Pobl Y Bryn, whose members hail from Llanfyllin, Wrexham and Penymynydd, will support the mighty Status Quo when they take to the Eisteddfod stage for the closing night of the event celebrating Welsh culture on July 13th.
The date with the Quo is the latest highlight in the career of Pobl Y Bryn's guitarist Matt Deighton, who has played with Paul Weller, Oasis and Dr John to name just a few legendary music acts.
We caught up with the band and chatted about Lullaby singing canines, Hendrix and women scrapping in kebab joints.....here's how we got on!
Please introduce the band and your music in one sentence....
Chris, Amos, Matt, Ian, Clêr Fach - the best rock tunes you've never heard yet
You’re called Pobl y Bryn, what does this mean and how did you come about choosing this name?
It means 'hill people' - it's where we live
You are supporting Status Quo at the last night of the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen on July 13th, how did this come about?
Eisteddfod wanted the support for Quo to be a classic Welsh rock band... which is us
Your debut EP is being released via CLÊN (Welsh Record Label) what is to be expected from the EP and when will it be released?
The EP provides a taste of what's to come later this year with the release of the album, hence the title: BLAS (Flavour). Classic rock anthems, rich lyrical vocals: all in delicious, cascading Welsh. A bit Humble Pie, a bit Hendrix, a bit The Cars circa 1978 and VERY Pobl Y Bryn. Out on itunes July 3rd, 2014
What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?
'Do the thing you love doing and get paid for it!' Keith Morris (iconic rock photographer)
Favourite word in Welsh and what does it mean?
Fi (pronounced 'vee') - it means 'me' and it's my favourite word in any language
3 words that would best describe you as a band?
POBL Y BRYN
Would you rather live with a dog that sings lullabies or a gorilla that can do sign language? Explain your answer
It depends on the dog's voice, I cannot condemn the poor dog if I haven’t heard the voice, rather unfair don’t you think, and I love lullabies
In your opinion, what is the BEST album/record ever released?
Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix – I don’t need to really say why, if you have heard this then you know why.
Any good stories about your experiences playing with Weller, Daltrey etc?
Matt Deighton (guitar) was arrested with Paul Weller by riot police and jailed overnight for destroying a Paris hotel room whilst they were on tour together. Liam Gallagher christened Matt 'hollow legs' whilst he was touring with Oasis on account of his remarkable capacity to drink...
Clêr Fach (vocals) once did an impromptu gig with Roger Daltrey in the hull of the QM2 for 1000 crew members - the ship's head sommelier got up with the band & played flawless guitar on Pinball Wizard - Rog was well impressed! Clêr once trashed the women's toilets at the notorious 'Marathon' Kebab Shop in Chalk Farm during a scrap with girl punk band The Dolly Mixtures and got banned... for life. Oh dear...
Tell me a fascinating fact about you or one of your band members?
Amos, our guitarist's dad met Albert Schweitzer in Africa whilst in the merchant navy & showed him how to play the church organ
Do you own a record that you wouldn’t like to admit you have (but you will now)?
'Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me' by The Goodies
Is there something you would like to tell each of the band members that you haven’t told them before?
Can you turn down a bit, please?
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
Dazed & Confused. Why not?
First gig you ever went to?
Crysbas in Corwen
There are many good bands and musicians out there, who would you ask the readers of musicmuso to look out for?
Lost Tuesday Society
Colorama
Who would you like to know has your music on their iPod, MP3 or cassette walkman?
Anyone who enjoys a right good tune and is open to music without boundaries: music is its own language, innit
If you could describe your music in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
Boh, the massive baby from the film Spirited Away
What are your plans for 2014?
More of the glorious same
Before Clêr could disappear to hunt down more female fronted punk acts for some fisticuffs, we threw in a few quick fire questions....
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke
Banksy or Dali? Dali
Drum machine or the real deal? Real deal
Mac or PC? Mac
Fry up or Sunday roast? Both
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)? Lemmy
CD or Vinyl? Vinyl
Car or Motorbike? Car
Acoustic or Electric? Electric
Shower or Bath? Both
Tattoos or Piercings? Both
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino? Al Paniro
God or Google? Dougal
The brand new Pobl y Bryn EP (BLAS) is available to buy on iTunes from July 3, 2014
SOCIAL MEDIA
www.poblybryn.com (from July 3, 2014)
GIGS
Saith Seren, Wrexham: Friday, July 11
Workhouse Festival, Llanfyllin: Saturday, July 12
International Eisteddfod (last night): Sunday, July 13
More dates to follow
We'd like to thank the band for sparing the time to chat to us, we wish them every success with the release of their new EP and forthcoming live shows.
Interview by Mark Wincott