South Wales: E

Eager Beaver – orig name for early 80s band Beaver, formed by ex-members of Screw

Earth’s Epitaph – Cwmbran band (80s?). More info req’d

Eaton – Newport based rapper. ‘Escape The Comfortzone’ LP (rel 2016) (website)

Echomind – Caerphilly based band (formed 2003), feat; Mike Barry (drms), Mike Day (bass), Simon O’Brien (gtr), Gareth Whitby (voc), and Dylan (gtr) joined Dec03. made live debut Apr03 & played Cardiff, London. (website)

Eccentric Opus – Caerphilly label set up (2003) by Carsondown‘s Ross to rel comps of young bands. (website)

Echo Red – Pembrokeshire band (2003), feat; Adam (gtr) (ex Source, Omega editor of Lime), Alex (bass) (ex Omega), Luke Mayhew (voc), Scott (drms) (ex Get Frank). Orig feat Mini Tom (drms). Rel mini-LP Complete Chaos, & It’s An EP on their own label. (website)

Edit The Tide –  metal band from Bridgend (formed 2023). Lineup: Benjamin James (voc), Rob Norris (gtr), Dave Snell (bass), Rudyard Mason (drms). Have played gigs with well known bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Funeral For A Friend. Released 2 EP CDs; ‘A Space Between Seconds’ (2025) and ‘Reflection in Sound’ (2024). (YTMusic)

Dave Edmunds – musician from Dinas Powis (b.15.04.1944). Formed 1st band in school, 99’ers, then played in The Raiders in mid-60s before moving to London in 1966 to join The Image. He & their drummer left in ’67 to join The Human Beans, who changed their name to Love Sculpture after 1 single. He later formed Rockpile. In 1972 he reverted to a solo career & sign to Led Zep’s Swan Song label in 1976. In Feb’77 he reformed Rockpile & extensively toured the UK, USA & Europe. His most significant breakthrough came in 1979 with Girls Talk (#4 in UK, #56 in USA), & Queen of Hearts (#11). He continued to have modest chart successes both sides of the Atlantic throughout the 80s & is also noted for his production work.

Richard Edwards – real name for Richey James, guitarist with Manic Street Preachers.

The Effigies – punk band from Penarth (1982-84), feat; Mike Jones (voc,bass) (ex Chromosomes, later Oltagia), Neil Dunnit (gtr), Jason “Pipeman” Stickler (gtr) (later The Wierd, Some Weird Sin and Sewer Youth), Martin (drms). Also feat Adam (drms) and Dean Poole (drms) (ex Chromosomes, later Frommars). On 25.2.83 they had a gig supporting Flux of Pink Indians at the Ex Servicemans club in Cardiff ended up in mini riot as Flux cancelled hours before the gig. Living legend Doc Whelan (RIP) bouncered at the door – “No flux, if you dont like it then piss off”.  On 10.6.83 played a gig at the Sealion in Sully, Wales alongside the Demented Are Go (their debut gig) and Living Legends. In Mar84 supported Disorder at Howard Gardens, Cardiff. Mike says, ‘We were drinking snakebite before the gig with the Bristolians ended up in us unable to tune up or stand and half way through our first song we were attacked by skinheads and gig was over!’ The band split when, as in Mike’s own words, ‘I was more interested in shagging than recording.’ Neil moved to Reading, played guitar in Shelleys Children and Cuckooland. (website)

EFFIN – fanzine from Cardiff (c1994) ran for at least 6 issues, part of the UK wife Free Information Network & covered gigs, reviews, advice on welfare benefits etc.

Eggmen Whoooooo! – Neath based psychedelic garage band. Released album ‘Fuzzy Eggs, Please’ (25.10.24) (bandcamp)

Ego – band feat; Dave Watkins (drms)

8.4% – Pontypool punk band (2002). More info req’d.

Electric Druids – Swansea band (early 90s), feat; Andy Hunt (gtr,voc) (later Green Inspiration Band, Attitude Problem). More info req’d

Electric Furnace – Rhondda based heavy metal band formed 2010 feat Alex Kilby (gtr,voc) (ex First Among Equals), Gareth Westwood (bass,voc) (ex First Among Equals, Jeff the Dentist) and Michael Thompson (drms) (ex Donde Stars). Rel debut EP “Sound & Fury” on Gepetto Recs (2010) (website)

Electric Showers – from darkest South Wales and had one self released cassette ‘Growing A Beard’ on Yeuuuuch Recs.

Elephant Rescue Plan – Newport band (c2006). Feat; Alun (voc,gtr), Chris (bass), Phil (drms). Rec’d airplay on BBC Radio Sessions in Wales and Adam Walton, Rel EP ‘Public Service Broadcast #8’ (30.10.06). (soundcloud)

Elevator – Swansea band (2003). They split in two late 2003, with unknown results

Eleventh Hour – early name for Kick (see also Diesel Pig)

Elin & The Tribalites – folk band (c2009), feat; Aaron (ex Khagool). They dress like shamans and play a carved tree onstage.

James Eller – Pontypridd session musician, has worked with Julian Cope and also The The.

Tom Emlyn – singer/songwriter from Swansea, since c2020. Released singles Kafka (24.01.24), Double-Crossed (21.06.24), Lost My City A To Z (25.04.25) (bandcamp)

Empty Pockets – band (formed 1983) originally by 5 Round Tablers from Narberth. Steve Evans (gtr,voc) (later Mighty Locals), Chris Heath (drms) (later Mighty Locals), Lawrie Anness (gtr,voc), Rev. Mike Cottam (keys,voc) and Simon Thomas (bass). Initially a contemporary covers band, the line up changed and grew over the next 15 years into a 9 piece swinging soul band. Bad internal politics saw the demise of this successful line up.

Enclave – 2-pc rock band playing all orig material feat; Lee James (gtr); Arron Watkins (bass); Matthew Watkins (drms). Formerly known as Serphona, rel 2 CD’s & EP ‘Go It Alone’ (Jun03)

The End – Swansea post-punk band (c1978), feat; JJ Cloth (voc), Linzi Lino (gtr), Liz (bass) and Kym Cupcake (drms). Played early gigs at SSA bar and Townhill College. Swanseapunk.co.uk website says, ”JJ and Linzi often volunteered themselves up to be models for apprentice hairdressers at Browns hairdressers (next to the Kardomah), to practice their peroxiding and krazycolor techniques on, making them instantly noticable on any day of the week, …and art student Kym was easily the most recognisable punk around, affronting the local populace, with her ” I Eat Shit”, tee shirt or simply by having one tit hanging out of her string vest.’ Band later became Next Step

Eraze – community fanzine (c2011) based in Torfaen, covering local bands and local issues

Eric Unseen – Ebbw Vale band (formed Sep06), Daniel Hagerty (voc,gtr), Adrian Moses (bass), Mikey Morgan (gtr), Matthew Penny (drms). Released EP ‘Meat and Razorblades’

Error Plains – manic 2-pc Cardiff outfit (c2002). More info req’d.

Escape – Swansea venue / club, still going?

Estrons – Cardiff band (c2016), feat; Tali (voc), Rhodri, James, Tobias (soundcloud)

Estuary Blacks – progressive-stoner/post-rock band from Gower. Began as Bomb The Sun in 2011 with Dave Jeffreys on drums, changed their name and the lineup became, Alex Bodinger (gtr,voc), Dan Williams (bass) and Tom Young (drms) who have a history in the local Swansea scene, having previously played in bands like Tabularasa. Released LP, ‘Estuary Blacks’ (2018 on Kozmik Artifactz). (bandcamp)

Eterne – doomy goth band (1993) from Rhondda, feat; Dave (also editor of Crawlin’ Chaos zine). More info req’d.

Ether – Formed in 1986 in Blackwood, Caerphilly by Rory Meredith (voc,gtr), Brett Samwy (drms), & Gareth Driscoll (bass,voc), and were immediately signed to indie label Regal who rel their 1st single Oct96 ‘He Say Yeah/When She Woke’ (REG 12) which displayed their perhaps; best described soulful indie-pop. Ether hit the media machine, when it is alleged that following a drinking session at a hotel they got into a fight with fellow guests The Chippendales (male strip / dance routine). This gained enough publicity to get them signed to Parlophone Recs who rel 4 singles beginning with ‘If You Really Want To Know’ Jun97 (R6468). An LP ‘Strange’ was rel Jul98 which failed to sell and the boys disbanded. All Ether material has long since been deleted. Ether were one of three feature bands on BBC’s three part “Family Affair”.

Ethix – Port Talbot punk band (formed Jun83), feat; Slag (voc) (editor of Smiling Faeces zine), Tony (drms), Badger (bass) (ex Armistice) & Lee (gtr). Orig line up feat; Dai (bass), and Darren (voc) but only lasted 5 rehearsals. Shay (Corrupt Society) also stood in on bass. Did a 7 track practise demo.

Euphonium – Swansea area band (formed 2003), apparently arising out of the ashes of Alpha Rise, feat. Dan Linn (gtr,voc), Paul Sayer (bass) and Jon Morgan (drms). Managed by Mallika Tucker (ex Honey Driver). Rel demo There’s A Heart

Eurekas – indie band formed in Newport in October 2021. Lineup: Jack Perrett (voc,gtr), Dan Burridge (voc,gtr), Patrick Laffan or Richard Flores (bass) and Morgan Wicks (drms). Their debut single ‘Made You Look’ (2023) and follow-up ‘Ivy’ earned significant attention, including airplay from BBC 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq and international airplay on SiriusXM in the US. Other singles include ‘While The World Was Ending (I Was In A Rock & Roll Band)’ and ‘Falling From Your Grace’ (2024), which features heavy riffs and scathing lyrics aimed at the political class. They have a strong reputation for their live shows, built on the dynamic interplay between the two frontmen, the driving bass, and powerful drumming. Jack was previously a solo artist with BBC Radio 1 airplay. (YTMusic)

Eusebio – indie band from Preseli, all aged 18 in 2007 when they released their ‘Beth Yw Hyn? EP’ on Rasp

Dave Evans – orig vocalist with AC/DC (before Bon Scott joined in 1975). Born in Carmarthen he and parents moved to Australia when he was 5. Also played in Aussie bands In Session & Thunderstruck. (website)

John Evans – highly acclaimed writer & film maker from Pontypridd. Began as frontman of 1977 punk band Tax Exiles, then joined True Wheel in Cardiff (1979) & signed to Situation2 as John Marlon.

Lowri Evans – folk-pop singer from Pembrokeshire, has rel several records inc, LP ‘Clyw Sibrydion’ (2006) and ‘Dim Da Maria’ (2008) (both on Rasp). Latest LP is ‘Gadael Y Gorffennol’ (2014)

Everyone Must Win – Cardiff band (c2009), feat; Ryan Stevens (voc), Jim Richards (gtr), Matt Hollywood (gtr), Neil Francais (bass), Pigeon Chris (drms).

eVils – electronic maestro solo artist, James Hale based in Cardiff (began 2005). Played live from a wendyhouse on stage. Rel ‘The Pig Fucker EP’ (2005), then ‘Give Me Evils EP’ (Peski 20.11.06). Reached No.12 in John Peel’s Festive 50. Rel ‘End of The World’ EP (20.04.09), followed by LP ‘Hello Children Everywhere’ (Shape Jun09). (spotify)

Exit – nu-metal band (2002), not to be confused with band of same name from Rhyl (mid 80s). Songs incl; Broken Shell. More info req’d.

Exit_International – Cardiff punk-indie band (formed Sep08), feat; Fudge Wilson (voc,bass) (ex Martini Henry Rifles, Space in The 50s), Scott Lee Andrews (gtr,voc) (ex Midasuno), Adam Thomas (drms). Rel LP ‘Black Junk’ (2011, rec at Tastybone, Newport), followed by ‘Our Silence Is Golden’ (2013) and ‘Live At Le Pub’ (2018). (spotify)

Exit420 – band (formed 2000, split Oct02) undergoing serious changes & arguments with non-original members continuing name against wishes of founding members Fletch (drms) & Marc (voc) (complicated stuff!) who reformed as Madison.

Eyes Of Blue – Neath mod band (formed 1965). Feat; Wyndham Rees (voc), Raymond ’Taff’ Williams (gtr), Ritchie Francis (bass) and Dave Thomas (drms). They were later joined by Phil Ryan (keys) and Gary Pickford-Hopkins (voc) from The Smokestacks. John ‘Pugwash’ Weathers replaced Dave Thomas on drums. This line-up went on to win the Melody Maker beat contest in 1965 and rel a couple of unsuccessful singles for Deram, Up And Down (Nov66), Supermarket Full of Cans (Feb67). Then signed by Mercury recs for & rec LP’s – ‘In Fields of Ardath’, ‘Crossroads Of Time’ (both rel 1969) and under the name Big Sleep, ‘Bluebell Wood’. Split end of 1969, Weathers going on to play with Pete Brown’s Piblokto, Graham Bond and Gentle Giant. Pickford Hopkins played with Wild Turkey and Rick Wakeman. Francis made a solo album, ‘Songbird’ and achieved great success as a freelance lyricist, providing texts for amongst others Johnny Mandel and Aphrodites Child. Ryan played with Piblokto, Man, The Neutrons and Gallagher & Lyle, he also wrote the music for several BBC drama productions. Taff Williams played with Piblokto, Ian Gomm, The Neutrons, Bonnie Tyler and continued to play the Welsh circuit with Pickford–Hopkins under the name Steel Water (spotify)

Exit Strategy – psyche / goth project (c2012) by Berwyn Waddon (of Caerphilly) (ex Voodoo Bible). An instrumental  album ‘Exit Strategy I’ was released originally as a download debut in 2012. Then went on to release the ‘Zorch EP’ (on Zorch Factory Records, 07.03.13) featuring new member William Westwater (voc) (also of Fear Incorporated). Rel dbl-CD album ‘Exit Strategy’ (20.04.15). (bandcamp)