@MAGAZINE

FREE2nd - 4th SEPTEMBERCYFARTHFA PARK

FeaturingTHE BLACKOUTOCEAN COLOUR SCENEFUNERAL FOR A FRIENDCASTSKINDREDGOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHAINFUTURE OF THE LEFT

THE BLACKOUTAs the boys headline their first major festival on their home turf we quickly look back at

how they feel about Merthyr and Wales. Are they proud to be Welsh? “I guess so. It’s growing on me,” explains lead singer Sean

Smith. “I originally didn’t like the patriotism, but my pride has grown because I think we’re a humorous nation who have learned not to take ourselves too seriously.”

“We’re not ashamed of our heritage, being from Merthyr or Wales,” interjects Matt. “And we do have the best flag in the world,” adds Sean. “If somebody made a flag with a

wolf fighting a bear on it, maybe that could win, but I don’t think anybody could beat a dragon,” concludes Gareth.

Writing songs helped the guys break free from the confines of Valley life, though they have never turned their backs on their home town always referring to it when on stage.

Unfortunately the area’s poor level in literacy has been a recent shocking revelation, so how do they believe song writing can help in some way to alleviate the problem?

“I guess the best way song writers and people in bands can contribute is by providing a positive role model and encouragement for the people they influence, to place a high priority on literacy,” James Davies explains. “If musicians and song writers can

influence just a minority to have a positive effect on their personal literacy, that can be seen as a small success.”

So The Blackout will stand proud on the Merthyr Rock stage, not just headlining in their own town, but as a statement to all those who will listen: We’re from Merthyr,

we did it. So can you. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

OCEAN COLOUR SCENEThe phenomenal OCS are nothing short of gods on the music scene. A recent visit to Cardiff Uni as part of the celebratory 15th anniversary Moseley Shoals tour, saw tickets so hot to handle they were worth more than gold dust. With nine albums to wave around and a run of nine Top 20 singles kicking off with the brilliant Brit Pop

classic The Riverboat Song, how does Steve Craddock explain the group’s success?“We’ve always been the sort of band who like to share our ideas,” he explains. “I remember Ian Brown saying that what spoiled it for him with The Roses was that

John Squire would bring songs in fully formed. It keeps things exciting knowing that everybody is bringing something to the table. That working relationship gels a band

together, it’s a collaborative spirit.”And it’s that collaborative spirit on stage that lead to one young PLUGGED IN

reviewer saying: “The music was powerful. A single note set the crowd cheering. The pumping beat vibrating through the air created a surreal atmosphere. Intertwined with the roaring singing of the crowd, it was hard to imagine anything else existing

beyond the pure power of the music. It was a wonder that such a force was contained by bricks and mortar alone.” Welcome to Merthyr Ocean Colour Scene.

Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

The live performance of FFAF is never less than a complete bomb blast of a show with a Merthyr Rock audience expecting the full ferocity of this top Welsh rock band with a high proportion of the set expected to come from their latest album ‘Welcome Home Armageddon’. With both Gareth Davies and now Darran Smith having left the band, we asked if the dynamic within the group had changed, especially when creating the latest album? Richard Boucher told us:“Yes, definitely. Writing with two new members that were not only friends but also fans of the band really helped us rediscover what we loved about making music in the first place. The writing process was very relaxed and much more of a group effort. The album itself is an immediate ball grabber that’s sure to find its way into many a record collection.” True enough words as FFAF’s heady mix of powerful rock with well crafted melodies has always been a winner with PLUGGED IN audiences. Merthyr Rock brings that perfection to a stage in your town. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

Supplying an energetic mix of heavy metal, punk rock and reggae infused into one unique sound referred to by the band as “Ragga Metal”, the Newport guys bounce around the genres to create their own unique take on music. Recently releasing their fourth studio album ‘Union Black’ the band write about real life situations that effect the nation of Broken Britain. Take the inspiration behind the song ‘Cut Dem’ which

as lead singer Benji Webbe told us was created after his kid got stabbed a few years back, and concentrates on the effect on the family. Skindred have recently won ‘Best Live Act’ at the Golden God Awards, and just five days later were also presented with the ‘Devotion Award’ at the Kerrang Awards. At the ceremony Benji said, “We’d like to take this opportunity to say keep supporting live music and keep going to see local bands.” So it’s not surprising to see them gracing the stage with the cream of the Rising Talent from here in Wales at Merthyr Rock. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

SKINDRED

SKINDRED

GOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHAINGLC are a quandary of mixed messages that means you can rarely tie them down into one music area. Yes they rap. Yes they are a comedy act creating a series of cliche personas. But most of all, yes they have an underlying social agenda that lends a protesting voice against the destruction in today’s society. Back down to basics and what you get when GLC hit the stage is a unique performance that is full of comedy alongside their music. Always a group shrouded in mystery the guys from Newport hit the mainstream with their classic hit ‘Guns Don’t Kill People, Rappers Do’ in August 2004 which established them as a force to be reckoned with.Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

CASTLiverpudlian band Cast make a welcome return to Wales, and hopefully the performance will be nothing short of the ‘religious experience’ that Noel Gallagher described after seeing them play live. Between July 1995 when they released their debut single ‘Finetime’ to their eventual split in August 2001, they released four albums and gained seven Top 10 singles. Though it was only last year after an acoustic tour, John Power decided to reform the band and tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their million seller debut album ‘All Change’. John Power said on the reforming and the tour: “I have been stopped in the street. People have heard news of the shows and are buzzing. As a band we are totally excited to get on stage and play to the fans.” Cast are back together and an album of new material is on the way. So who knows what’ll be played at Merthyr Rock?Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

FUTURE OF THE LEFTFormed from the dust of Mclusky and Jarcrew, Future Of The Left quickly established themselves as a band to be reckoned with on the independent circuit with their hard hitting, cutting observations and aggressive punk attitude. Having released two albums to date, ‘Curses’ and ‘Travels With Myself And Another’ the band have recently undergone a line up change while laying down tracks for their forthcoming album due for release any time now. A force to be reckoned with, FOTL never seem to fit in to any one scene, creating music that can be disturbingly unnerving while punching out at the taboos that society throws at us on a daily basis. A powerful force when unleashed into the live arena, don’t expect any compromises or easy rides. Second Stage, Sunday 4th September

FRIENDS ELECTRIC Meet the Neath boys who want to make you dance. Their infectious mellow beats and electronic groves are great for that club vibe though their live reputation is phenomenal. Listen out for tracks like ‘Fireworks’ or the brilliant ‘Golden Blood’ that received Radio 1 airplay and you’ll be infected too. Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

TIGER PLEASE Climbing up to the dizzy heights of fame since the critically acclaimed release ‘They Don’t Change Under Moonlight’ which gained a KKKK in Kerrang magazine, expect these young indie proteges from Pontypridd to give you catchy anthemic pieces of pop perfection that are both upbeat and uplifting. Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

TOWN Following in the footsteps of such greats as The Jam and The Enemy, Town play socially observant songs with accusational gusto and aggression. Expect beautifully controlled pieces of original perfection like the song ‘Teenage Sky’ that you can download from I-tunes now. Main Stage, Saturday 3rd September

THE GUNS Loaded and ready to shoot, The Guns give us punked up raw rock energy that is more akin to a nuclear explosion with songs like ‘Donkey Kong’, ‘Eff Right Off’ and the classic ‘No No Know’. A mainstay of the Welsh music scene for the past few years a line-up change has added a true vigour to the band with their headbanging drumming and furious guitars. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

ATTACK! ATTACK! Like an army of marauding indie rockers Attack! Attack! hit you with a tidal wave of hard hitting indie rock anthems that carry a great melody, while reliving your inner demons. You can’t but help yourself move to their full throttle guitar music, it’s hypnotic. Check out their album ‘The Latest Fashion’. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

REVOKER Take no prisoners seems the rule of the day whenever Revoker play live. They play fast, loud trashy old school rock that’ll get you crashing around like a wild banshee while feeding you clear cut vocals alongside aggressive guitars. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

GO-X These boys bounce round the music styles that influence them but they are still hard to tie down. Which is why they are a brilliant band to watch live, hitting you with music from all angles and never allowing you to settle into complacency. Skater boy rock with spikes attached to the wheels definitely worth seeing iive. Main Stage, Sunday 4th September

LAST REPUBLIC Atmospheric and melodic, Last Republic glue their music together with beautifully created swaths of guitar patterns and energetic vocals. A complete tidal wave of a force when playing live, these five guys are Wales’s next true indie heroes. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

STRAIGHT LINES Pontypridd based Straight Lines produce an exciting mix of scratchy mental guitar driven rock that delves into punk and indie in an aggressive array of noise. Never ones to disappoint on the stage they bang out their catchy riffs and energetic sound in a spellbinding production of up lifting power. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

EXIT_INTERNATIONAL Be afraid, be very afraid. With their chainsaw melodies delivered at breakneck speeds and screaming ‘in yer face’ vocals, Exit_International are on top form when playing in the live arena. With hints of The Birthday Party expect nothing but carnage, especially on tracks ‘Sex With Strangers’. Second Stage, Sunday 4th September

CUBA CUBA Intelligent melodic pop with smooth poetic lyrics that soar over the instrumentation, this is the thinking man’s music from Pontypridd with obvious attraction to the girls. Beautifully crafted songs that appear on their latest album ‘Where Else Is Safe But The Road’ will be the name of the show, but do expect some glockenspiel. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

SAVE YOUR BREATH The pop punksters grace the Merthyr Rock stage with their angst-ridden happy tunes like the classic ‘Stay Young’ which features no other than Sean Smith sharing vocal duties. So expect a guest appearance during their set. Currently working on their first album, SYB are another band not to miss. Second Stage, Sunday 4th September

MASTERS IN FRANCE With a jazzy rock beat, these guys add a touch of lightness to the proceedings though there is an underlying hint of darkness waiting to break free in every chord played. Keep an eye out for their soon-to-be-released ep ‘Inhale’ featuring the most excellent track ‘Mad Hatter’. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

BROKEN VINYL CLUB Hints of West Coast Americana seep through when BVC pick up their guitars. Cool, mellow melodies that are romantic visions of journeys yet to be undertaken, especially on atmospheric tracks like ‘In My Mind’. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

CAESARS ROME With their emotively heightened vocals and anthemic chorus lines, Caesars Rome have attracted the attention of many radio producers, even recording a session with BBC Radio 1 that led to national airplay via Huw Stephens. Expect a wall of rock. Second Stage, Saturday 3rd September

JETTBLACK Expect good old style rock from High Wycombe’s Jettblack boys, the type that you can understand the singer but still find it’s full of angst and fury. Real fighting music that adds elements of singalong as standard. Listen out for tracks like ‘Get Your Hands Dirty’. Second Stage, Sunday 4th September

Also on the bill are THE SOCIAL CLUB, SPYCATCHER, DEAD BEGGARS CLUB, CROSSBREAKER, MY PASSION, REAPER IN SICILY, EVAROSE & YOUNG GUNS

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS SPECIAL MAGAZINE PROJECT Meiron Tovey, Corey Clack, Ian Thomas, Rui Semedo (Boss L), Carl Francis, James Powell,

David Cardosso & Tsaone Hill

Head 4 Arts stimulates creativity in communities across the Eastern Heads of the Valleys area by providing high-quality, grass roots arts activities and inspirational arts experiences. Established in April 2008, we have an administrative base in

Llanhilleth Miners Institute but programme arts activity in various venues across the entire patch. Head For Arts is funded by the Welsh Government through the Arts Council of Wales and is supported by a partnership of the four local authorities involved.

For more information, please go to www.head4arts.org.ukReach the Heights is a Welsh Government initiative aimed at reducing the number of young people in Wales aged 11-19 years who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of being so. The project is funded by the European Social

Fund (ESF) and is co-ordinated by the Arts Council of Wales.

Glamorgan GATES is a partnership between the University of Glamorgan and the Welsh Government based in Merthyr Tydfil. The project aims to engage people through a wide range of informal activities within subjects such as the arts,

music, language, sports and employability skills, whilst also supporting participants to access further learning, improve their job prospects, start their own business or generally enhance their confidence.

PLUGGED IN magazine, the independent voice for music in Wales, was co-founded over four years ago by award-winning IWA Educator of the Year and journalist Gail Griffiths and PCE Qualified professional photographer

Darren Warner. This unique photography and literacy project that specialises in the Welsh music scene is a stepping stone into the creative industries for young people who are tutored via a variety of workshops and courses that are tailor-made to

suit individual participant groups, educating them in a professional environment. As industry-standard professionals with over 25 years’ experience within the photography and media fields, both Gail and Darren have a highly proven track record of

success with their past students and the work they do for PLUGGED IN magazine, with many of the young people previously tutored entering further education or employment, as well as gaining a fuller, more rounded understanding of the subjects they

are taught. For further Information please email editorial@pluggedinmagazine.co.uk

Cover Photograph : Sean Smith of The Blackout by Darren Warner

MANAGING EDITOR & PUBLISHERGail Griffiths

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & WORKSHOP CO-ORDINATOR Darren Warner

Project Co-ordinator For HEAD FOR ARTS David Jones

ARTWORK Courtesy Of Finn Beales (madebyfinn.com)

PLUGGED IN @ MERTHYR ROCK is a unique literacy project set up around the festival to stimulate young people into writing about music

as well as discovering a range of artists from Wales and beyond that they may never have previously known about.Facilitated by PLUGGED IN magazine on behalf of Head 4 Arts in association with Glamorgan Gates with the full

co-operation of the Merthyr Rock organisers Hay Festivals & SWN, this is a limited edition publication which is only available in the run up to and at the Merthyr Rock Festival.

A full review of Merthyr Rock will be published in Issue 13 of PLUGGED IN magazine, due out in December 2011.

MERTHYR ROCK aims to become a signature event that will raise the international profile of Wales, attract a large audience from home and abroad, and inspire and moblise the local community. The Merthyr Rock Community

programme will be at the very heart of this pioneering new festival model. The aim is to create the biggest social and economic impact possible from a weekend event. Bringing together a stellar line-up of organisations, the community programme will involve a broad range of people from local disadvantaged youth to professional

music educators, introducing vocational opportunities, support, progression and accreditation.

Additional Photographs John Rostron @ SWN

Co-ordinator For GLAMORGAN GATES Lisa Derrick