Friday 8th October 2004 issue

Wales is a country renowned for its long and distinguished musical tradition. However, the eccentricity of latest national talent, Newport rap-collective Goldie Lookin Chain (a.k.a ‘The Welsh Wu-Tang’) outclasses even the most psychedelic and teen divafied of them all.

The 15 man crew are currently bringing their distinctive brand of Argos purchased bling to venues around the UK on their aptly punned ‘An ounce don’t come for free’ tour. Ten of the elaborately chavved up GLC treated an expectant Oxford crowd to a surreal and hysterical pantomime. Be assured that grown men alternately shouting expletives whilst leaping across the stage in an impressively choreographed sort of way is surprisingly entertaining.

Opening with Self Suicide, a pretty damn funny of the career benefits of taking one’s own life, then Maggots, Love Eggs and Co ensured mouths intently miming the lyrics ‘Jesus was nailed to a piece of wood, 2,000 years later and book sales are still good’.

Roller Disco, a welcome injection of 80s nostalgia, was followed by the TOTP banned ‘Sound Of The Police’ sampling hit, Guns Don’t Kill People Rappers Do. A few liberal ‘safe as fuck’ shout-outs later and the party mood was secured.

The Chain excel in the art of the rip-off; their 21 Ounces parodies So Solid’s grimy bass line with panache. Sceptics may feel that tracks titled Your Mother’s Got a Penis lack substance, justifiably; however, perhaps I’ve got a bad case of pre-school humour, but it’s still hilarious.

GLC are not the future of brithop and they know it. But they will definitely make you laugh. And wonder what did happen to the institution that was the roller disco?