Murry the Hump (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Murry the Hump


Img_size = 220
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Aberystwyth, Wales
Genre = Indie rock, Urban Folk
Years_active = 1999 - 2001
Label = Too Pure
Associated_acts = The Keys (band)
URL = [http://www.murrythehump.co.uk www.murrythehump.co.uk]
Past_members = Matthew Evans (musician) Gwion Rowlands (musician) Bill Coyne (musician) Siôn Glyn (musician) Curig Huws (musician and producer)

Murry the Hump were a Welsh indie rock and "urban folk" band. They were active from about 1999 until 2001; since then they have continued to write music under the name The Keys.

History

Murry the Hump, three Welsh boys and a cockney rebel, named after Al Capone Henchman and Welsh gangster, were originally conceived in Aberystwyth by singer-songwriter Matthew Evans. Swelling the ranks with guitarist and occasional vocalist Gwion Rowlands, drummer Bill Coyne and bassist Siôn Glyn (who joined after Curig Huws left), the current incarnation of MTH resides in the vibrant musical hotbed that is contemporary Cardiff.

Early on in the band's career, they competed in a Battle of the Bands contest against Muse. Garnering early interest by way of a rash of cooler-than-thou indie singles, 'Green Green Grass' (Blue Dog/V2) and NME SOTW 'Thrown Like a Stone' (Shifty Disco). Support from Steve Lamacq and John Peel secured an appearance at industry showcase In The City, a publishing deal from Townhill Music (Sony) swiftly followed, 'Hurrah!' the people cried, 'Best new band in Britain' exclaimed Blur's Alex James.

Weathering the Brit-Pop blow-out MTH reemerged early in 2000 clutching a freshly inked record deal with respected indie Too Pure, whereupon they joined new label mates Hefner on a whistle-stop tour of the UK, exposing the unsuspecting audience to their solicitous tales of small town Wales along the way.

Ensconced in Newport's Loco studios during the summer, work began in earnest on the band's debut long-player, 'Songs of Ignorance', emerging in time to air the new material for Radio 1's 'One Live' in Cardiff courtesy of the enduring support of John Peel.

The band's first release for too pure, the inexplicably titled 'The House That Used to Be a Ship' (a split single with Hefner), was followed by Guardian Guide single of the Week 'Cracking Up', gaining much support from Xfm with a John Kennedy Session and live slots for the station at Camden's Barfly.

A second single, 'Don't Slip Up' and the debut album 'Songs of Ignorance' followed.

Facts

* NME July 10th Alex James quoted as saying MTH is the best new band in Britain.
* May 26th Supported Tom Jones, Shirley Bassy and a host of other Welsh acts in front of 25,000 people for the BBC Voice of a Nation Concert.
* Blue Dog single (V2) "The Green Green Grass of Home" sold 1000 copies.
* "you'll be building extensions on your bedroom walls for extra poster space. Promise." Robin Bresnark, Melody Maker
* "these stars shine bright." Simon Williams, NME
* Murry the Hump have supported: The Stereophonics, The Levellers, Bonnie Tyler, Shed Seven, Bjorn Again, Mike Peters, Colursound, The Crocketts, Cartoon, Topper, Big Leaves etc.
* 'Thrown Like A Stone' charted at number 9 in John Peel's Festive 50 in 1999

Discography

Albums

* "Songs of Ignorance" - CD and LP - Too Pure Records (Pure 116) - 28th May 2001

ingles and EPs

* "Don't Slip Up" - CD and 7” white vinyl single - Too Pure Records (Pure 107) - 21st May 2001
* "Cracking Up" - CD and 7” vinyl single - Too Pure Records (Pure 114) - 26th March 2001
* "The House That Used to Be a Ship" - 7” vinyl single - Too Pure Records - January 2001
* "Silver Suit/Booze and Cigarettes" - 7" vinyl single - Prim and Proper Records - May 2000
* "Colouring Book EP" - CD - Malthouse Records - November 1999
* "Thrown Like a Stone/Don't Slip Up" - CD - Shifty Disco Records - 27th September 1999
* "Murry The Hump & Gorgeous Fame and the Three Degrees - Green Green Grass of Home/Pedro" - 7" vinyl single - Blue Dog Records
* "Don't Slip Up" - Demo (not published)

External links

* [http://www.murrythehump.co.uk Official site] no longer maintained