My Pet Monster

The bobble-hatted My Pet Monster took the stage to a squall of feedback, and after an exhilarating but disappointingly short set left it in much the same way. In between we were treated to monster guitar hooks, call and response vocals, and a wall of fuzz. ‘School II’ was the highlight, sounding as it does like an early surf obsessed Beach Boys 7-inch, but one which has found its way into the hands of Steve Albini. The set was concluded with a doff of the cap and a noisy reworking of ‘Sleep The Clock Around’ by fey indie darlings Belle and Sebastian. Enjoyable but all too fleeting, more of the same please! - The Miniture Music Press

Beth: Tell me about who you are, and how long you've been a band.

"My Pet Monster are Paul Atkins (vocals/guitar), Tim Ware (guitar), Tom Ware (bass) and Sam Coates (drums). We've all known each other since school and have been playing together in one form or another since we were 16. We got together in this line up about a year ago when everybody came back from uni with a bunch of songs and ideas and we decided to record an EP (the Soundtracks EP, which is available on Bandcamp). We put the EP out for free in Spillers records and other places and that's how we started playing gigs and getting noticed."

Beth: I hear you have a new EP on the way. Who writes the songs, and where have you been recording?

"Tim and I (Paul) come up with the basic song ideas and then we work on the arrangements as a band, we all live in the same house so things come together quite easily. Our forthcoming Trudy Superstar EP was recorded at our house and was engineered by our bass player Tom."

Beth: What brought you all to Cardiff?

"We're all originally from Cardiff. I stayed here to study but everyone else left at one point or another to go to university or art school."

Beth: What's been the band highlight so far?

"Being in a band is a lot of fun and we all get giddy with excitement whenever our stuff is played on radio or written about. There's been lots of highlights but top of the pile has to be opening for Future Of The Left on World Record Store Day in Clwb Ifor Bach - we had a lot of fun that night!"

Beth: What's on the cards for the forthcoming year?

"We recently put out a download single called Bahhumbug on our label VideoNoise - we figured since we recorded it ourselves we may as well put it out ourselves. The next release is the Trudy Superstar EP which should be out by 15 February via download and limited edition CD and cassette. After that we've hoping to put out another single later in the year. Our next gig is 25 February with Shrag and Tunabunny in Undertone, Cardiff."

Beth:: What are the best web links for people to find you and hear more?

"The best web link is probably www.mypetmonster.bandcamp.com." - BBC Radio Wales

Track One on the free download opens with a sound that's akin to the artowrk. A cross between static and distant roaring waves, it paves the way for some slacker, Copy Haho-esque guitar work. Titled 'TheDanielWall' it's covered in a No Age fuzz with vocals that have the same American ring as Yuck. At over four minutes, 'TheDanielWall' is arguably a little overlong, but doesn't drag – after all this is only the band's first number.

With 'Radio' and 'Soundtracks' largely delivering the same kicked back distorted pop noise – solidly, but without too much surprise – it's closer 'Whatdafugbug' that deals the real puch, being by far the best song on Soundtracks. A bit slacker, a bit rock and roll and all fuzzy it opens with a sample and kicks straight into gear. A Cribs-meets-Strokes riff adds to the feel of abandon and the quicker pace means ensures that it's exactly the sort of song that you can feel yourself singing along to loudly at a gig. Good stuff in other words.

Yes, there's a lot of clear reference points at this early stage in the life of the band. It's easy to draw a direct line to their influences and given the time and chance it's something they may transcend. However, as their influences are impeccable and well combined it's churlish to slate them based on this. My Pet Monster have songs – good ones – and for now that's more than enough. - Keep Pop Loud