Bangor University PhD Student takes part in new BBC Radio Wales feature

Gareth 'Gaz Top' Jones and Erin Lloyd JonesA Bangor University PhD student has had a fantastic opportunity of working as a resident historian for a new two-part music feature on BBC Radio Wales.

The new feature, Rockin’ The Gogs, is hosted by Gareth Jones (formerly ‘Gaz Top’) where he re-visits a distinctive musical stomping ground of his youth, celebrating its history and continuing legacy.

Archaeology PhD student, Erin Lloyd Jones, from Bodelwyddan, was invited to advise Gareth about the history aspect of the feature and is also participating in the feature itself, talking about the history of the buildings and the social history of the area in the early 20th Century which brought about the need for them.

Erin is currently writing up her PhD thesis in Archaeology, which she has been studying towards at Bangor part-time since 2011. Her specialist area is Iron Age hillforts of north Wales and the borderlands, and is in her element with anything historic- especially if it is in her home of north Wales. Erin works full time as the Heritage Interpretation Manager for Cadw, the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service and enjoys sharing her favourite stories from British heritage through her media work and website www.idigarchaeology.co.uk

Erin said: “I was delighted when Gareth asked me to feature on the show. Not only did I get to share really fascinating stories about my local area’s history, but as I used to visit The Tiv regularly it made the show even more special for me. Add to that 90s north wales legend ‘Gaz Top’ and you have a rocking recipe for success!

“We have a long and varied history here in Wales, and it is all linked together. If you want to know how to get from Motörhead to Mining and Radiohead to the Romans - tune in!”

The first episode of Rockin’ The Gogs covers Colwyn Bay’s Dixieland Showbar on the pier. During its heyday in the '70s and early ‘80s, 'The Dixie' hosted legendary bands such as Motörhead, the Damned, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Elvis Costello, The Specials and Madness.

In the second episode, Gareth heads for Buckley and ‘The Tiv’, a venue whose continued existence defies logic. Despite being in a Welsh town with limited population and not the best of transport links it has been going strong for decades, hosting some of the greats of rock ‘n roll — from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Slade, and even Britpop bands such as Oasis. Today, ‘The Tiv’ continues to put on live shows every week. Gareth investigates the secret to its success by talking to the bands, the fans and the management and by taking a tour of the building.

Rockin' The Gogs Ep 1: The Dixieland Showbar on Colwyn Bay Pier will be broadcast on Saturday 3rd September 2016 at 1:30pm on BBC Radio Wales.

Rockin' The Gogs Ep 2: The Buckley Tivoli will be broadcast on the 10th of September at 1:30pm on BBC Radio Wales.

Publication date: 2 September 2016