Y Cyrff (trans. The Bodies) will long have a place in the hearts of North Walians. They were never particularly well-known outside their own nation, but they left a rather indelible mark. Forming in 1983 at school in Llanrwst, Conwy, they were initially supported by their geography teacher. In their decade together, the band released one album and a number of singles and EPs.
Y Cyrff played a fondly-remembered show at the 1986 Eisteddfod, leading to Wales' biggest record label Sain signing them. Welsh TV and media began to take notice, and it wasn't long before London came calling and the band played slots on Whistle Test and The Tube.
Perhaps their peak moment came in 1989 with the release of the 'Yr Atgyfodi' EP which opened with a song that has become an anthem among the Welsh-speaking heartlands, particularly their hometown. Cymru, Lloegr a Llanrwst (trans. Wales, England and Llanrwst), is named after their hometown's motto. It alludes to a time in the 14th century when Llanrwst declared itself an independent state with its own flag. In 1947 the town council claimed to have sought its own seat on the UN Security Council, this assumed independence still very much in place after 600 years!
Y Cyrff split in 1993. Two members of the band - vocalist Mark Roberts and bassist Paul Jones - went on to form another much-loved band who also had a bit of a Welsh anthem themselves. I posted that one back here.
I'd never heard of these before but I like this a lot. Sung with passion and a great guitar riff. Rousing stuff indeed!
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