The Queue, at Trerhondda in Ferndale

The Queue, at Trerhondda in Ferndale

Arts Factory is proud to have offered a venue for a recent performance by up-and-coming Rhondda youth band, The Queue, at Trerhondda in Ferndale on Wednesday, April 7. This performance was brought together by Art Factory's Youth Programme co-ordinator Sarah Slye, with vital assistance from the programme's tutors and volunteers.

The Queue was formed in September, 2009 by Dominic Green, 16, Rhys Cook,15, Gabby Murphy, 13, and Jack Parry, 12. At this point, The Queue's performance consists primarily of cover songs, well-interpreted. However, the band has created its first original song, 'Wake Up!' This song is to be recorded soon at the Pen-Rhys partnership recording studio. The Queue also will participate in upcoming auditions for the V-Factor, a regional music competition.

Cover songs in The Queue's repertoire include: One of Those Girls (Avril Lavigne); Dirty Little Secret (All American Rejects); Never Forget You (The Noisettes); Poker Face (Lady Gaga); Valerie (Amy Winehouse); Stand By Me (Ben E. King); Sweet Child O'Mine (Guns 'N' Roses); Call Me, and Maria (Blondie); That's What You Get (Paramore); I'm Yours (Jason Mraz).

Dominic's dad, Robert Green, is the band's manager, and he also ocassionally plays saxophone for the band. Mr Green says: 'This is a very young band, very talented. They have worked hard on their performances and they fit together well as a group.'

Mr Green explains that Dom and Jack met at a Llantrisant rock school. These two members formed the orginal band. Several other members came and went over the next few months, until the current band formed. The Queue appeared for its opening gig at Fagin's in Thomastown in September, 2009.

When asked to give a description of each band member, Mr Green said, 'At 12 years old, Jack has developed an exceptional talent on the lead guitar, playing faultless solos that older, more experienced guitarists can only dream of emulating. Jack started playing with guitars at the age of three and has been taught by his father, Mike Parry, who is also a very accomplished musician.

'Gabby's parents only recently realised that she had a talent for singing but they quickly booked her in with one of Charlotte Church's previous singing coaches to develop her technique, and this is already paying off. For such a young girl, Gabby performs with maturity and confidence and she undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of her.

'Rhys has had a keen interest in music for a number of years and as well as playing the bass guitar, he also plays drums and is interested in music recording.

'Dominic is a very disciplined drummer and has recently been approached by an adult band, Stone Groove, to help them out. Dominic has agreed to play with Stone Groove, but has stressed that The Queue must take priority if things start to take off. Apart from playing drums for the last three years, Dominic is also a qualified life saver. He studies Tae Kwon Do in the Rhondda Sports Centre and often skates around Penygraig or in the Ferndale Skate Park.

'As a group of kids, they all get on really well with each other and they put a lot of effort into rehearsal, which is evident in their performance. It is very unusual to find a group of children with an average age of 14 who are able to perform to the standard of The Queue. They are an exceptional group of young people who are achieving recognition as a result of hard work and dedication, which should prove to be an inspiration to other youngsters who are interested in learning to play musical instruments and performing.

'After the gig at Arts Factory, the band were asked if they would be interested in performing on Rhondda Radio (www.rhonddaradio.com), a locally-based internet station, and if they would be interested in touring the Rhondda to promote this new radio station. The band are very excited about this prospect and hope they will be featured soon.

'The Queue won the Battle of the Bands competition that was held at the Cardinal Newman Comprehensive School on Wednesday, 12 December 2009. This was only a school competition; nonetheless, they had to compete against 6 other talented acts on the night. They attend different schools throughout the RCT area, including Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive, Treorchy Comprehensive and Tonypandy Community College.'

The Queue are scheduled to record their original 'Wake Up!' song at the Penrhys recording studio very soon. GTFM and Radio Wales, take note.