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viewing 1 To 12 of 12 items
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STR 057LP
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El Goodo guitarist and songwriter Pixy Jones releases his debut album entitled Bits n Bobs via Strangetown Records. After four albums with El Goodo, Welsh psych scene stalwart Pixy Jones has himself compiled a truly remarkable collection of tracks that fluctuate from '60s harmony-rich psych pop, to alt-country with ringing tremelo guitar. The swaggering "I'm Not There" is the first single to be taken from Bits n Bobs. Pixy had this to say about the release: "The album was originally intended as a solo project under the pseudonym of Wallace Russell. I recorded it alongside the recording of Zombie (STR 048CD/LP, 2020) whenever I could get in the studio. There are some really old songs that have always been overlooked for El Goodo albums for one reason or another, a few new ones which I wrote specifically for this, and a couple that would have probably ended up on the intended double album version of Zombie if we'd kept going with the double album idea. I've since ditched the Wallace Russell name and gone back to Pixy Jones as I figured there's no need to have a pseudonym if nobody knows who you are in the first place. Even though I dropped the name I've kept the walrus mask for now as it is more photogenic than my actual face. I had no recording budget so I had to fund it by quitting smoking and saving the money up to pay for studio time. It took, I think, two and a half years to record, which is by far the quickest I've ever recorded an album. Originally, I wanted it to just be a quickly recorded slap dash and get it out sort of thing but I had a year and a half during Covid to think about it a bit more and ended up taking more care to get it done properly. It was just me there so I played most of it myself apart from Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) who played brass and woodwind on one song and Rhodri Brooks (AhGeeBe) plays some pedal steel on a couple. Elliott and Canny from El Goodo played drums and bass on 'Wind Street' during the Zombie recording sessions. The album was recorded and mixed in Aerial Studios with Tim Lewis (Thighpaulsandra), a couple of songs were finished in the house during the lockdowns."
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LP
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STR 052LP
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Reissued and remastered, originally released in 2010. Coyote begins with El Goodo's most famous song "Feel So Fine" and includes the radio smash hits "I Saw Her Today" and "Information Overload". As The Sunday Times wrote back when: "This album mixed by the Super Furries' Cian Ciaran has an incredibly sure touch in romping through 1960s (and occasionally later) pop sounds, whether early Beatles, Joe Meek meets Morricone, the Monkees or The Velvet Undeground. As the album progresses, El Goodo calmly assimilate these influences and make the sounds their own on a superb set of songs." SFA's young-buck buddies El Goodo are here to prove you know of at least two Welsh bands who can kick ass, and in the hearts of some of our worlds, save rock-n-roll. "The Welsh five piece release an album filled with summery psychedelic harmonies and spaghetti western rhythms: a match made in vintage heaven" --PopMatters. "Coyote is the sound of a band that has perfected its sense of style, while at the same time spreading its wings." --Under the Radar
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CD
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STR 048CD
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An incomparable world of bug-eyed, harmony-rich folk-pop-psych-alt-country-rock lies in wait for intrepid listeners as the best Welsh band the world nearly forgot, El Goodo, return with only their fourth album in a 20-year career, Zombie. The first single to be revealed, "The Grey Tower", is an expansive, five-minute trip through the '60s heat of Lauren Canyon and Haight-Ashbury via the picturesque Vale of Neath. The result of a rapid-fire period of easy-come recording at the legendary Rockfield Studios in the company of experimental producer, Tim Lewis (aka Thighpaulsandra, a Julian Cope collaborator and former member of Spiritualized), El Goodo's 13-track long player gathers loose ends from the band's stop-start lifespan, as well as brand new songs exploring parenthood, losing parents and -- tangentially -- Spanish surrealist film. Featuring over 20 musicians -- including core members Pixy Jones (lead vocals/guitars/keys), Elliott Jones (drums), Jason Jones (vocals/guitars), and Andrew Cann (bass) -- the album welcomes contributions from Sweet Baboo/Stephen Black (clarinet/bass clarinet/flute) and Welsh Music Prize-nominee, Eugene Capper (violin/slide guitar). The Grey Tower itself is assembled of 17 players, finessing the ride between bright, sun-dappled hippy pop and intense, squally fuzz with saxophone, harmonica, heavy strings and a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord. As well as recording Zombie direct to tape, El Goodo dug around in Lewis' rich archive of analogue equipment at his Aeriel studio in Carmarthenshire, including a rare Univox early synth used by Joe Meek in the recording of his 1962 game-changer "Telstar" (now used by the band on "I Can't Leave"). The result of their journey is a rich tapestry of valve-powered sound, recalling the White Album (1968), Scott Walker, The Troggs, Gene Clark, the Beach Boys and numerous other "golden-age" sonic explorers. The album is named after Lewis's sadly-departed dog -- etched in the band's memories and nasal passages as a vegetable-loving creature, with noxious after effects. Forming in the late '90s, El Goodo (named after the Big Star song, "Ballad Of El Goodo") emerged with intent as not only a support band for Super Furry Animals on their 2006 UK tour, but also as label mates as the Furries released the band's self-titled debut on their Placid Casual label in 2005. The next 15 years saw El Goodo blip contentedly on the radar as a gently persistent musical jewel cherished by knowing audiophiles.
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STR 048LP
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2021 restock; LP version. An incomparable world of bug-eyed, harmony-rich folk-pop-psych-alt-country-rock lies in wait for intrepid listeners as the best Welsh band the world nearly forgot, El Goodo, return with only their fourth album in a 20-year career, Zombie. The first single to be revealed, "The Grey Tower", is an expansive, five-minute trip through the '60s heat of Lauren Canyon and Haight-Ashbury via the picturesque Vale of Neath. The result of a rapid-fire period of easy-come recording at the legendary Rockfield Studios in the company of experimental producer, Tim Lewis (aka Thighpaulsandra, a Julian Cope collaborator and former member of Spiritualized), El Goodo's 13-track long player gathers loose ends from the band's stop-start lifespan, as well as brand new songs exploring parenthood, losing parents and -- tangentially -- Spanish surrealist film. Featuring over 20 musicians -- including core members Pixy Jones (lead vocals/guitars/keys), Elliott Jones (drums), Jason Jones (vocals/guitars), and Andrew Cann (bass) -- the album welcomes contributions from Sweet Baboo/Stephen Black (clarinet/bass clarinet/flute) and Welsh Music Prize-nominee, Eugene Capper (violin/slide guitar). The Grey Tower itself is assembled of 17 players, finessing the ride between bright, sun-dappled hippy pop and intense, squally fuzz with saxophone, harmonica, heavy strings and a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord. As well as recording Zombie direct to tape, El Goodo dug around in Lewis' rich archive of analogue equipment at his Aeriel studio in Carmarthenshire, including a rare Univox early synth used by Joe Meek in the recording of his 1962 game-changer "Telstar" (now used by the band on "I Can't Leave"). The result of their journey is a rich tapestry of valve-powered sound, recalling the White Album (1968), Scott Walker, The Troggs, Gene Clark, the Beach Boys and numerous other "golden-age" sonic explorers. The album is named after Lewis's sadly-departed dog -- etched in the band's memories and nasal passages as a vegetable-loving creature, with noxious after effects. Forming in the late '90s, El Goodo (named after the Big Star song, "Ballad Of El Goodo") emerged with intent as not only a support band for Super Furry Animals on their 2006 UK tour, but also as label mates as the Furries released the band's self-titled debut on their Placid Casual label in 2005. The next 15 years saw El Goodo blip contentedly on the radar as a gently persistent musical jewel cherished by knowing audiophiles.
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CD
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STR 043CD
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After a break of two years, Zefur Wolves return with Truth Is In The Stars, beating a path to the promised 2019 follow-up to their acclaimed debut. The three-piece's distinct brand of languid, emotive, alt-rock takes the commanding role with Truth Is In The Stars, released on Strangetown Records. Beautiful and intricate sleeve artwork and lovingly presented by Mark James Works. Studio sessions helmed by producer and former live band member, Super Furry Animal's Cian Ciarán, have driven the band to greater intricacy and an audible sense of playfulness, toying with compositional and recording technique. Having crafted their debut album in California, evocative of their cited inspirations including Spiritualized and Beach House, the upbeat trailblazing first single "Flying High", recorded at Strangetown Studios in Cardiff, suggests new and fertile creative ground has been found to "one up" an already glinting reputation.
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LP
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STR 043LP
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LP version. After a break of two years, Zefur Wolves return with Truth Is In The Stars, beating a path to the promised 2019 follow-up to their acclaimed debut. The three-piece's distinct brand of languid, emotive, alt-rock takes the commanding role with Truth Is In The Stars, released on Strangetown Records. Beautiful and intricate sleeve artwork and lovingly presented by Mark James Works. Studio sessions helmed by producer and former live band member, Super Furry Animal's Cian Ciarán, have driven the band to greater intricacy and an audible sense of playfulness, toying with compositional and recording technique. Having crafted their debut album in California, evocative of their cited inspirations including Spiritualized and Beach House, the upbeat trailblazing first single "Flying High", recorded at Strangetown Studios in Cardiff, suggests new and fertile creative ground has been found to "one up" an already glinting reputation.
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2CD
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STR 044CD
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Super Furry Animals release Super Furry Animals At The BBC, a compilation of their radio sessions for the BBC, via Strangetown. This includes the eight sessions recorded for the BBC including those for John Peel and Mark Radcliffe. This follows the remastered re-issues of their top twenty albums, Mwng (1999), Fuzzy Logic (1996), and Radiator (1997). In a press release the band had this to say about Super Furry Animals at the BBC: "The five, excitable kids of the Super Furry Animals saw many wonders of the modern world through our innocent eyes, but finding ourselves playing songs in John Peel's home, or in the carpeted muffle of Maida Vale, elevated the experience to new levels. Our thanks go to those rescuing the recordings from our dusty lofts -- Kliph Scurlock and Donal Whelan -- and the surgical attention to detail by the great artistic minds of Mark James and Pete Fowler. Also, long live public broadcasting." Features Mark James' "yeti" artwork throughout plus two new illustrations by Pete Fowler.
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4LP
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STR 044LP
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4LP version, 180 gram vinyl. Super Furry Animals release Super Furry Animals At The BBC, a compilation of their radio sessions for the BBC, via Strangetown. This includes the eight sessions recorded for the BBC including those for John Peel and Mark Radcliffe. This follows the remastered re-issues of their top twenty albums, Mwng (1999), Fuzzy Logic (1996), and Radiator (1997). In a press release the band had this to say about Super Furry Animals at the BBC: "The five, excitable kids of the Super Furry Animals saw many wonders of the modern world through our innocent eyes, but finding ourselves playing songs in John Peel's home, or in the carpeted muffle of Maida Vale, elevated the experience to new levels. Our thanks go to those rescuing the recordings from our dusty lofts -- Kliph Scurlock and Donal Whelan -- and the surgical attention to detail by the great artistic minds of Mark James and Pete Fowler. Also, long live public broadcasting." Features Mark James' "yeti" artwork throughout plus two new illustrations by Pete Fowler. Last copies...
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CD
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STR 035CD
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Welsh psych-pop band El Goodo return with their long awaited third album By Order Of The Moose, on Cian Ciaran's (Super Furry Animals) Strangetown Records. Recorded over the course of eight years in an old derelict cinema in their home village of Resolven, the album is a continuation of where the band left off in 2009 with their previous effort Coyote (2010). Wielding the wide open spaces of spaghetti westerns with the close melodic harmonies of girl groups and the good humor of Nuggets inspired garage rock n' roll, El Goodo takes you on a trip through their fascination with '60s music. Comprised of brothers Elliott (drums, percussion) and Jason Jones (guitar, vocals), Pixy Jones (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Lewie Sewers (guitar), Matthew Young (keyboards), and Andrew Cann (bass), El Goodo (named after a Big Star song) are a band enthralled by the past. They recorded the album on a 16-track with a small collection of faulty equipment, creating a collection of melodic pop songs, embellished with strings, brass, sitars, harmonicas, xylophones, and vocal harmonies (and then seemingly covered it all with dust), that you'd expect to find on some forgotten '60s record that someone has stumbled upon in their attic. Jason, who made the intricate cover illustration, seems to have interpreted the title to be more of a circus, depicting a wild west ringmaster, wild animals, and acrobats. From the first recording in November 2008 with the track "When", the album took eight years to complete. Initially thinking it would only take them a few months, they set out to record at The Music Box in Cardiff. Two years later they decamped back to their village, to the Resolven Miners' Welfare Hall. The first single "It Makes Me Wonder" is their interpretation of a '60s girl group song. The similarly titled opening track "Sit & Wonder" was an attempt to do something like Zager & Evans's "In The Year 2525", but it didn't turn out like that. The lyrics were based on war films like Come And See (1985), Ivan's Childhood (1962), and Red Dawn (1984). "So It Goes" was meant to be like a Marty Robbins cowboy song but ended up being more like a Nuggets track. "Susan And Bill" is a touching tribute to his parents.
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LP
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STR 035LP
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LP version. Welsh psych-pop band El Goodo return with their long awaited third album By Order Of The Moose, on Cian Ciaran's (Super Furry Animals) Strangetown Records. Recorded over the course of eight years in an old derelict cinema in their home village of Resolven, the album is a continuation of where the band left off in 2009 with their previous effort Coyote (2010). Wielding the wide open spaces of spaghetti westerns with the close melodic harmonies of girl groups and the good humor of Nuggets inspired garage rock n' roll, El Goodo takes you on a trip through their fascination with '60s music. Comprised of brothers Elliott (drums, percussion) and Jason Jones (guitar, vocals), Pixy Jones (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Lewie Sewers (guitar), Matthew Young (keyboards), and Andrew Cann (bass), El Goodo (named after a Big Star song) are a band enthralled by the past. They recorded the album on a 16-track with a small collection of faulty equipment, creating a collection of melodic pop songs, embellished with strings, brass, sitars, harmonicas, xylophones, and vocal harmonies (and then seemingly covered it all with dust), that you'd expect to find on some forgotten '60s record that someone has stumbled upon in their attic. Jason, who made the intricate cover illustration, seems to have interpreted the title to be more of a circus, depicting a wild west ringmaster, wild animals, and acrobats. From the first recording in November 2008 with the track "When", the album took eight years to complete. Initially thinking it would only take them a few months, they set out to record at The Music Box in Cardiff. Two years later they decamped back to their village, to the Resolven Miners' Welfare Hall. The first single "It Makes Me Wonder" is their interpretation of a '60s girl group song. The similarly titled opening track "Sit & Wonder" was an attempt to do something like Zager & Evans's "In The Year 2525", but it didn't turn out like that. The lyrics were based on war films like Come And See (1985), Ivan's Childhood (1962), and Red Dawn (1984). "So It Goes" was meant to be like a Marty Robbins cowboy song but ended up being more like a Nuggets track. "Susan And Bill" is a touching tribute to his parents.
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CD
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STR 031CD
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Ffug is the first full length album by the teenaged group FFUG. From Crymych in Pembrokeshire, FFUG consist of Iolo Selyf on vocals, Billy Morley on guitar, Henry Jones on bass, and Joey Robbins on drums. They play crunching punk with melodic, lyrical interludes and pointed, thoughtful lyrics in both English and Welsh. At a time when rock appears to be moribund, they invest the form with a new wit, energy, and excitement. If you thought rock was dead, FFUG shout that it isn't and never will be. Produced by Dafydd Ieuan (Super Furry Animals), Ffug contains ten songs that mix hardcore power with sly vocal harmonies and sudden interludes of openness and reflection. Iolo Selyf sings about adolescent problems - both observed and autobiographical - with strong opinions about what is going on in Wales and Britain in general. Here is the teenage news, in all its confusion, anger, energy, and a strong sense of what is wrong with the world. Isn't that, in part, what rock music in general and punk in particular is there for? As Iolo says, "it should be being pissed off about the government; being pissed off about how you're treated day to day; being pissed off about all the injustice in the world. And I don't feel like it's a common feeling in rock music currently. Which I think is a definite shame."
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STR 032CD
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Baby Queens - Cara, Estelle, Monique, Ruth and Vanity - are five girls from Cardiff. Two sisters, two cousins and their adopted sister - each equal parts songwriter, musician and music lover. As distinct in their fashion as they are their music, each band member's individual personality and style can be heard in their music. In 2013, they released their first single "Red Light". It was a viral hit, and soon won the attention of BBC Radio 1, who made them "Artist of the Week", with repeated plays across the station from the likes of Fern Cotton and Greg James. They've also had support from the likes of Huw Stephens, DJ Target, DJ Semtex and Mista Jam. They've also had continuous support from BBC Wales, where they've been "Artist of the Week", three times. Since "Red Light", the girls have been releasing tracks, readying their debut album and cutting their teeth on the live circuit. They've played festivals like The Great Escape, Boomtown, T in the Park, X Fest, and Swn festival and toured with Welsh super band The Earth. And now the album is finally ready to be heard. Produced by Super Furry Animal's Cian Ciaran, the self-titled album crisscrosses the narrow divide between rock, hip hop, soul and reggae - it's a blissed out, musical odyssey written by all five members of the band. The sickly sweet overtures one might expect from an all-girl band are ditched in favor of beats that force the melodic content to the fore, with the principles of classic soul and R'n'B song-writing, catching up with the present day sounds of British street genres. Lavishly layered vocals are wrapped up in slick production that marks out Baby Queens's intentions to push boundaries and reintroduce to the masses what a vocal group with melody and beats in their hearts is all about. "Our love of street poetry, spoken word and rap has influenced many of the songs, but also rock n roll bands, soul/Motown, trippy '60s and '70s bands, the roots reggae and roots hip hop artists, basically anything that is heartfelt and soulful and stands for something positive," says Cara.
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