Jugganote

The Jugganote project started in January 2007, the band made up of 5 musicians each with their own unique styles, influences, and backgrounds of music. The instrumental side of the band mainly provided by a traditional 3 piece; drums, bass and guitar. The hip hop element provided by an MC and use of the MPC sampler. The outcome is true blend of experimental and alternative styles.

Jugganote started in 2007 when David Thomas (the bands original drummer) arranged a meeting with a few musician friends with the aim of “doing something different”. David had not long left “Without Due Haste” a South Wales metal band. Attending the meeting that night was Glenn Newbrook who at the time was still playing guitar for David’s old band, Martin Peareth an old friend of Davids who happened to own a bass guitar, Steve Dancey aka BeSpoken a local rapper also an old friend of David’s and Dave Pearce a mutual friend and musician. After just a few jam sessions Dave Pearce (Synth) decided he would rather concentrate on his solo career and left the band. Glenn quit “Without Due Haste” deciding he would prefer to put more time and effort into Jugganote and so the band was formed; BeSpoken as lyricist and front man, Glenn on guitar, Martin on bass and D.T on drums.

Early in 2007 the band recorded their first 3 tracks on a self titled demo. The demo recorded at Nottin Pill Studios, Newport with ex Skindred guitarist Jeff Rose and drummer Martyn “Ginge” Ford.

“Jugganote” the demo 2007

Track 1 – Give me Strength

Track 2 – A World that don’t Suite me

Track 3 – Enough

Off the back of the demo the band started receiving bookings, they had also begun discussions with a local label about management and the possibility of being signed. The band composed enough tracks to perform a support slot and began gigging with their first ever live performance an unannounced gig at The Waterside, Carmarthen. The gigs kept coming with one of the bands highlights in 2007 playing the legendary venue The Cavern Club, Liverpool. Although the band was getting booked for gigs around the U.K, with limited connections they struggled to get a gig in their home city of Cardiff. Their only Cardiff gigs being; an acoustic set in a small coffee shop, a corporate arranged charity gig for African Aid and an illegal underground gig at a fellow bands practice room. Late 2007/08 the deal with the label fell through due to a breakdown in communication and (the typical industry) promises never being met.

In 2008 after deciding to rely on self management and spending months jamming new material the band recorded their first new track “For My Brothers”. The track was recorded with Todd Campbell at S.K.W.A.D HQ and was used alongside a music video shot for the track to publicise “The Hold Up” E.P due to be launched in the summer. It was then that the band bought an MPC500 sampler to expand their sound and also make using vocal samples in their tracks easier. “The Hold Up” also recorded with Todd Campbell at S.K.W.A.D HQ was successfully launched at Cardiff’s Barfly in July of 2008.

“The Hold Up” E.P 2008

Track 1 – Intro

Track 2 – Real to Keep

Track 3 – Audio Sports

Track 4 – Reasons For Our Pride Forgot

Track 5 – For My Brothers

Track 6 – 7/7

Track 7 – Burn it Down

Track 8 - Outro

After packing out Cardiff Barfly on the E.P launch night the band continued their success with a mini tour of local venues mainly concentrated in Cardiff and Newport. Late in 2008 the band recruited long time friend Joe Ali to take over using the MPC500 sampler which was becoming a more integral part of the band’s sound. Not long after Joe had joined the band and before playing a gig with the new line up D.T (David Thomas) drummer and founding member of Jugganote left the band due to personal reasons.

The band wasn’t without a drummer for long early in 2009 Allyn Phelps a friend of guitarist Glenn expressed an interest in joining the band. After just a few weeks trial it was obvious to the other band members that Allyn was more than capable of filling the roll. The band now increased to 5 members, Jugganote continues its constant progression.

After 3 years of gigging in the U.K (mainly concentrated in the South Wales area) from dodgy pubs playing in front of toilets (no names mentioned) to an awesome industry showcase gig at one of Cardiff best venues The Point the mission remains the same:

Jugganote's aim; To put on a performance like no other, combining live instruments with hip hop's more conventional outputs. Keeping the fun loving old school vibe alive whilst maintaining credibility by addressing current issues on the state of the world today.

Jugganote's mission; To be as high impact and intense whether you're listening to a studio recording or witnessing the music being created live on stage. To continually grow and progress as musicians, a band and possibly a collective? To instigat