Melys are an indie band from Betwys-Y-Coed in Wales. Formed in 1996, they sing in both English and Welsh, and became virtually synonymous with Peel's programme in its later years: John not only revered their sound but he and his family became close friends with the group ([1]) (they labelled him "a cool dude" and "god of music" [2]). Andrea Parker (vocals) and Paul Adams (guitar and keyboards) were both the band's founders and the mainstay of its fluent, melodic character (the band's name means 'sweet' in Welsh). Their first releases were on the Ankst label, but Pinnacle signed them for their first LP, Rumours And Curses: when Pinnacle went bust in 1998 they were left without a deal, and set up Sylem (the band's name spelt backwards) in 1999.
"I wish that I lived a little closer to Betwys-Y-Coed or that Melys lived a little closer to us, cos not only do I like them as a band, but I like them enormously as people." (John Peel, 26 November 2002)
Melys appeared to thrive on the edge playing live gave them: they recorded nine sessions for the Peel Show, five of which were live, and two concert recordings also went out. They gained five Festive Fifty entries, including the number one for 2001, Chinese Whispers: John had told the band a week earlier when they performed it live that he thought it was one of the best songs ever written.
Their 2005 LP Life's Too Short was dedicated to John ("through whom we met some great people who are now great friends. It was an honour."): following this, the band went on hiatus, during which Andrea and Paul raised their three children and ran a Welsh food restaurant. In 2009, Melys re-emerged to play a gig for John Peel Day in Bangor. [3]
"John was a very special person, close to our hearts and was a brilliant champion of new music and a fantastic man. We loved spending time with him and his family and consider ourselves honoured to have known him so well." (Paul Adams)
Nine sessions, none of which have been released commercially. The BBC's Keeping It Peel site claims they recorded eleven (presumably the ones listed here plus the two live concerts), but only list eight, with the live Cardiff set treated as the 4th session and the 6th and 9th here ignored altogether.
6. Recorded: 2001-11-29 (rpt. of acoustic set TX live on The Session in Wales). First broadcast: 10 January 2002. No further repeats.
Watercolour / Buwch Sanctaidd / Chinese Whispers
7. Live from Peel Acres. First broadcast: 29 August 2002 (Peel's Birthday Special Show). No repeats. JP was expecting to play a repeat and the band turned up to surprise him with a live session.
I Don't Believe In You (So Good) / Waiting To Fall / Un Darllwenwr Lwcus / Baby Burn / Happy Birthday (& Chinese Whispers, not TX)
8. Recorded: 2004-06-09. First broadcast: 20 July 2004. No repeats.
Treading Water / Casino El Camino / Once Around Again / Girls On Film
9. Live from Maida Vale. First broadcast: 16 December 2004. No repeats.
You Wannit Deep / Treading Water / Chinese Whispers
Other Shows Played[]
(The following list was compiled only from the database of this site and Lorcan's Tracklistings Archive and is certainly incomplete. Please add further details if known.)
