End of the rollercoaster ride as band announce split
A WELSH band once touted as “the new Oasis” have announced they are to split up.
Almost five years after being the subject of a music industry bidding war, Pretty Vicious have released a statement saying: “The band cannot continue on the emotional rollercoaster we have been riding for the last five years.”
Earlier this year the four youngsters from Merthyr released their long-awaited debut album Beauty Of Youth, but they were unable to tour the release due to the ongoing health issues of singer Brad Griffiths.
Last week the band announced they would be playing three shows in Cardiff, London and Exeter around Christmas with a stand-in singer - these will now be their last.
The statement signed by three of the band’s four members read: “It is with heavy hearts that we have decided that the band cannot continue on the emotional rollercoaster we have been riding for the last five years.
“Events since we finished the album have meant that we could not promote the album which we are so proud of.
“For all the highs and lows, trials and tribulations there are basic functions which a band need to be able to carry out, and we haven’t been able to do that.
“The relationship within the band has fractured beyond repair. We have come to the conclusion that we all need to move on unencumbered by the baggage attached to Pretty Vicious and we will resurface in 2020 like a phoenix from the ashes under a new guise and with another singer.
“The three shows in December will be the last under the name Pretty Vicious. Thank you to all our fans for their support over the years & we will see you in 2020 xxxElliot, Jarvis & Tom.”
The journey from Merthyr to a highly-publicised record deal to a parting of ways with a major label, to the release of their long-awaited debut album and their ultimate demise has been a painful and protracted one for the band.
Both professionally and personally, it has taken its toll and, in the case of frontman Brad Griffiths, brought about an enforced break from the band.
It was all so different five years ago. Then these sonic youths had the music world at their feet with every record company in the UK chasing their signature on the strength of one song.
It was November 2014, when they unleashed the track in question – Cave Song. Recorded at the Ebbw Vale Institute with producer Richard Jackson (who had worked with Super Furry Animals and 60ft Dolls), it was a dissolute council estate anthem dripping with attitude and laced with the boredom and alienation of small-town life. Its effect was quickly felt across the music industry.
Radio 1 presenters Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens introduced the song to the masses, while Radio Wales new music champion Adam Walton played it twice on his Saturday evening show.
A month later, Pretty Vicious were the focus of all the UK’s major record labels.
The band’s name was a piece of Sex Pistols wordplay – “Pretty Vacant” and “Sid Vicious”.
They were also very young – drummer Elliot Jones, aged 15, bass player, Jarvis Morgan, 17, guitarist Tom McCarthy, 17, and frontman Brad Griffths also 17.