Welsh Wednesday #86

Are You Ready For Me? by Pretty Vicious

Kids today, eh? If you can get them to look up from their mobile devices for as much as a single second, you'll get little more than a grunt or, if you're lucky, a swear word. And the music they listen to... I mean, call that music? Really? It all sounds the same to me... *mutter mutter*

But... there is hope, and it lurks in, of all places, Merthyr Tydfil. Yes, Merthyr bloody Tydfil, home of a group of obscenely young upstarts who go by the name of Pretty Vicious. They make a sublimely glorious racket that sort of comes across like a blend of Arctic Monkeys and the Clash circa their first album. I kid you not. Have a listen to Are You Ready For Me?, a single from last year that even has shades of Nirvana about it (Negative Creep, anyone?)

Pretty Vicious, all still teenagers, could be the saviours of their generation. Or not. Either way, they make a refreshing change from the awful nonsense that passes for pop music these days. The thing is, they already have a massive following - according to this article from the good old Beeb, fans in Japan wait for them at airports, and they had to turn down a support slot with Muse owing to "not being ready"; it would have been only their fifth ever gig!

A new four-track EP called 'Cave Song' was released less than a fortnight ago. I absolutely insist that you check it out. The video could double as a tourist information film for their hometown... In the meantime, soak in this supercharged dose of new Welsh rock. The kids are alright.






Here's a storming live performance:



In other Welsh news... 
The legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody, Oasis recorded 'Morning Glory' and Simple Minds made their seminal 'Empires & Dance' album, is the subject of a summer-long exhibition at Monmouth Museum. It's been put together by A-Level students at Monmouth Comprehensive School and is rammed with all kinds of interesting items, including Noel Gallagher's Wonderwall acoustic guitar! All museums in Wales have free entry, so it's a no-brainer if you're in the area. I live less than half-hour away so I'll be popping in.

Also, if you were ever a Gorky's Zygotic Mynci fan, there's a free tribute album available for download from Recordiau Prin (or Rare Records, if you prefer). 32 tracks in all!