Where are they now? Figures that shaped the Welsh scene.

In this new series of weekly uploads, Manon Williams, founder of The Jaunty Spiv Blog takes a look at prominent Welsh figures, to find out Where are they now?

Rhys Ifans

Image by Rhys Ifans

Becoming a household name through cult film, Twin Town. Actor and Musician, Rhys Ifans originally from Haverdfordwest has enjoyed a career spanning 20 years. Since the days of playing Swansea’s worst criminal, Jeremy Lewis. Rhys Ifans has continued expanding his acting career, starring in movies; Notting Hill, Danny Deckchair, Enduring Love and The Boat That Rocked, a film created around the history of pirate radio station, Radio Caroline.

Rhys Ifans is also an accomplished musician, once a member of The Super Furry Animals and The Peth. Whilst also finding time to relinquish his acting career for a starring role in the music video for Oasis’s, “The Importance Of Being Idle”.

In more recent years, Rhys Ifans has founded “The Shelter Cymru”, a charity looking to help reduce the percentage of homelessness across Wales. You can read his 7 ways to reduce homelessness here - https://sheltercymru.org.uk/7-ways/

Tom Jones

Image by Tom Jones

Since his days of pop star fame, Tom Jones has hardly been quiet. Having claimed the title of “Wales’s Wealthiest Musician” with an estimated fortune of £155 million. Tom Jones has since turned his sights to a variety of new ventures including, being one of the chair spinner and judges on “hit” reality TV show, The Voice.

With recent tabloids sharing in his wealth, Jones sold his LA pad for an eyewatering $11.28 million for his home, adding to his already excessive fortune. At the prime age of 77, Tom Jones still tours, and is currently on his Summer Tour, completing a run of 10 shows across June, July and August. Despite his busy schedule, Tom has still had time to enrich his orchestral side, making his Proms debut later this year at: The Sound of Soul: Stax Records on 1st September at The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Datblygu

Image by Datblygu

Formed in 1982 and quickly signed to legendary Punk label, Ankst. Pat, Dave and Wyn were pioneers of experimental music in Wales. Having released their seminal album Eggs (1988) which, led to Datblygu being overseen by Welsh radio outlets. Who ignored any sign of the band. But, Datblygu were rallied by DJ presenter, John Peel, even being invited to partake in their own Datblygu John Peel Session, the first of five sessions. Throughout the 80′s and 90′s, Datblygu arguably became the most prominent band in Wales. But, with Davies leaving in the 90′s, Pat and Dave continued on as a duo. Almost, merging into a Welsh Cosey and Chris. With the duo releasing a final single, “Amnesia/Alcohol” in 1995.

Moving forward 13 unlucky years, Pat and Dave reemerged with a 7″ single, “Can Y Mynach Modern”. A significant release, penned as a full stop to the cycyle of the band, rather than a continuation. A year later, Dave featured in a S4C documentary titled, “O Flaen Dy Lygaid”, a feature length piece about the true horrors of mental illness.

3 years passed before there would be any sign of a reconciliation. In 2012, Datblygu released Darluniau'r Ogof Unfed Ganrif ar Hugain, an EP, with a mini album “By Now” released two years later.

But, this is 2017 and we recently caught up with Dave and Pat, who were both at a “FEMME” gig, held in local venue, The Parrot, Carmarthen. Pat who was a part of the line-up provided an eclectic DJ set of classic music, whilst Dave showed his support to the bands throughout the night. Also, this year Dave Datblygu became a musician turned author, releasing a series of poems compiled into the, “Search for English in The House of Tolerance”. An interesting read that delves into debauchery and epitomises the phrase, “Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll.

Dirty Sanchez

Image by Dirty Sanchez

Wales’s answer to Jackass. Dirty Sanchez provided on screen entertainment by repeatedly hammering nails into their hand, or running through a gauntlet of electric tasers. They took stunts to a new level, filming challenges that would turn the stomach of this nation. Forming in 2003, Dirty Sanchez had a lifespan of 5 years, coming to a triumphant end in 2008.

Challenging the laws of censorship, their onslaughts lasted 4 series, Front End and Rear End, Jobs for the Boyos, European Invasion and Behind the Seven Sins. Following a succession of TV programmes, a range of spin off shows were launched, including The Dirty Sanchez movie, narrated by legendary Welsh drug smuggler, Howard Marks.

Having since put these days behind them. These 3 Welsh mates and one warped southener have pursued a series of careers.

Pritchard - Has recently become a world record holder, having completed a 23 day period half Iron Mans - consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. Whilst doing so, raised over £100,000 for charity. Alongside his achievements, he’s also turned his hand to barbering and tattooing, “SWYD” Tattoo and Barbershop. A reference to his infamous saying whilst appearing in Dirty Sanchez, “Sleep When You’re Dead”.

Dainton - Like Pritchard, Dainton has since founded business venture, 420 Skatestore, located in his hometown of Cwmbran and is owner of Kill City Skateboards.

Pancho - Pancho has been fairly quiet since his TV performance came to a close. He has barely any internet presence, besides this informative tweet, posted in 2012.

Having trawled the internet, trying to conjure up any news about this once erratic stuntman, we failed to find anything. Other than rumours of Pancho setting up his own Taco store, and T-shirt line titled, “El Poco Loco”

Joyce - The “one warped southener” on the other hand, has arguably had the most success post Sanchez. Now, running an online collective “Joyce Division” of aerial, light and production artists. The collective have produced work on behalf of VANS, Ferrari and various athletic wear companies.

His 2017 showreel that yields an impressive lineup of companies - https://vimeo.com/199161765

Ffa Coffi Pawb

Image by Ffa Coffi Pawb

[Ffac Off i Pawb]

Finally, Ffa Coffi Pawb a Welsh Indie band, signed to Ankst in 1986. The band, comprised of Gruff Rhys, Dafydd Ieuan, Rhodri Puw and Dewi Emlyn. Who all later went on, to find even bigger success in bands, Super Furry Animals and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. Having only released 3 albums throughout their career, in recent times it’s hardly been difficult to follow the growing success of each individual member of Ffa Coffi Pawb.

Gruff Rhys - Frontman of Super Furry Animals, Welsh Psychedelic band that rose to prominence via the input of Alan McGee, who signed the band to Creation Records in 1995. With Gruff Rhys at the helm of The Super Furries, there was little room to move. But, having disbanded from the band in 2007, Gruff Rhys has had a successful solo career, with his album, “Hotel Shampoo” winning a Welsh Music Prize.

Dafydd Ieuan - Fellow member of The Super Furry Animals, Dafydd Ieuan owns Strangetown Records, a joint label set up with his brother, Cian Ciaran, also a member of The Super Furries. His band, The Peth also released an album titled, “The Golden Mile” in 2008, with Rhys Ifans coincidentally providing vocals for the LP.

Rhodri Puw - Very little is known about the last two members of Ffa Coffi Pawb, Rhodri Puw did manage to find major success, again with a band, titled Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci though, so it’s not all bad.

Dewi Emlyn - The only information found about the elusive Dewi Emlyn is that he went onto become tour manager for the Gorky’s.

Next week: Anrhefn, Charlotte Church, The Alarm, Y Fflaps, Howard Marks