What’s on: Community has always been important to Welsh band Those Damn Crows

Growing up in the same Welsh town, a sense of community has always been important to Those Damn Crows.

Now, as they continue to spread their wings and fly to new heights, the rockers from Bridgend are determined to treat their growing number of fans just like the local community who supported them when they were starting out.

Singer Shane Greenhall, guitarists Ian “Shiner” Thomas and David Winchurch, drummer Ronnie Huxford and bassist Lloyd Wood, who saw their previous album enter the UK Album Charts at No. 14, released their third record, Inhale/Exhale, on Friday and are in Scotland this week.

“It’s important to keep in touch with community, and it’s amazing how that local mindset has drip-fed into this massive, nationwide UK mindset and community,” said Greenhall. The band was presented with a citizenship award by the local mayor’s office for Crowcast, a podcast they began during lockdown to keep in touch with their fanbase.

“We were really surprised when we got the call about the award,” he continued. “I’m dead proud of where we’ve come from and to get the award, but at the time it was just about giving back to the people who give to us so readily. We just wanted to make it about community but the next thing we knew we were getting calls from record labels and promoters offering us interviews with bands and it snowballed. We soon realised we’d become a talk show!”

The band is now back in the day job and playing a headline tour, which includes an arena show in nearby Swansea. They’re also playing in-store acoustic shows around the country, including Assai Records in Edinburgh today and LoveMusic in Glasgow on Tuesday, before playing a full show at The Garage later that night.

“We used to meet the fans at the merch table but venues don’t like that – especially the bigger venues – because it’s a health and safety issue when they are trying to get people out. So the in-stores are a great way to thank fans for buying the record.”

Given plenty of encouragement during their school days, Greenhall doesn’t believe the band would be where it is without that grassroots support.

“Myself and Ronnie had the best music teacher in the world. Mr Jones was so supportive. Every break time, he would allow us into the music room. He bought Ronnie drums and I’d be on the piano and we’d jam constantly. Mr Jones was incredibly talented, as was our science teacher, a bass player who toured with acts like Owen Money. They would give their input and we found ourselves getting better, then we met Shiner when we were 13.

“Mr Jones knew about us because his wife was our music teacher at junior school and she told him I was coming up and had a knack for music. The first time I met him, he said, ‘There’s the piano, play it whenever you want’. I’ve been so lucky that people saw something in me and Ronnie growing up, and gave us the platform, education, time and understanding to become musicians. I’ll be forever grateful to the people who helped us along the way.”

Thanks to collaborations with other local businesses, Those Damn Crows now have their own branded beer, coffee and online fitness club, but it’s always been about the music, and that’s why they’re looking forward to returning to Scotland this week.

“It’s a hell of a trip but it’s always worth it and it feels like a home gig,” Greenhall added. “There’s so many similarities between Scotland and Wales, especially when it comes to music and alcohol. We can drink really well and sing well!”

Those Damn Crows, The Garage, Glasgow, Tuesday