South Wales: L

The Lash – Newport soul 45,000rpm band (c2012-15), Erin Mac (voc), Chris (gtr), Joe (gtr), Kyle (bass), Carl Bevan (drms) (youtube)

Last Chance To Dance – punk gig promoters. More info req’d

Last Thursday Series of mixed-media (music and poetry) events staged at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, on the last Thursday of each month (never!). First event (Jan04) headlined by Amy Wadge, second by comedian Noel James.

Lauries – Penarth band (c2007). More info req’d

Laverne – alt band based in Newport and S.Wales. Formed in late 1997 by Adam Harvey (voc/gtr), Daniel Corfield (gtr) and Joseph Giuletti (bass), while they were attending the same high school in Newport. The line up was completed by Adam’s cousin Richie Haines (drms).

Pete Lawrie – folk singer / songwriter from Penarth (c2009)

Cate Le Bon – singer/songwriter from Penboyr (b.04.03.83), now lives in Los Angeles with H.Hawkline. Real name Cate Timothy. Began working as a vocalist, session musician for Gruff Rhys, Richard James, Neon Neon, Matt Davies (Funeral For A Friend) 2005-2008 before rising to prominence as an artist in her own right. Debut single No One Can Drag Me Down (2007) followed by Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg (on Peski 2008). Three albums so far, ‘Me Oh My’ (on Irony Bored 2009), ‘Cyrk’ (on The Control Group 2012) and ‘Mug Museum’ (on Turnstile 2013). Also has project Drinks with SF based Tim Presley (of White Fence), they rel LP ‘Hermits On Holiday’ (Nov15). Rel her 6th LP ‘Pompeii’ (Feb22) (website)

Leisure – fanzine by Matt of Cardiff, early 90s, incl items like ‘The Piss Manifesto’ & ‘Why Girls Have To Sit Down.’ More info req’d.

Le Mons – studio in Newport where many of the Adam Walton BBC Radio Wales sessions were recorded.

Levin – band (formed Feb02), feat; Jade Evans (voc). Rec a demo produced by ex-Oasis bassist Guigsy. More info req’d.

Phil Lewis – rock-pop-christian singer-songwriter from Cardiff (b.1971).

Steve Lewis – (b.1975) promoter of most indie/rock gigs in Cardiff and also ran Twisted Clothing. Ran the Alternative Swansea website (c2005) and hosted gigs at Patti Pavilion, Face/Off, Fourplay.

Lews Tewns – hip-hop artists from Swansea. Feat; Lews Tewns (MC), Nobsta Nutts (MC), Slicerman (decks), Rowan (drms), Turroe (guest MC), Monk (guest MC),
Blod (Bass guitar) Rel LP ‘P.U.P.2’ (on Rasp 2004), and appeared on a track Helpless on Headcase Ladz LP ‘Get A Life’ (2005)

Liberator – Newport rock/metal band formed 1983. Orig line-up Andrew Jarrett (voc), Gary Mudd (gtr), (later of Détente & Kick-Up), Andrew Clayton (gtr), Jon Simpson (bass), (later The Abs, Kick-Up & Bert & Ernie’s Windowbox), Darren Seivwright (drms), (later of Détente & Kick-Up). Jarret left before 1st gig to be replaced by Gareth Thomas voc, who in turn was replaced by Matthew Jupe. Won local ‘Battle of the Bands’ heat, came 2nd in Gwent Final (Held at Caldicot Castle), & finished nowhere in Welsh final, held at the New Ocean Club, Cardiff. In
1985, Seivwright was replaced by Michael Beavan. Played a few gigs in Gwent area, mainly The Legendary TJ’s & Beaufort Ballroom in Ebbw Vale. Michael Beavan tragically killed in a car crash 1986 (aged 16) led to band nearly splitting, but after performing benefit gig with Ricky Beavan (Michael’s father) playing drums, Darren Seivwright re-joined. Line-up short lived as Jon Simpson left to join The Abs (replaced by Dai Williams, now voc with Bert & Ernie’s Windowbox), shortly followed by Matthew Jupe. Dai Williams then took over voc responsibilities, with Andy Clayton moving to bass. David de-Gare Pitt (later Nemesis) sang briefly near the end, playing just one gig at the Gladiator in Malpas. Became Détente in 1987.

Recordiau Libertino Records – label set up by Gruff Owen in 2016 in Carmarthen. Mainly download singles with bands like Los Blancos, Phalcons, Adwaith, ARGRPH, La Forme, Breichiau Hir (website)

Liberty 37 – Swansea band (1996-2002), orig called Travis but were forced to change it to Travis Inc, then Applecore. Feat; Ishmael Lewis (voc). Org Recs released debut single No Beauty, then signed to Beggars Banquet & rel Stuffed EP May98. Released Revolution (Jan99) & joined Pulkas & One Minute Silence on a 22 date UK tour. Went through 2 drummers by the time they released Oh River (May99) which was playlisted by MTV in the UK. Rel Revolution CD single (Feb00) but were hit by both drummer & guitarist breaking arms in soccer games which led to Beggars dropping them. Quickly signed to Mighty Atom Recs who release the 2nd LP ‘God Machine’.

Life Cycle – 3-pc dirge-metal punk band of late 80s from Aberdare. Feat; Chris Sheard (drms), Neil Morgan (gtr), Marie Sheard (voc). Rel 7″ Myth & Ritual EP on Mad World Recs. More info req’d.

Lifetaker Records – DIY label from Merthyr Tydfil started by Martin Williams, Scott Evans and Sean Smith. Rel mini-LP for When Reason Sleeps (c2004)

Lime – monthly zine from SW Wales run by Adam (ex Source, Omega now Echo Red) (email)

Limezero – 3-pc band from Cardiff (formed spring 01) feat; Samantha Davies (voc), Rich de Lloyd (prog) & Ian Ferguson (gtr,voc,prog) (ex Punk Floyd, Vache, Chief Pimp, The Sentiment). Formally called Czyquay as a 2-pc before Samantha joined winter 01. (website)

Linear Bug – orig name for Alpha Rise

Little Miss Mental – Machynlleth based punky covers band, formed Oct’99. Feat; Dave Roberts (voc) (joined Apr 2001), Nathan J. Harmsworth (gtr), Tomos Wise (bass)(b.18.4.85), Matthew Duckett (drms), prev members are Claire Jones & Gwyndaf Griffiths. (website)

Living Legends – punk band fronted by Swansea anarchist activist and Class War founder Ian Bone – once described by the News of the World as ‘the most dangerous man in Britain’. Played with Crass in Swansea and rel debut single ‘The Pope is a Dope’ (Upright recs 1982). Gigs were always chaotic with Ian Bone being arrested after one particularly memorable gig at Abergavenny Town Hall in 1983. By this time the band was Cardiff based. A 2nd single ‘Better Dead Than Wed’ followed in 1985 and surprisingly topped the UK Indie charts for 3 weeks.The band continues to this day though now Bristol based. A ‘Greatest Hits’ tape was rel on BBP Recs 1996

Llygaid, Y South Walian ‘drug music’ band. Tape; Y Caset Du (1990)

Llygod Ffyrnig – short lived Llanelli punk band, formed Dec 1977, feat; Gary Beard (gtr), Julian Lewis (drms), Hywel Peckham (gtr), Dafydd Rhys (voc), Pete Williams (bass). The name in English means ‘Ferocious Mice’. Their only release a 7″ NCB / Sais / Cariad Y Bus Stop came on Pwdwr recs in 1978, 1000 copies were pressed, 500 with a printed green label, 500 with their name rubber stamped instead (pic sleeve). Regarded by some as the true fathers of Welsh punk Gary Beard is the father of Pot Jam’s Mari. They recorded a 4 song radio session in ’79 then Gary & Julian quit to be replaced by Huw Davies (gtr) & Richard Zammit (drms). The new line up did 3 more television appearances on Seren Wib (HTV ) & Twndish for the BBC in late 79. Hywel & Huw went on to form Ltd Edition.

Loco Studios – recording studio based in the Usk Valley. Fully ‘industry’ functional, clientelle incl; Stereophonics, Oasis, Cure, Verve. (email)

Locus of Control – Crickhowell band (2004), rel single Comfort of Repetition (Jun04). (website)

Los Blancos – indie band from Carmarthenshire, feat; Gwyn, Dewi, Emyr and Osian. Signed to Libertino, debut single Mae’n Anodd Deffro Un. Rel LP ‘Sbwriel Gwyn’ (2019 on Libertino).

Locust – up & coming rock band from West Wales

Los Campesinos – Cardiff indie band (c2009) feat; Gareth, Ellen, Harriet, Kim, Ollie, Neil and Tom. Managed by Alun of Ankst. (website)

The Losers – Swansea punk band, (1978), changed name to Johnny & The Nuforms

Lost Prophets – Pontypridd band feat Mike Lewis (gtr), Ian Watkins (voc) (both ex Public Disturbance), Lee Gaze (gtr), Stuart Richardson (bass), Mike Chiplin (drms), Carlos Santana (scratching). Started as a rap-metal outfit, long-established in the music industry, mainly on underground scene. Acclaimed with potential by Metal Hammer & Kerrang! in their early days & finally became signed by Sony & Visible Noise rel LP ‘The Fake Sound Of Progress’ & toured USA & Japan. Chiplin quit in Jun05 after the rel of ‘Start Something.’ Ian Watkins was sentenced in Dec13 to 29 years imprisonment for child sex offences, which led to the end of the band (website)

The Loves – retro-americano popmeisters (formed 2000), feat; Catrin James (voc) (b.17.9.78), Dave Thomas (drms) (b.27.6.77), James Bell (gtr) (b.18.3.81), Simon Stone (gtr,voc) (b.31.12.77), Liz (keys), Pnos T Love (gtr). Have had about 30 members pass htru the ranks.  Signed to Track & Field recs rel singles Just Like Bobby D (2002), Boom-a-Bang-Bang (2002) & prev on Boobytrap 7″ Little Girl Blues (2001). Have rec 4 John Peel sessions. Rel debut LP ‘Love’ (2004), followed by ‘Technicolour (Fortuna Pop 2007), the single Xs and Os earned them a live session on Marc Riley’s 6music show (07). 3rd LP ‘Three’ came out Apr09 on Fortuna Pop. (website)

Love Sculpture – London based band of early 70s feat; Dave Edmunds (voc.gtr), John Williams (bass) (both ex Raiders), Congo Jones (drms). The single Sabredance became surprise UK No.1 hit. Dave locked himself in Rockfield Studios with several crates of Whisky ready to plough his solo career starting with his 2nd UK No.1 I Hear You Knocking followed by 3 further high charting records in the 1980s….in his own right and as part of Rockpile.

Low Gods – see Jacknife Disciples

The Lowland Hundred – Aberystwyth band (c2010). Rel LP ‘Under Cambrian Sky’ (on Victory Garden)

LRF – (Low Resolution Fox) was a lo-fi pop-rock band formed at Aberystwyth Uni in 1999. Feat; Becky Newman (voc) (later Hot Puppies), Pete Adams (gtr) (later of Midlands band And What Will Be Left Of Them?), Dan Parkes (gtr), Dave Stacey (bass) and Paul Sutherland (drums). This line up recorded one demo (‘Duchess’) and played about 25 times around the mid-Wales area. When graduation occurred Sutherland was replaced briefly by Bert Wood (also later of Hot Puppies) before the band split in late 2000.

Ltd Edition – Llanelli based band formed early 1980 after the split of Llygod Ffyrnig, feat; Huw Davies & Hywel Peckham, playing jazzrock mostly instrumental but still doing Llygod Ffyrnig’s NCB as part of the live act. The end came in 81 when their lives took different paths.
Huw says; ‘The Coach house in Swansea was a pretty regular gig and was a great place to play downstairs; small and smokey one of the quotes from the Evening Post was ” technically excellent but come on boys you’re not playing in your living room now!” I think it was due to the fact we were trying to be a bit too musical and not enough show , a total turn around from Llygod. One of the most memorable (for the wrong reasons) gigs was in The Langland Bay Hotel in Mumbles when it seemed to be the wrong place for us Hywel who also did the vocals for LTD Ed midway through the set out of the blue decided to talk to the audience: “Thanks for coming tonight you’ve been the worst fucking audience we have ever played to!” To absolutely no response. I could have crawled in my amp and hid the rest of the night if I would have fitted in. The manager came up to us after the gig and said “well done boys” , we asked how he could say that we went down really bad, he said “not at all they are like that with everybody” We never went back there again. Probably the most enjoyable for me was playing Blaendyffryn Hall near Carmarthen when we got to this place it looked like an old mansion a great hall for playing in. We hadn’t advertised it ourselves and were worried no one would turn up, it turned out to be one of the best nights I ever had playing a real nice place with a great audience the bikers turned up and they too we brilliant I will never forget one of the bikers only had one leg!’

Lt. Meat – artist c2012, very left of the field! (website)

LTS Studios – recording studio and PA Systems. Opened 1984 in Llanilar local 4 track studio.recorded Fall in the fields, Elephant Men, Smokestack played on BBC Wales. Moved to Llanon 1989 upgraded to 16track analogue. Reco Tiger 110, demos for Radio Ceredigion, Mick Cox, Nick Turner. 2004 went 32 track Pro Digi Mitsubishi reel to reel rec Laying Jade (album), Dave and Bruce (album) Rid of me (demo) see website phone 01974202759 email

Lucifers – industrial/goth/fetish/metal night hosted in MS1, ran in May-June03.

Lucky Delucci – Rhondda Valley band (formed spring05), feat; Josef Prygodzicz (voc,gtr), Mark Flanagan (voc,bass), Sarah Hughes (voc,keys), Rich Chitty (drms), who replaced Stephen ‘Fly’ Harris. By Feb10 they were joined by Clare Skidmore (flute,melodica, perc) and Faye Gibson (voc, keys, melodica, perc). Prev members were Daniel Jones (bass) and Alun Aubrey (gtr) (website)

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

Lunapins – punk band (formed late 90s), feat; Matthew Powell (bass) (ex Claypool, Panel, Bovine), Matthew Hawkins (voc), Darren Pengelly (gtr), Fur (drms), Jason Bromfield (gtr). Rel Numbered For Emergencies EP (2006). (website)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *