Cerys, Catatonia And The Rise Of Welsh Pop

Book excerpt: In the late nineties, Wales (is) the centre for guitar bands in the UK so says John Robb in THE NINETIES and with bands as strikingly fresh and individual as Catatonia Welsh denomination looks assured. It has taken Catatonia eight years of hard work and persistance to gain the recognition and adulation that they so richly deserve, but finally Cerys' searing vocals and lilting guitar pop have made the breakthrough. Hardly surprisingly really, considering the wealth of talent that is Catatonia and the crest of the Welsh wave they are so assuredly riding. But as anyone will tell you, what makes Catatonia different from the rest, the Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and others, is Cerys. Cerys Matthews is fast becoming an icon in herself - a combination of sweetness and South Walesian toughness that is proving to be so endearing to her legion of fans. Often likened to Blondie, Cerys has graced more magazine covers than you care to mention, yet she is the sort of pop star who still sends away for free tights. This book will be the first to chart the rise and yet further rise of Catatonia, from Cerys busking outside Debenhams in Cardiff to their new found fame.