Beyond the Bars have played regularly across Wales. Highlights include a support slot with Robin Williamson at the Newport Centre, and a headliner, in the Riverside Suite, at the same venue; appearances on three consecutive days at the Pontadawe International Music Festival; appearances also at the Maindee Festival, the Risca Festival and the Llanfair Folk Fayre in mid Wales. The band performed an open-air concert in the grounds of Tredegar House in Newport and appeared before a sizable audience in Swansea's Castle Square at an event sponsored by the City Council.In July the band played Sessiwn Fawr Dolgellau, covered by S4C.

The band were invited to play as part of the official 'One Live' fringe in Cardiff in October 2000.

The above are "significant" events. Many of the band's performances in intimate venues have been just as Ð or sometimes more Ð rewarding. One of these must include one of the band's favourite venues, that of the 'Concert Hall' at Goginan, near Aberystwyth.

The first CD album "Rustic", was released in October 1997 and received many pleasing reviews. Beyond the Bars have been featured on 'Primetime', HTV Wales' arts programme, performing a song from Rustic. The album also received local, national and international radio airplay.

The EP CD "White Hotel", was a precursor to the later 19 track CD album "Far off things" released late in 1999 (or last century!)
"Spring Fair" - from the "White Hotel" EP and "Far off things" album was included on a compilation album of 17 unsigned Welsh bands, entitled "Take it to the Bridge 3"

JON
Now the longest serving member of Beyond the Bars - not surprisingly, as Jon is the band's creative and driving force. Passionate about his music and the band, Jon is a prolific songwriter (he once remarked he had in excess of 1500, and that was months ago!). Once admitted that his writing reflects a preoccupation with death and the futility of existence! His lyrics are almost always thought provoking - deep might be the wrong word but it's the one that springs to mind (check out his lyrics by following the "music" link)

In common with Jaime and Gareth, Jon is a talented and intuitive multi-instumentalist. He will also happily admit to a long held passion for the Incredible String Band. It should be no surprise therefore, that the only cover that will appear in a Beyond the Bars set will be an ISB song! In contrast to John, he cannot be said to be the most organised member of the band, but others members tend to forgive him this when, lost in the music, he goes into one of his dance routines. However, the spaghetti of wires which tend to surround him are a real danger!

JAIME
Ferociously musically able. Once a child prodigy. Jaime has had enormous patience in dealing with the inane and crisis-led ramblings of the old(er) men that have, for the most part, populated BTB.

Jaime is a highly talented keyboard player, but has ability with most instruments given five minutes practice. Her resonant and precise vocal provides perfect release from the strained groanings that are often emitted from the larynx of the other main singer in the band.

Though hardly prolific in terms of conventional song writing, her songs and music have won the band a wider (and larger) audience than would otherwise have been the case.

JOHN
The supreme logician, yet possessing, thankfully, an insatiable urge towards innovation. The organiser. The realist. The inventor. Multifariously skilled with a superb ear, John has taken the band from impetuous conception to measured present success. In practical terms, John has built the sound system, ensured that every band member plays an instrument that is reliable and has designed all the promotional material, the CD covers and on-disk art work and this web site.

John has added sympathetic and carefully crafted guitar parts to all the material, playing lead guitar that meshes perfectly into the overall sound.

John is the oldest member of the band, but the others have accepted him as a source of dignity and wisdom (and coped admirably with his penchant - or dementia - led compulsion Ð for buying pencil cases for every single lead and cable). To his credit, he has always responded (and occasionally civilly) to his band nick name of "Grandad" or "The Aged One".

GARETH
Another child prodigy, Gareth has adapted to the improvisational style of BTB with speed and enthusiasm. His classical background has proved useful - he has a sure grasp of theory - but also very confusing for those from a different musical culture (i.e. those that taught themselves to play, and without books!!) when he talks of 'thirds', 'fourths', 'sevenths' etc* or, even more, when he discusses varieties of 'scales' (aren't these white square things that rest on the bathroom floor, we ask?). Gareth has a huge collection of expensive violins, all of which, he tells us, he has been 'loaned'.

Gareth has added another dimension (or series of dimensions) to the band.

VICKI
Vicki, although a drummer, has no personality disorders. A thoughtful and forthright (and forceful) character whose practical dedication and aural precision have been of tremendous benefit to BTB.

Vicki is new to the rock 'n' folk scene - she has been SURPRISED at some of the spit and sawdust venues we have performed in and has even COMMENTED on the fact that people have 'fornicated' (well that's what it looked like) as they danced to us. We have put her right on this, explaining what life, on the long dusty road of Folk, is all about.

Vicki has a background (and, indeed, a present) in drama. She compares life in the band to Waiting for Godot, which, the rest of us assume, is a really exciting play where everyone is really happy and purposeful.

ALAN
Alan is the newest member of the band, replacing Paul on bass. We'll write more when we know more!