Locked in the Vault: Llwybr Llaethog, BBC Sessions, and the Forgotten Archive

Llwybr Llaethog, the long‑running experimental Welsh-language band from Blaenau Ffestiniog, have been actively subverting genres since 1985. Their music, a heady mix of hip‑hop, dub, punk, reggae, and sharp political commentary, remains one of the most distinctive sounds to come out of Wales.

Back on August 4, 2002, they performed a live session for Adam Walton’s BBC Radio Wales show, a programme known for giving airtime to some of the country’s most innovative underground acts. But unless you happened to catch that particular broadcast, you’re out of luck. That session, like so many others, is now buried deep in the BBC archives. Not available to stream anymore, not on YouTube, not even listed in most session databases.

Whereas a John Peel session holds the reverence it deserves, I find it criminal that these recordings on Adam's show—important cultural documents—are locked away and rotting in obscurity. These aren't just old tapes. They're snapshots of musical history, capturing the raw, (often) live energy of artists at pivotal moments in their careers.

So why can’t we hear them?

Is it a resource issue? A lack of staff or funding to digitize and release them? Or is it purely about copyright control? The BBC typically owns the rights to these sessions, and that ownership may extend to restricting access, possibly even from the artists themselves.

Whatever the reason, it’s frustrating. Personally, I would happily volunteer my time to help digitize and share these sessions, officially or otherwise, if only I could get my hands on them. There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of unique recordings gathering dust while fans, historians, and curious listeners remain locked out.

In a digital age where music discovery is everything, it’s time to open the vault.

Paul Hammond turns 60

 

Paul Hammond – Also known as The Scouse Git born 1965.
Moved to Rhyl from his native Liverpool & tired of hosting Macc Lads parties he gave up his management position at Asda to form the Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials (PSST) in 1990.
After many line up changes, the band ran its course, Hammond then formed KKKK who soon changed their name to GMX Stuns, before starting a new more trance orientated project called Sentient (this moniker rotated with the Sex Terrestrials & the full PSST name).

Hammond, a prominent figure in the local press & never one to shy from publicity found what a lot of people described as his niche as host of the Xsentrik Selection Radio Show on Shore FM.
Also recorded an anti-smoking song with Malcolm McLaren (former Sex Pistols manager) & ironically a pro-cannabis ditty with local musicians called Smokin’ The Ganja.
Other ventures have included running a co-operative recording studio called Sound Solution, promoting bands at Trotters in Rhyl, introducing trance acts as MC Jester at Trancemission.
Started the DNA Project in 2000 (a 'personal' acid-dance project). 2001 saw him as the driving force behind Rhyl’s venue the Breeding Ground for 18 months before rekindling an electronic version of PSST. Forever reinventing himself, Hammond formed deadsexys (2007) using Liverpool band Sleeping With The Fishes to perform cover versions, whom he managed up to 2009.
In April 2008 he released a version of The Kop’s tribute to Liverpool FC’s striker Fernando Torres, earning him thousands of hits on YouTube, an appearance on LFCTV, numerous airplays at Anfield on matchday and plaudits in the Spanish media.
Since 2011 for around 10 years he has been found mashing up well know punk songs. In 2013 he started Zombie Dub project with Joe Shooman and also officially remixed Sigue Sigue Sputnik. In 2016 he began releasing material under his own name including the album ‘Out Of The Dark’ (29.01.18).
In 2020 Paul found that niche again and began to present his very popular Punk AF radio podcast.
Paul Hammond on Bandcamp
Punk AF Radio Show on Mixcloud

Fflapogram

 

Fflapogram, featuring Ann Matthews and Alan Holmes from Fflaps / Ectogram, along with Dewi Evans. They will be playing songs from Fflaps and Ectogram. In memory of Emyr Ankst.

Yep, Ann and Alan resurrected both their early bands for a handful of local appearances in 2024 - playing The Curiad Pulse and Ara Deg festivals. 

Check out this great video / documentary on Fflaps.

Crinc / Mr Phormula @ Nanhoron Arms, Nefyn

Mr Phormula is in the house, Mr Phormula commands the house. It’s an improv set for a certain mind-set and the king of hip hop kings performed admirably.

This is the Cymdeithas Yr Iaith (Welsh Language Society) string of fringe gigs in and around the National Eisteddfod site in Boduan.

So while the Klu Klux Druids are doing their sacrificial stuff in a big tent somewhere over there, here we have some great music among great people.

In the beautiful surroundings of Nefyn on the north coast of the Llyn Peninsula sits the Nanhoron Arms. Bands and artistes are here all week (Eisteddfod week), it’s a celebration of Welsh culture and perfect reason to get drunk with friends.

Asking you to embrace his culture with a welcome smile and a great new album is Mr Phormula. ‘AWDL – Artist With Dual Language’ is out now and worth anyone and everyone’s attention, whether you like hip-hop or not, you will after listening to AWDL. Mr Phormula is a shining example of an ‘open-door’ policy to Welsh language music and sets out to reverse the ever-decreasing circles trend that has blighted the scene in recent times. He takes his act and workshops across schools in Wales, opening the eyes and minds of those before him.

World renowned for his human beatbox techniques, he did just that to open his set as we all stood in awe at what we were seeing and hearing. It was very much an ad-lib whirlwind set that had those present a-whoopin’ and a-hollerin’ – great to hear Un Ffordd live and the brand new Tir.

Enter Crinc – there’s not a lot I could’ve previously told you about these, apart from two cool tracks online and a great name. On seeing them, I fully understand why! My guess is they’re too busy getting stoned to be bothered getting stuff recorded and out there…

What a great band! I counted SEVEN of them on stage, and they looked like a throwback shit 80s wannabe indie band from Blaenau Ffestiniog. This was a jam rather than a gig; probably four maybe five songs, a cool voice, with improvised riffs in between and a bassist holding it all together. It made a great spectacle in the smoke filled tent, awash with this guitar band that straddled a Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine psycho-delic route to the finale. That finale saw the Druid slaying guest Rhys Trimble (of Lolfa Binc fame) hit the stage with his megaphone filled with attitude and coherent killing lyrics. Rhys was ranting and panting as the band’s guitars (and tambourine) screamed on… Fantastic.

NEW ALBUM – Scotch Funeral – Abysmal Nostalgia

Now a decade into unleashing his music Scotch Funeral has put together a new album of songs, from the past, about the past.

They were written and recorded between 2012-2018 and mastered by Ben Dempsy Sawin (of Mowbird & Eitha Da fame).

There’s a unique, yet authentic feel about Scotch Funeral’s songs, and they’re definitely a contagion. You find yourself drawn in by the sound, the style and the simplicity.

Highly recommended…

Out now on CD and download

Venue Closure - The Vic, Menai Bridge

For forty-three years, The Victoria Hotel in Menai Bridge—affectionately known as The Vic—stood as a reliable cornerstone of our diverse music scene, finally closing its doors under independent ownership on November 21, 2021. Managed by sisters Anne Smeaton, Kate Elias, and Nicky Campbell, the venue was celebrated not just as a local pub, but as a prestigious stop for touring musicians in the jazz, folk, blues, and independent rock genres. It gained a reputation as a "musician’s venue," where world-class players were drawn to the intimate atmosphere of the function room and the genuine hospitality of the family who ran it.

The venue’s musical legacy was vast and varied. It served as a primary hub for the North Wales Jazz society, hosting acclaimed acts like the Tom Thorp Quartet, tenor saxophonist Dean Masser, and local jazz luminary Neil Yates. Its acoustic and roots programming was equally legendary, featuring performances by folk icons such as John Renbourn & Wizz Jones, the award-winning Canadian artist Stephen Fearing, and the high-energy blues duo Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson. On the louder side of the spectrum, The Vic embraced the underground, providing a stage for Bangor-based krautrock pioneers Ectogram, the heavy distortions of The Bent Moustache, and local talent like Jack Sharp.

The sale of the hotel to the national chain Greene King in 2021 marked the end of an era for the town's independent spirit. While the building underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment and reopened in 2023 as part of the Chef & Brewer Collection, it is the pre-2021 version of The Vic that remains etched in the memory of the community. It was a place where international talent and local fans shared the same floor, and where the "wall of sound" from a touring band often competed with the stunning, quiet views of the Menai Strait just outside the windows.

Here's a video of Welsh Rebel Outpost - a band featuring members of Anhrefn and 4Q playing The Ruts' 'Staring At The Rude Boys' with punk poet Attila The Stockbroker. At The Vic in 2016.

Gaz Tops swims across Wales

Gareth Jones, the presenter widely known as Gaz Top, celebrated his 60th birthday by becoming the first person to swim the entire length of Wales from south to north. This monumental 60km challenge, which took three weeks to complete, was documented for the S4C series Gareth Jones: Nofio Adre. 

Starting on August 17th, the journey began in the Bristol Channel off the coast of Porthcawl, where he was dropped 1km out and had to body-surf back to shore through two-meter waves. Throughout the trek, Jones navigated a diverse range of waterways, including the rivers Teifi and Conwy, and major reservoirs like those in the Elan Valley and Llyn Brenig. His swim across the lakes of Wales was particularly comprehensive, featuring Llyn Padarn, Llyn Mwyngil, Llyn Gwynant, Llyn Mymbyr, Llyn Eigiau, and Llyn Trawsfynydd. 

A highlight of the expedition was his crossing of Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, which held deep personal significance because his father had nearly drowned there decades earlier. He also reached the literal peak of his journey by swimming in Llyn Llyffant, Wales's highest lake. The swim concluded at the Liverpool Arms on Conwy harbour, where he finished the final leg by swimming down the River Conwy.

To support this feat, nutrition and sports science experts from Bangor University monitored his physiological health, advising him to consume a massive 5,000 calories per day to fuel his efforts and combat the energy-sapping effects of cold water. Despite facing significant physical hurdles, including a severe bout of stomach cramps and food poisoning on the second and third days near Llanelli, Jones completed the distance to highlight the natural beauty and environmental challenges of the Welsh landscape.

This video provides a first-hand look at Gareth's preparation and the extreme water temperatures he faced during his cross-Wales swim.