HISTORY

In the beginning, i.e. 1979, Islwyn Folk Club received a request from our local MP, Neil Kinnock, who had begun to commemorate the 19th century political movement, Chartism, in annual political rallies, asking if members of Islwyn Folk Club would create something to contribute to those rallies. Indeed, we could and did, and members of the club coalesced around the song-writing talents of Wynford Jones and created our Chartists song-cycle. It was broadcast in entirety on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show and, after a number of rejections, we decided that the only way we could get it out on record was to do it ourselves. So, thanks in particular to our late friend and original band member, Remo Lusardi, Steam Pie Records was born in 1982 and The Chartists was its first release.

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The 1984/1985 Miner’s Strike was the impetus for this album. During the strike the band performed often for the Justice for Mineworkers group (I recall a particularly memorable occasion in Penrhiwceibr) and also did a major gig in Wrexham with James Madlhope Evans for the Labour Party. We were particularly busy in the late 1980s and had the honour of being the first English speaking band to be booked by Cymdeithas Yr Iaith for the momentous 1988 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol in Newport. We made appearances on BBC Wales television for both the Newport Eisteddfod and again in 1990 for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhymni/ Parc Bryn Bach. 

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We were approached by Hypertension Music to license Cause for Complaint and they organised an extensive tour of Germany for us in 1990 the highlight of which was supporting Melissa Etheridge in the Stadtpark Hamburg in front of 4000 people. During this period we played our sole gig in London when our support act was Tanita Tikaram! Eventually in 1991 we called time on our band activities and went off to pursue other musical and work activities. 

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With all of the current focus on the 40th anniversary of the Miners Strike, from which our communities have never fully recovered, we thought that this was the most opportune time to reissue the album along with some songs which have never previously been released.

To conclude I will end with this apposite quote from Billy Bragg: 

“Music doesn’t have the power to change the world but the power to make you believe that the world can be changed.”