John Peels Festive 50 winners 2001, Melys bgan life in the summer of 1996.
Paul met Andrea as they sold cream teas to pink haired ladies, fresh off the tourist buses in the resort village of Betws-y-Coed where they lived.

They wrote music. They formed a band.
There was, after all, not much else to do.

So, Pauls brother Gary became drummer and close friend Carys played keyboards.
Late that year they released their debut E.P. "Fragile" through Ankst records which was closely followed by the "Cuckoo" single, both being very well received.
Melys were offered a 5 album deal from Pinnacle labels after their 5th gig, the band were
very scared.

Melys then proceeded to spend an obscene amount of money on recording, ligging
drinking, hotels and everything else they couldn’t really afford.
The product of all this was their debut album "Rumours and Curses" which followed
their 3 singles "Diwifr," "Lemming," and "Ambulance Chaser".

After having their 2nd option agreed, Pinnacle records informed the band that they were closing down, thus leaving the band without a label.
Instead of turning into wino’s, slobs and washed up wannabe’s, Melys decided to use the
cash they had hidden in offshore accounts to set up their own label and recording studio
at their home in Betws-y-Coed. Carys went to Liverpool to be a doctor, so ex tour manager Rich was draughted in to play bass.

Their first release on their own Sylem label was the "Baby Tornado" single, it charted in the indie top 20. Their following  releases of "Slagging Off Tourists" E.P. , "Kamikaze" LP and the Un Darllenwr Lwcus single also charted .  Un Darllenwr Lwcus sold out, and was  released on 7" vinyl as well as CD with the band making their own furry animal print sleeves and tags for the limited 500 copies.

Their second album "Kamikaze" is on its third re-press and continues to sell well, almost a year after release having just gained distribution in Europe.

They have received plays on radio one by Mark and Lard, Steve Lamacq and John Peel, who has described Melys as part of the family.
They have recorded SIX  sessions for Sir Peel,  4 in the maida vale studio and two live from Groningen, Netherlands and Cardiff "In the City". Plus a Christmas Carols show live from Peels house
"Peelacres" in December 2001
One of their highlights was recording their second session at Maida Vale with the London Welsh Male voice choir on Johns birthday, giving a special rendition of "You'll never walk alone"

During their trip in January 2001 to Holland as representatives of the Radio One Peel show, the band were introduced by Sir Peel to Dutch band "Seedling."
John suggested the two bands work together and maybe gig swap.
Many emails back and to from Wales to Holland and the bands released a split vinyl 7" single
together, Melys' "I Don't Believe in you" and "Cool Baby, my hips go woo" from Seedling.
Melys were invited over to Holland for dates (inc. the Famous Paradiso, where the band played their first ever encore, due to a very enthusiastic audience) and a VPRO Radio session.
Seedling then returned to UK and played Cardiff, London and a joint live Peel session with melys.
(John Peel was on Pins all evening as the UEFA cup final was being played , Liverpool finally winning in extra time, luckily before both bands played, causing John in a moment of euphoria to say it was the best night of his entire life!!))

Melys  released "Chinese Whispers" on October 29th 2001 and it immediately sold out.
On Thursday December 27th, Melys were amazed and fantastically proud to hear Chinese Whispers beat the White Stripes/Pulp/New Order et al to come in at the hallowed number 1 slot on the John Peel festive 50 best songs of the year, as voted for by the listeners.
Due to this, Melys have a very busy year lined up, with another Benelux tour for just over 2 weeks in March, the release of their Suikerspin 9European compilation of past releases) album on Transformed Dreams label of Holland, and their own third album proper, entitled "Dirty" scheduled for late summer.
Lets hope its a good a year as 2001.

OFFICIAL MELYS WEBSITE AT
http://listen.to/melys