the fondas profile picture

the fondas

thefondasrock

About Me


The band were formed in Newport in 2004 by Andy Ward (vocals/guitar), Oli Ward (bass) and James Young (guitar/vocals) and Ian Matthews (drums).Steve Eyers joined the band in 2005 when Ian left to bash the skins for Kasabian.
The Fondas were first discovered in late 2005 by Bethan Elfyn and Huw Stephens who gave the band their first radio exposure on their Radio One show. As a result “D’Ya Feel Lucky?” the band’s debut single was released in the summer of 2006 & sold out in three weeks and was a fixture on Bethan and Huw’s show, winning the weekly “Drop Every thing and Listen to This!” award leading to more airplay on Zane Lowe on Radio One, Phill Jupitus and Steve Lamacq on Radio 6, XFM and Kerrang.
The band have just finished recording their follow up EP at Not In Pill Studios in Newport with former Dub War and Skindred legends Jeff Rose and Ginge Ford. The EP will be released in early 2007 with further releases soon after.
I Don't Do You

Add to My Profile | More Videos
D'ya Feel Lucky?

Add to My Profile | More Videos
ITV Interview

Add to My Profile | More Videos

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/27/2005
Band Website: thefondas.co.uk
Band Members:
Sounds Like: "Here is a song we absolutely adore" - Huw Stephens Radio One

“This lot are like Radiohead. That is, if Radiohead were a punk band. Epic ideas crammed into catchy three minute guitarry ditties". 9/10
Classic Rock Magazine

“Andy Ward sounds like a tortured Thom Yorke bred with a sober Pete Doherty & it sounds superb!"
rock-city.co.uk

“D'Ya Feel Lucky? - Track of the month” Rhythm Magazine

"Drop everything and listen to this" - Bethan & Huw Radio One

"D'Ya Feel Lucky? is a song that comes out all guns blazing, the guitars set to radio friendly and the choruses to infectiousBruised indie rock drawls and high pitched sensitive falsettos, Thom Yorke cross bred with Pete Doherty.The Fondas are an exciting and vibrant bunch of indie-rockers with an exhilarating debut single".
ukmusicsearch.co.uk

"DYa Feel Lucky? Is like a fairground ride gaining pace, it turned into an adrenaline rush: fast, raw, psychedelic and exciting! This aptly describes the Fonda's overall ethos, which seeps all over their sound".
9/ 10 repeatfanzine.co.uk

"Brilliant, slipping in and out of falsetto, huge riffs, great hooks and the good time feeling we so desperately need now Summers approaching!"
subba-cultcha.com

"D'ya Feel Lucky opens with a nice laidback guitar led introduction which is soon by a delicate crooned vocal before the guitars really crash in and the hard hitting drums drive the song into indie anthem status. By the end of the song, guitars are howling and within the space of just under two and a half minutes The Fondas have taken us on a rolllercoaster ride through the calm into the storm.Building up from a deceptive start in to a series of crescendos 'D'ya Feel Lucky?' gives range to great vocals that both overlay and are overlaid with neat guitar hooks. This number contains a cocktail of styles with shots of punk, psychedelia and good time rock n roll."
roomthirteen.com

"Fronted by Andy Ward, "D'Ya Feel Lucky?" hears the band hit their stride right from the opening tune that is so raucously raw its a bonafide inspiration, wonderfully distorted and cosmic solos, I dont think I can liken these guys to anyone I already know of but I think these guys could be really big."
Jukebox Music Rocks

"English garage rock with dashes of The Clash's rawness and a sprinkling of indie-heroes Radiohead, baked and given a slight a hint of Ramones love of rocking to finish off!"
RoomThirteen.com

"Really gritty and with the snarling guitar heavy style, awesome bass and expertly crafted harmonies Id expect to be hearing a lot more of them in the future!"
Screaming Tarts

"Guitars grind and drums pound in the manner of a cranked-up Nirvana but The Fondas walk the fine line between memorable punk thrash and tuneless self-obsessed drone with ease".
IC Wales

"Now this is how guitars should be played loud, and in your face."
Young Scot. Org

"There aren't that many bands whose music is so eclectic that they could follow a frenetic punky number like Be Alone with the psychedelic-style Strange Honey with its screaming wah-wah guitar solo, and then follow that with a big chorusey crowd-pleaser like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. And not just mix it up but make it sound perfectly natural."
Live Review Bristol Evening Post

Record Label: www.thefondas.co.uk
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

People We Love

Not In Pill Studios Jeff and Ginge the former Dub War/Skindred legends run the best studio in Wales beneath St Josephs Boxing Club. Its great. Elephant Rescue Plan/Black Alley Screens/Azzurri We love ...
Posted by the fondas on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 02:07:00 PST

Single Sold Out Across Country

D'Ya Feel Lucky? is sold out at the following stores Virgin Oxford St LondonVirgin Tower Records Piccadilly LondonVirgin Camden, LondonHMV Marble Arch, LondonHMV Oxford St, LondonVirgin CardiffHMV Car...
Posted by the fondas on Sun, 18 Jun 2006 05:04:00 PST

Bethan & Huw show, BBC1 Wales

A big thank you to Bethan & Huw for again playing forthcoming debut single 'D'ya feel lucky' on their show last night - your support is very much appreciated....
Posted by the fondas on Fri, 27 Jan 2006 08:11:00 PST