Jets To Zurich

Jets to Zurich have become the first-ever Welsh band to have two singles reach number one in Qatar.

The current single by the Aberdare-based band, Pyramids (see video below), has become the second to have achieved success in the Middle Eastern country following last year’s hit The Downward Spiral, which pipped the multi-award winning Arctic Monkeys to top spot.

“It’s surreal, even though we’ve gone through this all before with the first single,” said Jets singer Dale Hawkins.

“Over here, we’re just a local band trying to get recognition so to have achieved two number ones anywhere is amazing.”

The success follows their recent signing with Middle Eastern label Rickie Rocks Records, with whom they are working on their second album.

“We signed with the record label last year, and they’ve just given us a big push out there [the Middle East].

“We’ve had airplay in the US, and elsewhere in the Middle East, so we’re slowly getting out there.”

The single is out now. - Miniature Music Press

A little-known Welsh rock band have knocked the Arctic Monkeys off the top of the charts - in the tiny Arab state of Qatar.

While still unsigned in this country, Jets to Zurich have taken the number one slot in the Emirate state with only their second single, Downward Spiral.

Qatar is one of the smallest of the Middle East states with a population of around 700,000, and is located on a small peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf.

It is one of the wealthiest states due to its gas and oil reserves, but is not known for its music scene.

Band members Dale Hawkins, his brother Simon, Shea Jones and James Carey have described their chart success as “surreal” and “a bit bizarre”.

“They seem to really like our music out there. We can’t really believe this has happened,” said singer Dale, 27, of Godreaman, Aberdare.

The band formed two years ago and described their music style as Manic Street Preachers meets the Stereophonics.

“Our link with Qatar came about just be chance. We were playing a gig in North Wales last year and one of the other bands suggested we send a tape of our music out to a DJ in Qatar called Haytham Jawhari, who works for the Qatar Broadcasting Service.

We're told that the track has gone to number one simply through airplay as their charts work differently to the UK system. We're still unsure as to our exact audience however all we know is that the people in the country have really taken to it"

“He loved our music and actually our first single Crimson Tide got to number four in the charts out there last December,” said Dale.

To date, Jets to Zurich have played gigs mainly in South Wales but in November they plan to fly out to Qatar to perform live for their fans.

"At this point we're in early discussions about playing Qatar in November as part of a potential festival with established acts, this would be a massive honor and a great way to reach our audience in that country."

The band have produced to date two albums, two EPs and two singles. They are unsigned in this country but in the Middle East are represented by Rickie Rocks Records.

Dale and bass guitarist Simon work in a family gardening business, James, 27, from Aberdare plays guitar and keyboards and works at the University of Glamorgan and drummer Shea, 25, from Cwmaman works for the National Assembly.

Jets to Zurich will be at the Gower Rock Festival on July 24 and the Hirwaun Family Festival on July 30.

“Not many valley bands can boast a number one single, albeit in Qatar, but who knows what the future may hold,” said Dale. - WalesOnline