Wales' Most Important Export

Blame politics. Blame foreign competition. Whatever you want to blame, Wales is exporting less in the way of manufactured goods than ever. Apathy is rife throughout the country and it seems that any chance of revival has diminished. But do the people of Wales sit back and let themselves become victims? No! They fight back whether its striking, protesting or creating music.

Recently Wales' most important and sucessful resource is music and pop-punk sensations like Kids In Glass Houses, Attack!Attack! (see previous reviews) and pop-princess Marina and the Diamonds are just a small sample of Welsh artists that have newly broken through onto the scene.

Wales seems to have an unlimited amount of talent at the moment, but who is set to shine in the next couple of years? Here are a few to wet your lips:

Tiger Please
Probably one of the most exciting alternative acts in Wales at the moment, Tiger Please blend tranquil guitar and aggressive vocals, there sound is akin to a modern Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and the Gaslight Anthem. Wales hasn't produced an sound like this before, predominantly Wales is a hotspot for young pop-punk bands. I wrote a short review last year after seeing them peform in a miners institute in a small valleys town. Since then, the bands reputation has accelerated enough to play Download after some brilliant reviews from Kerrang and Rock Sound. Recently, they have extended their catalouge with an excellent seasonal EP called...uhhh.. "Seasons". Check it out.

http://www.myspace.com/tigerplease

Cuba Cuba
Another talented bunch with a committed group of followers, Indie-electro quintet CubaCuba remind me of the sort of fun and energetic atmosphere bands like We Are Scientists, Foals and The Automatic gave off when they arrived. Its a gentle but confident sound that anyone who enjoys upbeat and catchy music will appreciate. They have expereinced exposure on Radio 1 and hopefully soon will impress us with a successful future. Again, they aren't sticking to the Youmeatsix infulenced pop-punk that litters Wales at the moment, "Tales from the cabin" EP boasts a lot of good potential singles. Definatly worth a listen.

http://www.myspace.com/cubacubamusic

Young Guns
They seem to have been about for ages! Young Guns have taken their time but playing small and intimate venues has allowed them to build up a solid local fanbase. The angsty and heavy alternative sound is similar to Paramore and Madina Lake. Songs like "Winter Kiss" and "Sons of apathy" are often played on Rock music channels. Getting the credit they deseve, Young Guns will be opening Readings main stage. I'm pretty confident of success very soon. Watch this space!

http://www.myspace.com/youngguns