STEFFAN HAS HIS OWN ‘HOUSE’ BAND
A16-YEAR-OLD schoolboy was too young to go to a gig by his favourite band so they came and played at his house instead. It was certainly a case of garage rock when Welsh indie rock band Trampolene turned up to play at teenager Steffan Ward’s home in Porth in the Rhondda – especially as they set up and played in his garage.
The London-based outfit put out an appeal for fans to get in touch if they wanted the trio to set up and play at their home – and when singer Jack Jones heard Steffan was too young to get into the gig they played in Cardiff last year, he contacted the youngster to set up the show.
The gig was something of an eventful evening, with Steffan getting to play guitar with his heroes and frontman Jack breaking his nose after some over-vigorous crowd surfing.
“When we heard that he couldn’t get in because he was too young, when we were booking our House Party tour we thought it would only be fair if we stopped off round his house for a visit,” said Jack. “Little did we know half of the Rhondda would be there.
“All our posters were on the walls next to the Manics and Phonics, it was a beautiful moment for us, too.”
He added: “Steffan got up and played guitar – he can play my own songs better than me. I went in the mosh pit and broke my nose on the garage door, but had a blast.
“His dad was welcoming everyone into the house and his mum brought us sausage rolls, crisps and pasties. They were brilliant.
“It was a night to remember for everyone.”
Steffan said that when Trampolene played the Cardiff gig, which he was too young to go to, his brother Rhys, 20, grabbed a setlist and got all the band to sign it for him.
“I’ve been into the band for a while after discovering them online. When they were offering to play fans’ houses I jumped at the chance to get them down to Porth,” said Steffan.
“The next day Jack messaged me, asked for my postcode and what days they could come down and it was sorted.”
The gig was rammed with Steffan’s friends, his brother’s mates and a few of his dad’s pals from the local pub the Rheola.
Even the neighbours were understanding.
“Well, our next-door neighbours had been on holiday and came back on the day of the gig, so it was a bit of a surprise for them,” he laughed. “They took it well and a few of the neighbours came along to the show.”
Aspiring guitarist Steffan said it was his dad Steve, 45, who has got him into music and both were thrilled when the band invited the youngster up to play with them on a song.
“I only had three days to learn the song You Do Nothing To Me, so I was a bit nervous,” said Steffan. “But I loved it. The gig was incredible. “It was definitely the best day of my life.” Find out more about Trampolene at www.facebook. com/trampoleneofficial