Little has been said of the bands from the old county of Clwyd on Radio Cymru, nor in the pages of the press overthe past few years, but suddenly, two young bands have established themselves in the Welsh Rock Scene. Mr. Smith's brand of Welsh funk has created waves in the industry, while Fel Petai, winners of the title Most Promising Band at this year's National Eisteddfod in Colwyn, are set to release their first material.

Fel Petai admit that they were virgins to the Welsh rock scene when they picked up the £250 prize at the Eisteddfod, and this was only a month after the band first formed. Their experiences in Clwyd have not offered them much as a band, and like Mr. Smith, Fel Petai have had to depend on the Eisteddfod and the scene in their neighbouring county to make a name for themselves. They're not sureof the reasons for this...

Gaz John: I don't think the area is 'Welsh' enough to maintain a scene of its own...

Catrin: No, I don't think that's the problem. There are plenty of Welsh speakers in the area, but they choose to go out to places that arrange usical events in english and who play English music.

Bobs: If a new Welsh band starts up, its difficult for them to make it in the welsh Rock Scene because nobody seems to want to give them a chance, or to promote them.

Catrin: There are plenty of bands around - plenty of talented ones at that, but they aren't given a chance.

The band go on to talk about their recent gigs, and the favourable response they've received in Gwynedd, their neighbouring county. Those that have been the biggest help to them so far are Hywel Wigley and his work with Do Re Mi Ffwnc and the gigs in Glynllifon College at the end of the summer, and Diems, who have gigged with them on numerous occasions (including Clwb Ifor Bach in cardiff in November), and who also offered them their first experience of recording.

 

So who are Fel Petai, and what makes them so special?

GAZ - lead vocal and guitar
BOBS - vocal and guitar
CATRIN - vocal and keyboards
GAZ JOHN - vocal and bass guitar
LLYR - vocal ("when I'm given a mic") and drums

The fact that each member of the band sings certainly makes Fel Petai different to many of the Welsh bands on the scene, and it is also one of their main strengths - their vocal harmony and musical style only add to this. They describe their music as "a mixture of funk, rock and soul, adapted for the Nineties". They come accross as musical postmodernists, taking musical pieces or styles to create new works. For example, their set features a whole chunk from The Wombles theme (Miranda), and songs by Edward H Davis, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton and, erm...Sobin a'r Smaeliaid? I remember someone asking me a t a recent gig if their inclusion of Sobin's Blws Ty Golchi in the set was a joke, and looking totally shoked when told that no, they were totally serious.

This is how Fel Petai differ from other young bands, who seem to spend their time slagging off bands which have been influential in shaping the Welsh Rock Scene (trendy or not). This group aren't afraid to show their influences to the world, preferring to show their talent for performing songs that people actually want to hear when they go to gigs.

They also understand the demands of the industry, having already appeared several time sin the Cytgord Top 20, and having performed gigs all over Wales (Bala, Harlech, Cardiff, Rhyl amongst others) and they haven't even released their first EP yet This hasn't prevented Radio Cymru from playlisting Unig - their Christmas single, and Naturioldeb Rhyw, a song about..SEX This is also the song Fel Petai recently performed on S4C's teatime children's programme Uned 5

 

Another thing that makes this band different to many other in the welsh Rock Scene is the fact that one of their members is..shock...horror a GIRL Since Diffiniad split, the female presence in the traditionally male-dominated scene has practically disappeared. Gaz: - The judges at the Eisteddfod this year said that out of 45 members of bands that competed, only two were female, and I'm sure this is typical of the Welsh Rock Scene.

So does Catrin get any stick from the rest of the band?

Catrin: - They make a lot of sexist remarks and jokes, but I understand how some lads feel they have to behave in each other's company (laughs). No, I understand they're not serious about what they say, and I do give as good as I get. I don't think there are enough women in the scene, but those there are do tend to be remembered. (The rest of the band laughs, Catrin sulks and storms off. The band split up. Within five minutes, Catrin returns and the band reform once again)

Catrin: - We're good mates really...honest

It appears that this joking is what keeps the band fresh and creates a family atmosphere, with a healthy attitude amongst the band members. But is there any tension within the group at all? They all shake their heads and laugh again.

Catrin: - We each contribute something different to the band.

No scandals either? No..? Oh go on...Apparently they say they're squeaky clean and that there are no scandals. So what about the future?

Bobs: - Radio Cymru do some important work in that they play songs by new bands, but its time that some shops got their fingers out of their backsides and realised that there is a Welsh Rock scene in Clwyd.

Catrin: - ...and that there's more than just folk singing and male voice choirs.

Gaz: - Those are the Welsh musical stereotypes. It may have been true once, but today there's a wide range of bands from Gorky's to Moniars, to WWZZ to Paladr etc.

Fel Petai present themselves as a band who are optimistic and hopeful of the future. This is obvious in their performances.

One other thing...Where did the name fel Petai come from?

Bobs: - Well, Eisteddfod time came and we had to compete in the band competition, but we didn't have a name. Llyr's dad often uses the phrase "fel petai" (as it were) so the name just sort of stuck. Fel Petai will be releasing their debut EP in the new year, and is likely to contain the tracks Oes Raid i Ti?,Unig and Naturioldeb Rhyw, amongst others. In the meantime, the will continue to perform live at venues accross Wales. Check the local press for details.