Welsh wonders

In a tribute to the land of our fathers we salute ten of the best Cult Classics that Wales has to offer

1. Manic Street Preachers

The Manic Street Preachers are that rare breed, playing by their own rules yet still achieving the worldwide success they deserve.

Combining glam-punk with politics, Generation Terrorists, their ferocious debut, brought them to the fore. But it was a third album, The Holy Bible, which made people take notice – this was a band to be reckoned with.

James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore all brought different elements to the band. But in Richie Edwards they possessed a true enigma, a talented songwriter, popular with fans but deeply troubled. In 1995 his car was found abandoned by the Severn Bridge, his disappearance was tragic but added an enduring mystique to the band.

The Manics continued and while Britpop drowned in champagne and cocaine, The Manics were still a voice of rebellion. Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours elevated them to rock giants. In 2001 they became the first Western band to play in Cuba, highlighting their global superstardom and unrelenting political motivation.

They continue to work doggedly either collectively or, more recently, on solo material. They have superseded the label of cult band and have cemented a legacy as one of the best bands ever. Jimmy Interpol

2. John Cale

A true legend who produced albums for The Stooges, Patti Smith and Happy Mondays. On top of that not only does he play the viola, but he played the viola in the Velvet Underground- you can’t get any cooler than that.

3. A Way of Life (2004)

Good but grim, this was a gritty, uneasy, but thoroughly thought provoking story about poverty, race and family in a small Welsh town. And no, that last sentence didn’t come.

4. Peter Baynham

Perhaps the funniest man nobody’s ever heard of. Not only was Baynham one of the geniuses behind The Day Today, Brass Eye and I’m Alan Partridge, but he also helped write the Borat movie. On top of that he was the star of the ‘It’s not leafy, it’s too gorgeous’ Pot Noodle Ads. Legend.

5. Marion and Geoff

Some would say the definition of a good TV comedy was a successful TV comedy, millions of viewers, celebrity cameos and endless repeats. However, one comedy that managed to fly in the face of this rule was Marion and Geoff.

The breakthrough for Swansea- born Rob Brydon, Marion and Geoff was the most simplistic of ideas. Much like The Office it took on a distinct reality television style, one camera mounted on a car dashboard following the trials and tribulations of taxi driver/chauffeur Keith Barrett.

Life isn’t easy for Keith. During the course of the show he discovers that his wife Marion is having an affair with work colleague Geoff and one of his children (or his ‘little smashers’) may not be his own. It may sound morose but Brydon manages to eek not only moments of extreme tenderness out of them but also many, many laughs. Throughout this, all we see is Keith, no other characters, no other voices, just Keith. This technique makes the show all the more personal and enjoyable. Originally aired on BBC Wales, each episode was only 10 minutes long but it achieved such cult status it was soon expanded to 30 minutes and after this a spin-off show and sold out tours for its star Keith. Proof positive that rules are there to be broken. Marty McQueen

6. Mclusky

Ever seen the movie Three Men and A Baby? It’s nice; Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg playing three bachelors who have to bring up a baby.

Cardiff’s mclusky were raised in a similar manner, only rather than messeurs Selleck, Danson and Guttenberg mclusky had to make do with The Fall front man Mark E Smith, Bill Hicks and an evil pitbull terrier. The result was a rabid wolf child who was suspended from school for biting the other kid’s faces and pissing up the teacher’s leg. Good behaviour may not have been their strongpoint but they were damn fine at bashing the shit out of musical instruments.

In their all too short existence, mclusky released three full albums My Pain and Sadness Is More Painful and Sad Than Yours, mclusky Do Dallas and The Difference Between You and Me Is That I’m Not On Fire. Throughout, they displayed a Pixies/Shellac-like vitriolic sound, telling tales of freaks, religion, aliens, celebrities and more, chewing up and spitting out anything that stood in their way and all done with a wicked, wry smile.

Their break up in 2005 caused rock addicts around the world to weep like babies; however, fans can get themselves a new hit in the form of Future of the Left. Two parts mclusky in the shape of singer Andy Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, one part Jarcrew in bassist Kelson Mathias.

While they never achieved the success they should have, their style, sound and spotless career ensured (to some at least) that they became not just the best band in Cardiff, not just the best band in Wales but also the best band in the world.

Tom Brookes

7. Howard Marks

If it’s possible to be a Cult Classic drug dealer then I guess Howard Marks (a.k.a. Mr Nice) is one. Aside from making a small fortune in weed smuggling he’s released several books, sold-out spoken word tours and on the side he rents out the Spanish apartment where he wrote Dope Stories. Nice. He’s also made cheeky cameos in several music videos and movies, including the next Cult Classic on our list.

8. Human Traffic (1999)

Essentially a tale of the messiest weekend of your life, this isn’t your average night at Come Play. Take a group of friends, a lot of raving and a lot of drugs and you have Human Traffic. Starring John ‘I’m Off The Telly’ Simm and Danny ‘You Faaacking Mug’ Dyer, this is a fast and funny look at Cardiff nightlife.

9. Tom Jones

A man walks into a doctor’s surgery – “Doctor doctor I’m having trouble sleeping. Every time I lie on my right side I hear ‘Delilah’ and every time I lie on my left side I hear ‘The Green Green Grass Of Home.’”

Doctor – “Well it sounds like you have a case of Tom Jones fever.”

Man – “Tom Jones fever? Oh no, is it common?”

Doctor – “Well it’s not unusual!”

Ba-dum-dum-tish… I’ll get me coat.

10. Dylan Thomas

Quite possibly the greatest writer in Welsh history, Dylan Thomas is a monumental Welsh national icon.

On both sides of the Atlantic his words have been read and appreciated, his influence seeping into music and his style resonating around contemporary writers. He is a force to be reckoned with and, in 2004, the ‘Dylan Thomas Prize’ was created to pay tribute to him.

Born in Swansea, Dylan was writing from a young age, producing works such as And Death Shall Have No Dominion. His work progressed beyond the boundaries of poetic consciousness and intertwined with play writing and short stories, Under Milk Wood being his most famous.

Dylan’s lifestyle was open to scrutiny and he had an apparent taste for self-destruction. His love for alcohol was a major part of his character. He was once quoted saying, “I’ve had 18 straight whiskies; I think this is a record.” Eventually, his drinking reached an end point and claimed his life in 1953.

Dylan Thomas will always be known as the greatest poet in Wales, yet he is seen, even today, among the backdrop of the current zeitgeist and the trends and fashions inherent within it, as one of the most influential and everlasting figures of literature in the last century.

Gareth Mogg