Hoping to build from the success of their previous two EP’s, PENNY RICH spent 2020 writing and recording their debut studio album with Andrew Sanders at Cardiff’s Kings Road Studio, with its first single Stolen Goods receiving glowing reviews and drawing comparisons with IDLES and early Nirvana. This November the band returned with their new single ‘Last Meal’, confronting empty self-indulgence, drawing lyrical inspiration from the concept of the last meal served to inmates on death row in the US, whereby they can request all of their favourite comfort food prior to their execution.
Penny Rich were born from a shared passion for 90’s grunge and noise and a need for cathartic expression, their evocative melodies and introspective lyrics speaking to the insecurities inside all of us.
Since their formation in 2016, the band have been energising audiences across South Wales, sharing the stage with the likes of Death Cult Electric, Sœur and False Advertising, and playing slots at Oxjam Festival, whilst tracks from their EPs Nomad and Revolving Door have been supported by the likes of BBC Radio Wales, with Adam Walton himself describing the band as ‘noisy and great’.
For fans of IDLES, METZ, Refused
Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, the band state, “The song explores the idea of a last meal as a metaphor for empty, superficial pleasures, indulged in to temporarily escape the anguish, anxiety or depression the consumer may be experiencing. It’s the juxtaposition between feelings of superficial satiety and profound emptiness. In short: empty pleasures that fail to cure the real issues at play.”
PENNY RICH are: Anthony B – Vocals / Guitar, Chris Hampson – Vocals / Bass, Tobias O’Reilly – Drums
To celebrate the release of the new single, Penny Rich have teamed up with us to give you some under-the-radar bands from the Cardiff / Wales area who inspired their craft and stand as a good listen for anyone into alternative rock and punk. Give them a listen below.
Shlug:
Punk/heavy rock band, recently signed to Clwb Music (a label run by the iconic Cardiff venue Clwb Ifor Bach). We recently supported them at the Exchange in Bristol. Quite similar to us I feel, in that they’re proper loud and proper angry. They are very much where we aspire to be in the near future. Great lads too.
James and the Cold Gun:
Grunge/rock band, recently signed to Stone Gossard’s (Pearl Jam) Loosegroove Records. I mean, what else can we say… signed by a Seattle scene legend? Yes please. James is also a good friend of ours. His enthusiasm for our as yet unreleased upcoming album has given us a real confidence boost, such a sweetheart. We very much see them as heading somewhat of an alt rock revival in Cardiff, so we are very thankful for what they do. They also happen to write some proper bangers, which also helps.
Badshout
Grunge/punk band, we met Callum (frontman/guitarist) at a music scene networking event at Cardiff music venue The Moon. Infectious energy live, plus all-round nice guys. Very collaborative ‘scene players’, which is good to see. For me, this is what you would get if you put early Drenge and The Ramones in a blender.
Nine Lives
Garage rock duo, very much The Dead Weather meets Blood Red Shoes and Royal Blood, in my opinion. We’ve known these guys for quite a while, always supporting each other. Absolute lovely people. Very unique, we’re confident they’re destined for bigger things.
Death Cult Electric
Mad. Just mad. Alternative animatronic hit-making machines. We are truly inspired by these guys, they have something truly unique, their creative freedom really is inspiring. Seeing their successful trajectory has certainly had us taking notes.
