Now Playing: Joy Formidable, Live and Interviewed, on Rabid in the Kennel!

Now airing on Rabid In The Kennel: The Joy Formidable, the mighty, Welsh/English band led by kick-ass Ritzy Bryan (guitar/vocals), who will soon release their first full length LP The Big Roar , joins me for a laugh-filled interview and an enchanting performance with bandmates Rhydian Dafydd (bass, backing vocals) and Matt Thomas (drums), both of whom also take part in the interview.

Of all the shows we have done so far on Rabid in the Kennel, this is the one I am the most excited about. This band frankly blows my mind, and has for over a year now. So don’t miss this one for sure!

Can’t spare the time? No worries: this link is good now and at any time in the future. Listen at your convenience!

Want a sneak peek? Check out this video from the session:

Want more info on the band? Here’s a bit of my review from a year ago of their incredible mini-LP A Balloon Called Moaning:

“Just when I despaired that my world hadn’t been totally rocked by a new group, this Welsh/English London trio arrives like a lightning bolt—the best, most exciting new band in a good half-decade. Evolving out of two decent Manchester outfits, Tricky Nixon and Sidecar Kisses, which included pepperpot, Kewpie-doll cute (also sexy, charming, and friendly), kick-ass singer/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, and strapping, handsome, booming, quick bassist/significant other Rhydian Dafydd (both from North Wales), the pair added blasting London drummer Matt Thomas to blow the roof off the eight-song Balloon . Housed in a olive-green poster sleeve that reflects their artistic inclinations, the mini-LP mixes equal parts of the three hottest genres of the last 35 years, punk, post-punk, and dollops of dreampop, making for a new magnificent maelstrom. No references would snugly fit Joy Formidable, but it’s as if My Bloody Valentine were more blown away by Hüsker Dü than Dinosaur Jr.; or The Pixies and Breeders were as heavy as Swervedriver, spiky guitars and all, or as full of twisting guitar leads as Comsat Angels, or as reveling in repetitive, ethereal rock hypnotism as early ‘80s Cure. The trio’s harsh, rapid lashing propels an astonishingly fierce yet big-sounding attack, while Bryan’s colossal, billowing six-string textures can’t obfuscate her raw embers’ sparks, like a nasty electric thunderstorm—with sneaky melodies added to spice the squall. Just for “Austere” alone, which rocks as mean, hard, and beautiful as prime Compulsion borrowing Whipping Boy’s guitars, Balloon would be a steal. Throw in equally wild singles “Cradle” and “Whirring,” and your agitated nervous system does summersaults from joy jolts. Get thee to myspace.com/thejoyformidable and watch Youtube videos for (post- Balloon single) “Greyhounds in the Slips“ and “Whirring,” and bow before their overwhelming energy and infectious kick. Nothing else today is even close to their league.”—JACK RABID, issue 66, The Big Takeover (number one pick of the issue!)

Ha! Needless to say I’m over the moon about presenting this band on our show! Please listen to this! Please! You won’t regret it!

Visit RabidInTheKennel.com for links to all past Rabid In The Kennel Sessions. Past guests include The Posies, TV Smith, Visqueen, Joe Pernice, Miranda Lee Richards, Justin Sullivan of New Model Army, Lou Barlow, Sloan, Astrid Williamson, Paul Collins, Alina Simone, Leatherface, Doug Gillard, and Adam Franklin.

Coming February 9: Brooklyn greats The Pains of Being Pure at Heart!

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Cheers!
Jack Rabid