It was Danny who first met and worked with Hu(e)w Williams. They were at an arts charity, based in Cardiff called Community Music Wales in the early 2000s together. I of course knew of Hue’s band, the Pooh Sticks, in fact we used to jump around the office on Friday afternoons, to ‘Young People’ when I worked at Ultimate Records in the ’90s.
It’s been exciting to see the rise of Hue’s new band, Swansea Sound.
I asked him if he’d be up for answering a few questions for me:
Congratulations on ‘Twentieth Century’ and the reaction it’s been getting!
I read that Rob Pursey had written a few songs that weren’t right for the band he was in and so thought of you – the songs sound very classic Pooh Sticks lyrically – do you think Rob had you in mind from the off?
It all came initially from one song called Angry Girl that Rob felt didn’t suit Catenary Wires (which is him and Amelia) so he sent it to me during the early days of the first lockdown for me to shout over . It seemed to work so more songs followed with me in mind which led to our debut album ‘Live at the Rum Puncheon‘.
‘Live At The Rum Puncheon‘ being Swansea Sound’s wonderful debut ‘indiepop punk‘ album, recorded during lock down, with Hue singing his vocals into his ‘phone.
Who thought of the name Swansea Sound?
At first we kinda flirted with the idea of it being The Pooh Sticks but then came up with a long list of names . Swansea Sound was my idea but very much agreed by all . It was the name of the local radio station that was being closed down by a nasty cooperation at the time so we felt it chimed with some of the themes in the songs .
Once the band was formed, has the writing changed at all? Does Rob write songs and present them, fully formed or do they evolve in rehearsals?
Rob tends to write and record them as demos before others get involved recording their parts . What’s a rehearsal ?!
You recorded the first album virtually during lock down. Was it hard to physically get together for the first time or did everything click quite quickly?
We had no idea if it could work live until we tried . I hadn’t met two members of the ‘band ‘ at that point .
Both your bands, The Pooh Sticks and Swansea Sound have a similar take on the music industry and indie music – you don’t write the lyrics though – are these your feelings?
I did write some lyrics with the Pooh Sticks including the ‘early funny ones ‘. Yeah I’m onboard with most of the angles for sure .
Amiela and Hue together in their Pooh Sticks days.
I think of you as much an artist as a singer – do you consider your bands to be artistic statements as much as music?
Well I’m no singer so I identify as a frontman though recently I like the idea that I’m presenting the songs . If that’s not too Wire mag sounding !
You’ve been on tour – how’s it going? How was the Rough Trade gig?
The RT show was HOT ! It was 33 degrees . We had a lot of fun and plenty wanted stuff signed so Artie Fufkin’s arse remained unkicked . We start the main tour tomorrow in Manchester then play dates across the U.K. over the next few weeks . We also have a show in Paris plus dates planned for US and Japan next year .
How involved was Amelia in the Pooh Sticks?
Amelia was fully implicated . She’s on three albums I think , some BBC sessions including Peel and played live shows including the States and our show at Reading festival.
It feels Swansea Sound is based around a couple and an old friend, does it almost feel like family?
It feels like family when I visit Rob and Amy in Kent as there’s two kids , Rob’s mum and nutmeg the dog !
But yeah we go back all the way to the twentieth century .
The Swansea Sound releases are so cool – ‘Sold My Soul on eBay’ was a one-off lathe cut that got auctioned on eBay (with a £400 winning bid) – who has these ideas?
Rob came up with that one .
Cool idea with a point to make .
Reminds me of some of the early Fierce records happenings .
Are you pleased with the reaction the album has been getting – surprised or totally expected it? Louder Than War have already declared it Album of the Year!
I never expect anyone to like it as much as many seem to ! I appreciate it very much these days .
Now you have started to regularly play live do you think that will impact future recordings?
Depends if we write together which isn’t how it’s worked so far . I always assume every record is the last but let’s see . We’re certainly being egged on to do more .
Do you have any particular hopes for Swansea Sound?
I just enjoy socking it to the straights and the squares .
What are your ten top indie 7” singles?
Oh boy .
I’m useless at definitive lists .
In terms of actual things on indie labels everything and anything from Orange Juice to the Sea Urchins and the Shop Assitants .
‘Indie ‘ sound I’m still Buzzcocks , Undertones , early Cure even .
Who are your heroes? Doesn’t have to be music – anything.
Not sure if I do heroes anymore or if ever did .
I mean when you meet your ‘heroes’ like I did shaking hands with Wayne Kramer at Dingwalls or saying great gig to Iggy backstage at the Pistols reunion gig in 96 they’re just flesh and blood like everyone else. But both those two made an impression on and excited teenage Hu(e)w
Swansea Sound are indie royalty (am I right in saying your drummer Ian Batton used to play guitar in Thrashing Does / Death In Vegas?) – have you had fans of your previous bands (including Amelia and Rob‘s bands Heavenly / Talulah Gosh) coming up after gigs to chat? I’m guessing that feels good? Any funny stories?
Yes that’s correct . The gigs are a mixed bag but yes we do get ‘fans ‘ who have followed us since our original bands . It’s lovely to see old friends of course .
Funny stories ? It’s amusing how many people still think my dad really is Terry Williams from Dire Straits .
Do you personally have any artistic ambitions?
I need people around me to help create things . Solo me would be hard work . I once made a ‘solo ‘ 7’ which was a kinda cover of a GG Allin song . It was big in Detroit !
Anything else you’d like to add?
Don’t mix the superman with the samurai
Thanks Hue. Good luck with the album and live dates.
‘Twentieth Century’ is out now, their tour continues…
Indie Through The Looking Glass 
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