On This Day 15/06/1987 Gaye Bykers On Acid

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On this day, 15 June 1987, British grebo and psychedelic rock band Gaye Bykers on Acid played Cardiff’s Montmerence Club.

Gaye Bykers on Acid were formed in late 1984 by Ian Reynolds (Robber) and Ian Hoxley (Mary). They were later joined by guitarist and art student Tony Horsfall and drummer Kevin Hyde. Their first gig was at The Princess Charlotte in Leicester in mid-1985.

Their first releases – the single Everythang's Groovy and the Nosedive Karma EP – were both recorded in Leeds with Jon Langford of The Mekons, and released on the InTape label.

They then signed to Virgin Records releasing the albums Drill Your Own Hole and Stewed to the Gills. Initial quantities of the vinyl version of Drill Your Own Hole were pressed without a hole in the centre, so it was necessary to drill your own hole to play it. The album spent one week at number 95 in the UK Albums Chart in November 1987.

They also played gigs (dressed in women's clothing) under the name 'Lesbian Dopeheads on Mopeds', supporting themselves, and thus getting paid twice. They also performed as a fictitious East German thrash punk band "Rektüm" (they claimed to have jumped over the Berlin Wall), recording an LP Sakredanus and an EP Real Horror Show under the name.

However management problems and poor sales meant that they were dropped by Virgin in 1989.

On This Day 14/06/1977 Generation X

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On this day, 14 June 1977, London Punk band Generation X played Cardiff’s Top Rank.

The band played in front of a 350 crowd, with Steve Strange acting as the band’s roadie.

On 16 February 1977, the band went into a studio for the first time to record a demo session of five songs at De Lane Lea Studios in Wembley, North London, sponsored by Chiswick Records.

Later in the year, Generation X's first record was released by the band itself in the form of an unmarked white label for promotional purposes, with the song "Your Generation" as its A-side, and "Listen" as the B-side, taken from the De Lane Lea demo session. 250 copies were initially pressed, followed by another 500 copies, all in unmarked white paper sleeves.

In mid-March 1977, amidst a heavy performance schedule in London and increasingly beyond the confines of the capital city into England's provinces, a gig had to be abandoned at the University of Leicester mid-performance, due to Derwood Andrews requiring hospitalization from being struck on the head by a beer bottle thrown from the crowd.

In mid-April 1977, having just played their first international date in Paris in a joint billing alongside the upcoming bands The Jam and The Police, and recorded their first live radio session at the British Broadcasting Corporation's Maida Vale Studios, John Towe was asked to leave the band by James and Idol as they felt that his style of playing was too overt for what they wanted from a drummer, and James, the band's strategist, had come to the view that Towe's personality did not fit with the image that he was formulating the act into. Towe moved on to join a new outfit called Alternative TV.[25] He was replaced on drums by the 18 year old Mark Laff from North Finchley, recruited from Subway Sect after an extensive audition process for the vacancy organized by Idol and James in May 1977.

From June to August 1977 in between gigs the band practiced in a rehearsal space in the basement beneath a Beggars Banquet record shop in the Fulham Road.

In mid-July Generation X signed a recording contract with Chrysalis Records, and went into Wessex Sound Studios in North London for the band's first formal recording session for commercial release. Under the supervision of the producer Bill Price the session proved to be abortive due to the band being unhappy with the results, and Chrysalis Records sought another producer, which it found in Phil Wainman.

At the end of July 1977, the band worked with Wainman at Morgan Studios in Willesden, recording its first single "Your Generation". Wainman was not impressed with the musical ability of the band, particularly with Laff's technical proficiency or with Idol's capacity as a singer, and in response to Idol asking for his opinion during production as to whether he thought Generation X were "going to make it", answered with some dubiety.

On release at the start of September 1977, "Your Generation", with a b-side of the high-energy disaffected punk-rock song "Day by Day" (with a title taken by James from the recent publication of Robin Day's autobiography), went to No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart, after being critiqued by Elton John in a review column in the Record Mirror as 'dreadful garbage'.

The band played the song on Marc Bolan's afternoon variety show, Marc, a few days later using Granada Television's Manchester studio instruments for the performance, afterwards making off with the drum-kit and being banned by Granada for 10 years as a result.

On This Day 13/06/2002 Biffy Clyro

On this day, 13 June 2002, Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro played Cardiff’s Barfly on their Vertigo of Bliss Tour.

Formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals).

Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have released nine studio albums, six of which (Puzzle, Only Revolutions, Opposites, Ellipsis, A Celebration of Endings and The Myth of the Happily Ever After) reached the top five in the UK Albums Chart, with their sixth studio album, Opposites claiming their first UK No. 1 album.

The first incarnation of what would eventually become Biffy Clyro was formed in 1995, when fifteen-year-old Ayr-based guitarist Simon Neil started playing his songs with friend Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston. Ben's twin brother, James Johnston was soon brought in, and the three spent the next two years rehearsing, writing and covering songs.

On 31 January 1995, they played their first gig under the name "Skrewfish" as the support for a band called Pink Kross at the Key Youth Centre in East Kilbride, now known as Universal Connections East Kilbride. In 1997, the trio moved to Glasgow, where Neil went to the University of Glasgow, and the Johnston twins went to Stow College, studying Electronics with Music and Audio Engineering, respectively.

After playing gigs around Glasgow and receiving positive and enthusiastic reactions from audiences, the band were spotted by Dee Bahl, who soon became their manager. Bahl offered them a chance to release an independent single on Aereogramme's Babi Yaga record label: "Iname" was released on 28 June 1999, with Northsound Radio's Jim Gellatly (later of Beat 106 & Xfm Scotland) giving the band their first radio play.

This first release led to the band being chosen by Stow College's Electric Honey record label to release a record: thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow was released on Nerosa on 13 June 2000, receiving airplay from BBC Radio Scotland DJ Vic Galloway.[16] A few days prior to the release of thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow, the band were spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park 2000 by a Beggars Banquet representative, and were signed to the independent Beggar's Banquet soon thereafter.

On This Day 20/06/2020 Ricky Valance

On this day, 20 June 2020, Welsh singer Ricky Valance died at his home in Spain at the age of 84. He became the first Welshman to have a solo UK No.1 hit with the song 'Tell Laura I Love Her' in 1960.

The song tells the tragic story of a boy called Tommy and his love for a girl called Laura. It was was considered controversial at the time and was reportedly banned from airplay by the BBC.

Born as David Spencer in Ynysddu, Monmouthshire, Wales, the eldest of seven children, he sang in his church choir and worked in a coal mine and a factory before joining the RAF at the age of 17.

He started his musical career after leaving the armed forces. He performed in local clubs in the north of England as a cabaret singer for a couple of years, before he was discovered by an A&R representative from EMI, signed to EMI's Columbia label, and placed with the record producer Norrie Paramor.

He claimed he selected the stage name Ricky Valance because he liked the name Ricky, and took the name Valance from that of a trainer at a horse racing meeting; it was not a tribute to Ritchie Valens as sometimes reported.

At his first recording session, Paramor suggested that Valance cover Ray Peterson's American hit, "Tell Laura I Love Her", co-written by Jeff Barry. The recording was arranged by Frank Barber. Peterson's original version of the song had never been released in the United Kingdom, as Decca Records considered a rock song about death and tragedy to be in bad taste. The BBC refused to play teenage tragedy songs like "Tell Laura I Love Her", but, thanks to airplay on Radio Luxembourg, Valance was rewarded with a number 1 hit in September 1960. Valance thus became the first Welsh man to reach the top spot – Shirley Bassey being the first Welsh female with "As I Love You" in February 1959. The record was his only chart hit in the UK.

After topping the UK Singles Chart, Valance appeared in the 1961 A Song For Europe competition, hoping to represent the UK in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. His song, "Why Can't We?", placed third out of the nine entries; the winner was "Are You Sure?" performed by the Allisons.

Further singles included "Movin' Away" and "Jimmy's Girl". Over 100,000 copies were sold of "Jimmy's Girl", and "Movin' Away" made it to number one in Australia and Scandinavia.

On This Day 09/06/2020 Paul Chapman

On this day, 9 June 2020, Welsh rock guitarist Paul “Tonka” Chapman died on his 66th birthday.

Best known for his work with UFO and Lone Star, he was nicknamed ‘Tonka’ after the resilient children’s toy truck in honour of his alleged indestructability, Paul Chapman was born in Cardiff on 9th June 1954.

He joined the Irish Skid Row in December 1971 replacing a certain Gary Moore as guitarist, but only remained with the band for eight months before playing with Kimla Taz until 1974.

Chapman joined hard rock legends UFO as a second guitarist in late 1974 following the release of their seminal album ‘Phenomenon’ . He toured with the band but did not contribute to any recordings before he left in 1975.

Following this, he was a pivotal member of the critically lauded Welsh rock outfit Lone Star from 1975 to 1978 and contributed to both their studio albums ‘Lone Star’ and ‘Firing on All Six’. Despite their widespread plaudits – the late-great John Peel was a huge fan - they didn’t quite achieve the success many feel they deserved.

In 1977, Chapman filled in for Michael Schenker with UFO on their US tour, and he returned to the band full time in December 1978 shortly before they unleashed their defining live album ‘Strangers in the Night’, which was recorded a few months before Tonka joined.

He contributed to three studio albums with UFO - ‘The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent’ (1981), 'Mechanix' (1982) and 'Making Contact' (1983) - before the band called it a day for the first time.

Chapman also appeared in Pete Way’s band Waysted in the 1980s appearing on the albums ‘The Good The Bad The Waysted’ and ‘Save Your Prayers’.

In more recent years, Chapman formed the band PCP (Paul Chapman Project) and he was a member of the Florida Southern Rock band Gator Country from 2006 to 2010.

Lone Star guitarist Tony Smith wrote on Facebook: “Just heard that my old friend and Lone Star guitar partner Paul Tonka Chapman died yesterday on his birthday.

"He was a real rock and roller and lived life to the full. We will remember him as a brilliant Welsh guitarist and wild and funny man. Rest now my brother.”

On This Day 08/06/1989 Elvis Costello

On this day, 8 June 1989, Singer/Songwriter Elvis Costello, played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall with support provided by Nick Lowe.

Costello had just released his 12th studio album Spike, his first since My Aim Is True without the Attractions. The album peaked at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart. It also reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200 thanks to the single and his most notable American hit, "Veronica", which reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the US Modern Rock chart.

In 1987, Costello began writing with Paul McCartney for the latter's Flowers in the Dirt album. They composed a dozen songs together, which showed up on multiple albums by McCartney and Costello. Two of those songs appear on this album, "Pads, Paws and Claws" and the hit single "Veronica".

As his first album for a new label Warner Bros, in his own words Costello had the budget of "a small independent movie", and having in mind the blueprint for five different albums, decided to make all of them. He brought back his foil from King of America, T Bone Burnett, to facilitate the sessions and produce the album. Studio time was booked in four different locations: Ocean Way in Hollywood; Southlake Studios in New Orleans; Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin; and AIR Studios in London. Four different groups of musicians were assembled in each location. Writing credits on the album are given to both Elvis Costello and Declan MacManus, Costello's birth name.

Setlist

01. Accidents Will Happen

02. Brilliant Mistake

03. Deep Dark Truthful Mirror

04. Watching The Detectives

05. So Like Candy

06. Veronica

07. God's Comic - including Last Train To Clarksville and Love And Marriage

08. New Amsterdam / You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

09. American Without Tears

10. That Day Is Done - on piano

11. Pads, Paws And Claws

12. Leave My Kitten Alone

13. Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said

14. Indoor Fireworks - with Nick Lowe

15. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? - with Nick Lowe

Encore 1

16. Alison

17. Days

Encore 2

18. Let Him Dangle

19. Pump It Up - with beatbox - including I Feel Pretty instrumental

Encore 3

20. Shipbuilding - on piano

21. Pills And Soap - on piano

22. Tramp The Dirt Down

Reviews -

PEP/South Wales Echo

King of America (and Cardiff)

Mike Arnold

Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe

St David's Hall

This year's Elvis Costello is a completely new model.

Alone on stage the beloved entertainer shouted, screamed, spat and at times even sang his way through a collection of songs that represent the best in the last decade of pop music.

The one song he did not sing was "I'm Not Angry."

The scene was set at the St Davids Hall on Thursday night by Nick Lowe.

Playing like the superb busker he is, Lowe, strumming alone on a semi acoustic guitar, gave the impression that he had a five-piece backing band.

The man who Johnny Cash says taught him how to put rhythm into some of his songs disparagingly referred to himself as Elvis's "warm up act."

He was much more than that, and the capacity Cardiff audience knew it.

Costello took the stage, his face clenched, and gave a complete reworking of an encyclopaedia of songs.

Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, this was Costello cut down to the bone.

The sparse essential versions would not be to everyone's taste. But a confident and lean Costello was preaching to the converted.

He was good in spite of that.

Proving himself to be a remarkably adept guitarist his set encompassed such oldies as "Watching the Detectives" and "Alison" and songs from his new LP Spike.

The versions displayed new venom and even at times despair.

He also achieved real melody — in particular with a running together of "New Amsterdam" with the Beatles' "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and on to "American Without Tears."

In a Costello-meets-Loudon Wainwright version of "God's Comic" he gave his own vision of hell in which Esther Rantzen featured prominently.

By the time he sang Van Morrison's "Jackie Wilson Said" his roots were beginning to show.

The only fully electric song he played was a manic acid house version of "Pump It Up."

The audience loved it, and he was called back for encore after encore.

South Wales Echo, June 9, 1989

Sharp edge of Costello lost in his volume

Mick Tems

The capacity audience gave Elvis Costello a well-deserved standing ovation when he finally left the stage at St David's Hall in Cardiff last night, after his fourth set of encores.

He certainly earned every last ounce of their adulation for a packed set of songs old and new spiced even further by the appearance of the grand old fella of indie rock, Nick Lowe, as his support.

But I'd gone there hoping to convert someone to Costello — and failed completely. The reason? Costello's main strength, his biting, razor-sharp lyrics, were swallowed up and lost in his shouting, snarling delivery and the booming volume.

That's the way it was up in the tiers — and a few protesting shouts from downstairs indicated that not everyone down there was happy either.

Some say Costello's way of putting over a song is his trademark, but my companion left the hall completely unenlightened.

Still, Costello bestrode the stage like a mini-Colossus, aided only by guitar and electric piano. Classics and the latest songs blended in a set which started in fiery style with "Accidents Will Happen" and "Brilliant Mistake" — and even "Watching The Detectives" came up fresh and alert in its solo interpretation.

Songs from the new album, Spike, included the hilarious "God's Comic," which Costello built into the context of an interview between the Almighty and Esther Rantzen, and the bitter invective of "Let Him Dangle," about the hanging of Timothy Evans.

Lowe returned to share the stage for a delightful duet on "Indoor Fireworks," but Costello saved his strongest firepower for last.

Then we had the Falklands War song "Shipbuilding" with its sad, confused pictures of depressed people looking forward to the reopening of their shipyard.

And Costello also gave us "Tramp the Dirt Down," his personal contribution to the 10-year tenant of Number 10 — a song packed with anger and vitriol and yet so carefully crafted that it stands as one of the pinnacles of Costello's writing career.

On This Day 08/06/1951 Bonnie Tyler

On this day, 8 June 1953 Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler was born.

Born Gaynor Sullivan MBE (née Hopkins; born 8 June 1951 is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album The World Starts Tonight and its singles "Lost in France" and "More Than a Lover". Her 1977 single "It's a Heartache" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

She grew up in a four-bedroom council house with three sisters and two brothers. Her siblings had varied music tastes, exposing her to artists such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.[4] Hopkins and her family were deeply religious Protestants. Her first public performance took place in a chapel as a child, singing the Anglican hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful".

Leaving school with no formal qualifications, Hopkins began working in a grocery shop. In 1969, she entered a local talent contest, and after coming in second place, was inspired to pursue a career in singing.

Responding to a newspaper advertisement, she found work as a backing singer for Bobby Wayne & the Dixies before forming her own soul band called Imagination. It was around this time that she changed her name to Sherene Davis, to avoid being confused with Welsh folk singer Mary Hopkin.In the 1980s, Tyler ventured into rock music with songwriter and producer Jim Steinman. He wrote Tyler's biggest hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart", the lead single from her 1983 UK chart-topping album Faster Than the Speed of Night. Steinman also wrote Tyler's other major 1980s hit "Holding Out for a Hero". She had success in mainland Europe during the 1990s with Dieter Bohlen, who wrote and produced her hit "Bitterblue". In 2003, Tyler re-recorded "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with singer Kareen Antonn. Their bilingual duet, titled "Si demain... (Turn Around)", topped the French charts.

Rocks and Honey was released in 2013 and features the single "Believe in Me", which she performed representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. After reuniting with the producer David Mackay, she released Between the Earth and the Stars (2019) and The Best Is Yet to Come (2021).

Her work has earned her three Grammy Award nominations and three Brit Award nominations (including twice for British Female Solo Artist), among other accolades. In 2022 she was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to music.

On This Day 06/06/1972 Caravan

On this day 6 June 1972, English rock band Caravan played Cardiff City Hall. The band had recently released their fourth studio album Waterloo Lily.

Pye Hastings (guitar/ vocals), Dave Sinclair (keyboards), Richard Sinclair (bass/vocals) and Richard Coughlan (drums)

Caravan are considered a key example of the Canterbury scene genre. Their records generally indicate a jazz influence, and the group's lyrics have been described as whimsical and very "English", particularly during Richard Sinclair's tenure in the band.

Following Sinclair's departure, the musical direction has been predominantly led by Pye Hastings, who preferred a softer pop rock approach. Though the group share a common history with Soft Machine, they have been considered more melodic and closer to folk music and frequently displaying a sense of humour.

The group were predominantly album-oriented, but Hastings believes the group recorded enough straightforward pop that could have been hit singles if the record company had taken sufficient interest.

Instrumentally, David Sinclair's fuzztone Hammond organ sound is a key ingredient of the early Caravan albums, and his playing is the dominant instrument on them. His musical palette subsequently expanded to include synthesizers. Jimmy Hastings' woodwind playing and orchestral arrangements have also been a regular feature in the band's music since its inception.