South Wales: V

Valley Confusion – 3 girls, and very bizarrely their dads! from somewhere in the Welsh valleys. Feat; Gemma Sexton (voc), Rebecca Lewis (gtr), Helena Philips (bass), Dale (drms). A contributer wrote, ‘They claimed to be one of the best bands in Wales at the time. Don’t be fooled, they weren’t – They rel a limited demo in 2003, I’ve heard it, and its poor, 3-tracks that go nowhere. The track Suicidal will leave you feeling just that.’

Vampires – Blackwood based band, started in 1961, feat; Robert Ovens (gtr), Jerry Bray (gtr), Mike Davies (bass), David Doyle (drums) replaced by Bob Wilson who in turn was replaced by Gwyn Roberts in 2003. Played with many top bands in the 60’s and in 2008 are still gigging with original line up!

VanGuard – West Wales dance-funk outfit (c2009), feat; James Thomas and Tim Morgan (website)

Vanities – Cardiff band formed 2001, feat; Rhys Bradley (b.1981) (gtr,voc), Richard Priest (b.1982) (keys), Adam Hill (b.1980) (bass). Had Space Tourist feat on Matchbox Recs comp LP ‘Sounds Emerging.’ And rec single prod by Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley (website)

Van The Man – band feat; Pete Hurley and Ned Edwards (both ex Red Beans & Rice, Red Hot Pokers). Pete left the band a few years before Ned

Vaseline Tigers – Cardiff band, rel single I Am The Traffic Light, electro poppy stuff, changed name to The Tigers

Vates – Welsh lang dub reggae band, formed in Aberystwyth (c2007), feat; Phil Lee Jones (drms), Han (bass), Oz (gtr), Gorwel Roberts (gtr), Dewi Prysor (voc,gtr), Gwyn Jones (keys). Rel LP ‘Ordoficiaid Dub’ (Bos Recs 2007). (website)

Veltone – Alt-punk rock from Newport (1999) feat; Steve Evans (voc,gtr) (ex Novocaine), Greg Comer (gtr) (ex Flyscreen), Nathan ‘Abo’ Abraham (bass) (ex Rollerco) (who rep Russel Edwards, also ex Rollerco), Brett Lewis (drms) (ex Novocaine). Rel a single & LP on Doolittle Recs & rec session for Sessions in Wales.

Velventeens – Aberystwyth all girl band formed Sep01 as Pot Jam, feat; Mari Beard (daughter of Llygod Ffyrnig’s Gary Beard) (voc,gtr), Lisa Roberts (drms), Jemima (bass). Played home gigs supporting The Hot Puppies, Jape, Swiss Tony and the Vendors, and regular gigs with First Among Equals and 4am. Also rec a few acoustic songs for Radio Cymru (Feb04). (website)

Vendettas – punk band from Rhondda Valleys (c2012) (unfortunate to have the same name as a few bands dotted around the UK), feat;  Calvin Jones (voc,gtr), Adam Williams (drms), Geraint Williams (bass). Rel Ep ‘The Vendettas’ (facebook)

Venom – Not the dodgy metal group from the mid 80’s, but an equally dodgy Oi/Punk band from somewhere in Wales. Had a track ‘Where’s Dock Green?’ featured on the Oi EP ‘Back On The Streets’ Reappeared on the Secret Records comp ‘Singles Collection Vol. 2’ on Anagram Recs CDPUNK 60 in 1985. More info req’d.

Very America – band, changed name to Kirk in September

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Vespertine – Gwent dark-goth-indie band (formed Jun16). Feat; Matt Galloway (voc,gtr), Dan Stinchcombe (drms), Karl Apicella (bass). Debut gig at The Dragonflii, Pontypool (Nov16). (website)

Vibration White Finger – Cardiff band (c2006). More info req’d

Victimize – punk band from Barry (formed 1976 Buttrills community hall) as Red Alert & The Rejects changed name in late ’78, feat; Andy Johnson (gtr) (later of The Missing Men and, later, The Warhead Sisters & The Missing), Andy James aka Keaton (voc), Mike Rudman (drms), Bryn Merrick (bass) (later of The Damned). Managed by Richard Haines, who ran Grannies nightclub (the old Prince of Wales cinema in St. Mary’s St.) where they played some of most memorable gigs supporting The Skids, J.C.Clarke, The Damned and more! Home turf was Cardiff, mainly Grassroots coffee bar and The Great Western Hotel (Lions Den). Roman Jugg, from Ystrad Mynach, only joined in 1978 along with drummer, Jeff Davies from Bargoed, after the 1st single release, but played most of the live gigs at Grannies. Debut gig was The Barry Hotel on 04.02.77 for a mate’s (Loggy) 18th b’day and the last ever gig as Victimize, was exactly 2 years later 04.02.79, supporting Gang of Four at Colchester Avenue College. The 1st single – “Baby Buyer” c/w “Hi-Rising Failures” was rec early ’78 in Hayes, Middx. and rel on IME recs (9, Mill Lane, Cardiff – home of the most notorious dirty bookshop in the city, and still there today). The single made John Peel’s playlist but “Baby Buyer” was refused airplay due to it’s content and “Hi- Rising Failures” was played instead. 2nd single, “Where did the money go?” c/w “Innocence” was rel by Richard Haines after the orig band split in ’79. Their only London gig was at the Lyceum, opening for the Ruts and The Damned. Became a tad more psychedelic when Roman acquired a Vox Continental organ. Mike Rudman left & was replaced by Jeff Davies (drms), who introduced Roman to the band, Jeff was sacked in 1980 & replaced by Trevor Rees (drms) who played only one gig (the band’s last one). The band disintegrated when Roman Jugg joined up with The Damned full time, & members carried on in The Scanners, Carburettors. Andy Johnson is now a pub manager in Barry, Andy James is a photographer in Cardiff, Bryn Merrick is unemployed in Cardiff, Roman lives in Southend, Tim Weaving became a builder in Germany, Mike Rudman is a fireman in Barry, Jeff Davies is a policeman in Hengoed & Trevor Rees works for the Employment Agency in Barry. Last Years Youth Recs of Germany have rel a 7″ EP (Apr04) with the 4 tracks off the 2 singles with 8 page glossy booklet.

Victims – name used by Victimize after changing from Red Alert & The Rejects, soon changed name to avoid confusion with Scottish band of same name.

Victims Of Convenience – Cardiff alternative/electronica band (c2006). (reverbnation)

Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club – Cardiff band (formed Sep03), feat; Adam Taylor (gtr,voc), Louise Mason (bass,voc), Emma Daman (drms,voc). Played 5 gigs up to Feb04, notable gig: Barfly 03/01/04 with Red Pony. Rel EP ‘Zombie Possibility’ (Jan05), also split single with YSPWSD (Nov06), and single ‘Impossible Sightings Over Shelton’. Rec session for Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales Show (27.5.05) and another 23.8.09. Along with appearances on Radio’s 1 and 6. Rel singles, Parrot (TIFDIY 6.7.09 in yellow vinyl) and  Watching The Burglars (TIFDIY 10.8.09) followed by LP ‘Love On An Oil Rig’ (This is Fake DIY 14.9.09) (website)

Vinylstickons – formed 2000 orig feat; Cherry Red (bass) Stag Climax (aka Simon Parsons) (ex Pooh Sticks, Seratone, later the Caves), Tequila Ray Max (ex Cubare, Delays, later Alaska, October Country). Named after a type font created by Rev Josh Wilhelm, and orig called the Amazing Sea Monkeys. Cherry Red left to pursue career in photography and modelling. Had video appear on HTV’s Shotgun Slideshow 2003 series, and played a session for Adam Walton (c2003). Split, just before rel of debut album ‘Thirteen’ (Robot Architect Recs 03) (website)

Vipers – Electric jazz funk band popular in the 80’s. Feat; Graham Hedley Williams (gtr); Phil Pickin (bass); Colin Edwards (keys); Dave Watkins (drms). Clinched a record deal with Simply Records but sadly company folded before release. Band managed to record their own album in Movie Music. Vocal guests were Kym Ryan and Nigel Evans.

Viva Knievils – Cardiff band, formed early 2002, feat; Ginge (voc), Darren (gtr), Vaughan (bass), Matty (drms). Rel Rocktober on Taff Pop recs (Jul03). (website)

Viva Machine – Swansea band (c2006), prev called Ipso Facto. (website)

The Voices – Cardiff indie-psychedelic 3-piece (formed 2004). Rel LP The Voices (My Kung Fu 2005), followed by a single I’ll Always Be Within You When Theres No-one Left Inside (2007), and a 2nd LP The Sound of Young America (2007) and then Death of A Lovers Song (2009). Have also feat on the Psychedelica comp LPs (on Northern Star) (website)

V0id – Llanelli band (formed 2004), feat; Gareth Craft (bass), Wayne Doyle (gtr,voc), Gary Doyle (drms). Rel single Turn Away (Feb08). (website).

Volente – South African born singer from Cardiff, rel LP ‘Cold Clean’ (on Dockrad May04), then LP ‘Butterflies Fall Away’ (Dockrad May08). Prev b.voc for JT Mouse then voc for Maniana. Married to Dockrad owner & Skep frontman Dai Lloyd (website)

Volk, Hugh – punk-folk artist who went solo after leaving The Prose. Rel ‘Mass Medium’ vinyl LP (1981) on his own Riverside Common Products label. Hugh says, ‘I lived in Cardiff – for a while round the corner from a couple of the Nylonz, and in the same house as Moira (not her Mice). She used to complain that I played Public Image Ltd too loud!’ Hugh is now in Imp of the Perverse (website)

VVolves – Cardiff indie-psychedelic band (c2011) (website)

Vultures, The – Newport band, formed 1973 (as Flaming Youth), feat; Joe Strummer (gtr,voc) (later 101ers, The Clash), Alan ‘Jivin Al’ Jones (bass), Rob ‘Bobby Angelo’ Haymer (gtr,voc), Bob Blow Jackson (sax), Jeff Cooper (drms). Played mainly R&B covers & only had one orig song I’m Nuthin’ But A Country Boy at Heart. Played about 6 gigs, all in Students Union. Strummer was then known as Woody Mellor & was in Art College in the town, they split after blagging a gig in Bristol causing a near-riot due to being unable to play. A plaque was unveiled (Jul05) at 12 Pentonville, Newport where Strummer lived in 1974

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