A band created at a youth club in Cardiff has released their debut album in homage to y outh clubs across the country. Junior Bill was created at the Cathays Youth & Community Centre by songwriter Rob Nichols and since then have found success with their music. All members of the band met at the community centre when they were teenagers looking for a place to express their musical talents. For Rob it was a place for him to stay out of trouble as well as "find like-minded people and find the opportunity to get involved with music". As adults the bandmates have continued to use the youth centre as a place to rehearse and have remained a "part of the furniture". Since the band was created 10 years ago they have released EPs, toured the nation and performed at festivals including Glastonbury and this month they released their first album titled Youth Club. The songs on the album contain stories of young life in
Britain with a subtle narrative of the journey a young man faces reaching adulthood. The album is a tribute to youth groups in the
UK paying homage to the band's beginning. For the latest news in Cardiff visit here . READ MORE: The Cardiff woman who's made a chart-topping reggae album which has been considered for a Grammy READ MORE: JLS are bringing their Summer Hits tour to Cardiff Castle in 2024 Rob said: "Youth centres have had a massive impact on myself and the other guys in the band in terms of being a place to stay out of trouble and get involved in music. Youth clubs are vital for young people." To mark the release of the album, the band are putting on a show in Cathays Community Centre on Saturday, November 11. Rob has made the night a 14+ event to be inclusive to young people, as he remembers clearly the pain of not being allowed into gigs as a younger teenager. Rob said: "Live
music used to be for the youth, for kids. In the few years before I became a teenager I think things got a lot stricter with letting young people into venues. I was even kicked out of gigs that I was playing for being underage. It just meant there was one less exciting, positive way for young people to spend their time" The event will also feature three other groups based at the youth centre in Cathays. Each act are young performers, some of whom have never played live before. They include, Bliss, Casual Smarts and a one-off performance by the Monday Youth Club Band, a band of members of the inclusive youth club aimed at young people with additional learning needs. The event will take place at Cathays Youth & Community Centre, Cardiff with tickets on sale at £6 if bought in advance and £9 if bought on the door. For more information and to book tickets visit here or here. Join the WalesOnline
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