The Gathering Special Guests
Simon Fowler
Simon Fowler appeared at Rhuddlan Castle Rocks and Mike and The Alarm backed Simon to perform ‘The Day We Caught the Train’.
The Men They Couldn’t Hang
`The Men They Couldn’t Hang came together in 1984 to perform at the alternative music festival in Camden town alongside the legendary Pogues and the Boot Hill Foot-Tappers. Paul Simmonds, Philip ‘Swill’ Odgers and his brother Jon, veterans of the Southampton based pop-punk band ‘Catch 22′, met Pogues roadie Stefan Cush whilst busking in Shepherds Bush in London. Their early line up was Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds (Guitar, Bouzouki, Keyboards), Philip Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass, Flute). Championed by the late john Peel their first single, a cover of Eric Bogle’s ‘Green Fields Of France’ (1984), became a big hit on the UK Indie charts and a staple of Peel’s festive 50. Their first album, “Night Of A Thousand Candles”, was released in 1985. It includes the singles ‘Ironmasters’ and ‘Greenback Dollar’. Signing for MCA the following year, they recorded their second album, “How Green Is The Valley”, produced by Mick Glossop. Included on this album are the singles ‘Gold Rush’, ‘Shirt Of Blue’ and ‘Ghosts Of Cable Street’.
In 1987 Shanne Bradley left the band and was replaced by Ricky McGuire, famous for touring with punk legends the UK Subs at the tender age of 17. With their third release in 1988, “Waiting For Bonaparte”, The Men They Couldn’t Hang were starting to achieve recognition across Europe for their political comment and raucous live shows.
One year later, they followed up the success of “Waiting For Bonaparte” with their fourth album, “Silvertown”. In 1989 they played to over 250,000 people in Estonia as communism started to crumble and followed this with an unforgettable Reading Festival appearance. At the height of their career, TMTCH recorded the brilliant “Domino Club” (1990)produced by Pat Collier however, this was their last studio album for a while as in early 1991, after a blistering farewell tour the band called it a day.
The split didn’t last long as the band were invited by Vince Power to appear at his 10th anniversary celebrations for the Mean Fiddler venue in London and the band performed occasional gigs including a fantastic 2 ½ hour 10th anniversary gig of their own in 1994.
By 1996 much to the delight of their fans, TMTCH reunited permanently. They returned with a new power and excitement to their music. “Never Born To Follow” is an excellent work which includes the single, ‘The Eye’. Shortly after this, they released the “Six Pack EP” (1997), followed by their ‘Best Of’ collections, “Majestic Grill” and “The Mud, The Blood And The Beer” (both 1998). In 2003 the band released the self produced album”The Cherry Red Jukebox” to much critical acclaim and this was followed by the Pat Collier produced “Devil on the Wind” in 2009 featuring longtime associate Bobby Valentino on fiddle and introducing Tom Spencer of the YoYos and the Loyalties fame, son of musician and author the late John B Spencer on banjo. The band spent much of 2010 and 11 touring this across the U.K. and Europe including festival appearances alongside The Levellers and headlining a roots festival in Slovenia.
2012 promises a solo album from Phillip Odgers, an album from Stefan Cush’s new band, the Feral Family and Paul Simmonds has been recording and touring with renowned roots singer Naomi Bedford. Also on the cards is a new studio album from TMTCH and live dates across the UK.
The Last Republic
The Last Republic are many people’s tip to become the next big band to emerge from Wales. With soaring, bittersweet vocal melodies set against a sonic landscape of distorted grandeur, The Last Republic’s anthems for a generation and call-to-arms manifesto question the industrial illusion and the perceived progress of the modern world.
The Last Republic formed in 2008, after meeting at the infamous rock venue The Duke of Wellington in Neath, South Wales. After gigging their way around Wales’ and London’s club circuit, they forged a reputation as a ‘must see’ live act and soon scored their first big break after entering Virgin Media’s ‘The Road To V’ competition.
After weeks of TV coverage and seeing off competition from over 3500 bands, The Last Republic followed in the footsteps of The Young Knives and Bombay Bicycle Club to win the competition. Receiving 20,000 votes in the final, the band earned the right to play on The Main Stage at the V Festival alongside the likes of Oasis and The Killers in front of 10,000 people each day.
Despite overtures from the music industry’s old guard, The Last Republic opted to accept an attractive offer of specialist music business investment in order to remain independent.
The band have received airplay from Radio 1 DJ’s Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens, been playlisted by XFM and awarded the ‘Record of The Week’ on NME Radio. In addition to playing a sold-out support show at London’s O2 Arena, The Last Republic have supported The Charlatans and Placebo, toured with the inspirationally independent band The Levellers, completed their own five-week headline tour and performed at festivals across the UK and Europe.
The Last Republic recorded their debut album at the famous Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield, Wales, with Chris Sheldon (Radiohead, Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters) & Tom Manning (The Enemy, Broken Records, Feeder) during the winter of 2009/10. Entitled ‘Parade’, the album was mixed by Chris Sheldon, Andrew Scheps (U2, Metallica & The Mars Volta) and Dan Austin (The Doves, Cooper Temple Clause). It is scheduled for release on 1st November 2010.
The album’s release is preceded by a UK tour which commences on 15th October 2010, and a new single, ‘CCTV’, on 25th October 2010.
“…speaking of the future, here are a band who have a big part in it.” – Zane Lowe – BBC Radio 1
“The Last Republic are making a name for themselves as purveyors of soaring epic anthems…Catchier than the clap and dressed sharper than razors, it’s clear that The Last Republic have the proverbial ‘bigger things’ lined up squarely in their crosshairs.” – Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1
“The Last Republic – a band whose potential for broad appeal is complimented with grand guitar riffs, beautiful soaring melodies and a healthy punch of attitude” – Kerrang! Radio
“The Last Republic have unbelievable vision.” – XFM (Manchester & London)