Super Furry Animals, Spiritualized, Rich(ard) Dawson, Brighde Chaimbeul, Moin, The Wran, and Curlew

Prior to the formation of Super Furry Animals all members had developed their talents and interests in other Welsh bands with no identifiable genre connection. Notably, lead vocalist and guitarist Gruff Rhys had played in a jangle pop band named Emily and a noise rock band entitled Ffa Coffi Pawb and alongside lead guitarist Huw Buford, bassist Guto Pryce, keyboard and synth player Cian Ciárán, and drummer Dafydd Leuan, founded Super Furry Animals. A techno group from the offset, the band soon adopted neo-psychedelic, progressive and experimental sensibilities, and began steadily writing and touring. After signing with Ankst, the Cardiff-based indie label, the band released their debut EP “Lianfairpwllgywgyllgoger Chwymdrobwlltysiliogoygoyocynygofod (In Space” in June 1995. Sung entirely in Welsh, the EP has been named as the longest-ever title for an EP and led to the subsequent extended play “Moog Droog” in October 1995.

Following a promotional tour across the UK, Super Furry Animals caught the attention of Creation Records' boss Alan McGee, who signed the band towards the tail end of 1995. To expand the band’s fan base Super Furry Animals began singing in English and Welsh, however came under criticism in their native Wales for doing so.

In February 1996 the group released their debut single on Creation Records, “Hometown Unicorn”, which peaked at No. 47 in the UK Singles Chart, and was name NME’s Single of the Week. A second single “God! Show Me Magic” followed in April ahead of their debut album “Fuzzy Logic” released in May 1996. The album earned signfical critical acclaim despite slow sales, peaking at No. 23 in the UK Albums Chart. After performing on the NME Brats Tour, Super Furry Animals released the singles “Hermann ♥’s Pauline” and “The International Language of Screaming” in July 1997. A month later arrived the album “Radiator”, which exceeded the success of its predecessor by reaching No. 8 on the Album Chart and earning even stronger reviews.

Super Furry Animals subsequently released the EP “Ice Hockey Hair” in 1998, which has been referred to by some critics as their finest record. Featuring the finely-tuned lyrical aesthetic of Rhys alongside progressive-beats and apt samples, the EP reached No. 12 in the charts and became a favourite amongst fans. The collection of B-sides “Out Spaced” arrived in November 1998, and marked the beginning of the band’s more experimental and ambitious phase.

Led by the single “Northern Lites”, “Guerrilla” was issued by Creation in 1999, encompassing the genres of glam and garage rock, novelty techno and indeitronica all on a single record. After an extensive promotional tour, Super Furry Animals released the acoustic album “Mwng” featuring songs entirely sung in Welsh and was commended in Parliament for keeping the Welsh language alive. The band signed with Epic Records after Creation's demise and released the albums “Rings Around the World” and “Phantom Power”, both of which charted with the UK Top 15. A remix album of “Phantom Power” entitled “Phantom Phorce” followed a year later in 2004 as well as the best-of compilation album “Songbook: The Singles, Vol. 1”.

“Love Kraft”, recorded in Spain, hit the shelves in August 2005, noted for its laid-back ambience and strong string section. Super Furry Animals subsequently moved to Rough Trade Records and released “Hey Venus!” in 2007 and “Dark/Days/Light Years” in 2009.

Following the disbandment of band Spacemen 3, Jason Pierce one of the band’s frontmen invited the group’s bassist Will Carruthers, drummer Jonny Mattock, guitarist Mark Refoy and friend Steve Evans to form Spiritualized. The band’s recording debut came in 1990 with a cover of The Troggs’ “Anyway That You Want Me”. For the follow-up single release Kate Radley replaced Evans on keyboard and for the band’s debut full-length “Lazer Guided Melodies”. The album and its successor “Pure Phase” (1995) failed to generate much commercial or critical success, and saw the band become a three-piece with Pierce, Radley and bassist Sean Cook.

Spiritualized’s 1997 album “Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space” is where the band hit the big time. Voted NME’s album of the year, the release features a whole host of appearances including the Balanescu Quartet, The London Community Gospel Choir, Dr. John, Spring Heel Jack, and new drummer Damon Reece. Based on Jostein Gaarder’s philosophical novel “Sophie’s World” the album features the singles “Electricity”, “I Think I’m in Love” and “Come Together EP”.

Following the release and Pierce and Radley’s separation, Pierce fired Cook, Reece and Mike Mooney and Radley left of her own accord. To craft the band’s next release “Let It Come Down” (2001) Pierce recruited bassist Martin Shallards, drummer Kev Bales, percussionist Tom Edwards and guitarist Dogan. Subsequently Spiritualized has released the albums “Amazing Grace” in 2003, “Songs in A and E” in spring 2008 and “Sweet Heart Sweet Light” in March 2012.