Biography

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 recently recruited bassist Siôn Glyn, the current incarnation of MTH resides in the vibrant musical hotbed that is contemporary Cardiff.

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 bands 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 bands 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.

Second single, ‘Don’t Slip Up’ and the debut album ‘Songs of Ignorance will be released in May.

Who they are and what they do:

Matthew Evans – Vocals / Guitar
Gwion Rowlands – Guitar / Vocals
Bill Coyne – Drums
Siôn Glyn – Bass

Here’s a brief CV:

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, Bjiorn Again, Mike Peters, Colursound, The Crocketts, Cartoon, Topper, Big Leaves etc.