyn Phillips (voc) (ex Stone Idol), Tich Gwillym (gtr) (ex Spike). Tich retired from bands for 20 years, then reformed Kimla Taz (He sadly died 20.6.05 in a house fire). CD rel on Birdman Recs of Japan (2002).

King Alexander – Cardiff band (c2006). Session broadcast of Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales Show 06.08.06). More info req’d

Kings of Despair – band, formed late03 feat; Paul Battenbough (gtr,voc) (a.k.a. Paul Batts, ex Sparrow Lane, Bigelow), Dai Godwin (gtr) (see The Caves), Darren Beale (bass) (The Caves), Gareth Thorrington (keys) and Huw Rees (drms) (see just about every other band in Swansea). Gigs have to be fitted in around members’ other commitments, but band laid down 8 songs at Bruce Fellowes’ Guava Studios before xmas. (tag-line “this is not suicidal music”). Session aired on Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales Show 7.5.06

Kingsway Cowboy Swansea area surf/punk band (formerly Kingsway Cowboy & the Hydraulics). 2004 line-up is Oyvind (g/v and stetson), Marvin Medwell (b/v, ex-Chalk Circle also of Break Super 8) and Nick Moore (d, also of Break Super 8). 3track CD Fast Way Out rel. early04; also track on German comp CD Spaghetti Vol. V, rel. May04. Played regular gigs in London. Split June 2004, when Øyvind Selnes decided to return to his native Norway. Band performed farewell gig at Mozart’s in Swansea on 18 June, at which highly ltd edition CD Reach for the Sky was (briefly) available. They leave behind many fond musical memories: (website)

Kirk in September – band prev called Very America, feat; Gareth Selfe (gtr) (ex Henrees), Deano (drms) Ped (bass), Nobby (voc) (later played bass in Runt), Ian Dumayne (gtr) (later Runt). Rel one single called Running Away on their own label

Klang –band (Aug03), feat; Vic Goddard (ex Subway Sect) & Newport’s Donna Matthews (ex Elastica).

Klomptronic – Aberystwyth band formed 2003, feat; Daf Lloyd (voc,gtr). (Website)

Kokopelli – a jazz-roots band feat. Tequila Ray Max (bass) (1994- mid95) (later Cubare, Darceys, Vinylstickons, October Country, Licking Chocolate Jesus Alaska).

Kosheen – band, feat; Sian Evans (voc), signed to Arista & rel All In My Head single (Jun03). (website) More info req’d.

Kracked Records – label set up in Cardiff to release Pilots debut single (2005), by Noel (Gabrielle 25). (website)

Krane – classic rock outfit from Carmarthenshire. Signed to D.A.Records in 2000 and have since enjoyed a large amount of success in the local area. They have made appearances both on national radio and TV as well as playing festivals supporting both national and international acts.

Kriminal Records – record shop in Newport run by Dean Beddis (of Bad Sam, Cowboy Killers). Also acts as a label for his band. (facebook)

Krueger – Raw Rock N’ Roll band formed in Swansea area 2003. Feat; Anthony Jones (voc), Thomas Richards (gtr), Simon “Trigger” John (bass), Andrew Roberts (drms). Released EP ‘An Age of Riots’ on ltd edition CD-R in 2003. Mainly played the Swansea/Swansea valley area. After a number of line-up changes they split in 2007.

Krypton Tunes – punk band of late 70s, feat; Dave Bass (bass), January (gtr), Bob Lacki (drms), John Wadlow (voc,gtr). Rel a badly recorded 7″ Behind Your Smile in Black & Red recs ’78, followed by Limited Vision on Lightning recs the same year. David Cunningham produced a ’79 rel on Secret recs ‘Extended Play.’ Only one of their tracks has ever re-surfaced “All In Jail” from 2nd single, which turned up on the CD “Lightning Recs Punk Collection” (Anagram Recs CDPUNK 79 1996)

Jemma KrysaYoung (teenaged) singer/songwriter from Ammanford. Track Disgusting (reportedly written when she was 12!) feat on Noiseville III (Swansea area comp CD, rel. Summer03, by Tunetown). Supp Amy Wadge on selected tour dates, Mar/Apr04. (website)

Kubelik – Cardiff band (2002). More info req’d.

Kutosis – Cardiff band (c2006), feat; James. Rec demo at Stir in Cardiff (website)

Kyshera – band (formed 2004), feat; James Kennedy (gtr,voc), Francis Peel (drms), Mat Jones (bass), replaced by Simon Kennedy. James had prev rel LP ‘Made In China’ & formed the band on the basis of touring the LP. In 2012 the album was repackaged and released with a launch party at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff (26.4.12). Two further albums followed ‘Paradigm’ and ‘Circle’. James also rel 3 solo albums, and an autobiography (review) (website)

Kzss – Cwmbran based breakbeat outfit (c2009) (website)

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