Ffa Coffi Pawb - Am Byth (2004)

'Am Byth' is a compilation of songs principally for those few Ffa Coffi Pawb fans whose tapes have long since been chewed up in cassette machines that were thrown out years ago. The band recorded three albums for the Welsh Ankst label (original home to Super Furry Animals & Gorkys Zygotic Mynci), one on their own Siwgwr label and numerous 12" flexi-discs and one-offs on Welsh compilation albums. This is the first attempt to bring some of those disparate recordings together and is also the first time many of these songs have appeared on CD. Most of the master tapes are lost, so this collection was mastered directly from a variety of formats: cassette, vinyl, mini disc, dat tapes and, of course, flexi-disc.

The fab four formed in Bethesda, North Wales in 86 and were instantly banned from the local media as their name, which translates literally to "Everybodys Coffee Beans," translates phonetically to "F**k Off Everybody." The band split in the summer of 93, ending their perpetual tour of Wales, just a few months after releasing Hei Vidal (regarded as their finest album) in December 1992.

In time, vocalist and guitarist Gruff Rhys and drummer Dafydd Ieuan went on to form Super Furry Animals with members of other bands from the imploded Welsh music scene Huw Bunford and Guto Pryce from Cardiffs U.Thant and Ieuans brother Cián Ciaran from electronic experimentalists Wwzz. Guitarist Rhodri Puw joined Gorkys Zygotic Mynci following John Lawrences departure and played on 'How I Long to Feel That Summer in My Heart' and 'Sleep/Holiday.' He also records as Psycho VII. Bassist Dewi Emlyn has toured extensively with numerous bands including Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, Super Furry Animals, Mogwai and Cornelius.