2 Music


Time’s just right for a UK return


SIXTIES LEGEND: Billy J Kramer


“IT WAS just a matter of the right time, the right place and things lining up withmysched- ule,” Billy J Kramer recently told Andy Howells, as they talked about his return to the UK to perform his first con- certs in 18 years. The original Merseybeat era


star, who now resides in the USA, explains why he hadn’t toured theUKfor so long: “I did a lot of touring and I thought it was best to leave it off. I didn’t want to do one tour after anoth- er as I thought people would get fed up with me!” Billy couldn’t be any more wrong as he discovered recent- ly when performing to appre- ciative fans at several Beatles Fests in the USA. Billy plays St David’s Hall as


part of the Solid Silver Sixties Show on April 1. Call 029 2087 8444 for details.


Rockney duo return


CHAS & Dave are back in Wales, bringing their On The Road tour to Swansea’s Grand Theatre on April 2. Chas & Dave first arrived on


the music scene in the ‘70s, with hits such as Gertcha and Rabbit. The show features all the classics, plus songs from their new On the Road album. It saw Chas and Dave not only return to the UK album charts, but also return to their roots with a collection of early R&B, skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll classics alongside new takes on songs of their own.


Contact Us


EDITOR: Nicole Garnon 01633 777203 nicole.garnon@gwent-wales.co.uk


EDITORIAL AND DESIGN: Andy Howells andrew.howells@gwent-wales.co.uk


ADVERTISING: Andrea Hall 01633 777285 andrea.hall@gwent-wales.co.uk


ONLINE: www.southwalesaargus.co.uk www.twitter.com/argus_theguide


TIGERCATS will be taking part in Wales Go Pop! Festival in Cardiff on April 4. The band teamed up with director


Thomas James (Fat White Family, Taman Shud) of Black Teeth Productions to bring out the dark side of their songwriting in the new video for their single, Sleeping in the Backseat. A ride in the country takes a nightmarish turn in this slickly brutal homage to 1960s British horror films, with murderous consequences. Known for their bright and lively DIY


promos for previous singles Full Moon Reggae Party and Junior Champion, the darkly mysterious tone is as much a de- parture as the mature sound of new al- bum Mysteries, out now on Fortuna Pop!, and reveals a new side to the band.


Friday, March 27, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide Meet The Band : Tigercats


MYSTERIOUS: Tigercats


ANDYHOWELLSmeets Tigercats ahead of their Cardiff showon April 4


Superbly crafted and full of personality,


Tigercats’ second album suggests that they won’t remain a mystery much longer. Andy Howells recently entered the sur- real world of Tigercats.


Who are you and how did you come together? We are Tigercats and we started play-


ing music together in a basement. When we were ready, we came out of the base- ment.


Where are you from? London by way of Kent, Sussex and


Australia.


How would you describe your music style? We play fancy music for fancy people.


What’s been your best live experience? My favourite live experience is always


watching Jonny, our drummer, setting up his kit. He has elevated setting up kits to an art form, its a privilege to witness it.


Hip-hop giants are back CD Reviews


Twist It’s difficult to keep track of


Wu-Tang Clan – A Better


Tomorrow Launching straight into


Ruckus In B Minor, this proves that some bands never lose the ability to put out good records. Understated or in your face in equal measure, this record is classic Wu-Tang Clan. The intercut samples taken from Kung-Fu movies is a staple. While this new- est album doesn’t have quite the same funk as tracks like Uzi or the complete feel of 36 Chambers, there’s enough of what made them great. There is a pleasing blend of classic 90s hip-hop and more modern turntablism and sampling to keep the sound fresh.


Nubiyan Twist – Nubiyan


the amount of musical styles being used throughout this record. Dub is fairly constant but is fused with soul, jazz, reggae, hip-hop, samba and even turntablism. Despite the wide range of sounds, this re- cord flows seamlessly from track to track without ever feeling crowded or disjoint- ed. A blend of Bonobo and De-Phazz springs to mind. This is an example of mak- ing a record to be listened to in its entirety, with the bass turned right up. A fantastic debut effort. Dan Barnes


Menace Beach – Ratworld Ratworld is Leeds combo Menace Beach’ guitar-psyche fuelled debut. Harking back to the days when indie music


Can you tell us about your new release? Our new album is a collection of songs


that each have an enigma at their heart. It’s like a musical crossword puzzle.


Where can people hear your music? On the internet, in all the usual place.


Outside the open window of any young trendsetter, roundabout dusk.


What can people expect from your Wales Goes Pop gig? We will be loud, we will play hard and


fast but we also know when to be gentle. We will try to make you dance and/or cry. Bring a handkerchief.


For details, visit tigercatsband.com


really was indie, Ratworld is energetic, loud and slightly out of phase but brilliant for it. Time for the great pretenders to move over; Drop Outs is among one of the many album highlights.


Meghan Trainor – Title Try as you can to avoid


it, some pop is almost too infectious to ignore, but then that’s always been the case. Meghan Trainor had already been riding high in the US before her singles started to scratch the sur- face of the UK charts with Lips Are Movin’ and All About That Bass. Catchi- ness continues with her de- but album Title, including new single Dear Future Hus- band, already a big smash in America. Andy Howells


CATCHY: Meghan Trainor


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