In the early 90’s, “Cool Cymru”, the Millennium Stadium and the National Assembly were still a few years off; home computers and mobile ‘phones were still in their infancy; and it would be the end of the decade before dial-up internet hit the main stream.

‘Madchester’ had peaked and The Simpsons, Hale & Pace, Chesney Hawkes, Cher and Jason Donovan were topping the the UK singles chart! Alternatively, Nirvana had released their ‘Nevermind’ album to critical acclaim, Primal Scream’s ‘Higher than the Sun’ reached number 40 in the UK singles chart, and the ‘Out of Time’ LP was about to turn REM into a major global force.

I felt at the time, and on reflection still do, that bands from Wales weren’t getting a fair crack of the whip. They weren’t being taking seriously by the London-based music industry, and they were getting very little, if any exposure in the main-stream media. Bands like The Darling Buds and The Manic Street Preachers were starting to break through, but there was so much more happening that went unreported, I had to somehow get it on record and out there.

The answer was “A Fanzine called White Lemonade.”

In the absence of PCs and digital cameras, I used a beaten up, second-hand, type-writer, photocopiers in public libraries and friend’s offices, plenty of glue and a scissors to put each issue together. I contacted the bands in the traditional way – with a hand-written letter. It was all very much DIY.

I make no apologies for the standard of English, and the style in which it was written. There was plenty of good music in Wales and the vast majority of it was happening under the radar. I had to get the message out there, and fast!

The three issues I produced are a snapshot of what was going on in Rhondda, Wales and a little further afield at the time. You may read this online version out of curiosity, for nostalgia’s sake, or something a little more serious, but for whatever reason, I hope you enjoy your visit back to the early 1990’s.

Best wishes,

Darren