Rheinallt H Rowlands
Encyclopedia
Rheinallt H Rowlands was a band from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch operating between 1991 and 2001. It was the brain-child of Ectogram
's Alan Holmes
and consisted of Oz Wright and Dewi Evans. The band was originally formed to contribute to the spoof compilation album Hen Wlad y Lladd-dai (Land of the Slaughterhouses), an album of songs performed by imaginary singers and groups. Evans and Wright performed under the name Rheinallt H. Rowlands and the following back-story was created:
“On May the 17th 1980, the quarry where Rheinallt H. Rowlands had been working for the previous thirteen years was forced to close, making all the workers redundant. Despondent almost to the point of suicide, Rheinallt walked the thirteen miles back to his isolated cottage for the final time and sat in his old wooden chair with a bowl of broth. Finding the silence unbearable, he turned on his old valve radio and, fumbling to tune it to the Home Service, he inadvertently came across the John Peel programme on BBC Radio 1. Rheinallt would not normally have paused for more than one second on such new-fangled nonsense, but on this occasion the voice that came from the crackly speaker was so deeply mournful it seemed to have a special resonance with his current state of mind. When the record finished, Rheinallt heard that the voice was that of Ian Curtis of the then popular group Joy Division and that he had committed suicide that very day. Far from deepening Rheinallt’s depression, this news brought a profound inspiration to him and he decided that moment that he would forge a new career as a popular singer. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Upon hearing their contribution to the album, BBC Radio Cymru
DJ Nia Melville invited them to record a session for her show Heno Bydd yr Adar yn Canu. Following the success of this recording, Evans and Wright decided to continue performing as Rheinallt H. Rowlands.
Their first album, Hendaid Brân a Straeon Eraill (Great-Grandfather Crow and Other Tales), was given a cassette-only release in 1993 on Central Slate records (it was re-released by ankstmusik
on CD in 1998).
This was followed by Bukowski
in 1996, which received significant press attention, drawing comparisons with Scott Walker
, Ennio Morricone
, and The Divine Comedy
. It was named as one of the albums of the year by The Independent
.
The final Rowlands album, Rheinallt III, was released in 2001 and featured a re-recording of their Welsh-language cover of Joy Division
's New Dawn Fades
, Gwawr Newydd Yn Cilio.
A few months after the release of Rheinallt III, Evans and Wright decided they had taken the band as far as they could and disbanded. Evans concentrating on his work as a composer and Wright starting a carpentry business.
They began working on new material in 2005, along with former Topper and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
drummer Peter Richardson. However, Oz Wright was killed in a road accident on 23 December 2005.
Ectogram
Ectogram are a Welsh band from Bangor, United Kingdom.Ann Matthews and Alan Holmes were previously members of Welsh language post-punk band Fflaps between 1987–1993, touring Europe, releasing three LPs and recording two John Peel Sessions during that time...
's Alan Holmes
Alan Holmes
Alan Holmes is a musician, artist and record producer, based in north Wales.Although he began his musical career in the late 1960s in childhood beat group The Insects, he first came to prominence in The Zuggs , followed by A Silly Tree, the latter including Gary Stubbs, later of Cut Tunes with whom...
and consisted of Oz Wright and Dewi Evans. The band was originally formed to contribute to the spoof compilation album Hen Wlad y Lladd-dai (Land of the Slaughterhouses), an album of songs performed by imaginary singers and groups. Evans and Wright performed under the name Rheinallt H. Rowlands and the following back-story was created:
“On May the 17th 1980, the quarry where Rheinallt H. Rowlands had been working for the previous thirteen years was forced to close, making all the workers redundant. Despondent almost to the point of suicide, Rheinallt walked the thirteen miles back to his isolated cottage for the final time and sat in his old wooden chair with a bowl of broth. Finding the silence unbearable, he turned on his old valve radio and, fumbling to tune it to the Home Service, he inadvertently came across the John Peel programme on BBC Radio 1. Rheinallt would not normally have paused for more than one second on such new-fangled nonsense, but on this occasion the voice that came from the crackly speaker was so deeply mournful it seemed to have a special resonance with his current state of mind. When the record finished, Rheinallt heard that the voice was that of Ian Curtis of the then popular group Joy Division and that he had committed suicide that very day. Far from deepening Rheinallt’s depression, this news brought a profound inspiration to him and he decided that moment that he would forge a new career as a popular singer. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Upon hearing their contribution to the album, BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru is BBC Cymru's Welsh-language radio station, broadcasting throughout Wales from studios in Cardiff, Bangor, and Aberystwyth on FM since 1977. At the time of its launch it was one of the few FM-only radio services in the UK...
DJ Nia Melville invited them to record a session for her show Heno Bydd yr Adar yn Canu. Following the success of this recording, Evans and Wright decided to continue performing as Rheinallt H. Rowlands.
Their first album, Hendaid Brân a Straeon Eraill (Great-Grandfather Crow and Other Tales), was given a cassette-only release in 1993 on Central Slate records (it was re-released by ankstmusik
Ankstmusik
Ankstmusik is a Welsh independent record label formed in 1997 by Emyr Glyn Williams following the dissolution of the Ankst label. Relocating from Cardiff to Pentraeth on Anglesey, Ankstmusik continued pretty much where Ankst left off, releasing material by such bands as Llwybr Llaethog, Datblygu,...
on CD in 1998).
This was followed by Bukowski
Bukowski
Bukowski may refer to* Charles Bukowski, an American author* Bukowski * Bukowski * Bukowskis, an auction house* "Bukowski," a song on the Modest Mouse album, Good News for People Who Love Bad NewsSee also:Bukovski...
in 1996, which received significant press attention, drawing comparisons with Scott Walker
Scott Walker (singer)
Scott Walker, born Noel Scott Engel on January 9, 1943 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and the former lead singer of The Walker Brothers. Despite being American born, Walker's chart success has largely come in the United Kingdom, where his first four solo albums...
, Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone, Grand Officer OMRI, , is an Italian composer and conductor, who wrote music to more than 500 motion pictures and television series, in a career lasting over 50 years. His scores have been included in over 20 award-winning films as well as several symphonic and choral pieces...
, and The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...
. It was named as one of the albums of the year by The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
.
The final Rowlands album, Rheinallt III, was released in 2001 and featured a re-recording of their Welsh-language cover of Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
's New Dawn Fades
New Dawn Fades
"New Dawn Fades" is a song from the 1979 album Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division. It opens with a backwards and heavily modified sample of a lyric from previous song "Insight", presumably added by Martin Hannett, post production. The song relies on an ascending guitar riff by Bernard Sumner played...
, Gwawr Newydd Yn Cilio.
A few months after the release of Rheinallt III, Evans and Wright decided they had taken the band as far as they could and disbanded. Evans concentrating on his work as a composer and Wright starting a carpentry business.
They began working on new material in 2005, along with former Topper and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci were a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in Carmarthen, west Wales in 1991. They sang songs in both Welsh and English. They split up in May 2006.-Biography:...
drummer Peter Richardson. However, Oz Wright was killed in a road accident on 23 December 2005.