Clwb Ifor Bach

WILLOW TREE

2006-10-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

CIRCULUS TO PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, November 2nd

'A mad, bad blend of Moog, lute and massed choral arrangements that put the Polyphonic Spree to shame' – NME

The modern rock scene is not short of musicians out to revive the music of the past. Few, however, are willing to go quite so far back as the 11th Century. Few, that is, but London’s Circulus. Formed over a decade hence, this band of
psychedelic medieval rockers take up lute, mandolin, Moog and harmonium for a suite of serene folk-rock epics and cider-glugging Village fayre jigs. Their November 2005 show at Clwb was one of the highlights of last year’s calendar, and this date – in support of new album ‘Clocks Are Like People’, out now on Rise Above records – should see their audience continue to swell.

Support on the night comes courtesy of local progressive rock veterans Rocket Goldstar and newcomers Silver Spurs. Tickets retail for £6 advance (£7 on the door), and are available from Spillers Records or the Clwb website at www.clwb.net

SECRET SPILT

2006-10-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

THE SECRET SHOW (MATT DAVIES OF FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND) PLAY DEBUT SHOW AT CLWB IFOR BACH, OCTOBER 30

Most know Matt Davies as the vocalist of South Wales post-hardcore quartet Funeral For A Friend, but this October 30 sees the emo frontman – a little older, a little less shaven - strike off on a very different path with his new outfit, The Secret Show. An alt-country septet featuring musicians including Mark Foley and Rhodri Viney of Cardiff post-rockers Vito and local songstress Cate Timothy, the outfit take up acoustic guitars, pedal steel, banjos and harmonica in service of a rootsy sound influenced by Gram Parsons, Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams. The Secret Show’s debut album, Impressionist Road Map Of The West doesn’t land until next year. For now, though, tonight’s show – the outfit’s first ever gig – should be enough to quench your appetite. Tickets available now, £10 a head.

DUFFY PLAYS GUITAR

2006-09-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

A rocking night was had by all at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff on Tuesday September 12th, at the regular "Planet Rock" night, where the Welsh National Air Guitar Championships were held.

25 contestants took part in what must be one of Wales' most fun competitions - the Welsh National Air Guitar Championships. A packed Clwb Ifor Bach resounded to the sounds of some Rock anthems such as Van Halen, Metallica, Thin Lizzy and many more, as DJ Disastronaut brought his show to Wales for the latest leg of the Championships in the British Isles.

After some imaginary tuning up, some great twiddling and guitar solos were had from young and old alike. Coming out on top, though, was 23 year old Michael Duffy, from Thornhill, Cardiff. "Duffy" strutted his stuff on stage, even playing his air guitar behind his head - Jimi Hendrix style. Duffy's choice of track was Crazy Train by the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, and he later beat the 5 other finalists in an audience-based judging system.

"Duffy" will now represent Wales at the finals of the UK Air guitar championships to be held in Brighton, on September 17th 2006, with the winner of that competition going on to represent the UK in the World Air Guitar Championships next year in Finland.

Duffy said: "Well, I've always wanted to represent Wales at something, and if it wasn't going to be rugby, then it was always going to ROCK! I'm proud to be carrying the nation's expectations, and I won't let you down!"

Disastronaut, organiser of the UK Air Guitar Championships for the past 11 years said: "We always get a great reaction for the Welsh public, and this year was no exception. The Air guitar playing was of a very high standard, but the crowd had no hesitation in choosing Duffy, whose performance was superb."

THE IRON POINT

2006-09-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

“30 minutes of solid, untarnished black horror that never, ever relents…” – NME

Norway’s Noxagt have been in a state of flux since they last played Cardiff, some three years hence. Formerly known for their shrill, viola-driven experimental rock songs, the band have since lost strings man Nils Erga, picked up new spring-loaded guitarist Anders Hana, and cranked up the sense of stark, crushing experimental rock density. Boasting three albums on Load Records, home of Lightning Bolt, they promise to rock with a similarly uncompromising force and density. Support on the night comes from acclaimed Cardiff experimental rockers Truckers Of Husk.

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS

2006-09-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

September sees Clwb Ifor Bach host the 6th consecutive South Wales Benefit gig, a charity show organised in collaboration with members of the South Wales punk, alternative, and electronica music scene in support of international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Since the first benefit show back in 2004, the collective has raised over £6000 for the charity, a secular humanitarian aid organisation operating in war-torn regions across the world. Drawing together some of South Wales most popular underground bands, this years 11 band bill includes ska-tinged punks Adequate Seven, stoner trio Taint, hardcore revivalists Routine Check, acoustic rockers Halflight, crust-tinged doom-bringers The Keep, and many more. Doors 1.30pm, with the first band on soon after.

REAL MEN HUNT IN PACKS

2006-09-02T03:58:00.000-07:00

FUTURE OF THE LEFT PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, SEPTEMBER 10
The long-awaited new project from Andy Falkous and Jack Eggleston of sorely-missed Cardiff rockers Mclusky, The Future Of The Left sees the pair join forces with Kelson Mathias, formerly of Jarcrew, for a new set of acerbic lyricism, dark wit, and coruscating rock. No confirmed record contract yet, but the four songs streaming on their MySpace prove the band have lost none of the edge that made Mclusky one of the most intriguing rock bands the United Kingdom has spat out in years. Support comes courtesy of The Quiet Kill (ex-Million Dead), and Whiteman – a new, as yet untested outfit also featuring Kelson from Jarcrew, and fellow ex-Jarcrew man Rod. Doors open 8pm.

ALL IN

2006-07-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

BENEATH THE SURFACE PRESENT CROSBI/SWEET BABOO BAND/DIRT BABY, CLWB IFOR BACH, AUGUST 11TH

Fronted by the magnetic figure of Andy Jones, a vocalist in the tradition of Gallagher, Ashcroft, or The La’s Lee Mavers, Wrexham’s Crosbi are out to put North Wales on the map. The singles ‘Sonny’ and ‘Coastline’ have been the toast of Radio 1’s Lamacq Live, while their new album ‘All In’, out July on Split Records, combines swaggering lad-rock attitude with the sort of Bacchanalian party undercurrent that saw Shaun Ryder pick them to support Happy Mondays at Get Loaded In The Park. Also on the bill are Cardiff’s cult favourites the Sweet Baboo Band - young outsider folk artist Steve Baboo propped up by a full five-piece musical ensemble -and opening up, newcomers Dirt Baby.

Doors 8.30pm, with first band on at 8.30pm. Admission: £5

MORE GEEK THAN GANGSTA

2006-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

CLWB IFOR BACH PRESENT SPANK ROCK, AUGUST 31

Forward-thinking hip-hop outfit from the streets of Baltimore, Spank Rock – at their core, MC Naeem ‘Spank Rock’ Juwan and producer Alex Epton – play music that sounds like the party at the end of the universe. Best known for their underground smash ‘Rick Rubin’, a tribute to the bearded mix-desk impresario behind everyone from the Beastie Boys to Johnny Cash, Spank Rock are over to convert minds at this year’s Carling Weekender. Forget the festival fields, though – Clwb’s the place to experience this peek into the future.

Tickets £6. Doors 8pm

IT'S THE SURESHOT

2006-07-05T12:57:00.001-07:00

PLANET ROCK AT CLWB IFOR BACH, STARTS TUESDAY JULY 18

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the legendary Rock Infero nights, Planet Rock renews Clwb Ifor Bach�s pledge to be the hardest rocking venue in all of Cardiff. Taking over Clwb�s top floor every Tuesday night until the end of time (lease pending), Planet Rock promises familiar classics from the field of metal, hard rock, and goth, with the wheels of steel nicely oiled with a bar stocked with selected drinks promotions. Make friends, email your requests, and post ridiculous pictures over at Planet Rock MySpace

Doors 9pm to 2am. Entry �3 on the door.

THE LORD HATES A COWARD

2006-07-05T04:02:00.000-07:00

Future Of The Left live at Clwb Ifor Bach, July 2nd. Photo: BBC Wales Music

GIRLS MUSIC

2006-06-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

SHOOTING AT UNARMED MEN/TRUCKERS OF HUSK PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, JULY 5
Their main man, Jon Chapple, might now call Australia home, but it hasn’t put an end to the mighty Shooting At Unarmed Men. Formerly of rightly lauded Cardiff rockers Mclusky, Chapple - back in Europe for a handful of shows after some kindly promoter soul offered to pay his plane fare - pens eccentric, angular punk-rock tunes that recall everything from the acerbic crunch of Shellac to the idiosyncratic humour of Half Man Half Biscuit. Expect a brace of songs from their new Too Pure album ‘Yes Tinnitus’, plus support from the excellent Truckers Of Husk, last seen supporting US underground sensation Lightning Bolt. Doors open 8pm, with entry priced at £4.

MySpace.com/shootingatunarmedmen
MySpace.com/truckersofhusk

THEY CAME FROM MARS

2006-06-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

FROM MARS/ROCKET GOLDSTAR/THE MOOKS OF PASSIM PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, JULY 2

Fast-rising Newport rockers From Mars have already won plaudits from indie tastemakers such as Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and Drowned In Sound, who called their new self-titled EP “frenetic and inventive - a pleasantly satisfying kick up the arse”. The support bill features an increasingly rare performance from Cardiff progressive rock trailblazers Rocket Goldstar, and a set from newcomers The Mooks Of Passim. Doors open at 8pm, with entry priced at £4.

MySpace.com/frommars

PROMOTER'S PROFILE: CARDIFF CITY HARDCORE

2006-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Name: Cardiff City Hardcore (formerly Deliverance Promotions)
Founded: 2002
First show: Walk The Plank / The Down & Outs / SSS
Musical remit: Hardcore/Punk Shows. Local Bands always feature on our shows
Past form: Champion, Stretch Arm Strong, Modern Life Is War, Blue Monday, Go It Alone, Down To Nothing, Walk The Plank, Down & Outs, SSS, On Thin Ice, Turn Cold, Affirmation, Routine Check & Many More!
Upcoming pick: Cursed/Taint/The Keep, Sunday August 6th
Web: Cardiff City Hardcore, MySpace
Contact:CardiffCityHardcore@gmail.com

EXQUISITE CORPSE

2006-06-04T05:55:00.000-07:00

DAEDELUS/Y DIWYGIAD/EVILS/DJ MONEYSHOT PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, JUNE 23RD

The very first ever Welsh show from Daedelus, Presently the toast of Huw Stephens’ Radio 1 One Music show, this Santa Monica-based experimental hip-hop producer has released records on a string of credible underground labels (Ninja Tune, Mush, Plug Research), leaving behind a stuffed discography of future-thinking rap showdowns, sampleadelic electronica, and rhythmic, groove-led post-rock. One of only a handful of UK dates, expect to hear music from his forthcoming LP, tentatively titled ‘Love To Make Music To’. In support are hip-hop duo Y Diwygiad, rhyming in Welsh, English, Spanish, and French, sinister Cardiff electro fixture Evils, and DJ Moneyshot.

Tickets cost £6, available now from the Clwb.net website, Catapult, and Spillers Records. Doors 9pm.

PROMOTER'S PROFILE: TERMINAL/MACHINE RECORDS

2006-06-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

Name: machine.records
Founded: 2001
First show: 2003
Musical remit: The label runs a monthly live electronica night called Terminal featuring IDM, glitch, and breakcore. We're always looking for local bands in these styles.
Past form: The night primarily promotes the acts on the roster of the machine.records label – the likes of Lifting Gear Engineer, Orcop, Redfalls, Oddskool, John Barnes, Access Tonal Communications and many others. We had a set from Cylob (Rephlex) in January, we've had acts from London's Seed Records – The Doubtful Guest, MoQ, and others - down, and in April we had Warp's Chris Clark and AI Records' Yellotone came down to play.
Upcoming pick: Random Number, John Barnes and Matt Cook play Terminal on Thursday June 29th - doors open 9pm.
Web: www.machine-records.com
Contact: info@machine-records.com

GUILTY FEET HAVE GOT NO RHYTHM

2006-05-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

It would be a tiny bit of a lie to say that in the ‘80s, Clwb Ifor Bach was a haven for pastel-coloured suits, feathered haircuts, and girls in fluorescent leg-warmers. But allow us to rewrite history, just for a bit, with the launch of The Breakfast Club – Clwb’s very first night dedicated to the decade that fashion forgot (until pretty recently). Expect to hear: Grace Jones, The Human League, Boy George, Adam and the Ants, New Order, Haircut 100 and more. It’ll be a bit like Club Tropicana, except drinks aren’t free – they will be reasonably priced, mind – and it’ll take place on the third Thursday of every month. Come suitably dressed, and ready to groove for 9pm sharp.

MYSPACE IN CLWB SPACE

2006-05-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

CLWB IFOR BACH AND MYSPACE.COM PRESENT MYFESTIVAL, JUNE 8TH

Clwb Ifor Bach joins forces with premier online networking site MySpace to present a leg of MyFestival, the UK’s biggest emerging artist showcase. In celebration of the unveiling of MySpace Music UK, MyFestival has invited users to see 50 of the hottest emerging bands on MySpace lovingly chosen to play in some of the best venues across the UK.

The Cardiff leg features longtime Clwb favourites The Automatic, limbering up to release debut album ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ on B-Unique, the label that brought you the Ordinary Boys and the Kaiser Chiefs. Support comes courtesy of the Zane Lowe-touted Isle Of Wight quintet Jackson Analogue and Swansea’s Viva Machine. Tickets cost £6, available now through Ticketweb on 08700 600100 or Ticketweb.co.uk or the Clwb website at Clwb.net. Doors 8pm.

LIBERATION TRANSMISSION

2006-05-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Lostprophets, Clwb Ifor Bach, April 25th

REPUBLIC OF THE BORED AND BORING

2006-05-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

LESSON NO.1 PRESENT VIALKA/THE ART OF BURNING WATER/THE DEATH OF HER MONEY/FSTE100, JUNE 4TH

The dynamic duo of Marylise Frecheville and Eric Boros have been bringing their gypsy turbofolkpunk music and lifestyle to all corners of the world for six years, originally as the rhythm section of the Swiss based performance striptease jazz-punk trio NNY, as the experimental/noise performance project Hermit, and now with Vialka. They have lived in Switzerland, Slovenia, Canada, and are currently calling France their home between tours. Vialka's music, based on the interaction between Marylise's drumming and singing and Eric's guitar playing, draws its influences from traditional and modern music from around the world, played with ecstatic energy and a sophisticated musical language all their own.

They released their first two albums "Tonight I Show You Fuck" and "Republic Of The Bored & Boring" on Manufracture Recordings, and have released "Everywhere & Nowhere", a DVD documenting their work together over the first five years, and their latest album "Curiosities Of Popular Customs", recorded by Bob Drake at Studio Midi-Pyrénées; both on their newly-founded "VIA" label. Vialka is not just a musical project, but a social scientific experiment, attempting to meet and communicate with interesting and unknown musicians and artists from around the world - with particular interest in polluted dictatorships, bleak colonies, and monarchic democracies...

Doors: 7.30pm, £5

POSTERS ARE US

2006-05-16T01:46:00.000-07:00

THE HARDEST WALK

2006-05-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

LOOSE CLUB PRESENT SOLEDAD BROTHERS/DAN SARTAIN AT CLWB IFOR BACH, MAY 30TH

Anyone on shot-chugging terms with rock’n’roll in 2006 should be familiar with the name of the Soledad Brothers. Born from the self-same garage stench-pool that spawned close peers the White Stripes, this blues-rock trio – that’s vocalist/guitarist Johnny Walker, drummer Benjamin Swank, and multi-instrumentalist Oliver Henry – have eschewed the limelight and embraced the torchlight, crawling the world’s leather bar stools and cold back-rooms in search of true blues Nirvana and a receptive audience for their new album ‘The Hardest Walk’, out now on Loog Records.

Support on the night comes courtesy of Dan Sartain, barefoot preacher-boy from Birmingham - no, not home of Jasper Carrott, Birmingham, Alabama - with a skill for ramshackle rock’n’roll to shame his peers and his elders alike. Tickets cost £8, available now from Spillers Records and Clwb.net. Doors open 8pm.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

2006-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

LESSON NO.1 PRESENT BIG BUSINESS/CREEPY MORONS/ZONDERHOOF/ZUMA, MAY 15

Balls-out, metal-edged heavy rock from a US duo with a past in bands including Karp, The Whip and Murder City Devils, Big Business are currently setting tongues wagging for their moonlighting role as the rhythm section for legendary Seattle rockers The Melvins. But as anyone who's heard their excellent 2005 Hydrahead release 'Head For The Shallow' can attest, even as two, this is a band capable of throwing down the rock with muscular power, devious complexity and an inclusiveness that so often eludes the knuckle-draggers. "For years, hard-rock shows were a place for women to hold their boyfriends' coats while the men went off to mosh, explains bassist Jared Warren. "I don't want us to be exclusive to the segment of society that just wants to kick some ass. I want people to feel comfortable coming to our shows - not like they might get beat up there. That's not what we're about." Support on the night comes from London's Creepy Morons and new South Wales outfits Zonderhoof and Zuma.

Tickets cost £6, with doors at 8pm

THIS IS THE NEWS

2006-05-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

PAIN NECESSARY TO KNOW

2006-05-01T04:16:00.000-07:00

EPHEL DUATH/THE DEATH OF HER MONEY/ANDTHEYWILLRIOT!/DRAMA IN THE HARBOUR PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MAY 2ND

Named after a mountain range in JRR Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings, it’s plain that Italy’s Ephel Duath don’t sup from the same shallow wells of inspiration that sustain most rock bands. Fusing the diabolic intent of Black Metal with a devious, progressive technicality indebted to the likes of King Crimson, they’ve turned out two albums for Earache, The Painter’s Palette and Pain Necessary To Know, that mix free jazz and simmering electronics into the equation.

Support comes from the cream of the South Wales underground rock scene in the shape of down-tuned sludge merchants Death Of Her Money, experimental hardcore types Andtheywillriot!, and expansive post-rockers Drama In The Harbour. Tickets cost £6 on the night, with doors opening 7.30pm.

CALL AND RESPONSE

2006-05-01T04:03:00.000-07:00

THE LONGCUT/WE START FIRES /KLAXONS PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MAY 12TH

Signed to Deltasonic, the label that spawned The Coral and The Zutons, The Longcut are part of a new wave of Manchester youth rejecting their home city’s baggy musical legacy in favour of a clanging, Sonic Youth-influenced alt-rock sound. Live sets simmer with energy, thanks chiefly to frontman Stuart Ogilvie, who darts between microphone, drum machine and live drum-kit with a driven urgency, but importantly, beneath the fizzing dynamics, debut album ‘A Call And Response’ boasts a suite of songs that threaten to become mini-classics.

Support on the night comes from electro-punks We Start Fires and new NME darlings Klaxons. Tickets are available now from Spillers Records and Clwb.net, priced at £8.50

PROMOTER'S PROFILE: LESSON NO.1

2006-04-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

Founded: 2004
First show: USA IS A Monster at Newport Le Pub
Musical remit: "Avant rock, mad electronics, and experimental sounds for the punk-rockers, not the chin-strokers. The aim in Lesson No.1 is basically to give leftfield international bands who don't fit into the corporate gigging circuit a place to play in Cardiff. We're always looking for more adventurous local bands to play support, and we're not ashamed to say we rely on local names to bring in heads, so if you think you fit the bill, please get in touch. It's all about getting the right balance between putting together an exciting bill, and keeping the ticket price as low as possible."
Past form: "Melt Banana, our first upstairs-at-Clwb sell-out, and a killer show in the bargain. San Francisco's The Coachwhips, who knocked the shit out of Dempseys in thoroughly entertaining fashion. And the insane Gameboy gabba sounds of Brighton's DJ Scotch Egg, who we've had down to play so many times, people are beginning to think he's actually moved here."
Upcoming pick: Some Girls, Clwb Ifor Bach, April 14th. "Spazztastic anti-hardcore, featuring members of The Locust, The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower and Unbroken. Their new album, 'Heaven's Pregnant Teens', is one of the greatest of 2006 thus far."
Web: lessonnumberone.blogspot.com
Contact: lackofinterest@hotmail.com

THE INNER CHORUS

2006-04-12T04:22:00.000-07:00

TUNNG/SOFT-HEARTED SCIENTISTS PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MAY 19

Tunng is the brainchild of Mike Lindsay, an electronic producer inspired by the whimsy and mystique of the auld English folk. Joined by singer Sam Genders and a small troupe of collaborators, on new album 'Comments Of The Inner Chorus' - out May on Full Time Hobby - the pair pioneer an enchanting, warmly experimental songcraft that the term 'folktronica' may suggest, but frankly, struggles to do justice. Dancing, Morris-style, between the ancient and the modern, live performances feature everything from shimmering electronic glitch-outs to a rendition of 'Maypole Song' from The Wicker Man

Support on the night comes from fellow forward-thinking folkies Soft Hearted Scientists, still promoting their debut collection 'Ordinary Tales From The Everyday Undergrowth' on Cardiff's My Kung Fu records. Tickets retail for £6, available now from thedudesabode.com and clwb.net

HEAVEN'S PREGNANT TEENS

2006-03-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

LESSON NO.1 PRESENT SOME GIRLS/MALKOVITCH/ANDTHEYWILLRIOT!/CAPTAIN INSANO

"Basically, we wanted to brutalize people and have each song punch people in the face and not let up until they were choking on their own blood. None of this eyeliner-wearing, cupcake shit—just putting listeners’ open ears on the curb and stomping on their heads.” - Sal Gallegos, Some Girls

Hailing from San Diego, California, Some Girls are comprised of the crème de le crass of musicians from the city’s famed hardcore/punk underground. Featuring members of bands including The Locust, American Nightmare, Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower, Unbroken, on their new album ‘Heaven’s Pregnant Teens’ – out now on respected punk imprint Epitaph – the outfit are consciously out to shatter rock’s boundaries. “Hardcore is just another form of music that has its own musical uniforms and cookie cutter structures,” explains guitarist Chuck Rowell. “With this record, we wanted to depart from traditional chord changes and time signatures and create something that doesn’t fit into an easily consumable format.”

“We also wanted to punish, and I mean seriously punish people,” he adds.

Support on the night comes from Dutch rockers Malkovitch, and South Wales outfits Andtheywillriot! and Captain Insano. Tickets retail for £6, available now from Spillers or www.clwb.net

GET CAPE WEAR CAPE GIG

2006-03-27T02:09:00.000-08:00

Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly is one man with a laptop, a guitar and a trumpet player from time to time. He's been described as a modern day Billy Bragg, making incredibly inspired, sometimes political music, and played over 300 gigs last year. This is his first proper gig in Cardiff, having been championed on Radio 1, played rammed gigs at South by South West, released a limited edition 10" EP and signed to a major. Come see him do his thing!

Juanita Family and Friends come straight off the streets of Austin, Texas in the US of A. They have one self released album, Songs of Mehitabel, that astounds at every listen. They're a country band who sing of love, hope and weed. Frontwoman Lana Rebel (her real name) has had critics getting excited in the states, and Julianne Sheppard from the Portland
Mercury (us neither) said 'Lana's voice is so scraggy-warm and lilting you might faint or spill a tear into your Pabst'. If anyone knows what Pabst is, can you let us know? Their performance is a one off, special gig with their first UK visit kicking off at Clwb, and not to be missed.

Support comes from A Lilly, making a special appearance, and Radio 1's Huw Stephens.

BRASS REGIMENT

2006-03-27T02:05:00.000-08:00

Youngblood Brass Band, Clwb Ifor Bach, March 16th

GLORIOUS TIMES

2006-03-14T16:06:00.000-08:00

LESSON NO.1/SOUTH WALES MASSIVE PRESENT RAMESSES/SOURVEIN/DIGNITY DIES FIRST, CLWB IFOR BACH, APRIL 21

Clwb prepares to shake like a skyscraper struck by a wrecking ball under the combined onslaught of two of the heaviest bands of modern times. Formed from the ashes of Electric Wizard, UK’s Ramesses play warlike, freeform ultra-stoner/doom with a dark melodic heart beating within its blackened chest. To date, they have recorded one CD, ‘We Will Lead You To Glorious Times’, out now on Devil Doll. “… Glorious Times isn’t doom-rock as a gateway to the infinite,” decided Terrorizer, “It’s a full-on tightening of the screw.”

Sourvein, meanwhile, hail from the waterlogged Dirty South stronghold of New Orleans. Formed in 1992 under the influence of Black Flag, The Melvins, and Millions Of Dead Cops, Sourvein have since slowed their sound down to a tar-thick stoner sludge, albeit without losing T-Roy Medlin’s larynx-shredding, extreme metal vocal style. The band released a record, ‘Will To Mangle’, on Southern Lord back in 2002, and followed it up with the thunderous Emerald Vulture last year.

Support comes from metallic hardcore champions Dignity Dies First. Meanwhile, the middle bar will be open all night, with Jay from South Wales Massive and Lesson No.1 DJs spinning records. Tickets cost £6, available now from www.clwb.net

MORE THAN ADEQUATE

2006-03-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

ADEQUATE 7
THE TAKE
MY LITTLE MURDER

+more TBC

---- AFTERWARDS...

Get your fringes out and rock your socks off till a silly time in the morning with a host of DJs spinning the coolest tracks in town.

MIDDLE FLOOR - South Wales Massive Presents....

Until the bands are finished, we'll have a live marketplace.. run a distro ? label ? whatever! bring your wares and stick em on the tables whilst listening to cool tunes and having a drink. First come first served!

Then after the bands... from grime to grind, south wales' most elitest but fun music night with tons of songs you've never heard of whilst the DJ scowls at you for not owning their first demo 7". Then half hour before we shut down for the night.. GRINDCLUB - Cardiff's most terrifying blast of evil.

£6 gets you in all night, £3.50 gets you in after the bands have finished.

GET FUCKED UP

2006-03-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

Formed in Toronto, Canada, in April 2001, Fucked Up play fast hardcore in the vein of Youth Of Today, Negative Approach, and Antidote. “We wanted to pick a name that was a word a lot of people already used in their common speech,” explains guitarist 10,000 Marbles of the confrontational name. “Tons of punk kids say "fucked up", to describe every sort of situation. Now when they say it, they have to think about our band. It relates, in that the message of our band is wanting to command the attention of people, and to find subtle ways to get into their brains.”

Fucked Up play Cardiff for the first time at the behest of Damaged Records, the punk/HC stall run from Jacob’s Antique Market. Support on the night comes courtesy of State Run, Savage Henry, and what may be the only ever live performance from UK hardcore project band Violent Arrest, who promise a set of 12 songs in 14 minutes. Doors open at 8pm, with admission fixed at £5.

STRIPPED DOWN

2006-03-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Panel play debut acoustic show downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach, March 5th. Photo: Mei Lewis

SCOTCH ATTACK

2006-03-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

DJ Scotch Egg downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach, March 2nd

IS THAT A RIOT?

2006-02-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

Youngblood Brass Band are unlike any band you'll ever see. A nine-man US troupe with a DIY punk aesthetic, Youngblood have spent the last five years touring their breathtaking live show, stopping off at festivals including Glastonbury, Roskilde, Womad, and Pukkelpop along the way. You could call them a hip-hop band – certainly, they've got something in common with party-minded live outfits like The Roots or Ozomatli – but how many hip-hop bands do you see that make music entirely with live drums, vocals, and a line of horns including trumpets, trombones, and tenor saxophones? The wise or curious will be keeping an eye out for their new album 'Is That A Riot?', which lands on Layered Arts in February.

Tickets are available now for £7.50 from Spillers Records, or online now at www.clwb.net

PATHOS ATE BATHOS

2006-02-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

BENEATH THE SURFACE PRESENT SHOOTING AT UNARMED MEN, MARCH 3

Haywire alt-rockers Shooting At Unarmed Men have won quite a reputation these last twelve months, exponents of a ragged, clatter-along live show spiked with eccentric humour and jerky, caffine-dosed energy. The splinter group of Jon Chapple from Cardiff’s sorely-missed Mclusky, Shooting At Unarmed Men have rather hit the ground running, turning out a debut album for Too Pure, losing a bassist, finding a new bassist, and recording a new album – provisionally entitled ‘Yes! Tinnitus’ – in little more than twelve months. Support on the night comes courtesy of FTSE100 – described on their MySpace as “faux-metal played by middle class music snobs” and Bristol’s very wonderful Bucky, whose drummer has one arm, but successfully plays the floor tom with his stump. Awesome.

Affairs kick off at 8pm, with tickets retailing for £5 a head, available on the door.

EVERYONE IN POSITION

2006-02-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

OCEANSIZE/PURE REASON REVOLUTION PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MARCH 28

“Oceansize are at the forefront of an exciting new frontier” - NME

Oceansize are epic rock maximalists of the most ambitious stripe. Combining an overdriven three-guitar front line with samplers, keyboard, and a hypnotic, percussive groove, this Mancunian quintet combine forward-thinking rock progression with a brutal, straight-for-the-jugular intensity. Fresh from support dates with Scots rockers Biffy Clyro, tonight’s show finds Oceansize criss-crossing Britain in their first UK headline tour of 2006, supporting recent single ‘New Pin’ (itself take from last year’s Beggars Banquet album ‘Everyone In Position’).

Support tonight comes from fellow prog heroes Pure Reason Revolution. Tickets cost £7.50, available now from www.clwb.net

THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS

2006-02-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

MY LATEST NOVEL PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MARCH 23

"The Delgados thrashing it out with My Bloody Valentine and the Arcade Fire in a massive, clattering build of guitars, drums and violins that is, frankly, bloody magic.” - The List

Fresh from support slots with the Pixies, Arab Strap, and Sufjan Stephens, Scotland’s My Latest Novel call in on Clwb for their first Welsh date in support of new album ‘Wolves’, out March 6 on Bella Union. Tipped as the UK’s answer to the Arcade Fire, this Glaswegian quintet pack four-part harmonies, tricksy tempo changes, and feats of grandiose literary prowess into their intricate chamber-music arrangements.

The band chose the title ‘Wolves’ for a variety of reasons. During the recording of the album, wolves seemed to be everywhere, cropping up on billboards, in documentaries, and in books - Neil Gaiman’s The Wolves In The Walls was a big inspiration. The band began thinking of the all the various connotations and how they appealed to them - the way they hunt in packs, are dark and mythical, are in all the best fairy tales. Come catch this fast-rising band at Clwb Ifor Bach – but don’t come alone…

Tickets retail for £6, available now from www.clwb.net

THAT FUCKING FLASH

2006-02-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

That Fucking Tank, upstairs in Clwb Ifor Bach, Sunday February 19th

SONGS FOR LOVERS AND LIARS

2006-02-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

CYMBIENT/THE PEAKZ PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, MARCH 4TH

A night of underground Welsh pop sees Cardiff’s experimental art-rock quintet Cymbient backed up by newcomers The Peakz. Featuring Rich Eardly of Peel favourites Melys, the band describe their sound as “pure Buzzcocks punk-pop meets Joy Division melancholy”. Their forthcoming debut album ‘Songs For Lovers And Liars’ – recorded with ex-Gorky's Zygotic Mynci man John Lawrence in Snowdonia's Nant –Y-Benglog Studios – has already been marked out for heavy rotation on Huw Stephens’ OneMusic show.

Support on the night comes from former JT Mouse/Soft Hearted Scientists sticksman Spencer McGarry, with tunes coming from the two-headed wax selector DJ Mashli. Doors 8pm, with tickets available soon from www.clwb.net

ALONG THE DIVIDE

2006-02-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

MYFYRDODAU DAI

2006-02-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

Dai Lloyd ydw i, a dwi’n gweithio fel trefnydd adloniant yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach, Caerdydd, mae gen i label recordio (Recordiau Dockrad), a chwmni cyhoeddu cerddoriaeth (um..Cyhoeddiadau Dockrad), a dwi wedi ceisio canu mewn amryw o fandiau dros y pymtheg ‘mlynedd dwetha’ - er wedi dweud hynny, ges i 7% mewn arholiad cerddoriaeth yn Ysgol Penweddig unwaith, felly efallai dwi ddim cymaint â hynny o arbenigwr wedi’r cyfan! ‘Ta beth – dyna ddigon amdana i – lle mae’r newyddion cerddorol, Dai??

Dyma fe – y band ifainc o Sheffield, yr “Artic Monkeys” yn gwerthu dros 100,000 o’u albym newydd yn y diwrnod cynta’ yr aeth ar werth. Ydyn nhw wedi neud hyn gyda cyllideb enfawr gan gwmni recordio? Naddo – maent wedi hybu eu hunain ar y wê ers amser mawr, yn rhoi traciau i ffwrdd am ddim, ac y creu dilynwyr i’r band oedd yn adnabod y cerddoriaeth bell cyn iddi gael ei rhyddhau. Dau rhif un yn y siartiau senglau wedi hynny, a’u albym cynta’ yn gwerthu dros mwy na 360,000 mewn wythnos - yn torri pob record – a llawer o’r gwerthiant yn dod o lawrlwythiadau syth i gyfrifiaduron y cyhoedd - sydd bellach yn cael ei gyfri i’r siartiau.

Gallwn felly weld faint mor bwysig yw’r wê i’r byd cerddoriaeth yn 2006. Pan dechreuodd pobl rhannu ffeiliau gerddorol ar safleoedd wê fel Napster nôl yn y 90au, collwyd cyfle enfawr gan y BPI – British Phonographic Industry, pan gwrthodwyd cynnig gan Napster i werthu’r cerddoriaeth arlein dros labeli Prydeinig. Agwedd y BPI oedd eu bod eisiau cadw’r arian iddyn nhw eu hunain, ac yn y pen draw, maent wedi colli allan, achos erbyn hyn, ‘dyw lot o bobl ifainc ddim yn sylweddoli bod lawrlwytho cerddoriaeth am ddim o’r wê yn anghyfreithlon, a’r BPI a’r labeli recordio mawr wedi colli miliynau ar filynau fel canlyniad,

Yng Nghymru, mae’r we yn gallu bod yn ffordd i hyrwyddo’ch deunydd cerddorol hefyd mewn ffordd rhad iawn – digwyddodd yr un math o beth gyda’r GLC – rhyddhau traciau ar y wê, a chreu cefnogaeth leol, cael eich arwyddo i label enfawr ac yna ymddangos ar “Big Brother”! Ie, wel, ‘sneb yn berffaith!

Mae safleoedd fel unarddeg.com yn cynnig lawrlwythiadau Cymraeg am ddim i’r cyhoedd, a’r amryw o safleoedd radio Cymraeg ar y wê yn cynnig ffordd i glywed deunydd na fyddwch efallai’n gallu clywed ar Radio Cymru, neu’ch sioe Gymraeg leol. Gallwch hefyd brynu crynoddisgiau Cymraeg arlein wrth gwrs o safleoedd fel sebon.co.uk, neu safleoedd y cwmnïau recordio, a chlywed sioeau radio Cymraeg y BBC ar y wê – bell wedi iddynt fod ar yr awyr – handi iawn os ti’n byw yn Turkmenistan.

Achos dyna ydi’r wê – cymuned arlein, ac mae fwyfwy o bobl ifainc yn troi ati I hybu eu hunain yn y byd cerddorol. Ewch draw i myspace.com – mae bron pob un band dan haul yno - gan gynnwys eich ffefrynnau Cymraeg.

Dai Lloyd runs Dockrad Records and works as joint promotions manager at Clwb Ifor Bach

KEEP IT WRONG/LESSON NO.1 PLAYLIST

2006-01-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

LESSON NO.1 PRESENTS: WRONG MUSIC TOUR, MARCH 2ND

The Japanese wing of Brighton's Wrong Music imprint invade Clwb Ifor en masse! Music from label head honcho DJ Scotch Egg, plus Osaka breakcore legend Ovenaxx, surrealist hip-hop queen Doddodo, psychotic beatboxer Gulpepsh, and many more. High Quality Recordings' Stabmaster Vinyl and DJ Maxx Rammage (ex-Mountain Men Anonymous) strikes a note for the locals. Doors 8pm, tickets £5 available now from www.clwb.net

DJ SCOTCH EGG
Lloerigrwydd llwyr o Siapan - dau nintendo gameboy, tecno 300bpm, a nifer fawr o wyau albanaidd yn cael eu taflu at y gynulleidfa. Cerddoriaeth electronic swnllyd tu hwnt a lot, lot, fawr o hwyl... “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck – KFC, KFC!”…

STABMASTER VINYL
Melodiau electronig, twrw gwallgo, curiadau wedi’u difrodi, a darnau o stwff pobol eraill. Mae Stabmaster Vinyl yn rhyddhau recordiau ffrantig a brwnt ar y label Cymraeg o Fryste Recordiau Safon Uchel. “Melodiau prydferth a syniadau newydd cyffroes” – Brechdan Tywod.

Lesson No.1 Playlist:

1. Battles - EPC/BEP (Warp)
2. Pearls And Brass - No Stone (Drag City)
3. The Noisettes - Iwe (Transgressive)
4. Aaron Spectre - Pay To Cum b/w You Don't Know (Omeko)
5. Liars - The Do Rong Co At Mt Heart Attack (Mute)
6. The Keep - Bunch of Ingrates (Detournment)
7. Throbbing Gristle - Part 2 (Mute)
8. Various Artists - Trade and Distribution 3 (Adaadat)
9. Keith Fullerton Whitman - Recorded In Lisbon (Kranky)
10. Aphex Twin - Chosen Lords (Rephlex)

LIKE LOTTERY WINNERS ON ACID

2006-01-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

LOOSE CLUB PRESENT THE CRIMEA, CLEARLAKE, AND BROKEN SLEEP, FEBRUARY 7TH

Fresh from their No.2 placing in BBC Radio 1’s Festive 50 with the re-released single ‘Lottery Winners On Acid’, The Crimea return to their old South Wales stamping grounds for a show in support of their impending Warner Brothers debut LP, ‘Tragedy Rocks’. Formed in 2002 from the ashes of aggressive rock nearly-men The Crocketts, The Crimea pioneer a brand of lush, orchestral pop that’s seen comparisons to everyone from The Arcade Fire to Dusty Springfield, and won them friends from Stereophonics to the late, great John Peel (who called ‘Lottery Winners On Acid’ “one of the greatest songs I’ve heard in years”).

Support on the night comes from the Arctic Monkeys’ Domino labelmates Clearlake and Cardiff newcomers Broken Sleep. Tickets cost £6, available now from Spillers Records, or online now at www.clwb.net.

SHOCK HORROR

2006-01-13T04:28:00.000-08:00

CUT THE MIDRANGE, DROP THE BASS

2006-01-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

FORECAST AND MACHINE.RECORDS PRESENT :

CYLOB / HIDDEN PERSUADER + INFO_CIFON / MANCHUKO

Thursday 26th January
Clwb Ifor Bach, Womanby St, Cardiff
£7 8pm

Oh yes indeed! Cylob is coming to town. No messin'! In the first of a regular collaboration, Forecast are teaming up with Cardiff-based Machine Records to satisfy their aching electro needs.

Another product of Richard 'Aphex Twin' James Rephlex stable, Chris Jeffs' releases as Cylob and Kinesthesia have numbered among the Cornwall-based imprint's most celebrated recent releases. Not nearly as prolific as his friends and sometime-labelmatesJamesand Mike Paradinas (u-ziq), Jeffs has nonetheless amassed an impressive catalog of releases in a relatively short period of time. Although he only began experimenting with electronics in 1991, within five years Jeffs released three EPs and three full-lengths — including the cheeky DJ double-pack "Loops andBreaks" (as Cylob) and the sparse ambient of Empathy Box (as Kinesthesia) — in addition to remixes for Aphex Twin,BochumWelt, and Immersion. Although focusing more recently on a refined brand of ambient breakbeat and techno, Jeffs' stylistic palette includes crunchy, industrial-leaning techno, beatless ambient, and new-school electro-funk.

Support comes from some of Machine Records' finest acts. Hidden Persuader and Info_Cifon are two members from the collective Access Tonal Communications who have been making waves on the electronica scene for some time now. Access Tonal Communications is a full blown movement of electro(nica) producers, video archivists and designers. And if you heard their recent session for Rob Da Bank's OneMusic show on BBC Radio 1, you'll know what an exciting live prospect they are. Founder members Info_Cifon and The Hidden Persuader each take electro to previously unexplored territory, while delivering a heavy sonic punch of angular rhythms, skewed melody and snatches of noise. Both maintain a refreshingly anti-purist musical stance, citing hip-hop, punk and jazz as jumping off points, besides their obvious familiarity with the Detroit origins of their beloved sound.

Lastly, Manchuko will be opening up the evenings proceedings with Aphex inspired ambient synth washes, kraut style guitar work and fierce drum and bass all played the traditional way, with drums and bass! Manchuko were recently the legendary Damo Suzuki of Can's 'sound carriers' for his UK tour - originally Damo Suzuki's policy was to play with a band resident to the city he was playing in only once for a spontaneous free jam but he was so taken with Manchuko that they toured together for some time. If that isn't reason enough to come early to watch these guys, I don't know what is.

BET THAT THIS SOUNDS GOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR

2006-01-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

Popscene presents the exclusive first UK airing of the Arctic Monkeys' debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not', way up on the top floor of Clwb Ifor Bach. Mark Wednesday January 18th in your diary... now! And don't turn up too late, or you'll miss the bloody thing

FORECAST PLAYLIST

2006-01-11T04:05:00.000-08:00

1. Rotary Connection - Hey Love
2. Marissa Nadler - The Saga Of Mayflower May
3. Alexander Tucker - Old Fog
4. Jack Rose - Kensington Blues
5. Jana Hunter - Black Unstaring Heirs Of Doom
6. Fursaxa - Mandrake
7. Gene Clark - No Other
8. Moby Grape - Moby Grape
9. Wooden Wand & The Vanishing Voice - Buck Dharma
10. Judee Sill - Heartfood

Visit the Forecast website at www.weareforecast.com

WRIGGLE LIKE AN EEL

2006-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

The first ever Welsh show from veteran musical extremists Whitehouse. Feted by musical luminaries from Aphex Twin to Steve Albini, tonight sees these UK noise pioneers debuting material from their new album Asceticists, before a return to the US for dates with Wolf Eyes and Pig Destroyer.

Support on the night comes from Canada's AIDS Wolf (pictured) and Gindrinker ("Cardiff's best cult band" - NME). Tickets are available for £6 from the Clwb website. Doors 8pm.

SHORT SHARP SHOCK

2006-01-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK/MARTINI HENRY RIFLES/GINDRINKER/THE SOUTHERN ELECTRICS PLAY CLWB IFOR BACH, January 21st

“NME always dreamed of a band like Japan's Electric Eel Shock. A band willing and able to rid the world of sexually retarded indie schmindie dullards while spunking in the face of accepted notions of cool” - NME

Conceived in Japan sometime towards the end of last century, toughened up on self-financed world tours, and now holed up in London plotting their next manoeuvre, Electric Eel Shock stake a strong claim to being one of the best live bands in the world. Frontman Aki Morimoto is the spirit of metal incarnate, bassist Kazuto Maekawa wears a leather jacket like no-one since Joey Ramone, and drummer Tomaharu ‘Gian’ Ito has a habit of taking to the kit entirely nude.

An early single, ‘Do The Metal’, came out on Swansea’s Mighty Atom, but the patronage of metal gods Bruce Dickinson, Lemmy, and Judas Priest producer Attie Bauw has seen them progress through rock’s ranks at terrifying speed, culminating in 2005’s legendary LP ‘Beat Me’. Support on the night comes from cult Cardiff favourites Martini Henry Rifles and Gindrinker, plus rock newcomers The Southern Electrics. Tickets cost £6, available now from Spiller's Records or the Clwb website

AT A STRETCH

2006-01-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

BRING THE NOISE

2006-01-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

2006 is going to be a big year for The Noisettes, a year that sees this fiery art-rockers shake off that ‘best-kept secret’ tag and explode on the overground. Led by the petite Shingai Shoniwa, a frontwoman whose idiosyncratic voice has already won comparisons to outsider female vocalists from Billy Holiday to Bjork, this London trio have already toured the US with The Kills and supported Bloc Party and the Mystery Jets back here on home soil.

Right now, they’ve only got one rare, self-released EP – the excellent ‘Three Moods Of The Noisettes’ – under their belt, but their new single ‘IWE’ is due January 30th, out on Transgressive Records (previously home to The Young Knives, The Subways, and Mystery Jets). The Noisettes play Clwb on Friday January 13th, with support on the night coming courtesy of local heroes The Keys, reconvened after a lengthy hiatus with a new suite of twanging, primitive rock’n’roll, and newcomers Good Shoes. Tickets cost £6, available now from the main Clwb website

NEW YEAR'S AT CLWB

2005-12-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

ASHOKAN/ RADIO LUXEMBOURG
DJs Ian Cottrell/Gareth Potter /Barry Bwp /Guto Brychan /Dai Lloyd

Clwb Ifor Bach are proud to present two of the most exciting bands in Wales for a New Years’ Eve extravaganza. Ashokan’s heavy rock has won over many doubters, resulting in them being voted Best Welsh Language band at the 2004 Welsh Music Awards. Support comes from the exciting Radio Luxembourg, whose psych-rock makes them ones to watch for 2006. With their first single under their belts, they’ll start the New Years’ Eve love-in early on upstairs at Clwb.

Clwb’s resident DJs will keep the party going with a mixture of indie and rock on the top floor, Welsh classics and dance on the middle floor, and contemporary and classic tunes downstairs.

Tickets are available in advance from www.clwb.net, www.ticketweb.co.uk or Spillers Records, Cardiff.

Tickets £8, and doors at 8pm, with the first band on at 10pm...

TERMINAL XMAS PARTY

2005-12-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

Headlining this dark Winter night are local duo Redfalls, who are currently enjoying some well-deserved recognition with recent airplay on Huw Stephens' Radio 1 OneMusic show, as well as on Beth and Huw's Radio 1 slot and the British Council's The Selector. Support comes from three outstanding live electronic acts, bringing all manner of cuts'n'glitches to your Christmas: Dieselfitter, Matt Cook, and Arcangle, as well as Bendy J and DJ Smo, onhand with all the latest and best from Warp, Rephlex, Seed, Planet Mu, Skam, Schematic, DHR, etc. And let's not forget special guests DJ Beef Curtains and DJ Maxx Rammage, formerly of Mountain Men Anonymous.

Best of all, there's nothing remotely festive about the evening... no tinsel, no mince pies... just the finest electronic acts in Wales playing live for your entertainment.

December 22nd, 9pm-late. £3

PLAYLIST: ELFIS IFANS

2005-12-16T05:48:00.000-08:00

1 Meic Stephens - Y Brawd Houdini
2 Poppies - Sex Sells
3 Y Lladron - Josh Wink / Yma o Hyd
4 Ashokan - Y boi sy' methu ffonio nol
5 Radio Luxembourg - Fuzzy Rugg (dianc i'r Dwyrain)
6 Y Tebot Piws - Mae Rhywun wedi dwyn fy nhrwyn
7 MC Mabon - Myddarfycars yn bob Man
8 Ty Gwydr / David R. Edwards - Credwch mewn Byw
9 Anweledig - Cae yn Nefyn
10 Geraint Jarman - Gwesty Cymru

Siart y gemau Rygbi Rhyngwladol Tachwedd 2005 gan DJ Elfis Ifans

SCREAMING FOR CHANGE

2005-12-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

Some of the pivotal bands of the South Wales punk/hardcore underground scene come together for the fifth time on Sunday December 11th to raise money for international humanitarian aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres. Clwb have supported the benefit since day one, waiving the venue’s hire fee for this and the previous two, with the club’s technical staff volunteering to work for free. The previous events have so far raised upwards of £6000 pounds for the charity (along with Unicef for the first two), which provides emergency medical aid in more than 80 countries.

"Punk music has always primarily been humanitarian music, so these kind of benefits have always been part of its tradition," explains event coordinator Welly, who also edits long-running punk fanzine Artcore, and runs DIY music store Damaged Records from a stall in Jacob's Market. "It's great to see bands and people from all over the country come together with the simple aim of raising money for people less fortunate. The initial idea came after the earthquake in Bam, Iran two years ago, and we quickly followed with 'Guitars For Haiti' after the tropical storm there. Since then though, we've just concentrated on Medicins Sans Frontieres, not only because there are too many causes and bad things happening, but also because we believe in what they do, and they don't have separate appeals, just a holistic approach."

This year’s event boasts local South Wales acts The Take, Panel, Night And The City Of Broken Promises, and Bedford Falls, as well as a handful of more far-flung bands that include Brighton’s Abandon Ship, Bolton’s The Great St Louis, and High Wycombe’s TV Party. Meanwhile, on the middle floor, there’s electronica courtesy of Machine Records’ Stereo Minus One and Orcop, and assorted DJs. Doors open at 2pm with music running throughout the day. Tickets cost £5 on the door, with all proceeds going to charity.

NEW WAVE ANARCHY

2005-12-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Osaka, Japan's Zuinosin play the ground floor of Clwb Ifor Bach. Photo by Lesson No.1.

Also on the bill were New York City's The Psychic Paramount, DJ Scotch Egg, Cardiff rockers Andtheywillriot!, and the mighty Hella, who you can see in action here (caution: limited downloads!)

PHAT SOUNDS

2005-11-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

MEICED UP

2005-11-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

ACWSTORAMA PRESENT MEIC STEVENS AT CLWB IFOR BACH, DECEMBER 10TH

Dubbed “the Welsh Bob Dylan”, Pembrokeshire native Meic Stevens is perhaps the defining figure in Welsh-language music, a ‘60s survivor who went on to inspire a new wave of Welsh musicians from Super Furry Animals to Catatonia. Stevens produced the first ever record to be released on seminal Welsh-language label Sain, Huw Jones’ Dwr, and recorded a string of releases for the label over the years, including ‘Y Brawd Houdini’, which Gruff Rhys selected as his favourite track of all time. Recent years have seen Stevens’ star again in the ascendent, with a 60th birthday retrospective, ‘Disgwyl Rhywbeth Gwell I Ddod’, winning plaudits in and beyond the Welsh-language scene.

Tonight’s show will see Stevens perform two 45-minute sets, backed by a full band. Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets retailing for £5.

ACWSTORAMA YN CYFLWYNO:

MEIC STEVENS + band

Nos Sadwrn Rhagfyr 10fed
Clwb Ifor Bach, Caerdydd

7.30pm - ar lwyfan 8.30pm - 2 set o 45 munud

Tocynnau £5 o flaen llaw o www.clwb.net / www.ticketweb.co.uk / Spillers Records, Caerdydd (erbyn diwedd yr wythnos). Dim ond 200 ar gael...neu £6 ar y drws.

Plis wnewch chi ychwanegu hwn at eich rhestrau digwyddiadau, a cysylltwch ar y manylion isod am ragor o fanylion, os oes angen.

GO BANANAS

2005-11-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

Melt Banana bring hyper-speed Japanese hardcore (and approximately 13 songs that lasted about 10 seconds) to a sold-out top floor of Clwb Ifor Bach.

Sparring up against in other in the support slots were ex-Mclusky refugees Shooting At Unarmed Men, experimental hardcore pioneers The Keep, and Cardiff post-rockers Vicelords. Photos by Lesson No.1

POWER TO THE PIXIES!

2005-11-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

Praise be! Medieval-themed London collective Circulus give thanks from the stage of Clwb Ifor, during their first tour on Welsh soil.

Support on the night came courtesy of the Cardiff's mighty progressive veterans Rocket Goldstar. Photo: Mei Lewis