Out Da Ville, Nottingham
The UK hip-hop scene in the late 90s and early 00s focused on the larger UK cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. But there was a thriving scene on my doorstep that was never highlighted and celebrated as it should have been. The crown jewel of Nottingham hip-hop at the time were Out Da Ville. The group’s origins dated back as far as 1993, but it was the release of Notts Property that is really etched in my memory. I used my paper round money to go to Funky Monkey records in Nottingham to buy the vinyl and I played it every day for months.
To hear accents like mine alongside gritty boom-bap production inspired me to make and study music tech myself. A few of the members continue to make music, probably most notably Scor-zay-zee who is hailed as one of the UK hip-hop pioneers. But Out Da Ville themselves have unfortunately not been remembered the same. Daniel Poole, 36, Nottingham
Cardiacs, Kingston upon Thames
Cardiacs formed in 1977. They played locally in Kingston and Surbiton, so I went to see them many times in the 1980s. Lead singer Tim Smith sadly died in 2020. Many bands were influenced by the amazing but crazy Cardiacs and they have a large cult following known as Pondies. They were recently included in the Bowie exhibition at Kingston museum as it celebrated lots of local musicians. Kingston was and is a varied and vibrant music scene. Donna Frankcom, 56, Worcester Park, London
The Makers, Reading
The Makers, from Reading, were an uncompromising, enigmatic late-90s guitar band who made a real impact on the industry with two sets of demos and promptly disappeared. Live, they were either sublime or chaotic, and A&R reps from many of the major labels travelled to see them perform at their rehearsal studio in a village outside of town from where the band declined several recording and publishing deals. With distinctive vocals alternating between soulful and primal roar, sweet harmonies and mind-twisting guitars, a seminal album or two was most definitely within their grasp. A loss to the modern music fan. Kirk, London
The Puss Puss Band, South Wales
The Puss Puss Band originated from South Wales (specifically the Merthyr/Heads of the Valleys area) and they made two albums of jazz-infused folk pop. Lyrics-wise they were often quite bleak and nihilistic but the music itself, influenced by the likes of Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach, is liltingly beautiful. Combined, it feels like an old lover whispering in your ear. I was first introduced to their music towards the end of a long, mostly unhappy, relationship, and it kept me company while I laboured long into the night over spreadsheets and the bleak minutiae of my low-level admin job. Their music deserves to be heard by more people: by anyone who has fallen in, and out, of love, but especially by anyone who has ever lived in a small town and yearned for a bigger life. Keri, 43, Wales
Misdemeanor, Bristol
Bristol’s greatest band was Misdemeanor. They played in the early 1980s. I was there when they were the first rock band to play the Bristol Bridge Inn (deceased) in 1982. It was a truly great rock band led by Kevin McFadden, who sadly died a few years ago. They were mostly self-penned tunes, with the odd U2, Springsteen, Star Jets (War Stories) covers. They had a massive local following, though I never understood how they didn’t break out. Their stuff finally made it on to iTunes a few years ago. Worth every penny. Rick Johansen, Bristol
Urban Swallow, Bognor Regis
They were called Urban Swallow and hailed from Bognor Regis. They had a huge local following. Some likened them to Coldplay, but they were better than that. I used to organise coach trips to see them in all the usual London venues from the Bognor pub that I ran in those days (the early 2000s). I am still in contact with a couple of the band members, who tell me that they will soon re-form for gigs and new material. Very exciting. Paul Ayling, Barnham, West Sussex
Aberfeldy, Edinburgh
Aberfeldy released three fine albums between 2004 and 2010. Singer Riley Briggs was an excellent songwriter. Despite getting 9/10 for their debut from the NME and a single of the week for Heliopolis By Night, they never made it higher than No 60 in the singles chart. Their first label, Rough Trade, was too focused on the Libertines. I saw them play probably 10 times in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including one occasion on New Year’s Eve 2004 when they supported Blondie and Scissor Sisters in Princes Street Gardens at the annual Hogmanay bash. Ed, Edinburgh
