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Welsh rock band Super Furry Animals have told how they quickly went to work putting together the line-up for a fundraising concert in support of close friend, writer and former drugs smuggler Howard Marks, who has inoperable bowel cancer.

The man whose memoir sold more than a million copies and whose life was immortalised by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans in the 2006 film Mr Nice, revealed the shock news of his cancer diagnosis last week.

Now Hollywood star Rhys and members of the Super Furries will take part in a concert at The Forum in London at the end of this month to raise funds for the former dope baron’s treatment.

Band member Dafydd Ieuan said: “I was in the studio and Francesca, Howard’s daughter called round and mentioned there was going to be a fundraiser for Howard and asked if we could do anything.

“I suggested we could try and get as many of the Furry offshoots as possible to do it.

“Obviously there are a lot of Furry side projects so we were happy to do it.”

Those so far confirmed to take part include SFA frontman Gruff Rhys, The Earth – the group featuring Daf and Mark Roberts of Catatonia, Cian Ciaran, also of the Super Furries, with a solo set and a line-up of The Peth, the band featuring Rhys Ifans on lead vocals.

“Daf rounded everybody up to try and do something as it’s Howard after all,” said Cian.

“Gulp (the group featuring Furries’ bass player Guto Pryce and his partner Lindsey Leven) can’t do it because Guto is away with (Welsh singer) H Hawkline.

“It’s going be a mish mash, people will be doing 15-20 minutes each.”

More acts to be announced

The concert on Friday, February 27, will raise money to help Marks and his dependants as well as to set up a charitable foundation and finish a documentary about his life.

A poster for the show has been created by Furries’ long-time collaborator, Welsh artist Pete Fowler and more acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

Marks is reported to have been diagnosed last autumn and told nothing could be done to stop the disease, which has spread to his liver and lungs.

The writer, who has four children and an ex-wife, Judy, plans to continue his campaign to legalise cannabis while he receives treatment.

'He’s definitely loveable and he’s definitely a rogue'

Daf and Cian said they were distraught when they were first made aware of Howard’s condition.

“Yeah, we were gutted, but hopefully he can fight it, he is a fighter,” said Daf.

“Obviously it’s very sad news they can’t operate, but he’s reacted well to chemo.”

On the massive outpouring of love and best wishes for the man who has become something of a folk hero to many, Daf added: “That’s hardly surprising, there is a lot of love for him. He’s a loveable rogue. He’s definitely loveable and he’s definitely a rogue. And very intelligent with it.

“He’s also one of the greatest living Welshmen.”

In addition to the fundraising show, Daf and Cian revealed they’ve been working with Marks on a spoken word project they hope will see the light of day this year and which will be sold to raise money for the Leeds-based Welshman’s treatment fund.

“Yeah we’re going to meet with Howard and his manager and okay it all,” said Cian. “We’re looking to get something out sooner rather than later.

“The story is based on one incident in particular which forms parts of Howard’s stage show about his adventures in Heathrow Airport after being stopped.

“The way Howard tells it is very funny. The idea was to make it like an audio book with a soundtrack. Like a film without the pictures.”

'He came backstage looking a bit of a rock star'

It’s evident the bond for friendship that exists between the band and Marks – a relationship that can be traced back to their first meeting – at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd, circa 1995.

“We knew we wanted to use his images as the artwork for the first album,” recalled Daf.

“Howard wanted to come and see us play first before giving his blessing. It was quite a rowdy gig. He came backstage after the gig wearing leather trousers and a cape. He looked a bit of a rock star.

“Rhys Ifans was there as well and that’s when Rhys told him he wanted to play him in a movie, 15 years before it actually happened.

“I think Howard has the film of that first backstage meeting, so I’m not making it up.”

How did I end up celebrating my 21st birthday with Howard Marks in Majorca?

As for memorable nights out there have understandably, given Mark’s hedonistic streak, been lots, however Cian recalls one particular evening when he celebrated his 21st birthday.

“There have been so many,” agreed the Furries’ synth wizard. “I remember when we went to Majorca to meet him with the NME.

“It was my 21st birthday. I remember driving up to this party in the mountains. Perfect Day by Lou Reed came on the radio and I was thinking how the **** did I end up here, celebrating my 21st birthday with Howard Marks in Majorca.

“It wasn’t so much hanging with Howard Marks (to coin the Super Furry Animals song – a tribute to Marks),” added Daf. “But we were hanging on to each other by the end of the night.”

Howard Marks and Friends will be held at The Forum in London on Friday, February 27. Tickets are available from www.ticketline.co.uk/howard-marks