Ray & Richie After the rehearsal at Bwlchygwynt courtesy of Michael Wilding Jnr. and his band The Windfuckers , Ray and Myff agreed that they would join Steve Williams in Cardiff to peruse the dream of the new band as soon as possible. On arriving in Cardiff from Aberystwyth Ray Jones and Myff Isaac got a 2 bedroom flat in Cantons Church Road a bit of a student area. Ray and Myff occupied the ground floor. Upstairs was a very beautiful lady from Lampeter who was studying at the Welsh Collage of music and drama Gillian Elisa. (Richie was to write the title song of Gillians album Llawr y lein many years later) Myff was soon joined by his girlfriend from Germany . Steve was still doing gigs with his band Mr Smith. So the trio with no name needed a singer and not just any singer it had to be someone with the same values and influences. After asking the guy's at Ddraig Studio's where Sassafras rehearsed, and the guy's in the band themselves, one band kept cropping up in conversation up but no name for their singer . The group were a yes / genesis covers band called Rattso and the only contact was the keyboard player a chap called Mike Walker. Tricky situation. However we somehow had to get the singer to pinch him. We picked up on a lead that suggested his day job was that of an automotive paint sprayer at a vehicle body repair centre in Caerphilly. A trip to these premises ensued and there amongst the high pressure lines and pots of paint was Richard Galloni. He agreed to meet for a rehearsal to listen to the music and have a jam. He turned up in a large well groomed car with 2 Marshall Cabinets a mike and a p.a amp, good start. After a few day's of intense abuse and threats Richie agreed to give up his life and worldly possessions to join the band. After several years with Quest, Richie moved to Swansea and Ray moved to London and beyond. However the friendship and musical foundations that were forged in the spring of 1973 remain to this day. A brief outing during the 1980’2 reunited Richie and Ray along with John Lloyd and Greg Harris we did some gigs and recording, after a while another guitarist was added Robert Mills, a fine player but it fragmented quickly and that was that. But out of that came a fruitful writing period for Richie and Rob. Richie and Ray have a solo album “Heart Break Highway” and a writing partnership that has now become closer as Richie and
Ray have re united in the current line up of Sassafras Richie is to be heard on the new Othurwurldealbum. Look out for new music from the combine talents of Richie Galloni and Ray Jones in 2007. Richie Galloni. Lead Vocals, bass and acoustic guitars, percussion Ray Jones. Harmony Vocals, bass, lead guitar, acoustic guitar 6/12 string, arrangements.
Hope you are both listening to Phil Matthews on his Wednesday night rock show on Rhondda Radio, He has played some Sassafras and maybe you could get some airplay between you, Cheers John.
Hi Guys, hope you are enjoying the summer and the heat. Almost a year since Sass. played the Diamond and Americana in July 2008. Wish you could play more.John and Chris
Oh my Lord! What a cracking line-up we have for No.9 on THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY, check it out! NOW UPSTAIRS AT THE BUFFALO BAR, Windsor Place, Cardiff - 8pm till Late! - £4.00 *** Drink offers include £2 a pint and £2 for a spirit + mixer ***
CHRISTOPHER REES [Blues / Soul / Country] "Intense and absolutely mesmerizing" Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1)
CONVOI EXCEPTIONNEL [Minimalist / Rock / Hip Hop] "Convoi Exceptionnel are a Welsh rock and hiphop duo from the mean streets of Aberystwyth. Despite now living 300 miles apart and armed with only an SM58, a Mac and a twenty pound guitar from Argos they've managed to knock up some tunes for your enjoyment and get played on national radio"
DRAW ME STORIES [Alternative / Folk Rock / Indie] "A dark and raw yet perfectly polished and professional performance that will surely lead to bigger things...No doubt helped along by the fact lead singer Carl Hodgetts has the kind of Ian Curtis/ Paul Banks voice that makes girls go weak at knees!"
VALLEY LINES [Electronica / Dub / Psychedelic] "Valley Lines is the main musical project of Cardiff based electronic producer and sound artist Christian Gates, his musical output shifts from simplistic electro to densely layered electronica, often incorporating sound recordings from the natural environment with complex beats and synthesised noise"
...plus DJ's for a good old dance!
Get the weekend started early ;~) Luv, [Thee alternative - EVERY month!]
Oh my Lord! What a cracking line-up we have for No.7 on THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, check it out! Be there or be square ;~)
CYMBIENT [Indie / Experimental / Surf] "...from lavish psychedelia to valve crunching riffs to structured beauty...rich backing tracks and lush harmonies...Stuff Brian Wilson into a split screen camper van with some retro valve amps, a first edition stylophone, Beefheart’s ’Clear Spot’ on the stereo and head for the welsh surf breaks with cymbient..."
STRAY BORDERS [Alternative / Experimental / Rock] "...current essential new Welsh tunes include a demo by Stray Borders which could give Mogwai a run for their money..." [Huw Stevens]
DRONE [Electronica / Indie / Pop] "F!?&ing Godly" [A friend] "As much fun to listen to as Dylan" [Another friend]
...plus DJ's for a good old dance!
Upstairs at 10 Feet Tall, Church St, Cardiff - 8 till Late - £4. 00
Luv, [Thee alternative - 3rd Thursday of EVERY month!]
Hiya R&R, Really hope you can get down to No.6 on THURSDAY 21st AUGUST for 4 great bands...
THE ASH & THE OAK "Lovely Songs and Lush Harmonies" KITES "truly epic, Kites' seven band members create an impressive wall of sound" THE PAGAN WANDERER LU "Strongly worded letters from a road safety fascist set to bedroom electro indie pop tunes" FEBRIA "harmonious rock n' roll quintet"
...and DJ's for a good old dance! Get the weekend started early ;~)
Take care, [Thee alternative - 3rd Thursday of EVERY month!]
Hot 'n' Sticky June day greetings! Really hope you can make it along to No.4 on THURSDAY 19TH JUNE for some great music and a boogie...you know you want to ;-)
All the best, [Thee alternative - 3rd Thursday of EVERY month!]
Hi Guys,thank you for jour virtual friendship here on myspace.Its my pleasure to meet you on there.COOL STUFF I LOVE IT. Cheers from BELGIUM EDOUARD GABRIEL
No.9 
No.6
