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A punk band whose songs were once played on Radio 1 by legendary DJ John Peel are celebrating 40 years with a new album and a birthday gig.

Y Cyffro came together in 1977 while they were at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, calling themselves Alex initially after the pub run by founder member Derek Hughes’ parents Tommy and Iris where they practised and played mainly cover songs.

Derek said: “No other house was big enough, and pubs closed on Sunday allowing us the opportunity to use the place.”

Soon after they changed their name to Y Cyffro and started performing Welsh songs as part of the punk scene.

In 1978 they played a gig at the Arms Park club during the National Eisteddfod, held that year in Cardiff. Then, they were constantly playing around Wales especially at the former Talybont club, Caernarfon and Plas Coch, Anglesey and Bangor.

The band’s first recording was “Pam d’oes neb yn dawnsio?” (Why is no-one dancing?) - on an EP on the Trwynau Coch label played a number of times by Peel who regularly featured Welsh-language music and punk bands on his programme.

(Image: Y Cyffro)

In 1979 they won the Best Newcomers prize at the former Sgrech magazine awards.

Then they split up only to reform more recently.

Y Cyffro, whose oldest member is now aged 60, have made several other recordings across the years, for Awen Recordings and Sain Records.

Three founder members Derek Hughes, guitar, Meirion Jones, drums, and Huw Jones, bass have been joined by Gwynedd Glyn Owen, lead vocals, Frances Smith, vocals, saxophone and accordion and Dave Roberts, guitar.

Dave said: “Thanks to hooking up with the Trwynau Coch the band played on TV shows like Seren Wib. At the time there were bands like Geraint Jarman, Edward H Dafis, Ail Symudiad and Angylion Stanli as well as the Sex Pistols and The Clash.”

(Image: Y Cyffro)

He said: “The music has changed a lot. It was once fast and furious punk and now it’s more melodic and folky. Somebody said we sounded like Fleetwood Mac. Although we still play our old songs - we don’t play them so fast! We now have an accordion and saxophone.”

Their new album Yn y Gorllewin (In the West) has five new songs and five traditional ones. The title song’s lyrics refers to “dal dy dir (hold your ground); dal yr iaith (keep the language) and dal i gredu (keep believing)”.

Another, Gwna be ti’n neud (Do what you do), will resonate with old punks and their beliefs.

Y Cyffro will be playing in the Market Hall, Caernarfon on June 9.

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