Diems

Band history

Diems were formed in Cricieth, North Wales in May 1991 in preparation for the National Eisteddfod yr Urdd. The members were all 5th- and 6th-form pupils at Ysgol Eifionnydd secondary school in Porthmadog.

After the Eisteddfod, Diems decided to continue writing and performing, and in October, having seen one or two changes in their lineup, relesed Gobaith (Hope), a six-track EP of floaty, guitar pop inspired partly by the indie scene in Manchester at the turn of the 90s, and partly by contemporary Welsh bands such as Beganifs and Aros Mae. In the autumn of 1991, the band filmed a promo clip of their track Hylifiadau for the Welsh pop weekly Fideo 9, and by this time its members were Bari Jones, Jamie Lloyd Roberts, Jo Webb and Matthew Jones.

Shortly after the release of Gobaith the lineup changed again to include a trumpet player, Ed Cox, himself inspired by the Manchester-based band, James.

In 1992, Diems set about recording a follow-up to Gobaith, and called it Dedwydd (Contented), a slightly more complex, more rocky affair than the first EP, with broader musical influences but the same style of catchy tunes. By this time, the band's lineup had changed again to include a keyboard player, Deian Owen.

By 1994, the band's lineup had changed yet again and they set about recording their third EP - Dangos dy Fwnci (Show Us Your Monkey), which, as the title suggests, was slightly more tongue-in-cheek than Dedwydd. The lyrics were in turn cheeky, melancholy, sweet and nonsensical, reflecting various experiences encountered by the band while growing up in the Welsh Rock scene. This was probably Diems' most productive time, appearing on TV, radio and live more times than any other unsigned young Welsh language band at this time.

The band's hard work attracted the eye of Fflach, one of Wales' largest record labels, who took the band on board and recorded their next EP - Parodocs, released in July 1995 to coincide with the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Abergele. This was the first EP not funded by the band, and they benefitted from greater record distribution, increased airplay, and better live support slots. By this time the band had increased its lineup yet again to include a live drummer, Jason Jones (having previously used sequenced drums on the last three EPs since original drummer Mattew Jones' departure), a saxophonist Ffion Gruffydd, and a new bass player, Gronw Roberts.

Discography

Gobaith

Tracklisting

1.1 Werth y Byd
1.2 Anadamarga
1.3 Hylifiadau
2.1 Haf
2.2 Kerplunk
2.3 Gadael

Performed by

Barry Jones: Lead vocals
Jamie Lloyd Roberts: Electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Jo Webb: Bass guitar, backing vocals
Mathew Jones: Drums
Bronwen Naish: Saw on "Hylifiadau"

Engineered and produced by Morris G Williams, Esq. @ Blaen-y-Cae, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd.

Sleeve design by Barry Jones, Esq.
Printed by Gwasg y Castell, Rhoslan

All original songs written by Diems.

Thanks to everyone for their loyal support, especially

• our families
• our music teacher Hugh Gwynne
• Owain Gwilym and Lein Hwyr
• Art Workshop, Llanystumdwy
• and finally MORRIS, for his time and patience, and for all the cups of coffee!

Parodocs

Tracklisting

Left Side
1.Gafael yn ei Llaw*
2.Amser
3.Cuddio'r Gorffennol

Right Side
1.Colli Gobaith**
2.Hei Secsi
3.Can i Neb yn Arbennig

All songs by Diems except
*Jo Webb, Bari Jones
**Jo Webb

Performed and Arranged by Eddie Cox, Jason Jones, Ffion Gruffydd, Deian Owen, Gronw Roberts and Jo Webb.

Additional Musicians

John Marc Davies: Fiddle and Viola
Nerys Richards: Cello

Produced by Diems and Wyn R Jones
Engineered by Wyn R Jones and Wyn L Jones
Edited on Audiofile by Wyn R Jones
Recorded @ Fflach, July 1995

Cover photo by Harry Fearn ARPS
Animation by Jab
Design by Gronw Roberts and Jo Webb
Printed @ Gwasg y Castell, Rhoslan, Cricieth

© Fflach/Cyhoeddiadau Mwldan 1995