Wednesday 13th June

Jimi Alexander & The Satellites
Buffalo Bar, Cardiff.

Its a wonder Jon Langford has time to sleep as he is so busy but somehow he managed to squeeze in a hometown gig during The Mekons 30th Anniversary tour. Pulling together his local band The Men of Gwent for a packed and enthusiastic crowd must be Jon’s idea of a night off. Starting with Llamas in Llanyravon the band went on to play Mekons number Tina and Go-Betweens Streets of Your Town before launching into 3 tracks from the classic Skull Orchard album - Pill Sailor, Tubby Brothers and Deep Sea Diver (with Carlton B Morgan on harp). Adding Hank Williams Must Die, Julian’s tune Shit & Lies before dashing through Nashville Radio to end the set. It was a flying visit but as always Jon gave value for money with the banter, jokes and stories inbetween the songs. See how Deep Sea Diver went here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=basiWf5gwLc

First time we’d been to Buffalo Bar and we wont be rushing back as surly bar staff and night club prices don’t suit music venues... never mind, Jimi and The Satellites put in a rousing performance starting with Jon Langford cover Invisible Man before adding I Thought You Said You Love Me, Wayward Soul and new song Hallelujah I’m Alive among the set of original acoustic driven numbers. More confident every time we see them and with a growing following, they are definitely one of South Wales shining stars. Check out their MySpace site: www.myspace.com/jimialexander 

Monday 11th June

Super Furry Animals
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

We were fortunate to nab some tickets for the first night of the SFA for night residency at  Clwb Ifor. It seems most of the other tickets had been on Ebay for £50 each. The band started with Slow Life complete with Gruff wearing his alien helmet. Quickly followed by Rings Around the World and Golden Retriever the band then launched into six new songs they were trying out for their Glastonbury appearance. The usual mixed bag of tempos saw ”our xmas single ”the melodic Show Your Hand followed by The Gift before “xmas in hell” with the rockier Into The Night. The remainder of the set was made up of good selection across the last ten years including Hello Sunshine, Receptacle for the Respectable concluding with Gruff saying “now a selection of our back catalogue in the style of Teenage Fanclub!” and then proceeded to play the majority of their Creation era singles God, Show Me Magic, Ice Hockey Hair and Do or Die before ending of a rousing The Man Don’t give a F*ck complete with a Status Quo style guitar neck celebration. Top beard growing from Bunf by the way! See how Golden Retriever looked here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp62ei26IJo  

Tuesday 5th June

Lost Patrol Band, Bedford Falls, Gethin Pearson & The Scenery
Le Pub, Newport.

Third time we’d seen Gethin and each time his band expands in size. Tonight its a six piece with members of The Automatic and The Take joining the band. The difference is noticeable and the songs seem much stronger with a full backing. Some really top drawer playing sees the well constructed songs fully make sense live. Gethin is on the way up and just gets better every time. Check out some video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHYbQa3r63E

Alan Tyler, former frontman of early 90s heroes The Rockinbirds has kept ploughing a similar farrow for a number of years. His latest album with the Lost Sons of Littlefield sees more very British take of the Country view of life. As if Ray Davies had been born in Nashville the band play a very straightforward, but pro barroom country sound. See how I’m Never Gonna Sing That Song Anymore went on the night: www.youtube.com/watch?v=izNfuxWpqBQ