Various Artists - The North South Divine

"The North South Divine" was a compilation album released by FF Vinyl (although not on vinyl, only CD) and served as a sonic battleground and a bridge, capturing the energetic diversity of the UK's underground music at the time of its 2004 release. True to its title, the compilation aimed to highlight a musical and cultural dialogue, showcasing bands that were often divided by the media's focus on London-centric scenes versus the potent output from north of the Watford Gap.

With 12 tracks, this collection is genre-fluid journey, blending the raw post-punk edge and earnest indie-pop hooks characteristic of the era. These are not the chart-toppers, but the hard-working acts generating genuine buzz on the club and festival circuit. It functions today as an authentic time capsule, a valuable document that illustrates the geographic spread and stylistic depth of British alternative music before the internet fully flattened local music economies. For anyone interested in the bands that were on the cusp of breaking through in the mid-2000s, The North South Divine is an essential, if rare, listen.

There's no online copy available so I've linked some of the tracks I've found on YouTube.

Track	Artist	Song Title	Length
1	Kentucky AFC	"Outlaw"	3:32
2	JT Mouse	"Numb"	2:06
3	The Afternoons	"That Summer, That Sky"	3:37
4	The Crimea	"White Russian Galaxy"	3:19
5	Gabrielle 25	"Tearing Away"	3:05
6	The Peakz	"Conwy Valley Love Song"	3:24
7	Camera	"I'm Not Ready (Demo)"	3:24
8	Texas Radio Band	"Chwareon"	3:56
9	FILLMORE	"Acrobat"	3:15
10	Science	"Oh, I Hide It Well"	3:15
11	The International Karate Plus	"Nexus In A Chain Of Thought"	3:24
12	Sweet Baboo	"Do Do D Do Charlene"	2:47

The Keys - Love Your Sons & Daughters - 7" single

Released on Too Pure, “Love Your Sons & Daughters” finds Aberyswyth's finest garage export The Keys distilling their appeal into three tightly wound tracks that balance bruising guitar force with an unexpectedly open heart. The title song surges in on a cool sixties guitar, quickly settling into a driving pulse that never quite loosens its grip. There’s a ragged uplift to the melody — a chorus that tells you of so many tears and so many fears — and the vocal sits right on that fault line between tenderness and abrasion. I'm digging the organ solo! The whole song is hooky without being clean, anthemic without ever sounding safe.

The B-side sounds almost of demo quality, but still deepens the picture rather than merely padding it out. “Good As Glue” shifts from outward sweep to inward pressure, built around a thick, slightly trippy psychedelic background that scrapes and snags instead of soaring. Where the A-side pushes forward, this track feels stuck in place — deliberately so — exploring attachment as something adhesive and faintly suffocating. The chorus doesn’t explode; it tightens, pulling everything closer together until the tension itself becomes the hook. It’s a wiry, claustrophobic piece of mushroom influence that rewards repeat listens, revealing sly melodic turns beneath the surface abrasion.

“Echinacea,” by contrast, acts as an acoustic comedown and a quiet aftershock. Named after the herbal remedy, it drifts rather than drives, trading psychedelic swirls for hazier textures by acoustic guitars and a slower, almost narcotic groove. The vocals harmoniously recede into the mix, sounding distant and private, as if overheard in a bar rather than performed. Instead of building toward release, the song gently dissipates, leaving behind a residue of melancholy calm. It’s the most fragile moment on the single, and arguably the most revealing, showing the band’s ability to generate atmosphere without abandoning intensity.

Taken as a whole, the record feels less like a traditional single and more like a miniature emotional arc: a surge of communal feeling, a knot of dependency, and a muted recovery. What stands out is the absence of irony. “Love Your Sons & Daughters” may not polish its emotions into radio sheen, but that’s precisely its strength — it burns, wobbles, and finally exhales, leaving the impression of a band far more nuanced than a single blast of guitar noise might suggest.

‘People & Planet’ protest held at Esso garage on A55

The Esso garage on the A55 near Northop became a flashpoint for environmental direct action in North Wales. Organised by the student network People & Planet, the protest was a local spearhead for the international "Stop Esso" campaign, which sought to hold the oil giant accountable for its role in the escalating climate crisis.

The timing of the protest was significant, occurring just ten days after the start of the Iraq War. For the activists gathered on the A55, the issues of renewable energy and global conflict were inextricably linked. While other oil "supermajors" had begun making tentative steps toward green energy, Esso remained a staunch holdout, famously refusing to invest in wind, solar, or tidal power. Protesters used the high visibility of the A55—the main transit artery for North Wales—to highlight Esso’s active lobbying against the Kyoto Protocol and its perceived influence on oil-centric foreign policy.

Tactically, the demonstration was designed to engage motorists through subversion and visual storytelling. Activists frequently wore distressed tiger costumes—a mockery of the iconic "Put a Tiger in Your Tank" slogan—and displayed a modified Esso logo where the "SS" was replaced with dollar signs ($$) to symbolise corporate greed. By leafleting drivers and encouraging a boycott, the group aimed to hit the company's profits to force a shift in environmental policy.

The A55 protest was a critical component of a wider movement that eventually saw 1 in 20 UK motorists avoiding the brand. It cemented a legacy of student-led activism in the region, proving that local actions on a North Wales roadside could contribute to a massive national conversation about climate change, fossil fuels, and the urgent need for a transition to renewable energy.

Pigstock Pocket Venus Punch Up

 

Daily Post - the fracas was at Pigstock Festival in Denbigh on Saturday 10th August

Infinity Chimps LP ‘Sounds of Nant Y Benglog’ is released on Ankst

 

Two decades on from its quiet release, Sounds of Nant Y Benglog remains one of the Welsh underground's most elusive artefacts. Released on August 5th, 2002 via Ankstmusik, the LP was the second—and seemingly final—offering from Infinity Chimps, the enigmatic side project of John Lawrence, formerly of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci.

If Gorky’s flirted with psychedelic folk whimsy, Infinity Chimps dives headlong into it, trading in melodies wrapped in mist, motifs half-remembered, and instrumental sketches that evoke a deep sense of place. The place in question: Nant Y Benglog, a real and mythic corner of North Wales, rendered here as dreamscape.

Opening with delicate acoustic guitar and a true 70s feel, the album sets a tone that feels both personal and unspoken. Titles like “Pen Llithrig y Wrach” and “Drws y Coed” ground the album in Welsh topography and folklore, though the record rarely speaks directly—it's more a collection of moods, scenes, and shadows. Lawrence’s production favours restraint: gentle yet beautiful guitars, occasional pedal steel, whispered electronics and harmonies. Songs appear like weather patterns: fleeting, shifting, unknowable.

One of the most immediate tracks, “97 Days,” offers a vague pulse of early-post-Syd Pink Floyd, with rhythm and light, while “Universe” feels like it’s evaporating as it plays. The instrumental choices suggest a musician working on instinct, not audience expectation. It’s as if the record wasn’t meant to be found, but stumbled upon.

What’s most striking is how little fanfare this album received. There are virtually no reviews, no interviews, and minimal trace of its existence beyond collector circles and a handful of digital listings. That absence only adds to its mystique. For fans of exploratory, lo-fi folk, Sounds of Nant Y Benglog is a hidden gem from an artist mid-transition—between the band he left and the solo career he would eventually embrace.

In hindsight, it prefigures the direction Lawrence would take on Songs from the Precipice (2015) and Narcissus Paradox (2019): reflective, regional, uncommercial, but rich with feeling.

RANT - Wakestock Cocaine Festival

In what was an absurd attack on the hugely successful Wakestock Festival held last weekend near Abersoch the Daily Post newspaper sank into tabloid journalistic hell in a pathetic attempt to boost circulation sales. The headline ‘Cocaine Festival’ greeted readers on Monday morning & the following 2 pages illustrated how shocked reporter Hugo Duncan uncovered ‘Drugs chaos at North Wales surfing event.’ What a pile of complete bollocks. It’s patently obvious this journalist either has aspirations of working for The Sun or thought a rock festival was something Bryn Terfel holds for his opera friends every year.

I was at Wakestock on Saturday with Pocket Venus, Treehouse 3 & Reef & none of us had to surf down mountains of cocaine, stand on blocks of cannabis or catch collapsing party-goers. It looks like Hugo Duncan was having all the fun as I don’t recall this ‘massive drugs party’ taking place. Wasn’t it a lucky coincidence he took his own photographer with him to capture the moment he was offered cannabis (shocking isn’t it!?) by a reveller? Quite frankly, those who have read the Daily Post article & attended the festival will probably deduct that to have written a story like that you’d have to be on drugs as the guy was obviously hallucinating! And anyone lying on the ground had obviously come under the effect as the ‘cocktail of drink & drugs took its toll.’ There is no denying that drug intake went on at this festival, as it does in every town every day; it is a scourge, but the level that the report descended to is quite laughable had it not been so potentially damaging to the O’Shea Wakestock organisers. Would you believe that as Reef blasted out their heavy guitar riffs most of the audience went wild! It must have been a frightening experience for poor Hugo (you’ll never make the NME sunshine, maybe Y Gadlas if you’re lucky). Thankfully the North Wales Police viewed the festival for what it was, a huge success, extremely friendly, no arrests & a huge boost to the income of a struggling part of our country.

There were 6 stabbing related incidents in Rhyl the same evening (2 with knives, 4 with bottles), I didn’t see any news stories on them.

Unlike the Daily Post, this website will not close ranks. Hugo Duncan & his editor are welcome to reply to this item.

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They did…. (this from Mark Brittain)

WHEN the Daily Post visited the Wakestock Festival last Saturday evening, little did we know that we were about to stir up a hornet’s nest. Mind you, we didn’t know that we were about to witness scenes of blatant dope smoking and cocaine sniffing either.

Our report which appeared on Monday, under the headline “Cocaine Festival”, led to a total (so far) of 15 irate phone calls, e-mails, faxes and letters, all of them critical, and some extremely abusive, but all voicing virtually identical criticisms.Faced, therefore, with demands for an apology, it is incumbent on us to answer our critics and state our case – which I shall do having given you a taste of the more reasoned correspondence, which, for reasons of space and repetition, I have been obliged to condense – for which I do apologise.

First off, a very temperate rebuke from Mrs C. Fox, of Pwllheli. “My husband and I were present at the prizegiving and live music on Saturday night, having watched the competition events on Friday and Saturday,” she wrote. “I was amazed at your account of events and find it difficult to believe we were at the same venue! We have been to a great many live music events over the last 30 years and felt security arrangements were satisfactory – my bag was searched before we were allowed into the arena, and at no time did we feel threatened or see any `chaotic scenes’. As I understand it, the 15-year-old boy mentioned in the article had in fact been drinking `Red Bull’ and had his drink `spiked’ as suggested. As for `ten people’ climbing over the fence and `letting party-goers in and out at will’, you then state that `security guards replaced the fence soon after’ – and there were between 3,500 and 5,000 people present!!

“While I agree there were people a bit worse for wear towards the end of the evening, are you naive enough to think this doesn’t happen – here, or anywhere else?”It is a sign of the times that some people do take recreational drugs, and, as with anything, if you go looking for them, you will find them. We saw no one obviously flaunting or offering them. “I was, however, encouraged to hear that the police were happy with the way things went and, after all, there seemed to be no reports of violence as there have been in the past at other live music events in North Wales.

“It would be a terrible shame if this event ceased to exist after only three years due to one distorted view, when so much hard work has gone into organising it each year.”

Next up, Heather Torkington described our report as “spectacularly inaccurate and quite frankly pathetic”, but took immediate exception to our incorrect reference in the subheadline to “surfing”.

“Wakeboarding and surfing are two very different sports demanding totally opposite weather conditions and equipment … such a blatant inaccuracy is inexcusable,” she wrote.”I am absolutely disgusted with your `exclusive scoop’ and I, and other local business people, hope you fully intend to apologise to the organisers.

“Abersoch, like many villages in Wales, really felt the pain of foot-andmouth disease last year and our local tourist board are working so hard with people like O’Shea to organise events that can help regenerate our businesses and extend the season – you have quite simply gone out of your way to defame the festival and pull out all stops to prevent it happening next year.

“The festival has bought thousands of people to the area to enjoy fabulous music and an exciting growing sport in the heart of our beautiful Pen Llyn – surely this is something to be proud of. We enjoyed our busiest weekend this year, which is exactly what was needed during such a gloomy summer. The organisers spent the past year working tirelessly with the council/ police and authorities to make sure that every Health and Safety avenue was explored. If you go to any pub in any town in this country and ask for drugs, you will find them. I am hardly surprised that your stunt of going undercover to find drugs was fruitful! I was reassured by the police presence and security measures, but most of all I was bowled over by the amazing atmosphere people of all ages (I spotted at least two grannies!) having a fantastic time. I think that 10 people trying to climb over a fence is an impressively small number and that security should be congratulated. I arrived around 9.30 to have my bag checked, and witnessed enough police to put the fear of god into any potential drug user. The standard of music was unbelievable – with a superb mix of local bands and emerging bands from all over the coun-try – as for Reef, what a coup to have them play on their return to the UK after a sell-out tour of the US.”

Mike Atherton wrote, expressing his “disgust and disappointment. I have attended the Wakestock Festival over the past three years and very much enjoyed it on all occasions. Every year, a lot of people have a great time at what is widely recognised as a well organised, efficient and troublefree event. As, indeed, it was this year. Articles like yours cause great harm and send out a very negative message to all the people who might not have attended and been able to see that the very large majority of several thousand people had a great night in a great location. I would imagine that, if any journalist went to any event of any scale, looking solely to expose it as a drugs festival, they would indeed be able to find people with drugs.

“Why did you not mention that the Wakeboarding – not surfing – sends out a good message to young people of the benefits of healthy outdoor sports? Why did you focus on a small part of the festival – that, yes, there would indeed be some people taking drugs – and not the great music, good organisation, or lack of any trouble over the whole event? That the police again reported that there was no trouble and are very happy with the event organisation? Or the fact that a relatively small place has brought big names, from both Wakeboarding and the music world, to a beautiful tourist area, boosting and strengthening the local economy after much hard work and planning from local people?”

Someone called Pru e-mailed to say: “Can appreciate your concern with the drug problems that are apparent in society today – just a shame that you chose to pick on one event to highlight it. Not a very good angle considering that, if you go looking for such things at any festivals, then there will always be that element. Just thankful that there were only two incidents out of a possible 5,000. I came away from the event very happy, my only concerns being the camping capacity. The wakeboarding was spectacular, you must agree? Those riders are the most gutsy I have seen in a long time – shame that you didn’t feel it was worth a mention.”

Finally, Neil Crud, manager of Pocket Venus, one of the bands who performed, wrote to “protest strongly”. Although there is no denying that drug intake went on, to portray the event as a cocaine free-for-all is absurd and it is blatantly obvious that you went to ‘dig the dirt’ rather than report on an arrest-free and successful gathering. I spent the entire day at Wakestock and drove home in the early hours of Sunday. Having to stay sober, I vividly remember not seeing mountains of cannabis and cocaine, nor did I fall over any comatose 15 year-olds. Drugs are a scourge on society, but to tar 5,000 people with the brush of being in a `massive drugs party’ is an absolute lie.”

The Daily Post, in line with its policy, is pleased to publish the above “rights of reply” and, for what it’s worth, we deny absolutely that we went to deliberately bury, not to praise, the festival. Let me state unequivocally that we wholeheartedly support any venture which brings tourists to North Wales. We went to report honestly on a festival and found instead, sadly, what we later wrote about, and which we stand by. It may well be that, by concentrating on the drug use, we failed to adequately reflect the many excellent things also going on.

However, if the future of the festival is to be assured, then open drugtaking, especially of Class A drugs like cocaine, must not be tolerated. A minority, to be sure, but one which tainted the rest of the festival and which could, if allowed to flourish, jeopardise it.

By highlighting the problem, we hope we may have nipped it in the bud. To any disappointed readers, we say sorry – but not for taking the antidrugs stance we did.

We will never, ever, apologise for that.

Pocket Venus have punch up with Bluetones

 

Neil Crud: 'I got them a support slot with The Bluetones at Bangor Uni, but some mix up led to them not being on the bill. So, pretty pissed off with this so-called mix-up, I fabricated story about a punch up with The Bluetones. It was circulated and ended up making the news.'