Topper was a Welsh psychedelic pop trio from Penygroes in North Wales, active between 1995 and 2001. The group originally consisted of Dyfrig Evans (guitar, vocals), Iwan Evans (bass, vocals) and Peter Alan Richardson (drums). Sion Glyn (guitar, vocals, 1999-2001) and Gwion Morris (keyboards, 1999-2001) later joined the group. They were one of a number of Welsh bands that arrived in the mid-90s in the wake of the success of the Manic Street Preachers, appearing on local labels like Ankst and Crai and recording mainly in the Welsh language. Topper's 'Arch Noa EP' was released in 1997, and was swiftly followed by the mildly-acclaimed mini album 'Something To Tell Her' and another, single 'Cwpan Mewn Dwr'. An appearance with their peers, Derrero and Melys on the 1999 Fierce Panda compilation 'Dial M For Merthyr' gave them some exposure, but the band were last heard of the 'Dolur Gwddw' album in October 2000.
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played the band's material via the Arch Noa EP in January 1997. Impressed by their material, he invited the band to do a session for his show at the end of January of that year, where they performed three songs. A follow up was also recorded in June 1998, where they recorded five tracks. Between 1998 and 2000, Peel nominated some of their singles as records of the month for November 1998 (Peel's Record Box) and September 2000 (Peel's Record Box).
Sessions[]
Just Don't Understand by Topper (1998 BBC Session)
1. Recorded: 1997-01-28. First Broadcast: 15 February 1997
- Something To Tell Her / Tuneless Man / Won't Do You No Harm
2. Recorded: 1998-06-02. First Broadcast: 02 June 1998. Repeated: 15 July 1998
- Losing My Mind / Leave Me Alone / Mystery Man / Kiss & Tell / Just Don't Understand (This track was performed live in Maida Vale on 1998-06-02. The rest of the session was broadcast on 1998-07-15)
Live[]
Recorded live at Clwb Ifor Bach for One Live. First Broadcast: 25 October 2000
- Llond Bol
- Something To Tell Her
- Another Planet
- Newid Er Mwyn Newid
- Just Don't Understand
- Must We Say Goodbye
- Losing My Mind
- Fly Away
- Dolur Gwddw
- Ofn Gofyn
Other Shows Played[]
- 11 January 1997: Dim (EP - Arch Noa ep) Ankst
- 18 January 1997: Koo-Koo Land (single - Arch Noa EP) Ankst
- 18 January 1997 (BBC World Service): Dim.... (2x7" - Arch Noa EP) Ankst
- January 1997 (FSK): Dim.... (2x7" - Arch Noa EP) Anskt
- 25 January 1997: Dim (single - Arch Noa EP) Ankst
- 09 February 1997: D'Ewyrth Dafydd (7" - Arch Noa EP) Ankst
- February 1997 (FSK): D'Ewyrth Dafydd (2x7" - Arch Noa EP) Ankst
- 16 February 1997: ‘Gwefus Melys Glwyfus (2x7 inch – Arch Nova EP)’ Ankst
- 29 July 1997: Something To Tell Her (CD - Something To Tell Her) Ankst
- 31 July 1997: Hapus (LP: Something To Tell Her) Ankst
- 07 August 1997 (BFBS): 'Hapus (CD-Something To Tell Her)' (Ankst)
- 14 October 1998: Cwpan Mewn Dwr (EP - Cwpan Mewn Dwr) Kooky
- October 1998 (BBC World Service): Cwpan Mewn Dwr (EP - Cwpan Mewn Dwr) Kooky
- 10 November 1998: Cwpan Mewn Dwr (CDS) Kooky
- 1999
- 20 May 1999: Another Planet (EP: Non Compos Mentis) Bedlam
- 02 June 1999: Cwsg Gerdded (LP - Non Compos Mentis) Bedlam
- 10 June 1999: Losing My Mind (EP – Non Compos Mentis) Bedlam
- 16 June 1999: ‘Hide Your Head (CD - Non Compos Mentis )’ Bedlam
- 05 September 2000: Dolur Gwddw (EP - Dolur Gwddw) Sain
- 21 September 2000: Newid Er Mwyn Newid (EP - Dolur Gwddw) Sain
- 28 September 2000: Dolur Gwddw (Mini LP - Dolur Gwddw) Sain
- 11 October 2000: 'Dolur Gwddw (CD-Dolur Gwddu)' (Crai)
- November 2000 (FSK): Newid Er Mwyn Newid (CD - Dolur Gwddw) Crai
- 2003
- 28 January 2003: 'Gwefus Mefus Glwyfus (LP, Comp.: Ankst Records: Radio Crymi Playlist Vol 1 1988 - 1998)' (Ankst)
External Links[]
- Keeping It Peel
- Discogs
- BBC Cymru (in Welsh)